Apple iPhone 12 vs Motorola Moto G22 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date October 23, 2020 March 4, 2022
Release Year 2020 2022

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 104.55 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.72 "/g 3.51 "/g
Weight 164 g 185 g
Height 146.7 mm 164 mm
Width 71.5 mm 75 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 8.5 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • White
  • Green
  • Purple
  • Pearl White
  • Cosmic Black
  • Mint Green
  • Iceberg Blue

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 % 82.9 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 268 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 47.82 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 2815 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Mediatek MT6765V/CB Helio G37 (12 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) PowerVR GE8320

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 G22Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm164 × 75 × 8.5 mmiPhone 12 is more pocketable and easier to handle with one hand. Moto G22 is larger and may be less comfortable for some users.
Weight164g185giPhone 12 is noticeably lighter, reducing fatigue during extended use.
Display
Size6.1"6.5"Moto G22 provides a larger viewing area for media consumption and gaming.
Resolution1170x2532720x1600iPhone 12 offers significantly sharper and more detailed visuals, improving clarity for text, images, and videos.
Pixel Density (PPI)460268iPhone 12's higher pixel density results in crisper images and smoother text rendering.
TechnologyOLEDIPS LCDiPhone 12's OLED display offers superior contrast, richer colors, and deeper blacks, enhancing the viewing experience, especially for HDR content.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzMoto G22 provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations, although the difference may not be noticeable to all users.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsiPhone 12 offers significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Mediatek Helio G37 (12 nm)iPhone 12 delivers drastically faster performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and running complex apps.
AnTuTu Score1,083,947159,800iPhone 12 offers a much smoother and more responsive user experience overall, with quicker app loading and seamless multitasking.
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)PowerVR GE8320iPhone 12 provides significantly better graphics performance, allowing for smoother gameplay and better visual fidelity in games and other graphics-intensive applications.
Camera
Main Camera Resolution12MP50MPMoto G22 captures more detail in well-lit conditions; however, iPhone 12's superior image processing and sensor quality often result in better overall image quality, especially in low light.
Main Camera Aperturef/1.6f/1.8iPhone 12 lets in more light, improving low-light performance and creating shallower depth of field for portrait shots.
Main Camera Sensor Size1/2.55"1/2.76"iPhone 12's larger sensor captures more light, leading to better low-light performance and improved dynamic range.
Wide Angle LensYesNoiPhone 12 offers a wider field of view for capturing landscapes and group photos.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@60fpsUp to 1080p@30fpsiPhone 12 records significantly higher quality videos with better detail, dynamic range, and stabilization.
Battery
Capacity2815mAh5000mAhMoto G22 is likely to offer significantly longer battery life, especially for users who engage in moderate usage.
Charging20W Fast Charging15W Fast ChargingiPhone 12 charges faster, reducing downtime.
Wireless ChargingYes (MagSafe & Qi)NoiPhone 12 offers convenient wireless charging options.
Software
OSiOS 14.1 (upgradable)Android 12iPhone 12 offers a different user experience with a focus on simplicity, security, and tight integration with Apple's ecosystem. Moto G22 offers more customization options.
Connectivity
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 5iPhone 12 offers faster and more efficient Wi-Fi connectivity.
Bluetooth5.15.0iPhone 12 has a slightly more advanced Bluetooth version for improved connectivity and efficiency.
SIMNano SIM + eSIMNano SIMiPhone 12 offers dual SIM functionality for users who need to manage two phone numbers.
Storage
Internal64/128/256GB64/128GBiPhone 12 offers a larger maximum storage option (256GB) for users with extensive media libraries.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone allows for expanding storage with a microSD card.
Audio
Audio QualityDolby Atmos, Stereo SpeakersBasiciPhone 12 provides a richer and more immersive audio experience with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support.
Security
BiometricsFace IDFingerprint SensoriPhone 12 uses secure facial recognition for authentication. Moto G22 uses fingerprint scanner for biometric security

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Advantages:

  • Significantly Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides a much faster and smoother user experience, especially for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
    • Practical Implication: Apps launch quicker, games run smoother, and overall responsiveness is significantly improved.
  • Higher Quality Display: The OLED display offers superior contrast, color accuracy, and brightness, resulting in a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience.
    • Practical Implication: Movies, photos, and games look significantly better, especially in bright sunlight.
  • Better Camera System: Despite having a lower megapixel count, the iPhone 12's camera system delivers superior image quality, especially in low light, thanks to its larger sensor, wider aperture, and advanced image processing. It also has a wide-angle lens.
    • Practical Implication: Captures better photos and videos in various lighting conditions, especially when detail and dynamic range are important.
  • Premium Build Quality and Design: The iPhone 12 features a more premium design and build quality, making it feel more durable and refined.
    • Practical Implication: The phone feels more luxurious in hand and is likely to withstand wear and tear better over time.
  • iOS Ecosystem: Provides a seamless experience with other Apple devices and services. Offers timely software updates and strong security features.
    • Practical Implication: If you're already invested in the Apple ecosystem, the iPhone 12 offers a more integrated experience.

Motorola Moto G22 Advantages:

  • Significantly Longer Battery Life: The larger battery capacity provides significantly longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
    • Practical Implication: Users can go longer between charges, making it ideal for those who are often away from power outlets.
  • Lower Price: The Moto G22 is significantly more affordable, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.
    • Practical Implication: Allows access to smartphone features without a significant financial investment.
  • 90Hz Refresh Rate: Offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations.
    • Practical Implication: May provide a slightly more fluid visual experience during everyday tasks.
  • Fingerprint sensor for biometric security

Significant Trade-offs:

  • Choosing the iPhone 12 means sacrificing battery life and paying a significantly higher price for superior performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
  • Choosing the Moto G22 means accepting significantly lower performance, display quality, and camera capabilities in exchange for longer battery life and a much lower price.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 12:

  • Users who prioritize performance and want a fast and responsive smartphone.
  • Photography enthusiasts who value high-quality photos and videos.
  • Users who consume a lot of media and appreciate a vibrant and accurate display.
  • Individuals invested in the Apple ecosystem.
  • Users who want access to dual SIM (nano + eSim)

Specific Use Cases for iPhone 12:

  • Gaming: Runs demanding games smoothly with high visual fidelity.
  • Video Recording: Captures high-quality 4K videos with excellent stabilization.
  • Photography: Takes excellent photos in various lighting conditions.
  • Productivity: Handles multitasking and demanding apps with ease.

Ideal Users for Motorola Moto G22:

  • Budget-conscious consumers who want a functional smartphone for basic tasks.
  • Users who prioritize long battery life over performance.
  • Individuals who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, and social media.

Specific Use Cases for Motorola Moto G22:

  • Basic Communication: Making calls, sending texts, and using social media.
  • Media Consumption: Watching videos and browsing the web (though with lower visual quality).
  • Everyday Tasks: Checking email, using navigation apps, and listening to music.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • iPhone 12: Offers a good price-to-value ratio for users who value performance, camera quality, and display technology.
  • Moto G22: Offers an excellent price-to-value ratio for users who prioritize battery life and affordability.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers to Consider:

  1. What is my budget? The price difference is substantial and is the primary factor for many.
  2. How important is performance to me? If you plan on gaming, video editing, or using demanding apps, the iPhone 12 is the clear choice.
  3. How much do I value battery life? If you need a phone that can last all day with heavy use, the Moto G22 is a better option.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Student on a tight budget: Choose the Motorola Moto G22. Its affordability and long battery life make it a practical choice for students who need a reliable phone for basic tasks.
  • Scenario 2: Photography enthusiast: Choose the Apple iPhone 12. Its superior camera system and image processing capabilities will allow you to capture stunning photos and videos.
  • Scenario 3: Mobile gamer: Choose the Apple iPhone 12. Its powerful processor and GPU provide a smooth and immersive gaming experience.
  • Scenario 4: Frequent traveler: The Motorola Moto G22 would be suitable because of its long battery life.

My Choice

If I were to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12. Although the Motorola Moto G22 has a significantly better battery and is much cheaper, the Apple iPhone 12 has better performance with the A14 Bionic chip. Also, the image quality is better on the Apple iPhone 12. For these reasons, I believe that the Apple iPhone 12 is the better choice between the two phones.

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.