SAMSUNG GALAXY A12 | SM-A125F/DSN [128 GB]

Pros

• Excellent battery life: Frequently mentioned, with many users reporting battery life lasting several days, sometimes even a week. Specific examples include 20+ hours of video playback, a week of standby time, and three days of continuous use. The battery life is frequently described as amazing, incredible, stunning, and excellent.
• Large screen (6.5 inches): Consistently praised for its clarity, brightness, and ease of use, even in bright sunlight. Considered ideal for media consumption and gaming. Many users find the screen easy to read, even without glasses.
• Good value for money: Reviewers frequently highlight the phone''s affordability and its features, describing it as excellent or great value for its price.
• Fast charging: Multiple reviews mention fast charging capabilities (full charge within 1.5 hours reported), although one user reported slow charging.
• Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Generally praised for ease of use and convenience, allowing for swiping down to access notifications. However, some users report issues with recognition.
• Good build quality: The phone is described as feeling solid, sturdy, durable, and able to withstand drops.
• Expandable storage: Support for microSD cards allows for increased storage capacity. Large storage capacity (128GB and 64GB mentioned) is frequently praised as a positive.
• Adequate performance for basic tasks: Suitable for everyday use, though slowdowns are reported by some users. Many users report the phone as fast and responsive.
• Good audio quality: Speakers are described as clear and loud, and call audio is also noted as excellent by some, though others report difficulty hearing callers.
• Good photo and video quality (for the price range): The camera is considered capable for casual use, particularly for stills in good lighting. A “Food” mode is mentioned. Many users report taking good, sharp, or beautiful photos, particularly from a distance. Multiple cameras (including 4 front-facing for 3D purposes) are mentioned. A 48MP camera is highlighted as an improvement. The macro camera receives specific praise.
• Easy to use: Reviewers frequently praise the phone''s intuitive interface and ease of use, even for less tech-savvy users (including those over 80 years old). The phone is frequently described as simple, easy to use, user-friendly, and easy to set up and transfer apps.
• Dual SIM: Support for dual SIM cards is mentioned as a benefit.
• Headphone jack: The presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a positive.
• Modern design: One review mentions a modern design.
• Easy to navigate: Ease of navigation and quick response are frequently praised.

Cons

• Slow performance: This is a commonly reported issue, especially with demanding apps and games, and after downloading several apps. Frequent freezing, the need for reboots, and sluggish operation are mentioned. The processor is identified as a budget MediaTek chip.
• Low-resolution screen (HD+): The screen''s resolution is noted as lower than higher-end devices, with visible pixelation in some apps and difficulty reading the screen in bright sunlight.
• Limited RAM (3GB or 4GB): This may lead to reduced multitasking capabilities and slower app switching.
• Camera issues: Inconsistent camera performance is a recurring theme, including freezing, unresponsiveness, poor image quality (especially in low light), blurry close-up photos, poor selfie quality, and lack of a night mode. Difficulty taking screenshots and a lack of QR code scanning functionality are also reported.
• Large size: The phone''s size is considered inconvenient for some users, making it difficult to use one-handed or carry in a pocket. Some users consider it too heavy.
• Software/OS issues: Significant software problems are reported, including freezing, app malfunctions, unresponsive buttons, touchscreen issues (unresponsiveness, low sensitivity, problems with scrolling and screen rotation, and problems with sweaty hands), and incompatibility with some apps (including Samsung apps). These issues have led to multiple phone replacements for some users. The phone is also noted as being stuck on Android 12 in one review. Text and emoji compatibility problems are reported. The phone is also mentioned as frequently requiring resets.
• Lack of 5GHz Wi-Fi: Only 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi is available. Wifi issues are reported.
• Placement of buttons: The volume and power buttons are close together, increasing the likelihood of accidental presses. The microphone''s bottom placement interferes with sound during video playback. The power button is described as recessed and difficult to locate. One user reported a failing power button.
• No magnetometer: This absence prevents the use of compass and some apps that require it.
• Screenshot difficulty: The two-finger method is considered difficult by some.
• Bluetooth issues: Intermittent unpairing from hands-free car devices is reported.
• Lack of Smart View: This feature''s absence is mentioned.
• Limited ringtone selection: A smaller-than-expected selection of ringtones is mentioned.
• SD card limitations: Difficulties installing apps on an SD card are reported.
• Microphone issues: Intermittent microphone problems affecting call clarity and voice notes are frequently reported. One user reports the microphone not working at all.
• No always-on display: One user mentions the lack of an always-on display.
• Lack of colored notifications: Mentioned as a drawback by one user.
• NFC inconsistency: NFC functionality is inconsistent and missing on some devices.
• Network issues: Intermittent network issues and connection problems with specific providers are reported.
• Long boot time: Mentioned by one user.
• Screen sharing missing: Reported as absent by one user.
• No standard streaming button: Mentioned as absent by one user.
• Loud charging sounds: The charging light and sound are reported as distracting.
• Difficult to lower the notification shade: One user found this difficult.
• Lack of Clipboard: Mentioned as absent by one user.
• Low volume: Low ringtone volume is reported.
• Screen rotation issues: Reported by one user.
• Insufficient storage: Mentioned by one user.
• Earphone jack issue: Reported as malfunctioning after some time by one user.
• Overheating: Overheating during charging is reported.
• Lack of Instruction Manual: Reported by one user.
• Accent issues: Difficulty with accents is mentioned.
• Fragile glass: The glass is described as breaking easily by one user.
• Power button placement: Reported as inconvenient by one user.
• Lack of inductive charging: Mentioned as absent.
• Pixelation: Reported on the screen.
• Keyboard issues: Low sensitivity is mentioned.
• Difficulty hearing callers: Reported by some users.
• Phone too large: Mentioned as a problem for some users.
• Automatic screen shut-off problems: Mentioned by one user.
• Lack of Samsung Health sensor: Mentioned by one user.
• Fragile glass: One user reported the glass cracking on the first day.
• Poor quality: One review describes the phone as bad.

Comments

The Samsung Galaxy A12 receives mixed reviews. While its battery life, large screen, value, and ease of use are frequently praised, consistent reports of slow performance, camera inconsistencies, software glitches, and size issues remain significant drawbacks. The absence of certain features (NFC, Smart View) is also regularly noted. The variability in user experiences suggests potential quality control problems in manufacturing or software updates. The phone''s suitability depends greatly on individual needs and tolerances for potential issues. Multiple users report needing multiple replacements due to persistent software issues, underlining concerns about long-term reliability. The phone''s glass appears to be fragile, with at least one user reporting it cracking on the first day. One user gave the phone a 1-star rating and described it as bad.