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

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date October 23, 2020 December 7, 2020
Release Year 2020 2020

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 125.14 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.23 "/g 3.16 "/g
Weight 189 g 212 g
Height 146.7 mm 166.1 mm
Width 71.5 mm 76.1 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 9.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Graphite
  • Pacific Blue
  • Frosted Silver
  • Volcanic Gray

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.1 % 85.7 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 393 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A N/A
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 800 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1200 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 75.65 mAh/in² 111.38 mAh/in²
Battery Density 36.27 mAh/cm³ 39.96 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 2815 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 ProMotorola Moto G 5GPractical Impact
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mmiPhone 12 Pro is more pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use. Moto G 5G might be harder to handle for some.
Weight189g212giPhone 12 Pro is lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods.
BuildStandardStandardBoth are standard smartphones, no foldable display or unique form factor.

Display

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProMotorola Moto G 5GPractical Impact
Size6.1"6.7"Moto G 5G offers a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming.
Resolution1170x25321080x2400iPhone 12 Pro has a sharper image, resulting in finer details and less pixelation.
Pixel Density460 PPI393 PPIiPhone 12 Pro provides sharper texts and images, crucial for reading and detailed content viewing.
TechnologyOLEDIPS LCDiPhone 12 Pro has better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, enhancing the viewing experience.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsiPhone 12 Pro is much more visible outdoors in bright sunlight. Missing value for Motorola.
Refresh Rate60Hz60HzBoth offer standard smoothness; neither has a high refresh rate for ultra-smooth scrolling.

Performance

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProMotorola Moto G 5GPractical Impact
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)iPhone 12 Pro offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better performance in demanding games and applications.
AnTuTu Score1,082,644390,000iPhone 12 Pro offers a vastly superior performance experience, especially for resource-intensive tasks.
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)Adreno 619iPhone 12 Pro provides better graphics performance, important for gaming and video editing.

Camera

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProMotorola Moto G 5GPractical Impact
Main Camera12MP, f/1.648MP, f/1.7Moto G 5G captures more detail in well-lit conditions due to higher resolution, but iPhone 12 Pro may perform better in low light due to wider aperture and larger pixel size.
Selfie Camera12MP, f/2.216MP, f/2.2Moto G 5G captures more detailed selfies.
Telephoto Lens12MP, f/2.0NoneiPhone 12 Pro allows for optical zoom, enabling closer shots without digital zoom's quality loss.
Wide Angle Lens12MP, f/2.48MP, f/2.2iPhone 12 Pro captures wider, more detailed scenes. Moto G 5G has a wider aperture.
Macro LensNone2MP, f/2.4Moto G 5G allows for close-up shots of small objects.
VideoUp to 4K@60fpsUp to 4K@30fpsiPhone 12 Pro allows for higher frame rate 4K recording, resulting in smoother video.
StabilizationOptical Image StabilizationDigital Image StabilizationiPhone 12 Pro provides superior video stabilization, resulting in smoother, less shaky videos.
DxOMark (Mobile)127N/AiPhone 12 Pro has a verified high-quality camera system.
DxOMark (Selfie)132N/AiPhone 12 Pro has a verified high-quality selfie camera.

Battery

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProMotorola Moto G 5GPractical Impact
Capacity2815mAh5000mAhMoto G 5G likely provides significantly longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
Charging20W Fast Charging20W Fast ChargingBoth offer fast charging, but the larger battery of the Moto G 5G will take longer to charge fully.
Wireless ChargingMagSafe 15W, Qi 7.5WNoneiPhone 12 Pro supports wireless charging for convenient power-ups.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides significantly faster performance for all tasks.
    • Practical Impact: Apps launch faster, multitasking is smoother, and demanding games run flawlessly.
  • Better Display: The OLED display offers higher brightness, better contrast, and sharper visuals.
    • Practical Impact: Enhanced viewing experience, especially in bright sunlight. Sharper text and images.
  • Superior Camera System: Features a telephoto lens, better video stabilization, and higher DxOMark scores.
    • Practical Impact: More versatile photography options with optical zoom, smoother videos, and higher overall image quality.
  • Wireless Charging: Supports MagSafe and Qi wireless charging.
    • Practical Impact: Convenient charging option without the need for cables.
  • Premium Build and Features: Offers a more premium design and features like Dolby Atmos.
    • Practical Impact: Enhanced audio experience and a more polished overall feel.

Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:

  • Larger Battery: Offers a significantly larger battery capacity.
    • Practical Impact: Longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
  • Larger Display: Provides a larger screen for media consumption.
    • Practical Impact: More immersive experience for watching videos and playing games.
  • Macro Lens: Allows for close-up photography.
    • Practical Impact: Ability to capture detailed images of small objects.
  • Security: Has a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor.
    • Practical Impact: Basic biometric security.
  • Lower Price: Typically available at a significantly lower price point.
    • Practical Impact: More accessible to budget-conscious consumers.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • iPhone 12 Pro: Higher price, shorter battery life.
  • Moto G 5G: Lower performance, inferior display, less versatile camera.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 12 Pro:

  • Professionals and Power Users: Those who need a fast and reliable phone for demanding tasks like video editing, graphic design, and running complex applications.
    • Use Case: Editing 4K videos on the go, running augmented reality applications, and seamlessly switching between multiple productivity apps.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: Individuals who value high-quality photos and videos and want a versatile camera system with optical zoom and advanced features.
    • Use Case: Capturing professional-looking portraits, shooting stable videos while traveling, and taking detailed photos in various lighting conditions.
  • Users in the Apple Ecosystem: Those who are already invested in the Apple ecosystem and want seamless integration with other Apple devices and services.
    • Use Case: Easily sharing files with a MacBook, syncing notes with an iPad, and using Apple Pay for quick and secure transactions.

Ideal Users for Motorola Moto G 5G:

  • Budget-Conscious Consumers: Those who prioritize affordability and long battery life over top-of-the-line performance and features.
    • Use Case: Basic smartphone tasks like browsing the web, social media, and making calls without worrying about running out of battery.
  • Media Consumers: Individuals who enjoy watching videos and playing games on their phone and want a larger screen for a more immersive experience.
    • Use Case: Watching movies and TV shows on long commutes, playing mobile games with friends, and browsing social media feeds.
  • Users needing basic features: Those who need a reliable phone with a fingerprint sensor.
    • Use Case: Securing their phone and quickly accessing their device.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions to Consider:

  1. What is your budget? The iPhone 12 Pro is a premium device and costs significantly more than the Moto G 5G.
  2. How important is performance? If you need a fast and responsive phone for demanding tasks, the iPhone 12 Pro is the better choice.
  3. How much do you value battery life? If long battery life is a priority, the Moto G 5G is the clear winner.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Performance Matters Most: You need a phone for gaming, video editing, and other demanding tasks. Recommendation: iPhone 12 Pro
  • Scenario 2: Budget and Battery Life are Key: You want a phone that lasts all day and doesn't break the bank. Recommendation: Motorola Moto G 5G
  • Scenario 3: Balanced Approach: You want a good balance of performance, features, and price. Recommendation: Evaluate other mid-range options, as both these phones are at opposite ends of the spectrum.

Decision

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12 Pro. Despite the higher price and lower battery capacity, the superior performance, display quality, and camera capabilities make it a much better option for my personal needs. I often use my phone for tasks that benefit from a faster processor and better graphics, such as photo editing and occasional gaming. The improved camera system would also be a significant advantage, as I value high-quality photos and videos. While the longer battery life of the Motorola Moto G 5G is appealing, I am willing to trade it off for the overall superior experience offered by the iPhone 12 Pro.

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
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.