Apple iPhone 12 vs Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date October 23, 2020 April 27, 2022
Release Year 2020 2022

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 119.06 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.72 "/g 3.16 "/g
Weight 164 g 215 g
Height 146.7 mm 168.9 mm
Width 71.5 mm 75.8 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 9.3 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • White
  • Green
  • Purple
  • Steel Blue
  • Seafoam Green

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.8 "
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1080 x 2460
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 21:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.1 % 85.8 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 395 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 120 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 108.13 mAh/in²
Battery Density 36.27 mAh/cm³ 41.99 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 2815 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
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 12
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022)Practical Impact
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm168.9 × 75.8 × 9.3 mmThe iPhone 12 is significantly more pocketable and easier to handle with one hand. The Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) is larger and may be less comfortable for some users.
Weight164g215gThe iPhone 12 is noticeably lighter, reducing hand fatigue during prolonged use.
BuildMaterial not specified, presumed glass & aluminumMaterial not specified, presumed plastic frame & glassThe iPhone 12 often has a more premium feel due to its design and materials.

Display

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022)Practical Impact
Size6.1"6.8"The Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming. The iPhone 12 is more suitable for one-handed use.
Resolution1170x25321080x2460The iPhone 12 has a slightly sharper display, resulting in finer details and clearer text.
Pixel Density460 PPI395 PPIThe iPhone 12's higher PPI offers crisper visuals, making text and images appear sharper.
TechnologyOLEDIPS LCDThe iPhone 12's OLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the Moto G Stylus 5G (2022)'s IPS LCD.
Refresh Rate60Hz120HzThe Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) provides smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience, especially in gaming and fast-paced apps.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsThe iPhone 12 is significantly better for outdoor use in direct sunlight due to its much higher maximum brightness. The Moto G Stylus's brightness is unknown.

Performance

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022)Practical Impact
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)The iPhone 12's A14 Bionic offers significantly faster performance, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities.
AnTuTu Score1,083,947385,000The iPhone 12 will load apps faster and handle demanding tasks with ease compared to the Moto G Stylus 5G (2022).
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)Adreno 619The iPhone 12's GPU provides superior graphics performance, resulting in smoother gameplay and better visual quality in demanding applications.
RAM4 GB8 GBThe Moto G Stylus 5G (2022)'s larger RAM capacity can help with multitasking and reduce app reloading, especially with multiple apps open.

Camera

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022)Practical Impact
Main Camera12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55"50MP, f/1.9, 1/2.76"The iPhone 12's larger sensor and wider aperture allow for better low-light performance and shallower depth of field. The Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) captures more detail in well-lit conditions due to its higher resolution.
Ultrawide Camera12MP, f/2.48MP, f/2.2The iPhone 12 captures more detailed ultrawide photos. The Moto G Stylus has a slightly wider aperture.
Selfie Camera12MP, f/2.216MP, f/2.2The Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) captures slightly more detailed selfies in good lighting.
Macro LensNone2MP, f/2.4The Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) allows users to take close-up photos of small objects, a feature not available on the iPhone 12.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@60fpsUp to 1080p@60fpsThe iPhone 12 records higher-resolution video with better dynamic range and stabilization.
DXOMark ScoreMobile: 117, Selfie: 132Not TestedThe iPhone 12 has significantly better camera performance according to DXOMark scores.

Battery

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022)Practical Impact
Capacity2815mAh5000mAhThe Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) offers significantly longer battery life, potentially lasting a full day or more for most users.
Charging20W Fast Charging, Wireless ChargingNo Fast Charging SpecifiedThe iPhone 12 charges faster and offers the convenience of wireless charging.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides a significantly faster and smoother user experience.
  • Better Display: The OLED display offers superior image quality with better contrast and color accuracy.
  • Better Camera: The iPhone 12's camera system generally produces better images and videos, especially in low light. DXOMark scores confirm the superiority of its camera system.
  • Premium Build Quality: Likely uses more premium materials, resulting in a more refined feel.
  • Wireless Charging: Offers the convenience of wireless charging, including MagSafe.

Practical Implications: The iPhone 12 is ideal for users who prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.

Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) Advantages:

  • Larger Battery: Significantly longer battery life ensures all-day usage without needing to recharge.
  • Larger Display: Provides a more immersive experience for media consumption.
  • Included Stylus: The built-in stylus enhances productivity and creativity.
  • Macro Camera: Dedicated macro camera for detailed close-up shots.
  • More RAM: 8GB of RAM allows more apps to be open in the background.

Practical Implications: The Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) is a better choice for users who prioritize battery life, a larger screen, and the functionality of a stylus.

Trade-offs:

  • Choosing the iPhone 12 means sacrificing battery life and a larger display for performance and display quality.
  • Choosing the Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) means sacrificing performance and display quality for longer battery life and the stylus functionality.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Apple iPhone 12:

  • Ideal User: Power users, content creators, and those who value performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
  • Use Cases:
    • Gaming: Handles demanding games with ease.
    • Photography/Videography: Captures high-quality photos and videos.
    • Productivity: Smooth multitasking and fast app loading.
    • Media Consumption: Enjoying HDR content on a vibrant display.
  • Price-to-Value: Good value for users prioritizing performance and camera quality within the Apple ecosystem.

Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022):

  • Ideal User: Users who prioritize battery life, enjoy a larger screen for media consumption, and want the functionality of a stylus for productivity or creative tasks.
  • Use Cases:
    • Note-taking and sketching: The stylus enables precise input and drawing.
    • Media Consumption: Enjoying movies and videos on a large screen.
    • All-day Use: Long battery life ensures the phone lasts throughout the day.
    • Macro Photography: Capturing detailed close-up shots.
  • Price-to-Value: Excellent value for users seeking a large screen, long battery life, and stylus functionality at an affordable price.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, productivity, media consumption, stylus use)
  2. How important is battery life to you? (Do you need all-day battery or are you okay with charging more frequently?)
  3. What is your budget?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Performance and Camera are paramount. If you need a phone for demanding tasks like gaming and high-quality photography, and battery life is not a primary concern, the Apple iPhone 12 is the better choice.

  • Scenario 2: Battery Life and Stylus Functionality are key. If you prioritize all-day battery life and the ability to take notes or sketch with a stylus, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) is the better option.

  • Scenario 3: Balanced User. If you want a balance of good performance, large screen, and battery life, with a stylus at an affordable price, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) is the better option. You'll need to accept that the camera and processor aren't top-tier.

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally pick the Apple iPhone 12. Here's why:

  • Performance: As someone who uses my phone for a variety of tasks, including gaming and video editing, the A14 Bionic chip is a huge draw. The speed and responsiveness would significantly improve my daily user experience.
  • Camera: I value high-quality photos and videos, and the iPhone 12's camera system, backed by its DXOMark scores, is simply better. Low-light performance is especially important to me.
  • Display: I appreciate the vibrancy and contrast of an OLED display.
  • Ecosystem: I am already invested in the Apple ecosystem.

While the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022)'s battery life is tempting, and the stylus is useful, the performance difference is too significant for me to overlook. For my personal usage, the iPhone 12 provides a smoother, more enjoyable experience.

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.