Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Infinix Note 12 G96 and the Motorola Moto G23. These two phones offer a fascinating look at how different manufacturers approach the mid-range market. I'll be breaking this down with a focus on what these specs mean for you, the user, rather than just reciting numbers.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Motorola Moto G23 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 76.8 x 8 mm | 162.7 x 74.7 x 8.2 mm | The Infinix is a bit taller and wider, but both are similar in thickness. The difference is negligible for practical use. |
| Weight | 185g | 184.3g | Both are practically the same weight, feeling similar in the hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | The Infinix offers a slightly larger screen, which is good for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 720 x 1600 | The Infinix has a significantly sharper display (Full HD+) compared to the Moto's HD+ display. You'll notice the difference in text clarity and image detail. |
| PPI | 393 | 270 | The higher pixel density on the Infinix translates to a noticeably crisper picture. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED on the Infinix provides much better blacks, contrast, and more vibrant colors. It's a superior viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Moto offers slightly smoother animations due to the higher refresh rate. This is visible mostly during scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 650 nits | 0 nits | Infinix has much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. The Moto's brightness is not listed, indicating it will likely be worse, significantly impacting its outdoor performance. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G96 | Mediatek Helio G85 | The Infinix G96 is noticeably faster and smoother in daily tasks and gaming than the Moto G85. |
| AnTuTu Score | 307,000 | 225,154 | This reflects the real-world difference in performance. The Infinix will handle apps and multitasking more smoothly. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 | The G57 in the Infinix has better graphics capability for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/2.76" | 50MP, f/1.8 | Infinix has a slightly wider aperture (f/1.6 vs f/1.8) which means better low-light performance. The larger sensor also suggests better quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.0 | 16MP, f/2.5 | The wider aperture on the Infinix again means better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle | Not Present | 5MP | The Moto offers a wide-angle lens that can fit more into a scene, this is useful if you take a lot of landscape photos. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP | Not Present | The Infinix offers a dedicated depth sensor for more accurate portrait effects. |
| Macro Lens | Not Present | 2MP | The Moto has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video Resolution | 1440p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Infinix shoots slightly higher quality video, good for those who need that extra bit of fidelity. |
| Camera Features | Manual Focus, Night Mode | Phase Detection Autofocus, RAW | Infinix has additional manual focus options and a night mode, while the Moto provides PDAF for faster focus and RAW for more editing flexibility. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones should last a full day with moderate use. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Infinix charges a tad bit faster. Both are considered fast charging. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Li-Polymer batteries have a slight advantage in charging/discharging cycles over time, but the difference is negligible for this comparison. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13 | The Moto has a slightly newer version of Android out of the box, with expected updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi ac | The Moto supports the newer ac standard of wifi |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.1 | Standard Bluetooth configuration for both. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | The Moto offers better GPS accuracy with additional satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Standard configuration. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 64 GB or 128 GB | Both models offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 4 GB, 6 GB or 8 GB | 4 GB or 8 GB | RAM options are similar across the board, both good for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | DTS/DTS X, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 Microphones | Both have stereo speakers, however the Moto has dolby atmos for superior surround sound, and 2 mics for clearer voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Good fingerprint sensor technology on both devices. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones use similar screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Standard sensor configurations for most apps. |
2. Key Insights
- Infinix Note 12 G96:
- Strengths: The clear winner in display quality with its vibrant AMOLED screen, higher resolution, and much higher brightness. It also offers better performance with the G96 chipset. The primary camera is slightly superior due to its wider aperture. It also records video in higher quality, and provides manual camera settings.
- Competitive Advantage: Superior visual experience and performance, good for media consumption, gaming, and photography enthusiasts.
- Trade-offs: Slightly older OS, no expandable storage, no wide-angle or macro lens.
- Motorola Moto G23:
- Strengths: Offers a smoother 90Hz display, and wide-angle and macro cameras that the Infinix is lacking. Also offers a more recent OS, better GPS, and Dolby Atmos audio for better sound immersion.
- Competitive Advantage: Versatile camera system, a slightly more modern OS, and enhanced GPS accuracy.
- Trade-offs: Significantly lower screen resolution and visual fidelity, lower performance, and lower screen brightness.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Infinix Note 12 G96:
- Best For: Users who prioritize a high-quality viewing experience, those who enjoy mobile gaming, and those who value photography, but would rather shoot in standard mode. Great for users who stream media often.
- Use Cases: Watching videos, gaming, browsing social media with vibrant visuals, snapping great social media-ready photos, and those who need an accurate and fast fingerprint sensor.
- Motorola Moto G23:
- Best For: Users who want a versatile camera system with wide-angle capabilities and users who prefer having a newer version of Android. Also for those who value spatial audio and superior voice capture for calls.
- Use Cases: Taking a variety of photos (wide-angle, macro, standard), navigation, and making calls, a user that values the latest version of Android, and those who want an accurate fingerprint sensor.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to ask yourself:
- Display Quality: Do I prioritize a vibrant, sharp display for media consumption, even if it is at 60Hz? Or is a smoother experience with less visual fidelity acceptable?
- Camera Versatility: Do I prefer a well-rounded main camera with slightly better low-light performance? Or would I like the ability to capture a wider range of perspectives with a dedicated wide-angle lens and macro lens, even if those images are not as high quality?
- Performance: Do I prioritize a smoother, faster overall performance even with the use of an older OS? Or is the performance of the Moto adequate enough for daily tasks?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Media Lover: If you're spending a lot of time watching movies and videos on your phone, the Infinix Note 12 G96 is the clear winner due to its AMOLED display.
- Aspiring Photographer: The Moto G23's versatility with wide-angle and macro lenses is a better fit for those who need multiple perspectives and close-ups. But if you're happy with a well-rounded main camera, the Infinix can work too.
- The Practical User: If you're looking for a more versatile phone with a newer OS and better GPS, the Moto G23 is a better fit. If performance is slightly more important, the Infinix is a better choice.
My Choice:
Personally, I would choose the Infinix Note 12 G96. While the Moto G23 has its charms, the superior AMOLED display on the Infinix is a game-changer for me. As someone who consumes a lot of media on their phone, the vibrant colors, higher resolution, and brighter screen are worth more to me than a wide-angle lens or the latest Android version. The performance boost with the G96 chipset also makes a noticeable difference in daily use.
