Samsung Galaxy A12 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy A12 (2020) runs on the MediaTek Helio P35, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $180 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 30/100 (a 54-point difference). Key differences: the main camera is 48 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,463,142 vs 199,111); the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is thinner (7.9mm vs 8.9mm).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy A12
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Samsung Galaxy A12 better?
- Lighter: 205g vs 214g
- Cheaper at launch: $180 vs $1299
- Overall rating 30/100
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 199111
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 476
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 828
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
- Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 19/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 29/100)
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 52/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 32/100)
- Better portability (51/100 vs 46/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy A12 vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 54 points higher (84/100 vs 30/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 19/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 29/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy A12 — 26/100, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 78/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A12 (96/100 vs 19/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A12 (88/100 vs 32/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A12 (86/100 vs 29/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 52/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (51/100 vs 46/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | MediaTek Helio P35 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 199111 | 3463142 | |
| Geekbench Single | 476 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 828 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.5" IPS LCD | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | — | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | — | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 157 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 8 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 3GB / 4GB / 6GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 32GB / 64GB / 128GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | — | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | — | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | — | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 164.0×75.8×8.9 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 205 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $180 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy A12
- Main: 48MP
- Front: 8MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy A12
- 6.5" IPS LCD
- Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy A12
- 5000 mAh
- No wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy A12 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy A12 by 94.3% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $1119. Samsung Galaxy A12 was $1119 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A12 (96/100 vs 19/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A12 (88/100 vs 32/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A12 (86/100 vs 29/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 52/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (51/100 vs 46/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy A12 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A12 by 54 points (84/100 vs 30/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy A12 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy A12 has a MobileRank rating of 30/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy A12 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 29/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy A12 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 19/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy A12 over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.