Alright, let's break down the Motorola Edge 20 and the Infinix Note 12 G96. I'll go through the specs, highlight the key differences, and give you my take on which phone might be right for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these two phones stack up:
| Feature | Motorola Edge 20 | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163 × 76 × 7 mm, 163g | 164.6 × 76.8 × 8 mm, 185g | Edge 20 is thinner and lighter, making it more pocketable and comfortable for extended use. The Note 12 G96 is slightly bulkier. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass 3 front | Unknown front protection | Edge 20 offers better screen protection against scratches and minor impacts. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both offer a large screen, great for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Sharp and detailed visuals on both devices. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Similar display tech, vibrant colors and deep blacks on both, but differences are usually subtle and depend on specific panel tuning. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 60Hz | Edge 20 offers significantly smoother scrolling and animations, making it feel more responsive, especially in games and fast-paced apps. |
| Brightness | 0 nits (spec missing) | 650 nits | Assuming the missing spec means Edge 20 is less bright, the Note 12 G96 will likely be easier to see in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Helio G96 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 778G is significantly more powerful and efficient, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 589,200 | 307,000 | Reflects the chipset difference. Edge 20 will handle demanding tasks with ease. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 642L is a more capable GPU, offering better graphics performance for gaming and other GPU-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52" | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/2.76" | Edge 20's main camera should capture more detailed images and perform better in low light due to the larger sensor size. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.3 | 16MP, f/2.0 | Edge 20 should provide sharper and more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP | None | Edge 20 offers optical zoom capabilities for distant subjects, a feature missing on the Note 12 G96. |
| Ultra-Wide Camera | 16MP | None | Edge 20 can capture a wide angle field of view, a feature missing on the Note 12 G96. |
| Macro Camera | 16MP | None | Edge 20 can capture macro shot, a feature missing on the Note 12 G96. |
| Depth Camera | None | 2MP | Note 12 G96 can provide a better depth perception on portrait mode, a feature missing on the Edge 20. |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 1440p@30fps | Edge 20 records higher-resolution video with more detail. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4020mAh | 5000mAh | Note 12 G96 should offer longer battery life due to the larger capacity. |
| Charging | 30W | 33W | Similar fast charging speeds, but the Note 12 G96 might charge slightly faster from empty. |
| Reverse Charging | Yes | No | Edge 20 can act as a power bank to charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Android 12 | Note 12 G96 comes with a newer Android version out of the box, but Edge 20 also gets it and may eventually get newer updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | Edge 20 supports faster and more efficient Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.1 | Edge 20 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version with potentially better range and efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS | Edge 20 offers more accurate positioning due to the inclusion of more satellite systems. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 64/128GB | Edge 20 offers more storage options, essential for users with lots of media or apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion, so choose the storage size carefully. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Basic | Stereo Speakers, DTS Audio | Note 12 G96 provides a better audio experience with stereo speakers and surround sound. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 20:
- Strengths: Superior performance, faster refresh rate display, better camera system (especially telephoto zoom), faster Wi-Fi, and thinner design.
- Competitive Advantages: The Snapdragon 778G chipset and 144Hz display provide a noticeably smoother and more responsive user experience. The versatile camera system offers more creative options.
- Trade-offs: Smaller battery capacity and potentially lower screen brightness compared to the Infinix.
Infinix Note 12 G96:
- Strengths: Larger battery, potentially brighter display, and better audio experience.
- Competitive Advantages: Its large battery caters to users who prioritize long battery life. Also it has a better audio quality.
- Trade-offs: Significantly weaker performance, lower refresh rate display, and less versatile camera system.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge 20:
- Ideal For: Users who value performance, gaming, and a smooth user interface. Photographers who want versatile camera capabilities. People who prefer a slimmer and lighter phone.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, streaming high-resolution videos, capturing photos and videos in various scenarios, multitasking with demanding apps.
Infinix Note 12 G96:
- Ideal For: Users who prioritize battery life, those on a tighter budget, and those who enjoy consuming media with stereo speakers.
- Use Cases: All-day usage without frequent charging, watching videos, listening to music without headphones.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How important is performance to you? If you play demanding games or run resource-intensive apps, the Edge 20 is the clear winner.
- What do you value more: battery life or display smoothness? The Note 12 G96 offers longer battery life, but the Edge 20 has a much smoother display.
- How important is camera versatility? If you want telephoto zoom and ultra-wide capabilities, the Edge 20 is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Mobile Gamer: Go for the Motorola Edge 20 because of the faster processor and screen refresh rate.
- All-Day User: The Infinix Note 12 G96 gives you more juice to last the day.
- Photography Enthusiast: The Motorola Edge 20 camera specifications, like its higher resolution and wide angle camera will provide a better photo overall.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I'd personally go with the Motorola Edge 20.
Here's why:
- Performance: As someone who uses my phone for a variety of tasks, including gaming, browsing, and productivity, the Snapdragon 778G offers a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience.
- Display: While the Infinix Note 12 G96 might be brighter, the 144Hz refresh rate on the Edge 20 is a game-changer for everyday use.
- Camera: The Edge 20's camera system is just more versatile, with its wide angle lens to macro lens, allowing more flexibility in photography.
- Design: I like the thinner and lighter design of the Edge 20, making it more comfortable to hold and carry around.
While the larger battery and potentially brighter display of the Infinix Note 12 G96 are appealing, I prioritize performance and user experience, which is where the Motorola Edge 20 excels.
