Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 mini vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022)
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications, focusing on their practical implications for users:
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm | 168.9 x 75.8 x 9.3 mm | The iPhone 12 mini is significantly smaller and more pocketable, while the Moto G Stylus is larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 135g | 215g | The iPhone 12 mini is considerably lighter, making it easier to handle and less tiring for extended periods. |
| Build | Information on build materials (glass, metal, plastic) is missing for both; this impacts durability and perceived quality. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 5.4" | 6.8" | The Moto G Stylus offers a much larger screen for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. The iPhone 12 mini's smaller screen is better for portability and one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1080 x 2460 | Both have similar resolutions, resulting in good sharpness, although the Moto G Stylus has slightly more pixels due to its larger size. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 476 | 395 | The iPhone 12 mini has a sharper display, with noticeable clarity, especially for text and detailed images. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | The iPhone 12 mini has superior display technology with deeper blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors, offering better overall visual quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Moto G Stylus provides smoother animations and scrolling with its higher refresh rate, which is especially noticeable during gaming and fast-paced content viewing. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | The iPhone 12 mini has significantly higher maximum brightness, making it much better for use in direct sunlight. The Moto G Stylus brightness is not specified and likely significantly lower. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | The A14 Bionic is a much more powerful chip, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 385,000 | The iPhone 12 mini has drastically better performance, reflecting its ability to handle demanding applications and games more smoothly. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 619 | The Apple GPU offers superior graphics performance compared to the Adreno 619, which is beneficial for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55" | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/2.76" | The iPhone 12 mini has a larger sensor and wider aperture which generally results in better low-light performance despite the lower megapixel count. The Moto G Stylus offers higher resolution and may provide more detailed shots in optimal conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.2 | The Moto G Stylus has a higher-resolution front camera, potentially leading to slightly more detailed selfies, though other factors impact image quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/2.55" | 8MP, f/2.2 | The iPhone 12 mini has a higher-resolution wide-angle lens, capturing more details in group shots and landscape scenes. |
| Macro Lens | Not Present | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Moto G Stylus has a dedicated macro lens for capturing close-up shots which the iPhone 12 mini lacks. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, Stereo Sound | Up to 1080p@60fps with EIS | The iPhone 12 mini supports higher-resolution video recording with HDR, resulting in better quality videos. The Moto G Stylus has video stabilization, improving video clarity while moving. |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 117, Selfie: 132 | Not Available | The iPhone 12 mini scores significantly higher in DXOMark, indicating superior image and video quality, especially in more challenging lighting conditions. |
| Features | OIS, 4K Video, Optical zoom, Dual camera, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Night Mode 2.0, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode | The iPhone 12 mini offers a broader range of camera features including RAW capture, phase detection autofocus and optical zoom. The Moto G Stylus has digital image stabilization and a night mode specific upgrade. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2227mAh | 5000mAh | The Moto G Stylus has a much larger battery capacity, likely resulting in significantly longer battery life, potentially lasting a full day or longer on a single charge. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | Not specified | The iPhone 12 mini supports fast charging, however, the speed of the Moto G Stylus is not specified. This is a disadvantage. |
| Features | MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W, Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W, Non-removable | Non-removable | The iPhone 12 mini supports wireless charging and different charging standards. Moto G Stylus does not support wireless charging. |
Other Specifications
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | iOS 14.1 (upgradable to iOS 18) | Android 12 | iOS offers a smoother and more polished experience, tighter integration with Apple services, and strong privacy features, while Android is more customizable and offers wider app compatibility. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | The iPhone 12 mini supports a faster and more efficient WiFi standard for better performance on modern networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 LE | Bluetooth 5.1 LE, EDR, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | The Moto G Stylus supports more Bluetooth audio codecs, offering higher quality audio with compatible devices. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM/eSIM) | Single SIM (Nano SIM) | The iPhone 12 mini allows using two SIMs, providing more flexibility for travel and separate work/personal numbers. |
| Internal Storage | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB or 512 GB | 256GB | The iPhone 12 mini offers more storage options, including a higher capacity for users needing more space. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB | The Moto G Stylus has more RAM, which can improve performance in multitasking and memory-intensive applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | 2 microphones | The iPhone 12 mini offers enhanced audio quality with stereo speakers and advanced sound processing. |
| Security Features | Basic Security Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Moto G Stylus offers a fingerprint sensor for easy and secure biometric authentication while the iPhone relies on Face ID, not specified here. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Both have standard proximity and motion sensors, The iPhone has a barometer and the Moto G Stylus has a fingerprint sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a summary of the main advantages and trade-offs of each phone:
Apple iPhone 12 mini:
Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides much faster processing, faster application loading, and smoother overall operation.
- Better Display: OLED technology offers better contrast, color accuracy, and higher brightness, making it superior for viewing media.
- Compact Size: The small form factor makes it exceptionally easy to handle and carry.
- Advanced Camera Capabilities: Higher quality images, better video with 4K and HDR support, optical zoom and more camera features.
- Better Audio Quality Superior sound processing with Dolby technologies
- eSIM Support: More flexible dual SIM options for international travelers.
- Fast Charging and Wireless Charging: Offers a more modern charging experience.
- Stronger Ecosystem Integration: Better experience if you are invested in the Apple ecosystem.
Trade-offs:
- Significantly Smaller Battery: Expect shorter battery life compared to the Moto G Stylus.
- Smaller Display: May feel cramped for users who prefer larger screens for content consumption.
- No Expandable Storage: Limited storage options with no microSD card support.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022):
Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.8-inch screen is ideal for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Significantly Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery provides excellent battery life, potentially lasting a full day or more.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 120Hz refresh rate delivers smoother visuals for scrolling and fast-paced content.
- More RAM: 8 GB of RAM improves multitasking performance, especially when running multiple applications.
- Included Stylus: Note taking, creative drawing
- Fingerprint sensor: Quick and easy unlock.
- More Bluetooth audio codecs: Higher quality wireless audio on compatible devices.
Trade-offs:
- Weaker Performance: The Snapdragon 695 chip is less powerful than the A14 Bionic, impacting performance in demanding apps and games.
- Lower Quality Display: IPS LCD display technology is not as vibrant or sharp as OLED, and lacks the brightness of the iPhone's display.
- Bulkier and Heavier Design: Less comfortable for one-handed use and more challenging to carry in a pocket.
- Inferior Camera Performance Less advanced camera features and lower image quality.
- No wireless charging: Less convenient charging options.
- Slower Software Updates: Motorola is not as known for long term software updates.
- Lack of advanced features Limited number of high end camera features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Here's a look at the ideal users and use cases for each phone:
Apple iPhone 12 mini:
- Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a premium compact phone with excellent performance, a high-quality display, and advanced camera features.
- Users who prefer the Apple ecosystem and its seamless integration with other Apple devices.
- Users who need a highly pocketable, easy-to-handle device, without sacrificing performance or capabilities.
- Users who value high quality sound reproduction.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday use with a focus on performance and a quality media viewing experience.
- Users who capture high-quality photos and videos as a high priority.
- Users who want a smaller device for comfortable one-handed use.
- Users who prioritize a premium overall experience with quality build.
- Users who use the Apple Ecosystem
- Fast, reliable and robust app performance
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022):
- Ideal User:
- Users who need a large screen for media consumption, productivity, and gaming, and a stylus.
- Users who value long battery life and need their phone to last a full day or more.
- Users who prioritize practicality and affordability without needing the highest-end performance.
- Users who want the flexibility of the Android OS.
- Users who do a lot of media consumption
- Users who use Bluetooth headphones
- Users who take notes and are creative.
- Users who do not need a premium phone experience.
- Use Cases:
- Users who watch a lot of videos, play games, and browse social media.
- Users who require a long battery life for work, travel, or outdoor activities.
- Users who take notes or draw on their phones.
- Users who multitask and run multiple apps simultaneously.
- Users who may benefit from the fingerprint sensor.
- Users who do not want a premium experience.
4. Decision Framework
Consider the following questions when making your decision:
What's your priority: Portability or Screen Size?
- If portability and one-handed usability are paramount, the iPhone 12 mini is the better choice.
- If you prioritize a larger display for media consumption and gaming, the Moto G Stylus is more suitable.
How important is Performance and Premium Quality?
- If you need high-end performance for demanding applications and gaming, the iPhone 12 mini is the only viable option here.
- If you need solid performance for everyday tasks, the Moto G Stylus is sufficient.
How critical is Battery life?
- If battery life is your primary concern, the Moto G Stylus with its much larger battery is the better choice.
- If you prioritize good battery life but can charge daily, the iPhone 12 mini is sufficient.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Mobile Gamer: iPhone 12 mini due to superior processing and graphics performance.
- On-the-Go Professional: iPhone 12 mini if the need for small size and strong performance is critical. Moto G Stylus if battery life is needed.
- Media Enthusiast: Moto G Stylus for the larger screen and superior battery life.
- Photography Enthusiast: iPhone 12 mini due to its higher camera quality and more advanced camera features.
- Budget-Conscious User: Moto G Stylus offers a more affordable option that offers good performance.
- Apple Ecosystem User: iPhone 12 mini for its strong ties to Apple's ecosystem.
- Android User: Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G provides a quality Android Experience.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would personally choose the Apple iPhone 12 mini. While the smaller screen and battery life are drawbacks, the superior performance, vastly superior screen quality, advanced camera features, and quality build are more important to me in a smartphone. I frequently use my phone for productivity tasks, browsing, and photography. These benefits offered by the iPhone 12 mini would fit my needs better. While the Motorola Moto G Stylus offers great benefits and features, I feel that the iPhone provides me with a more modern overall experience.
