Apple iPhone 12 vs Motorola Moto G53 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date October 23, 2020 December 15, 2022
Release Year 2020 2022

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 99.66 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.72 "/g 3.55 "/g
Weight 164 g 183 g
Height 146.7 mm 162.7 mm
Width 71.5 mm 74.7 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 8.2 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • White
  • Green
  • Purple
  • Ink Blue
  • Arctic Silver
  • Pale Pink

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 % 83.9 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 270 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 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 36.27 mAh/cm³ 50.17 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 2815 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) Adreno 619

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 13
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 vs. Motorola Moto G53

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G53Practical Impact
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm162.7 × 74.7 × 8.2 mmThe iPhone 12 is more pocketable and easier to handle with one hand. The Moto G53's larger size may be preferred for media consumption but less convenient for portability.
Weight164g183gThe iPhone 12 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use, especially one-handed. The Moto G53 is noticeably heavier.
BuildStandardStandardBoth phones are standard smartphones, no foldable design.

Display

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G53Practical Impact
Size6.1"6.5"The Moto G53 offers a larger viewing area, better for watching videos and gaming. The iPhone 12 offers a more compact and pocketable size.
Resolution1170x2532720x1600The iPhone 12 has a much sharper and clearer display. Text and images will appear significantly more detailed. The Moto G53's lower resolution may result in a less crisp visual experience.
PPI460270Higher PPI on the iPhone 12 translates to sharper images and text. The Moto G53's lower PPI may result in a slightly pixelated appearance, especially noticeable for users accustomed to high-resolution screens.
TechnologyOLEDIPS LCDOLED displays (iPhone 12) offer superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to IPS LCD (Moto G53). OLED is better for viewing HDR content.
Refresh Rate60Hz120HzThe Moto G53's 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations, making the user interface feel more responsive. The iPhone 12's 60Hz refresh rate is less smooth.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsThe iPhone 12 has much better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. The display will be much easier to read.

Performance

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G53Practical Impact
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm)The A14 Bionic in the iPhone 12 is significantly more powerful. Apps will launch faster, multitasking will be smoother, and demanding games will run better. The Snapdragon 480+ in the Moto G53 is suitable for basic tasks but will struggle with more intensive applications.
AnTuTu Score1,083,947319,946This benchmark confirms the significant performance difference. The iPhone 12 is much faster and more responsive overall.
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)Adreno 619The Apple GPU offers superior graphics performance, leading to smoother gameplay and better performance in graphically intensive apps.

Camera

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G53Practical Impact
Digital ZoomApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G53Practical Impact
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Front Camera12MP8MPApple iPhone 12 has better selfie photos.
Macro LensNoYesMotorola Moto G53 has a macro lens for close-up shots.
Video Recording4k@60fps1080p@30fpsApple iPhone 12 supports much higher video resolution.

Battery

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G53Practical Impact
Capacity2815mAh5000mAhThe Moto G53 should offer significantly longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
Charging20W18WBoth offer similar charging speeds.
Charger in boxNoYesThe Motorola Moto G53 includes a charger in the box.

Storage

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G53Practical Impact
Internal64/128/256 GB128 GBThe iPhone 12 has more options.
RAM4 GB4/6/8 GBThe Moto G53 has more RAM options.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone supports expandable storage, so choose a model with enough internal storage for your needs.

Connectivity

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G53Practical Impact
WiFiWiFi 6WiFi 5The iPhone 12 supports the newer WiFi 6 standard for faster and more efficient wireless connectivity.

Security

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G53Practical Impact
BiometricsFace IDFingerprint SensorFace ID (iPhone 12) offers secure and convenient facial recognition. The fingerprint sensor (Moto G53) provides a traditional biometric unlock option.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Advantages:

  • Significantly superior performance: The A14 Bionic chip crushes the Snapdragon 480+ in benchmarks and real-world use. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
  • Much better display: The OLED screen offers superior contrast, color accuracy, and brightness compared to the Moto G53's LCD. The higher resolution provides a much sharper image.
  • Better Camera: Better image processing, better sensors, and 4k video.

Motorola Moto G53 Advantages:

  • Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers significantly longer battery life.
  • Higher Refresh Rate: The 120Hz display provides smoother scrolling and animations.
  • Lower Price: The Moto G53 is significantly more affordable.
  • Included Charger: Includes a charger in the box, unlike the iPhone 12.
  • Expandable Storage: The Moto G53 supports microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase storage capacity if needed.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • Choosing the iPhone 12 means sacrificing battery life and paying a much higher price for significantly better performance and display quality.
  • Choosing the Moto G53 means accepting significantly lower performance, a lower-quality display, and a less capable camera in exchange for a longer battery life and a lower price.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 12:

  • Performance Users: People who prioritize speed and responsiveness for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking.
  • Media Consumers: Users who want a high-quality display for watching videos and viewing photos.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: Individuals who want a better camera.
  • Ecosystem Users: People already invested in the Apple ecosystem.

Use Cases for iPhone 12:

  • Gaming: Demanding games run much smoother on the iPhone 12.
  • Video Editing: The A14 Bionic handles video editing tasks more efficiently.
  • Photography: Capturing high-quality photos and videos.
  • Professional Use: Running demanding business applications.

Ideal Users for Motorola Moto G53:

  • Budget-Conscious Users: People who want a functional smartphone at an affordable price.
  • Battery Life Prioritizers: Users who need a phone that can last all day on a single charge.
  • Basic Task Users: Individuals who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, social media, and light browsing.

Use Cases for Moto G53:

  • Everyday Communication: Making calls, sending texts, and using social media.
  • Long Travel Days: The large battery ensures the phone lasts through long trips.
  • Basic Media Consumption: Watching videos and browsing the web.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • The Moto G53 offers excellent value for budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and basic functionality.
  • The iPhone 12 offers a better price-to-value for users looking for a premium experience, as newer iPhones are available.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The price difference is significant.
  2. How important is performance to you? Do you need a fast and responsive phone for demanding tasks?
  3. How much do you value battery life? Do you need a phone that can last all day on a single charge?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Budget is the primary concern. Choose the Motorola Moto G53.
  • Scenario 2: Performance is critical, and budget is less of an issue. Choose the Apple iPhone 12.
  • Scenario 3: A balance between price and performance is desired. Evaluate other mid-range options.

Personal Choice

If I were making the choice, I would go with the Apple iPhone 12. While the Motorola Moto G53 has advantages like a larger battery and a smoother display, the iPhone 12 offers a significantly better overall experience. The performance difference is massive, the display is superior, and the camera is far more capable. Although the battery life is shorter, I am usually near a charger, and the trade-off for performance and quality is worth it. The iPhone 12 will also likely have longer software support, making it a more future-proof choice.

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.