Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Infinix Note 12 G96 and the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023). As always, we'll be cutting through the marketing hype to see how these phones stack up in the real world.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.6 × 76.8 × 8 mm | 162.8 × 73.8 × 9.2 mm | Infinix is taller and wider but thinner, Moto is more compact yet thicker. |
| Weight | 185g | 202g | Infinix is noticeably lighter, better for extended use, while Moto is a bit heavier, which might give a feeling of robustness. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard, non-foldable phones. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | Infinix has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both phones have the same resolution; display should be relatively sharp. |
| Pixel Density | 393 PPI | 399 PPI | Very similar pixel density, leading to comparable visual sharpness |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED offers richer colors, deeper blacks and better power efficiency, especially with dark themes. IPS LCD has good color reproduction but falls behind AMOLED. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Moto G Stylus 5G offers a much smoother viewing experience with its higher refresh rate. Scrolling and animations will feel noticeably more fluid. |
| Brightness | 650 nits | 0 nits | Infinix has better outdoor visibility in sunlight with higher brightness rating, whereas Moto's brightness rating is unknown |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G96 (12nm) | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) | The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is significantly more powerful and efficient, which means smoother app performance and better battery management. |
| Antutu Score | 307,000 | 565,000 | Motorola offers superior performance, leading to faster app loading and gaming experience. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 710 | The Adreno 710 is more powerful, and provides a better gaming experience. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/2.76" | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.55" | Motorola has a larger sensor and slightly narrower aperture which means better light capture for improved detail and less noise. Infinix's wider aperture will gather more light. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.0 | 16MP, f/2.5 | Infinix's wider aperture means better low light selfie quality. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Infinix can do portrait mode with a dedicated depth sensor. |
| Wide/Macro Camera | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | Motorola can capture wide-angle images or detailed close-up shots with dedicated sensor. |
| Video Recording | 1440p@30fps, No stabilization, Slow-mo 120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, Stabilization, Slow-mo 240fps | Motorola offers higher resolution and framerate video recording with stabilization and slow-motion capabilities, ideal for content creation. |
| Camera Features | Triple Camera, Digital stabilization | Dual Camera, OIS, Ultra stable video | Moto has OIS (optical image stabilization) for smoother and sharper photos & videos, especially in low-light. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacities, providing comparable all day battery life based on use |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | Infinix's faster charging ensures you spend less time plugged in. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Both are non-removable batteries, the difference is in the chemical composition and will have a negligible difference in performance. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 | Android 13 | Motorola has the latest Android OS out of the box. |
| WiFi | a/b/g/n | a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Motorola has newer WiFi 6 (ax) for higher speeds, lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Motorola has newer Bluetooth 5.2 for better connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS, SUPL, Galileo | Motorola has more satellite systems for better accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Single SIM | Infinix has dual sim capability |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | Motorola has larger storage variants. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 4/6/8 GB | Both offer up to 8 GB of RAM, with good multitasking and gaming capabilities. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Motorola has Dolby Atmos for enhanced sound. 2 microphones will improve voice capture quality, which benefits from audio recordings. |
| Security | |||
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both have standard security features. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Motorola has extra sensor (Hall and Geomagnetic) for compass and other applications. |
2. Key Insights
Infinix Note 12 G96:
- Strengths: The Infinix Note 12 G96 shines with its vibrant AMOLED display, offering excellent colors and contrast. It has a slightly larger display, which is great for media consumption, and brighter screen, which helps for outdoor use. The 33W fast charging is also a plus. It is also slightly lighter and more comfortable for extended use. It offers a dual SIM capability which may be useful.
- Advantages: Its brighter AMOLED display provides better color and contrast than the Motorola's IPS LCD screen and the 33W fast charging is a convenient feature.
- Trade-offs: The major weakness is its processing power. The Helio G96 chipset lags significantly behind the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1. It lacks a wide-angle camera and doesn't have OIS. The 60hz display is inferior compared to the 120hz display of the Moto G Stylus.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023):
- Strengths: The Moto G Stylus 5G offers significantly better performance with its Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset. Its 120Hz display is a big upgrade for smooth scrolling. The inclusion of a wide-angle camera, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), and 4k video recording capabilities make it a far more versatile device in the camera department.
- Advantages: Its performance is far superior. It has the latest Android 13, a 120hz refresh rate, a wide-angle camera, OIS, and 4k video recording.
- Trade-offs: It is heavier than the Infinix and lacks an AMOLED display for better blacks and contrast. The charging speed of 20W is also slower.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Infinix Note 12 G96:
- Best Suited For: Users who prioritize a vibrant display for media consumption and don't need cutting-edge performance or demanding gaming capabilities. Great for those who want a lighter phone with dual sim capabilities.
- Use Cases: Casual users who mainly use their phones for browsing, social media, and streaming. Good for anyone who spends lots of time outdoors, due to its higher peak brightness
- Price-to-Value: Offers a good visual experience at a lower price, but the performance may limit heavy users.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023):
- Best Suited For: Power users and content creators who need robust performance, want a smoother user interface, a good camera with optical stabilization, a wide-angle lens, and can live without the vibrant AMOLED panel.
- Use Cases: Gamers, multitaskers, and those who take lots of photos and videos. This is also a great device for content creation.
- Price-to-Value: The Moto G Stylus offers a lot of value for its price with its stronger processor, superior display, versatile camera capabilities, and the stylus, which gives a unique advantage compared to other phones.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do you prioritize screen quality or performance? If vibrant colors and deep blacks are key for you, the Infinix's AMOLED display is appealing, but if you value smooth performance, the Moto G Stylus will be a better choice.
- Is the camera important for your use? The Motorola's OIS, wide-angle lens, and 4K recording capabilities give it the advantage, especially for content creation.
- Are you a heavy user or content creator? If your daily routine involves gaming, multitasking, and lots of photo/video capturing, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip makes the Motorola a better option. However, if your activities are more about casual social media or streaming, the Infinix would do the job just fine.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If price is your biggest concern, the Infinix Note 12 G96 could be a decent entry point if the display is the key feature you're looking for.
- Performance Seeker: The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) with its Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset is the clear choice for anyone that prioritizes performance and a smooth user interface.
- Camera Enthusiast: The Motorola's wide-angle and OIS, along with 4k recording capabilities makes it a more versatile camera phone.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I would pick the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023). While the Infinix Note 12 G96 has a great AMOLED screen, the performance difference between the two is just too big to ignore. The Moto G Stylus, with the more powerful Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, provides a much smoother experience for daily use and mobile gaming. Additionally, its 120Hz screen, advanced camera features, 4K video recording, and the stylus make it a more versatile and future-proof device for my needs. I value smooth performance and image quality for most of my daily tasks, and the Moto provides that.
