Samsung Galaxy M12: Of budget smartphones, there have been few masters in the art like Samsung. The South Korea-based giant has been churning out practical, day-to-day handsets since the launch of its Galaxy M-series, which value real-world usage over fancy stats.
The Samsung Galaxy M12 ticks all of those boxes—it’s a no frills phone that does the basics well and won’t cause a burning sensation in your pocket.
It might not have everyone doing a double-take at first sight, but spend a bit of time and the Galaxy M12 provides good bang for your buck. Let’s dive into what makes it tick — and where it falls short.
Design:
Sleekness Meets Durability Measuring at thin and weighing only grams, the power bank fits as easily in a purse as it does in a pocket.
The Galaxy M12 adheres to Samsung’s less-is-more policy of design. Its matte-textured plastic back has a hint of pattern that aids in masking fingerprints. It’s not a stunner, but it’s solid and comfortable to hold.
Neatly sitting at the top left is the square camera bump, with the side-mounted fingerprint scanner being a welcomed touch.
It’s a little heavy at about 221 grams; it’s mostly due to the huge battery. That said, it has rounded edges and good weight distribution, so that it doesn’t feel unwieldy.
The M12 is nothing flashy with just Black, Blue and Green offered in classic colors that are simple, but lets be real, less is more.
Display 90Hz That’s already one of the highest screen refresh rates in our industry, and here’s where we unleash its full potential: whether you’re binge-watching a series or playing a game, its smoothness will keep you wanting more!
Up front, there’s a 6.5-inch HD+ PLS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate. Now, this isn’t an AMOLED panel, and resolution only tops off at HD+ so don’t expect super sharp visuals. But the higher refresh rate does make everyday use feel snappier. Browsing your social media feed or toggling between apps is noticeably smoother than with traditional 60Hz panels.
Screen brightness is ok – nothing that jumps off the screen indoors and just about adequate in the higher levels of sunlight. Colors are good, but not as vibrant as Samsung’s AMOLED screens.
Performance: Okay for casual usage
The Galaxy M12 is powered by the Exynos 850 processor and comes in 4GB or 6GB variants, depending on the market. This isn’t a performance powerhouse but it does the basics well enough.
Apps feel like they open with a minimum of delay, you can flip between apps fairly smoothly, and casual games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers run smartly enough.
It’s not the phone you’d choose for hardcore gaming or power-sucking multitasking, but for users who mainly do browsing, messaging, calling and video streaming, it is competent.
Samsung’s One UI Core 3.1 with Android 11 is made for lower-end hardware. It’s basic, unadorned, and mercifully free of unnecessary bloatware.
CameraGood Shots in Daylight
On the rear, the M12 has a quad-camera system, including a 48MP primary lens, 5MP ultra-wide, and 2MP each macro and depth sensors. The 48MP primary shooter is quite good when it comes to taking well-lit shots, offering sharp details and vivid colors.
The ultra-wide lens is fun to shoot with, but there is some distortion at the edges.
The macro and depth sensors are more about ticking boxes than delivering standout performance. Images taken in low light are mediocre, with a lot of visible grain and noise, although Night Mode makes a difference.
The 8MP front camera is fine for selfies and video calls, but it won’t blow anyone away.
The Real Star Is the Battery
If there’s a single area in which the Galaxy M12 truly shines, it’s battery life. You also get a massive 6000mAh battery that will easily last you two days if are an average user if not a light user. Heavy users can even get through a day’s backup.
It supports 15W fast charging, which is a little slow considering the size of the battery size — but faster than the basic 5W or 10W chargers found in older budget phones.
Pros:
Long-lasting 6000mAh battery
Smooth 90Hz display
Reliable 48MP main camera
Neat and clean software experience
Samsung trust and support for the brand
Cons:
HD+ resolution feels outdated
2% in half an hour and took just over four hours to charge from empty to full.
Not the best performance on gaming
Macro and depth camers are of no great use
Slightly bulky in hand
Samsung Galaxy M12 Bottom Line: Doing Budget with Class
The Samsung Galaxy M12 isn’t even pretending to be a flagship phone and that’s absolutely okay. It knows its audience — users who just want a phone that’s reliable and will last them a long time for the basic stuff, and for those people, the Rogue does exactly what it’s intended to do.
A giant battery, 90Hz display, and reliable brand name all combine to make this a great choice in this price range.
Feel free to critique things like the camera array and the resolution of the display. But if your budget priorities are battery life, durability and brand reliability, there are few boxes that the Galaxy M12 doesn’t check without asking for a premium.
