Apple iPhone 12 mini vs Motorola Moto G 5G - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date November 13, 2020 December 7, 2020
Release Year 2020 2020

Physical

Volume 62.47 cm³ 125.14 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 4 "/g 3.16 "/g
Weight 135 g 212 g
Height 131.5 mm 166.1 mm
Width 64.2 mm 76.1 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 9.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • White
  • Green
  • Purple
  • Frosted Silver
  • Volcanic Gray

Display

Screen Size 5.4 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 84.8 % 85.7 %
Pixel Density 476 PPI 393 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A N/A
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 625 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1200 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 76.37 mAh/in² 111.38 mAh/in²
Battery Density 35.65 mAh/cm³ 39.96 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 2227 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) Adreno 619

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features Lightning 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System iOS Android
Initial OS Version 14.1 10
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureApple iPhone 12 miniMotorola Moto G 5GPractical Impact
Dimensions131.5 × 64.2 × 7.4 mm166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mmiPhone 12 mini is significantly smaller and easier to handle one-handed; Moto G 5G is larger, which can be good for media consumption but less pocketable.
Weight135g212giPhone 12 mini is much lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use; Moto G 5G is heavier, which may be less convenient for long periods.

Display

FeatureApple iPhone 12 miniMotorola Moto G 5GPractical Impact
Size5.4"6.7"Motorola Moto G 5G provides a much larger screen area, better for watching videos and browsing; iPhone 12 mini is more compact for portability.
Resolution1080x23401080x2400Both offer sharp visuals, though the difference is minor
PPI476393iPhone 12 mini has a sharper, more detailed display due to its higher pixel density; Text and images will appear crisper.
TechnologyOLEDIPS LCDiPhone 12 mini's OLED screen has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and richer colors; Motorola Moto G 5G has an LCD, which is still good but lacks the same visual impact.
Refresh Rate60Hz60HzBoth have a standard refresh rate, so scrolling and animations are equally smooth.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsiPhone 12 mini is significantly brighter, making it much easier to view in direct sunlight; Motorola Moto G 5G brightness is unknown but potentially much lower, making outdoor use more challenging.

Performance

FeatureApple iPhone 12 miniMotorola Moto G 5GPractical Impact
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)Apple A14 is a much more powerful chip, offering significantly faster performance; better for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.
Antutu Score1,072,354390,000iPhone 12 mini offers a significantly faster experience in all use cases; It loads apps faster, multi-tasks better, and handles heavy games more smoothly.
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)Adreno 619iPhone 12 mini's GPU delivers superior graphics performance for gaming and other visually intensive tasks.

Camera

FeatureApple iPhone 12 miniMotorola Moto G 5GPractical Impact
Standard Camera12MP f/1.648MP f/1.7Motorola Moto G 5G has a higher resolution, potentially capturing more detail in good lighting. iPhone 12 mini has a wider aperture for better low-light performance.
Selfie Camera12MP f/2.216MP f/2.2Motorola Moto G 5G has a higher resolution for more detailed selfies. Both have similar apertures.
Wide Angle Lens12MP f/2.48MP f/2.2iPhone 12 mini captures more detail with its 12MP sensor. Motorola Moto G 5G has a wider aperture for better low-light.
Macro LensNone2MP f/2.4Motorola Moto G 5G allows for close-up photography, a feature the iPhone 12 mini lacks.
VideoUp to 4K 60fps HDRUp to 4K 30fps EISiPhone 12 mini offers more options for video recording, and the HDR video can capture a wider range of color and lighting; Moto G 5G offers EIS, which could provide stable footage, though limited to 30fps in 4K.
DXOMark (Mobile)117N/AiPhone 12 mini has a well-regarded camera system, as demonstrated by its DXOMark score. The absence of a score for the Moto G 5G makes a direct comparison difficult, but the iPhone 12 mini is likely to have a significantly better camera performance.
DXOMark (Selfie)132N/AiPhone 12 mini has a high-scoring selfie camera, indicating it provides high-quality selfies and video.
Camera FeaturesAdvanced OIS, 4K Video, Optical Zoom, Ultra Stable Video, Continuous Autofocus, Manual FocusDigital Image Stabilization, Laser AutofocusThe iPhone 12 mini offers superior stabilization and more manual controls for advanced users. The Moto G 5G is simpler but includes laser autofocus.

Battery

FeatureApple iPhone 12 miniMotorola Moto G 5GPractical Impact
Capacity2227 mAh5000 mAhMotorola Moto G 5G has a significantly larger battery, likely offering much longer battery life; iPhone 12 mini's smaller battery may require more frequent charging.
Charging20W Fast Charging20W Fast ChargingBoth support the same 20W fast charging.
FeaturesMagSafe wireless charging (up to 15W), Qi wireless charging (up to 7.5W)NoneiPhone 12 mini offers additional wireless charging options, which are convenient for cable-free charging.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides significantly faster processing speeds and better graphics performance.
  • Higher Quality Display: The OLED display with higher pixel density and much brighter screen offers a more vibrant and detailed viewing experience, especially outdoors.
  • Better Camera System: The DXOMark score suggests higher quality photos and video, especially in low light and the more advanced stabilization features.
  • Wireless Charging: Offers convenient MagSafe and Qi wireless charging options.
  • Smaller Form Factor: A more portable and pocketable design, suitable for one-handed use.

Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:

  • Significantly Longer Battery Life: The larger 5000 mAh battery offers substantially better endurance, making it suitable for heavy users.
  • Larger Display: The 6.7" screen is better for media consumption and multitasking.
  • Macro Lens: Offers close-up photography capabilities, enhancing creative options.
  • Fingerprint Sensor: Provides biometric security for easy access.
  • Lower price point: It is expected to be much cheaper.

Trade-offs:

  • iPhone 12 mini: Smaller screen and potentially shorter battery life. Significantly more expensive.
  • Motorola Moto G 5G: Lower overall performance, a display that's less vibrant and not as good in bright sunlight, and a less capable camera system. Significantly cheaper.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Apple iPhone 12 mini is Ideal For:

  • Users who prioritize performance: Gamers, app developers, and those who need a fast, responsive phone.
  • Those who value display quality: Users who consume media regularly and want a vibrant, detailed screen.
  • Users who need a compact phone: People who prefer a smaller device that is easy to carry and operate one-handed.
  • Those who prioritize camera performance: Users who want the best possible image and video quality from their smartphone.
  • Users who prefer the iOS ecosystem: Those who are already invested in the Apple ecosystem and its services.

Use Cases:

*   Gaming on the go.
*   Quick photo capture with great results.
*   Video editing on the go.
*   One-handed use for texting or browsing.
*   Reliable outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.

Motorola Moto G 5G is Ideal For:

  • Users who prioritize battery life: Those who use their phones heavily throughout the day and don't want to worry about charging.
  • Those who enjoy consuming media: Users who like watching videos, movies, and browsing content on a large screen.
  • Budget-conscious buyers: Those who want a decent 5G phone at a more affordable price.
  • Users who prioritize basic phone functionality: Users focused on everyday communications, browsing, and light multimedia without needing high-end features.
  • Users who prefer the Android ecosystem: Those who are accustomed to and prefer the Android operating system.

Use Cases:

*   All-day use without needing a charger.
*   Watching movies, TV shows, and social media on a large screen.
*   Casual photography and close-up macro photography.
*   Web browsing and social media.
*   Reliable mobile connection on a budget.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. What is your budget? The iPhone 12 mini will be more expensive.
  2. How much do you value performance and display quality? The iPhone 12 mini offers substantially better performance and display technology.
  3. How important is battery life and screen size? The Motorola Moto G 5G offers a much larger battery and screen.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: "Power User" If you are a power user who needs the fastest performance and highest quality display for gaming, multitasking, and media consumption, the iPhone 12 mini is the better choice, despite the higher cost.
  • Scenario 2: "Battery Life Prioritizer" If battery life is your primary concern, and you're okay with a larger form factor and decent (but not top-tier) performance, the Motorola Moto G 5G is the better option.
  • Scenario 3: "Budget Conscious" If you are on a tight budget and still need a decent all-around smartphone, the Motorola Moto G 5G provides good value for the money.
  • Scenario 4: "Portability Matters Most" If you want a compact phone that's easy to use one-handed, even if it means compromising on battery life, the iPhone 12 mini is the clear winner.

What I Would Choose and Why

Personally, I would choose the Apple iPhone 12 mini. While the Motorola Moto G 5G offers excellent battery life and a larger screen, my priorities lean towards a phone that excels in performance, camera quality, and display vibrancy. I value the sleek, compact form factor of the iPhone 12 mini, making it much easier for everyday use and transportation. The A14 Bionic chip will ensure a fast and fluid experience for years to come, and the superior OLED display will make content consumption far more enjoyable. The better camera, supported by Apple's image processing algorithms, is also a big plus for me. While the smaller battery might mean more frequent charges, I find the overall experience provided by the iPhone 12 mini justifies this trade-off. Ultimately, the iPhone 12 mini's superior technology and compact design aligns perfectly with my daily needs and preference for top-tier performance within a small form factor. It's worth noting that the price premium needs to be factored in, and for users who do not need top-tier performance and prefer Android, the Motorola may be a better fit. However, considering the longevity and user experience, I would pick the iPhone 12 mini.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
  • Technical storytelling
  • User-centric technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.