Apple iPhone 12 vs Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date October 23, 2020 May 30, 2024
Release Year 2020 2024

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 100.95 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.72 "/g 3.53 "/g
Weight 164 g 190 g
Height 146.7 mm 162.6 mm
Width 71.5 mm 74.8 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 8.3 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • White
  • Green
  • Purple
  • Caramel Latte
  • Scarlet Wave

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 % 89.1 %
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 1200 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 75.65 mAh/in² 111.38 mAh/in²
Battery Density 36.27 mAh/cm³ 49.53 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 14
Maximum OS Version 18 15

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Here's a comparison of the Apple iPhone 12 and the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024), focusing on practical implications:

Design

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)Practical Impact
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm162.6 × 74.8 × 8.3 mmThe iPhone 12 is more pocketable and easier to handle with one hand. The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) offers a larger screen but is less convenient for single-handed use.
Weight164g190gThe iPhone 12 feels lighter and more comfortable to hold for extended periods.
BuildNot specifiedNot specifiedNeed more information; Impact depends on materials used (glass, aluminum, plastic) and durability.

Display

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)Practical Impact
Size6.1"6.7"The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) offers a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming.
Resolution1170x25321080x2400The iPhone 12 has a sharper, more detailed display, especially noticeable when reading small text or viewing high-resolution images.
Pixel Density (PPI)460395The higher PPI on the iPhone 12 results in a crisper image with less visible pixelation.
TechnologyOLEDP-OLEDBoth offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, but the difference is negligible for most users.
Refresh Rate60Hz120HzThe Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) provides smoother scrolling and animations, making the user interface feel more responsive.
Brightness1200 nits1200 nitsBoth phones are equally visible in bright outdoor conditions.

Performance

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)Practical Impact
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm)The iPhone 12 offers significantly faster performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and running complex apps. The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is suitable for everyday use and light multitasking.
AnTuTu Score1,083,947514,000The iPhone 12 demonstrates superior performance in benchmarks, translating to a smoother and faster user experience, especially for resource-intensive applications.
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)Adreno 710The iPhone 12 provides better graphics performance for gaming and video editing.

Camera

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)Practical Impact
Main Camera Resolution12MP50MPThe Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) captures more detail in good lighting conditions.
Main Camera Aperturef/1.6f/1.8The iPhone 12 performs slightly better in low-light situations due to the wider aperture.
Main Camera Sensor Size1/2.55"1/1.56"Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) has larger sensor which gathers more light and produces better low-light images.
Selfie Camera Resolution12MP32MPThe Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) captures more detailed selfies.
Selfie Camera Aperturef/2.2f/2.45The iPhone 12 performs slightly better in low-light selfies.
Wide Angle LensYesNoThe iPhone 12 can capture wider scenes, useful for group photos and landscapes.
Wide Angle + Macro LensNoYesThe Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) can take close-up macro shots and wide angle images.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@60fps with HDRUp to 4K@30fpsThe iPhone 12 offers higher frame rate video recording for smoother, more cinematic footage.
DXOMark ScoreMobile: 117, Selfie: 132Not availableThe iPhone 12 is likely to have better overall camera performance based on the DXOMark score.

Battery

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)Practical Impact
Capacity2815mAh5000mAhThe Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) offers significantly longer battery life, allowing for all-day use without needing to recharge.
Charging20W fast charging, 15W wireless (MagSafe/Qi)30W fast charging, 15W wirelessThe Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) charges faster and offers the convenience of reverse charging to power other devices.

Other

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)Practical Impact
Operating SystemiOS 14.1 (upgradable to iOS 18)Android 14 (upgradable to Android 15)iOS offers a different user experience than Android, with its own ecosystem of apps and services. Android offers more customization.
Expandable StorageNoNoUsers are limited to the internal storage capacity of the phone.
RAM4GB8GBThe Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) handles multitasking more smoothly due to the larger amount of RAM.
WifiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 6EMotorola phone will have access to the 6GHz band for potentially less interference and faster speeds.
StylusNoYesMotorola phone has integrated stylus which is good for note taking and drawing.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Advantages:

  • Significantly Faster Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides superior processing power for demanding tasks.
    • Practical Implication: Smoother gaming, faster app loading, and snappier overall user experience.
  • Higher Resolution & Sharper Display: Offers a more detailed and visually appealing display.
    • Practical Implication: Better for viewing high-resolution content and reading small text.
  • Better Camera Performance (Likely): Based on DXOMark scores and features like optical zoom, it's likely the iPhone 12 camera provides superior image quality, especially in well-lit conditions.
    • Practical Implication: Better photos and videos for capturing important moments.
  • More Compact Design: Easier to handle and carry in a pocket.
    • Practical Implication: More comfortable for single-handed use and daily portability.

Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) Advantages:

  • Significantly Longer Battery Life: The larger battery provides all-day usage.
    • Practical Implication: Less need to charge during the day, ideal for heavy users.
  • Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate offers a more fluid visual experience.
    • Practical Implication: Better for gaming and scrolling through social media.
  • Larger Display: Provides a more immersive experience for media consumption.
    • Practical Implication: Enhanced viewing of videos, photos, and games.
  • Stylus: Good for note taking and drawing.
  • More RAM: 8GB vs 4GB improves multitasking.
    • Practical Implication: Ability to keep more apps open in the background without performance degradation.
  • Reverse Charging: Ability to charge other devices using the phone's battery.
    • Practical Implication: Use your phone as a power bank for your earbuds or smartwatch.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • iPhone 12: Shorter battery life, smaller display, and potentially higher price.
  • Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024): Lower performance, larger size, and less refined software ecosystem compared to iOS.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 12:

  • Performance Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize speed and responsiveness for gaming, video editing, and demanding apps.
  • Photography Lovers: Users who value high-quality photos and videos, especially in well-lit conditions.
  • Ecosystem Loyalists: Users deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem who prefer iOS and seamless integration with other Apple devices.
  • Users who prefer smaller phones: People who want a lighter and more compact phone.

Specific Use Cases for iPhone 12:

  • Gaming: The A14 Bionic chip delivers excellent gaming performance.
  • Video Editing: The powerful processor allows for smooth video editing on the go.
  • Photography: Capturing high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.

Ideal Users for Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024):

  • Budget-Conscious Consumers: Users seeking a feature-rich phone at a reasonable price.
  • Heavy Users: Users who need all-day battery life without needing to recharge.
  • Media Consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos and playing games on a larger screen.
  • Note takers and artists: User who will find the stylus useful.

Specific Use Cases for Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024):

  • All-Day Use: The large battery ensures the phone lasts through a full day of heavy usage.
  • Media Consumption: The large screen provides an immersive viewing experience.
  • Note-Taking: The stylus enables easy writing and drawing.

4. Decision Framework

Here are three key questions for potential buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) likely offers better value for money.
  2. How important is performance? If you need a high-performance phone for demanding tasks, the iPhone 12 is the better choice.
  3. How important is battery life? If all-day battery life is a priority, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is the clear winner.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: You are a student on a budget who needs a phone for taking notes, watching videos, and browsing the web. Recommendation: Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024).
  • Scenario 2: You are a professional photographer who needs a phone with a high-quality camera and powerful performance for editing photos and videos. Recommendation: Apple iPhone 12.
  • Scenario 3: You are a gamer who needs a phone with a smooth display, long battery life, and solid performance. Recommendation: Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024).

My Choice

If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024). My reasoning is primarily driven by the superior battery life and larger display. While the iPhone 12 offers a performance advantage, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) provides an adequate experience for everyday tasks and the benefits of extended battery life and a larger screen outweigh the performance difference for my typical usage. Also, having a stylus to take quick notes is a good feature to have. The price point also is a significant factor as the iPhone 12 can get quite expensive.

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.