Samsung Galaxy A12 – Big Battery, Quad Cameras, and a Familiar Samsung Touch

Introduction

Samsung’s Galaxy A12 aims to bring the company’s trusted smartphone experience to users who don’t want to spend a fortune. Launched at the start of 2021, the Galaxy A12 sits in the brand’s entry-level lineup — below the Galaxy M12 and above the Galaxy M02s — offering a decent mix of design, performance, and camera features for budget buyers.

Design

At first glance, the Galaxy A12 doesn’t scream “cheap.” Yes, it’s made of plastic, but Samsung has managed to make it look and feel good in hand. The unibody design gives it a clean, solid look. The back panel has a diagonal textured finish on the upper part, which adds a bit of visual flair. Down at the bottom, you’ll find Samsung’s logo and some subtle regulatory markings.

The quad-camera module on the rear is neatly arranged, with the LED flash sitting just below. However, the two 2MP sensors (macro and depth) feel more like filler than functional add-ons — something we’ve come to expect in this segment.

Display

Samsung’s OLED screens are legendary, but the Galaxy A12 takes a different route. It features a 6.5-inch PLS LCD panel — Samsung’s version of IPS — with an HD+ (1600×720) resolution. While it’s not the sharpest display out there, it’s perfectly usable for day-to-day tasks, streaming, and browsing.

Brightness peaks at around 400 nits in manual mode and can reach 472 nits with adaptive brightness turned on. It’s not the brightest screen in sunlight, but it’s still acceptable for the price range.

Battery Life

Battery life is one of the Galaxy A12’s strongest points. Its massive 5,000mAh cell easily lasts over a day and a half on a single charge. In testing, it delivered over 16 hours of web browsing, 30+ hours of talk time, and around 15 hours of video playback — impressive endurance for its class.

Charging Speed

Charging, however, is a different story. The included 15W charger takes a little over 3 hours for a full top-up and gives you just 20% in 30 minutes. So, yes — this one’s better charged overnight.

Software

The Galaxy A12 runs Android 10 with Samsung’s One UI 2.5 out of the box. It hasn’t received Android 11 at launch, but Samsung typically pushes updates to its A-series models, so that may change.

The interface feels familiar — smooth, easy to navigate, and packed with Samsung’s usual customization options. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor works well and doubles as a power button. Just be mindful — it can get accidentally triggered in your pocket if you’re not careful.

Performance

Powering the Galaxy A12 is the MediaTek Helio P35 chipset. It’s an octa-core processor built on a 12nm process — efficient but not particularly powerful. You can comfortably browse the web, use social media, and stream videos, but don’t expect high-end gaming performance.

Samsung offers multiple variants, starting with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage, going up to 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. The 4GB/128GB model hits a sweet spot for most users.

Camera

The Galaxy A12 packs a quad-camera setup — though only two really matter. The main sensor is a 48MP Samsung GM2, producing sharp, detailed 12MP shots using pixel-binning. The 5MP ultra-wide adds flexibility, capturing a 123-degree field of view, though it lacks software correction for distortion.

The remaining two 2MP sensors — macro and depth — are there mostly for show. On the front, there’s an 8MP selfie camera housed in a notch, which performs decently in good lighting.

The camera app is classic Samsung — intuitive, fast, and easy to navigate. You can swipe between modes, rearrange them, or switch between cameras with a simple gesture.

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy A12 isn’t built to impress power users, but it gets the basics right — great battery life, solid design, and reliable cameras for casual photography.

That said, competition in this price segment is fierce. Brands like Xiaomi, Realme, and Poco often offer more powerful chipsets and faster charging at similar prices.

Still, if you’re loyal to Samsung or want a budget phone that looks good and lasts long, the Galaxy A12 is a safe, no-nonsense choice. Just don’t expect flagship performance — this one’s all about dependability.