Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date October 23, 2020 June 2, 2023
Release Year 2020 2023

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 110.53 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.23 "/g 3.27 "/g
Weight 189 g 202 g
Height 146.7 mm 162.8 mm
Width 71.5 mm 73.8 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 9.2 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Graphite
  • Pacific Blue
  • Cosmic Black
  • Rose Champagne

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.6 "
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.1 % 87.5 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 399 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 120 Hz
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 114.78 mAh/in²
Battery Density 36.27 mAh/cm³ 45.23 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 2815 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) Adreno 710

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 13
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProMotorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)Practical Impact
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm162.8 × 73.8 × 9.2 mmThe iPhone 12 Pro is significantly more compact, making it easier to handle one-handed and pocket-friendly. The Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) offers a larger screen but is bulkier.
Weight189g202gThe iPhone 12 Pro is slightly lighter, contributing to a more comfortable feel during prolonged use.

Display

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProMotorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)Practical Impact
Size6.1"6.6"The Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) provides a larger viewing area, beneficial for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
Resolution1170x25321080x2400The iPhone 12 Pro has a sharper and more detailed display, resulting in clearer images and text.
PPI460399The iPhone 12 Pro's higher pixel density results in visibly sharper text and images, especially noticeable when viewing small details.
TechnologyOLEDIPS LCDThe iPhone 12 Pro's OLED display offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
Refresh Rate60Hz120HzThe Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) offers smoother scrolling and animations, leading to a more fluid user experience, especially in fast-paced games and scrolling through social media feeds.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsThe iPhone 12 Pro screen will be much more visible in bright sunlight.

Performance

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProMotorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)Practical Impact
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm)The iPhone 12 Pro's A14 Bionic chipset offers significantly faster performance, resulting in quicker app launches, smoother multitasking, and better graphics for demanding games.
AnTuTu Score1,082,644565,000The iPhone 12 Pro offers a drastically smoother and more responsive experience overall, especially noticeable in demanding tasks like video editing and gaming.
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)Adreno 710The iPhone 12 Pro's GPU provides superior graphics performance, delivering a better gaming experience and smoother performance in graphics-intensive apps.

Camera

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProMotorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)Practical Impact
Standard Camera12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55"50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.55"While the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) has a higher megapixel count, the iPhone 12 Pro's wider aperture and optimized image processing can result in better low-light performance and overall image quality. The larger sensor on the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) can gather more light and reduce noise.
Selfie Camera12MP, f/2.216MP, f/2.5The Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) has higher resolution, but the iPhone 12 Pro's wider aperture could lead to better low-light selfies.
Telephoto LensYesNoThe iPhone 12 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities for capturing distant subjects with greater detail, which the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) lacks.
Wide Angle LensYesNoThe iPhone 12 Pro allows for capturing wider scenes and creative perspectives, which the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) cannot achieve without software workarounds that reduce quality.
Wide Angle + MacroNoYesThe Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) allows for capturing ultra-wide perspective shots and extreme close-ups.
VideoUp to 4K@60fps with HDRUp to 4K@30fpsThe iPhone 12 Pro offers higher frame rate 4K video recording and HDR, leading to smoother and more dynamic videos.
DxOMarkMobile: 127, Selfie: 132N/AThe iPhone 12 Pro has been tested by DxOMark and received a high score, which might be an indicator of better camera performance.

Battery

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProMotorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)Practical Impact
Capacity2815mAh5000mAhThe Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) offers significantly longer battery life, allowing for extended use without needing to recharge as frequently.
Charging20W fast charging20W fast chargingBoth phones offer comparable fast charging speeds.
FeaturesWireless chargingN/AThe iPhone 12 Pro supports wireless charging, providing more convenience.

Storage

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProMotorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)Practical Impact
Internal128/256/512 GB128/256 GBThe iPhone 12 Pro offers a higher maximum storage option (512GB), suitable for users who store a large amount of data, such as photos, videos, and large apps.
RAM6 GB4/6/8 GBThe Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) has more RAM in some configurations, which could lead to smoother multitasking and faster app switching, depending on the specific variant.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone allows for expandable storage, so choosing the right internal storage option is crucial.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides significantly faster processing and graphics capabilities. This translates to a smoother and more responsive user experience, especially with demanding apps and games.
  • Higher Quality Display: The OLED display offers better contrast, color accuracy, and brightness compared to the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)'s IPS LCD.
  • More Versatile Camera System: Offers a telephoto lens and wide-angle lens, providing more creative options.
  • Wireless Charging: Adds convenience for charging.
  • Better Build Quality/Materials: (Implied, but not explicitly stated) iPhones generally have a reputation for premium materials and construction.

Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) Advantages:

  • Significantly Longer Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery offers substantially better endurance, making it ideal for users who need all-day battery life.
  • Larger Display: The 6.6" screen provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming.
  • Higher Refresh Rate: The 120Hz display offers smoother scrolling and animations.
  • Stylus Integration: (Implied by the name) Offers unique features and functionality.
  • Potentially More RAM: Some configurations offer 8GB of RAM.
  • More Recent: Being a newer phone likely means longer software support

Trade-offs:

  • The iPhone 12 Pro sacrifices battery life for performance and display quality.
  • The Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) prioritizes battery life and screen size over raw processing power.
  • The iPhone 12 Pro is older, so software support may end sooner.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 12 Pro:

  • Power Users: Individuals who demand the fastest possible performance for gaming, video editing, and other demanding tasks.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value a versatile camera system with optical zoom and high-quality image processing.
  • Users Prioritizing Display Quality: People who appreciate vibrant colors, deep blacks, and sharp details in their display.
  • Ecosystem Users: Individuals already invested in the Apple ecosystem.

Specific Use Cases for iPhone 12 Pro:

  • Gaming: The A14 Bionic provides a superior gaming experience.
  • Video Editing: The powerful processor and high-quality display make it suitable for mobile video editing.
  • Professional Photography: The versatile camera system caters to photography enthusiasts.

Ideal Users for Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023):

  • Battery Life Prioritizers: Users who need a phone that can easily last a full day or more on a single charge.
  • Media Consumers: Individuals who enjoy watching videos and playing games on a larger screen.
  • Stylus Users: Those who want a built-in stylus for note-taking, drawing, and other creative tasks.
  • Budget-Conscious Buyers: People seeking good value for their money.

Specific Use Cases for Moto G Stylus 5G (2023):

  • All-Day Use: The large battery ensures it can handle a full day of typical usage.
  • Note-Taking and Drawing: The stylus makes it ideal for these tasks.
  • Media Consumption: The larger screen provides a more immersive viewing experience.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. How important is battery life to you? If all-day battery is a must, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) is the clear winner.
  2. Do you prioritize performance or a larger screen and stylus? If performance is paramount, the iPhone 12 Pro is the better choice. If you value a larger display and stylus integration, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) is preferable.
  3. What is your budget? The Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) is likely significantly cheaper, making it the more sensible option for budget-conscious buyers.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Frequent traveler who needs long battery life and occasional note-taking: Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
  • Scenario 2: Mobile gamer who wants the best graphics and performance: iPhone 12 Pro
  • Scenario 3: Budget-conscious user who wants a large screen for media consumption: Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
  • Scenario 4: Photography enthusiast who values a versatile camera system: iPhone 12 Pro

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12 Pro. While the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) has some attractive features like longer battery life and a 120Hz display, the iPhone 12 Pro's superior performance, display quality, and camera system are more important to me. As someone who frequently edits photos and videos on my phone, the A14 Bionic chip and the versatile camera system with optical zoom would be incredibly useful. Additionally, I value the better contrast and color accuracy of the OLED display. I am willing to compromise on battery life for these features, as I can always carry a portable charger if needed.

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
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.