Samsung Galaxy M12
How long will it last?
Our estimateSupported until March 2025 · Buy-by March 2023
Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~4-year update track record — on that basis the Galaxy M12 should be supported until around March 2025. Buying it today still gets you about -1.2 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 rock-bottom-priced 6000mAh phone with a 90Hz screen, now past the end of its update life.
Pros
- 6000mAh battery delivers outstanding endurance for the price
- 90Hz refresh rate is rare at this budget level
- Quad camera with a 48MP main and an ultra-wide lens
Cons
- Only an HD+ resolution screen and entry-level performance
- Software support ended around early 2025
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 6.5-inch PLS LCD, 720x1600 (HD+), 90Hz |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Samsung Exynos 850 |
| 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 |
| macro | 2MP |
| front | 8MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 6,000 mAh |
| Charging | 15W wired |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 164.0 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm |
| Weight | 221 g |
| Materials | Plastic front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Water resistance | None |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | Android 11 with One UI Core 3.1 at launch |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C, GPS |
| 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 M12 get updates?
It received two OS upgrades (to Android 13) and roughly four years of security from its early-2021 launch, with support ending around early 2025.
Does the Galaxy M12 have a high refresh rate?
Yes, it features a 90Hz display, which is unusual at its very low price, though the resolution is only HD+.
How long does the Galaxy M12 battery last?
Its 6000mAh battery is excellent for the price and easily lasts two days, but the 15W charging is slow.
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.