Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs Motorola Moto G72 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date October 23, 2020 October 3, 2022
Release Year 2020 2022

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 94.34 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.23 "/g 3.98 "/g
Weight 189 g 166 g
Height 146.7 mm 160.5 mm
Width 71.5 mm 74.4 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 7.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Graphite
  • Pacific Blue
  • Meteorite Gray
  • Polar Blue
  • Mineral White

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 % 88.1 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 402 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 53 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 2815 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) Mali-G57 MC2

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features Lightning 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System iOS Android
Initial OS Version 14.1 12
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProMotorola Moto G72Practical Impact
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm160.5 × 74.4 × 7.9 mmiPhone 12 Pro is more pocketable and easier to handle with one hand. Moto G72 is larger, potentially making it less comfortable for some users.
Weight189g166gMoto G72 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use.
BuildNot specifiedNot specifiedUnknown durability differences.

Display

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProMotorola Moto G72Practical Impact
Size6.1"6.6"Moto G72 offers a larger viewing area for media consumption and gaming.
Resolution1170x25321080x2400iPhone 12 Pro has a sharper display, resulting in finer details and clearer text.
PPI460402The higher pixel density on the iPhone 12 Pro leads to a noticeably sharper and crisper image.
TechnologyOLEDP-OLEDBoth provide excellent contrast and vibrant colors; differences are likely subtle.
Refresh Rate60Hz120HzMoto G72 offers smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the perceived responsiveness of the phone.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsiPhone 12 Pro is much easier to see in direct sunlight.

Performance

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProMotorola Moto G72Practical Impact
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)A14 Bionic offers significantly faster performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
AnTuTu Score1,082,644415,300The iPhone 12 Pro delivers a vastly smoother and more responsive experience overall.
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)Mali-G57 MC2iPhone 12 Pro provides superior graphics performance, essential for graphically intensive games and applications.
RAM6 GB6 GB / 8 GBMoto G72 with 8GB RAM can handle more apps running in the background without slowdowns.

Camera

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProMotorola Moto G72Practical Impact
Main Camera12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55"108MP, f/1.7Moto G72 captures more detail in good lighting conditions due to its higher resolution sensor. iPhone 12 Pro has a wider aperture, potentially better in low light.
Telephoto Lens12MP, f/2.0NoneiPhone 12 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities for capturing distant subjects without significant quality loss.
Ultrawide Lens12MP, f/2.48MP, f/1.9iPhone 12 Pro has a higher resolution ultrawide lens, capturing more detail. The wider aperture of the Moto G72 may perform slightly better in low light.
Macro LensNone2MP, f/2.4Moto G72 allows users to take close-up photos of small objects.
Selfie Camera12MP, f/2.216MPMoto G72 captures slightly more detailed selfies in good lighting.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@60fpsUp to 1080p@60fpsiPhone 12 Pro records much higher quality video with better detail and dynamic range.
FeaturesOIS, Optical Zoom, Night Mode, RAWDigital Image Stabilization, Laser AutofocusiPhone 12 Pro provides better image stabilization and low-light performance. Moto G72 offers faster autofocus.
DxOMarkMobile: 127, Selfie: 132Not TestediPhone 12 Pro has a verified excellent camera performance.

Battery

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProMotorola Moto G72Practical Impact
Capacity2815mAh5000mAhMoto G72 offers significantly longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
Charging20W Fast Charging, Wireless Charging33W Fast ChargingMoto G72 charges faster, minimizing downtime. iPhone 12 Pro offers convenient wireless charging.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:

  • Significantly Higher Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers a vastly superior user experience, especially for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Superior Display Quality: Higher resolution, pixel density and brightness make for a sharper and more vibrant display, especially in bright sunlight.
  • Better Camera System: Includes a telephoto lens, 4K video recording, optical image stabilization, and excellent overall image quality validated by DxOMark.
  • Premium Build Quality & Features: Offers wireless charging, a more comprehensive suite of sensors including a barometer and a more advanced WiFi standard.

Motorola Moto G72 Advantages:

  • Significantly Longer Battery Life: The larger battery provides all-day battery life for most users.
  • Faster Charging: 33W charging replenishes the battery much quicker.
  • Larger Display with 120Hz Refresh Rate: Offers a more immersive viewing experience with smoother scrolling.
  • Macro Lens: Allows for close-up photography.
  • Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.

Trade-offs:

  • Choosing the iPhone 12 Pro means sacrificing battery life and a larger screen for performance, camera quality, and display sharpness.
  • Choosing the Moto G72 means compromising on performance and camera quality for significantly better battery life and a smoother display experience (120Hz).

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Apple iPhone 12 Pro is ideal for:

  • Power Users: Those who demand the best possible performance for gaming, video editing, and other demanding tasks.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize image quality, zoom capabilities, and advanced video recording features.
  • Outdoor Users: Those who need a bright screen that is viewable in direct sunlight.
  • Ecosystem Users: Individuals already invested in the Apple ecosystem who value seamless integration.

Use Cases:

  • Professional Photography/Videography: Capturing high-quality photos and videos for professional or personal use.
  • Mobile Gaming: Playing graphics-intensive games with smooth frame rates and responsiveness.
  • Demanding Productivity Tasks: Editing photos/videos, running complex applications, and multitasking efficiently.

Motorola Moto G72 is ideal for:

  • Budget-Conscious Consumers: Those looking for a phone with good battery life and a smooth display at an affordable price.
  • Everyday Users: Individuals who primarily use their phone for browsing, social media, and media consumption.
  • Users who prioritize Battery Life: Those who need a phone that can last all day on a single charge.

Use Cases:

  • Media Consumption: Watching videos and browsing social media for extended periods.
  • All-Day Usage: Using the phone for typical daily tasks without worrying about battery life.
  • Casual Gaming: Playing less demanding games.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. How important is performance to you? If you need a phone for demanding tasks, the iPhone 12 Pro is the clear choice. If you only need basic performance, the Moto G72 will suffice.
  2. How important is battery life to you? If you need all-day battery life, the Moto G72 is the better option. If you are okay with charging your phone more frequently, the iPhone 12 Pro might work.
  3. What is your budget? The iPhone 12 Pro is likely to be significantly more expensive. Is the higher price worth the added performance and camera quality?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Gamer/Content Creator: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro for its superior performance, graphics, and video recording capabilities.
  • Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious Student: Choose the Moto G72 for its long battery life, smooth display, and affordable price.
  • Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro for its superior camera system and features.

My Choice

If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Apple iPhone 12 Pro.

While the Motorola Moto G72 offers compelling advantages in battery life and display refresh rate, the iPhone 12 Pro's superior performance, camera system, and overall user experience make it the more compelling choice for my needs. I prioritize performance for demanding applications and appreciate the better camera system.

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.