Samsung Galaxy M12 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy M12 (2021) runs on the Exynos 850, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 29/100 (a 55-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 234,339); the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is thinner (7.9mm vs 9.7mm).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy M12
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Samsung Galaxy M12 better?
- Overall rating 29/100
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 234339
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 300
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 836
- Faster charging: 60W vs 15W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
- Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 90Hz
- Lighter: 214g vs 221g
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 16/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 31/100)
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 43/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 44/100)
- Better portability (51/100 vs 30/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy M12 vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 55 points higher (84/100 vs 29/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 16/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 31/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (61/100 vs 43/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M12 (96/100 vs 16/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M12 (88/100 vs 44/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M12 (86/100 vs 31/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M12 (61/100 vs 43/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M12 (51/100 vs 30/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Exynos 850 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 234339 | 3463142 | |
| Geekbench Single | 300 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 836 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.5" PLS IPS | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 90 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 15W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 157 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 5 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 8 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 4GB / 6GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 11, One UI 3.0 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | — | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | — | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 164.0×75.9×9.7 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 221 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | — | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy M12
- Main: 48MP f/2.0
- Ultrawide: 5MP
- Front: 8MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy M12
- 6.5" PLS IPS
- Resolution: 720x1600
- Refresh rate: 90 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy M12
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 15W
- 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 M12 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy M12 by 93.2% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Samsung Galaxy M12
Price unknownDetailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M12 (96/100 vs 16/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M12 (88/100 vs 44/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M12 (86/100 vs 31/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M12 (61/100 vs 43/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M12 (51/100 vs 30/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy M12 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M12 by 55 points (84/100 vs 29/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy M12 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy M12 has a MobileRank rating of 29/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy M12 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 31/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy M12 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 16/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy M12 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.