Samsung Galaxy A12
How long will it last?
Our estimateSupported until December 2023 · Buy-by December 2021
Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~3-year update track record — on that basis the Galaxy A12 should be supported until around December 2023. Buying it today still gets you about -2.5 years of safe use (Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years).
Source: Samsung's official policy · last verified 2026-06-12 · how we compute this
Our verdict
A once-popular 2020 budget all-rounder that has since lost software support.
Pros
- Quad rear camera with a 48MP main and real ultra-wide
- Big 5000mAh battery and USB-C charging
- Received updates up to Android 12
Cons
- Security support ended; no more patches
- Helio P35 and 720p screen are dated
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 6.5-inch PLS LCD, 720x1600 (HD+), 60Hz |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | MediaTek Helio P35 |
| RAM | 3GB / 4GB / 6GB |
| Storage | 32GB / 64GB / 128GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 48MP |
| ultra-wide | 5MP |
| front | 8MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| Charging | 15W wired |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 164.0 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm |
| Weight | 205 g |
| Materials | plastic frame and back |
| Water resistance | None |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | Android 10 with One UI Core 2.5 at launch |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, USB-C, 3.5mm jack |
| Update policy | ~2 years of updates (our estimate from Samsung's track record — written minimum is 5 years) |
Better-value alternatives
Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.
Frequently asked questions
How long will the Galaxy A12 get updates?
The A12 launched on Android 10 and was upgraded as far as Android 12, but its security support ended around late 2023. It is no longer being patched.
Does the Galaxy A12 have an ultra-wide camera?
Yes. It uses a quad rear camera with a 48MP main sensor plus a 5MP ultra-wide, which was a generous setup for its price in 2020.
Is the Galaxy A12 still good in 2026?
It still works for basics and has a good battery, but without updates and with an aging chip, it is best used as a backup rather than a daily phone.
Compare it
Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-12.