Apple iPhone 12 vs Motorola Moto G71 5G - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

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

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 101.26 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.72 "/g 3.58 "/g
Weight 164 g 179 g
Height 146.7 mm 161.2 mm
Width 71.5 mm 73.9 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 8.5 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • White
  • Green
  • Purple
  • Neptune Green
  • Arctic Blue
  • Iron Black

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.4 "
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.1 % 83 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 411 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A N/A
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 122.07 mAh/in²
Battery Density 36.27 mAh/cm³ 49.38 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 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 11
Maximum OS Version 18 12

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G71 5GPractical Impact
Dimensions146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm161.2 x 73.9 x 8.5 mmiPhone 12 is more pocketable and easier to handle with one hand. Moto G71 5G is larger and may be less comfortable for smaller hands.
Weight164g179giPhone 12 is noticeably lighter, reducing fatigue during extended use.

Display

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G71 5GPractical Impact
Size6.1"6.4"Moto G71 5G provides a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming.
Resolution1170 x 25321080 x 2400iPhone 12 offers slightly sharper visuals with finer details.
PPI460411iPhone 12 has a slightly sharper display
TechnologyOLEDAMOLEDBoth offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. The difference is subtle and may not be noticeable to the average user.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsiPhone 12's higher brightness ensures better visibility in direct sunlight. The Motorola brightness is unavailable, making it hard to determine outdoor visibility.
Refresh Rate60Hz60HzBoth provide standard smoothness for everyday use. Neither offers the smoother scrolling of higher refresh rate displays.

Performance

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G71 5GPractical Impact
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)A14 Bionic offers significantly faster performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and running complex applications.
AnTuTu Score1,083,947396,564The iPhone 12 will feel much more responsive and capable in almost all scenarios.
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)Adreno 619Apple's GPU provides superior graphics performance, resulting in smoother gameplay and faster rendering.

Camera

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G71 5GPractical Impact
Standard Camera12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55", 1.4µm50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µmiPhone 12's larger sensor and wider aperture allow for better low-light performance and shallower depth of field. Moto G71 5G captures more detail in well-lit conditions due to its higher resolution.
Selfie Camera12MP, f/2.216MP, f/2.2, 1.0µmMoto G71 5G captures slightly more detailed selfies.
Wide Angle Lens12MP, f/2.48MP, f/2.2, 1.12µmThe iPhone 12 captures more detail in its wide-angle shots, while the Motorola G71 has a slightly wider aperture for capturing more light.
Macro LensN/A2MP, f/2.4Moto G71 5G allows for close-up photography of small subjects.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@60fpsUp to 1080p@60fpsiPhone 12 records higher-quality, more detailed videos with better stabilization.
DXOMark (Mobile)117N/AiPhone 12 has a rated score

Battery

FeatureApple iPhone 12Motorola Moto G71 5GPractical Impact
Capacity2815mAh5000mAhMoto G71 5G offers significantly longer battery life, potentially lasting a full day or more for most users.
Charging20W fast charging, wireless charging33W fast chargingMoto G71 5G charges faster, reducing downtime. iPhone 12 offers the convenience of wireless charging.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Advantages:

  • Significantly Higher Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides a much faster and smoother user experience, especially for demanding tasks.
  • Superior Camera Quality: Better low-light performance, higher-quality video recording, and advanced features like OIS make it a more versatile camera system.
  • Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility.
  • Premium Build Quality: Although not specified, iPhones are typically known for their high-quality materials and construction.
  • Software Ecosystem: Access to iOS and the Apple ecosystem, known for its seamless integration and long-term software support.

Practical Implications:

  • iPhone 12 is ideal for users who prioritize speed, responsiveness, and camera quality.
  • The iOS ecosystem offers a consistent and user-friendly experience.

Motorola Moto G71 5G Advantages:

  • Significantly Longer Battery Life: The larger battery ensures all-day usage for most users.
  • Faster Charging: 33W charging replenishes the battery more quickly.
  • Macro Lens: Adds versatility to the camera system for close-up shots.
  • Fingerprint Sensor: Provides a convenient and secure way to unlock the phone.
  • More RAM: Multitasking is better on the G71

Practical Implications:

  • Moto G71 5G is ideal for users who prioritize battery life and value a fingerprint sensor.
  • The macro lens adds creative options for photography enthusiasts.

Trade-offs:

  • Choosing the iPhone 12 means sacrificing battery life and a fingerprint sensor for significantly better performance and camera quality.
  • Choosing the Moto G71 5G means sacrificing performance and camera quality for much better battery life and a more budget-friendly price.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Apple iPhone 12:

  • Ideal User: Tech enthusiasts, content creators, users who value performance and camera quality above all else, and those invested in the Apple ecosystem.
  • Use Cases:
    • Shooting high-quality videos for vlogging or social media.
    • Playing graphics-intensive mobile games.
    • Running demanding applications like video editing software.
    • Using the phone in bright sunlight.

Motorola Moto G71 5G:

  • Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, those who prioritize battery life and everyday usability, and those who prefer Android.
  • Use Cases:
    • All-day use without needing to recharge.
    • Taking photos of small objects with the macro lens.
    • Unlocking the phone quickly and securely with the fingerprint sensor.
    • General productivity and communication tasks.

4. Decision Framework

Consider these questions:

  1. What is my budget? The Moto G71 5G is likely significantly cheaper than the iPhone 12.
  2. How important is battery life to me? If you need all-day battery, the Moto G71 5G is the clear winner.
  3. How demanding are my performance needs? If you play demanding games or use resource-intensive apps, the iPhone 12 is the better choice.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Student on a Budget: The Motorola Moto G71 5G is the better choice due to its longer battery life and lower price.
  • Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast: The Apple iPhone 12 is the better choice due to its superior camera quality and features.
  • Scenario 3: Power User: The Apple iPhone 12 is the better choice due to its significantly faster performance and access to the Apple ecosystem.

My Choice

I would choose the Apple iPhone 12. While the Motorola Moto G71 5G has a larger battery and is likely more budget-friendly, the performance difference is too significant to ignore. As someone who frequently uses their phone for demanding tasks like photo editing and gaming, the A14 Bionic chip in the iPhone 12 offers a much smoother and more enjoyable experience. Additionally, the superior camera quality and access to the Apple ecosystem are compelling factors. The trade-off in battery life is acceptable, as I can manage with strategic charging throughout the day.

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
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.