Samsung Galaxy F12 review
The Samsung Galaxy F12 is a new budget smartphone that starts from ₹10,999. It boasts a unique textured back with a wave-like pattern, setting it apart from other smartphones in its price range. The device features a 6.5-inch HD+ 90Hz LCD display, which provides punchy colors and a sharp viewing experience. The rear camera setup consists of a 48MP primary sensor, 5MP ultra-wide sensor, 2MP depth sensor, and 2MP macro sensor, offering versatility in capturing various scenes. However, there's no video stabilization, and video recording is limited to 1080p at 30fps. The phone runs on the Exynos 850 chipset with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage, providing a smooth performance. It also features a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, USB Type-C port, and a headphone jack. The device ships with Android 11 and One UI Core 3.1, which is expected to receive updates for a longer period. The Galaxy F12's battery is a 6000mAh unit that should provide a long-lasting experience. However, it only supports 15W charging, which takes around three hours to fully charge the device. Despite this, the phone's pricing seems competitive, and Samsung has done a decent job of packing in features without breaking the bank. Overall, the Galaxy F12 appears to be another solid addition to Samsung's lineup of budget smartphones, offering a feature-rich experience at an affordable price point.
Build Quality and Design
The Samsung Galaxy F12 boasts a sleek design that sets it apart from its competitors in the budget segment. The textured back with an unusual wave-like pattern is a unique feature that catches the eye. Available in a sea green color, this phone exudes a sense of style and modernity. While it may feel heavy in the hand, it's well-balanced, thanks to its slim design. The use of a completely plastic body with a square camera cutout at the back is a clever move by Samsung. It not only adds an aesthetic touch but also provides durability. The Infinity V design, which features a notch at the top of the screen, may seem dated in 2021, but it still looks sharp and modern. The build quality of the Galaxy F12 is commendable, considering its price point. The phone feels solid and well-made, with no creaks or flexes noticeable when pressed. The textured back also adds a tactile experience to the device, making it comfortable to hold and use. While some may find the design of the Galaxy F12 to be somewhat conservative, it's hard to deny its appeal. The use of plastic for the body has allowed Samsung to keep costs low while still delivering a premium feel. Overall, the build quality and design of the Galaxy F12 are impressive, making it a solid contender in the budget smartphone market. The Samsung Galaxy F12's design is a reflection of Samsung's focus on providing a feature-packed device at an affordable price. While some may prefer a more premium feel, the Galaxy F12 delivers on its promise to offer a reliable and stylish smartphone that won't break the bank.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy F12's battery life is one aspect where I had mixed feelings during my time with this device. On the one hand, it boasts a generous 6000mAh unit, which should theoretically provide ample juice for extended periods of use. In reality, however, the actual battery performance falls short of expectations. While it may not completely drain in a single day, especially if you're a moderate user, it's certainly not as impressive as some other budget smartphones on the market. To make matters worse, charging times are sluggish, with the phone taking around three hours to go from zero to full using the standard 15W charger. This is particularly disappointing given the large battery size and the relatively low power consumption of most modern Android devices. In my opinion, a more efficient charger, such as the 25W unit found in some other Samsung phones, would have made a significant difference here. Nevertheless, I still believe the Galaxy F12's battery life is decent enough to get you through a full day, albeit with some careful power management. Overall, while not particularly impressive, the Samsung Galaxy F12's battery life is not its biggest weakness either. It gets the job done, but it doesn't exactly set any new standards in this department.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy F12 boasts a 6.5-inch HD+ 90Hz LCD panel, which is impressive considering the phone's budget-friendly price point. The display produces punchy and vibrant colors, making it suitable for watching videos and browsing through content. Widevine L1 certification is also present, allowing users to stream HD content on Netflix without any issues. The Infinity V design may seem dated in 2021, but it still looks decent on the Galaxy F12. One of the standout features of the display is its refresh rate, which reaches up to 90Hz. This makes for a smooth and responsive viewing experience, especially when scrolling through menus or watching videos. The LCD panel also appears sharp considering the phone's price point. However, it's worth noting that some users may find the display lacking in certain areas, such as color accuracy and brightness. In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy F12's display is a highlight of the device. While it may not be perfect, it offers a good viewing experience for its price. The 90Hz refresh rate and Widevine L1 certification are definite pluses, making it an attractive option for those looking for a budget-friendly smartphone. Overall, the display on the Galaxy F12 is a solid effort by Samsung, and it's definitely worth considering if you're in the market for a new phone.
Camera
The Samsung Galaxy F12's camera setup is a quad-camera configuration that includes a 48-megapixel primary sensor, a 5-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor, a 2-megapixel depth sensor, and another 2-megapixel macro sensor. On paper, this sounds like a versatile camera system with various focal lengths at your disposal. In practice, the quad-camera setup delivers decent results, particularly in well-lit conditions. The primary sensor captures detailed images with good color accuracy, while the ultra-wide-angle lens adds some much-needed perspective to your shots. The macro sensor is useful for capturing intricate details up close, but its resolution feels a bit limited at 2 megapixels. However, there are some caveats to consider. The lack of video stabilization means that footage can appear shaky and unsteady, particularly when walking or moving around. Videos are capped at 1080p resolution at 30fps, which is underwhelming considering the phone's capabilities. Additionally, low-light performance is subpar, with noticeable noise and grain in images taken without sufficient lighting. The front-facing camera, an 8-megapixel sensor, struggles to deliver accurate colors, especially in low-light conditions. While edge detection works fairly well, it's not quite on par with the competition. Overall, while the Samsung Galaxy F12's camera setup has its strengths, it falls short in several areas. The lack of video stabilization and limited resolution for both front and rear cameras are notable drawbacks. However, the quad-camera configuration still delivers decent results, making it a solid option for those on a budget who want a capable camera system without breaking the bank. 6.5/10 * Decent performance in well-lit conditions * Useful macro sensor for capturing close-up details * Quad-camera configuration offers variety of focal lengths * Lack of video stabilization and limited resolution * Subpar low-light performance * Front-facing camera struggles with color accuracy
Price and Value
The Samsung Galaxy F12 is a new entrant in the budget smartphone market, priced at Rs 10,999. At this price point, it's essential to evaluate whether the phone offers good value for money. The first thing that catches attention is its textured back with an unusual wave pattern, making it stand out from other budget Samsung smartphones. Design-wise, the Galaxy F12 feels heavy in hand but well-balanced, despite having a big battery and LCD display inside. The overall design language is similar to what we've seen in the budget segment from Samsung, featuring a completely plastic body with a square camera cut-out at the back. Moving on to the display, it's a 6.5-inch HD+ 90Hz LCD panel that looks sharp considering the price of this phone. The punchy colors and widevine L1 certification for watching HD content on Netflix are also notable features. However, the Infinity V design might look dated in 2021. The camera setup is impressive, featuring a 48MP primary sensor, 5MP ultra-wide sensor, 2MP depth sensor, and 2MP macro sensor. While it's versatile with different focal lengths, there's no video stabilization, and videos can only be shot at 1080p at 30fps. Performance-wise, the phone runs on the Exynos 850 chipset with 4GB RAM and 128GB onboard storage (64GB variant also available). Android 11 with One UI Core 3.1 is the software platform. While there's a bit of bloatware present, it can be easily uninstalled. The Galaxy F12 offers good value for money considering its price. With its large feature set and competitive pricing, it's an excellent option in the budget smartphone market. However, the lack of video stabilization and slow charging (15W) might be drawbacks for some users. Overall, this phone is a solid addition to Samsung's budget smartphone lineup.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy F12 is a budget smartphone that packs quite a punch in terms of features, considering its price point. One aspect where it delivers is performance. Under the hood lies the Exynos 850 chipset, which boasts an eight-nanometer architecture that promises a long battery life. In reality, the phone handles everyday tasks with ease, making it snappy enough to use without any noticeable lag. The presence of 4GB RAM might be a slight concern for some users, but it still manages to provide a smooth experience. However, there's one aspect where the Galaxy F12 falls short: software updates. Running on Android 11 with One UI Core 3.1, the phone does get nifty features with its latest update, and Samsung's bolstered updates program ensures that it will stay fresh for much longer. Nonetheless, it would have been better if the phone had a more recent version of Android. Another minor gripe is the presence of bloatware, but thankfully, all of it can be easily uninstalled. On the positive side, the One UI Core experience is still quite good, with features like edge detection and widevine L1 certification for watching HD content on Netflix. In terms of performance, the Galaxy F12 does its job admirably, making it a solid addition to Samsung's lineup of budget smartphones. The 3GB RAM model would have been appreciated, but 4GB RAM is still sufficient for most users. Overall, the phone performs well enough, especially considering its price point. The Galaxy F12's performance is one aspect where it shines brightly, making it a decent contender in the budget smartphone segment. While not perfect, it offers a good balance of features and price, making it a solid choice for those looking for an affordable Android phone.