Apple iPhone 12 vs Motorola Moto G (2022) - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date October 23, 2020 May 19, 2022
Release Year 2020 2022

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 117.85 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.72 "/g 3.19 "/g
Weight 164 g 204 g
Height 146.7 mm 165.4 mm
Width 71.5 mm 75.8 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 9.4 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • White
  • Green
  • Purple
  • Moonlight Gray

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.5 "
Resolution 1170 x 2532 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.1 % 81.4 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 270 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 625 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1200 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 75.65 mAh/in² 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 36.27 mAh/cm³ 42.43 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 2815 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes No
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 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
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 12
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G (2022)Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm165.4 × 75.8 × 9.4 mmiPhone 12 is more pocketable and easier to handle with one hand. Moto G is bulkier.
Weight164g204giPhone 12 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use.
BuildUnknownUnknownImpact resistance cannot be determined without further information on the materials and screen protection.
Display
Size6.1"6.5"Moto G offers a larger viewing area for media consumption and gaming.
Resolution1170x2532720x1600iPhone 12 has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images.
PPI460270iPhone 12's higher pixel density makes the display look crisper and more detailed.
TechnologyOLEDIPS LCDiPhone 12's OLED offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzMoto G's 90Hz display provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsiPhone 12 offers significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)iPhone 12 offers significantly faster processing speeds, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
AnTuTu Score1,083,947389,300iPhone 12 will handle demanding apps and games much better.
GPUApple GPU (4-core)Mali-G57 MC2iPhone 12 provides superior graphics performance for gaming and video editing.
Camera
Main Camera12MP f/1.650MP f/1.8Moto G captures more detail in good lighting conditions due to higher megapixel count. iPhone 12 has a brighter aperture for better low-light performance
Sensor Size1/2.55"1/2.76"IPhone 12 has larger sensor, leading to better light sensitivity and potentially better low-light performance
Wide Angle LensYesNoiPhone 12 allows for wider field-of-view shots.
Portrait ModeNoYesMotorola Moto G (2022) has a Portrait mode (depth) camera
Macro LensNoYesMotorola Moto G (2022) has a Macro lens camera
VideoUp to 4K@60fps1080p@30fpsiPhone 12 can record much higher quality videos with better detail and stabilization.
Battery
Capacity2815mAh5000mAhMoto G should offer significantly longer battery life on a single charge.
Charging20W10WiPhone 12 charges faster.
Wireless ChargingYesNoiPhone 12 supports convenient wireless charging.
Software
OSiOS 14.1Android 12Different user interfaces and ecosystems. iOS is known for its simplicity and tight integration. Android offers more customization.
Storage
Internal64/128/256 GB64 GBiPhone 12 offers more storage options for users who need more space for apps, photos, and videos.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone allows for expandable storage via microSD card.
Security
BiometricsBasic security featuresside-mounted fingerprint sensorMotorola Moto G (2022) has a fingerprint sensor

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides significantly faster processing speeds, making it ideal for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
  • Better Display: The OLED display offers superior image quality with better contrast, color accuracy, and brightness.
  • Higher Quality Camera: Captures better photos and videos, especially in low light, and offers 4K video recording.
  • More Storage Options: Offers more internal storage variants to store more files, photos, and videos.
  • Wireless Charging: Supports convenient wireless charging.
  • Premium Audio: Offers stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support.
  • Software Ecosystem: iOS is known for its user-friendliness, timely updates, and strong app ecosystem.

Motorola Moto G (2022) Advantages:

  • Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers significantly longer battery life.
  • Higher Refresh Rate: The 90Hz display provides smoother scrolling and animations.
  • More RAM: Has more RAM (6GB), suitable for moderate multitasking
  • Additional Camera Lenses: Portrait and macro lens
  • Fingerprint Sensor: Fingerprint sensor for security

Trade-offs:

  • iPhone 12: Trade-off is battery life compared to the Moto G. It's also likely more expensive.
  • Moto G: Trade-off is performance and display quality. It won't be as smooth or responsive as the iPhone 12.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Apple iPhone 12:

  • Ideal User: Someone who values performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and the iOS ecosystem.
  • Use Cases:
    • Gaming: Handles graphically intensive games smoothly.
    • Photography/Videography: Captures high-quality photos and videos.
    • Content Consumption: Enjoying media on a vibrant and sharp display.
    • Productivity: Multitasking and running demanding apps.
    • Users already invested in the Apple ecosystem.

Motorola Moto G (2022):

  • Ideal User: Someone who prioritizes long battery life and wants a budget-friendly device for everyday use.
  • Use Cases:
    • Casual Use: Browsing the web, social media, and basic apps.
    • Media Consumption: Watching videos and movies on a larger screen.
    • Users needing extended battery life for travel or work.
    • Budget-conscious consumers.
    • Users who want a fingerprint sensor

4. Decision Framework

Consider these questions before making a decision:

  1. What is my budget? The iPhone 12 is likely more expensive than the Moto G.
  2. How important is battery life? If you need all-day battery life, the Moto G is the better choice.
  3. What are my primary use cases? If you prioritize gaming, photography, or demanding apps, the iPhone 12 is the better option.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Power User: You need a phone for demanding tasks, gaming, and photography. Choose the iPhone 12.
  • Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User: You need a reliable phone for everyday use with long battery life. Choose the Motorola Moto G (2022).
  • Scenario 3: Media Consumption: You watch a lot of videos and want a larger screen. The Motorola Moto G (2022) is suitable, but consider the display quality trade-off. If quality matters, the iPhone 12 is better.

What I Would Choose and Why

If I were to choose between the two, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12. My primary reasons are:

  • Superior Performance: As someone who uses their phone for various tasks, including some light gaming and occasional video editing, the A14 Bionic chip provides a significantly smoother and more responsive experience.
  • Better Display: The OLED display is a game-changer. The improved color accuracy, contrast, and brightness make a noticeable difference when watching videos, browsing photos, and even just reading text.
  • Better Camera: While the Motorola has a higher megapixel count, the iPhone's camera system, with its image processing and low-light performance, offers better overall results. The availability of 4K video recording is a significant advantage.
  • Software Ecosystem: I prefer the iOS ecosystem due to its simplicity, regular updates, and integration with other Apple devices I own.

While the Motorola Moto G (2022) offers excellent battery life and a budget-friendly price point, the trade-offs in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities are too significant for my needs. I am willing to sacrifice some battery life for a more premium and powerful device that can handle my everyday tasks with ease.

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.