Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion and the Xiaomi Redmi 12. These two phones sit in different segments of the market, and the specs reflect that pretty clearly. Let's break it down, shall we?
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at the specs, what they mean for your daily grind, and how these two devices stack up:
| Feature | Motorola Edge 30 Fusion | Xiaomi Redmi 12 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.5 × 72 × 7.5 mm, 168g | 168.6 × 76.3 × 8.2 mm, 198.5g | Edge 30 Fusion is noticeably more compact and lighter, better for one-handed use and easier to carry. Redmi 12 is larger and heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.79" | Redmi 12 offers a larger viewing area, which can be preferable for media consumption. Edge 30 Fusion is slightly more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2460 | Both offer sharp visuals, small real-world differences. |
| PPI | 402 | 396 | Very similar pixel density; both provide crisp text and images. |
| Technology | P-OLED | IPS LCD | Edge 30 Fusion's OLED offers superior contrast, vibrant colors, and deeper blacks compared to the Redmi 12's LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 90Hz | Edge 30 Fusion offers smoother scrolling and animations due to the higher refresh rate, a noticeable perk. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits (data missing) | Edge 30 Fusion is significantly brighter, making it far easier to use outdoors in bright sunlight. Redmi 12's brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5nm) | MediaTek Helio G88 (12nm) | Edge 30 Fusion’s chip provides flagship-level performance; Redmi 12 is a mid-range performer better for everyday tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 904,900 | 249,400 | Edge 30 Fusion is significantly faster for gaming and demanding applications, offering a much smoother experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 660 is a superior GPU, offering smoother graphics and faster rendering in games and other graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor | Edge 30 Fusion’s larger sensor size allows it to capture more light, generally resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80 µm pixel | 8MP, f/2.1, pixel size unknown | Edge 30 Fusion's selfie camera captures much more detail. Redmi 12 has a wider aperture for marginally better low light. |
| Wide Angle Camera Res | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.14 µm pixel | Edge 30 Fusion’s wide-angle lens captures more detailed, higher resolution pictures. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor, 1.75 µm pixel | Not Present | Edge 30 Fusion has better depth perception with a dedicated sensor |
| Macro Lens | Not Present | 2MP, f/2.4 | Redmi 12 has a dedicated macro lens for close up shots, which is not present on the Edge 30 Fusion |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps with EIS, slow-mo at 960fps | Up to 1080p@30fps, slow-mo at 120fps | Edge 30 Fusion allows for much higher quality video capture (8K), and captures more frames in slow motion footage than Redmi 12. |
| Camera Features | OIS, PDAF, LAF, Night Mode, 8K Video | Digital Zoom, HDR | Edge 30 Fusion boasts superior camera features. OIS and PDAF helps in low light photography. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4400mAh | 5000mAh | Redmi 12’s larger battery usually translates to a longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 68W fast charging | 18W fast charging | Edge 30 Fusion charges much faster, reducing the time spent tethered to a charger. |
| Reverse Charging | Not Present | 9W Reverse Wired Charging | Redmi 12 can act as a portable power bank |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgrade to 13) | Android 13 (upgrade to 14) | Redmi 12 ships with a newer OS, with an upgrade option to Android 14. Edge 30 Fusion has an older OS with update to Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | Edge 30 Fusion supports newer Wi-Fi 6 for faster and more efficient data transfer. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 with APT-x | Redmi 12's Bluetooth 5.3 and APT-x support is the newest, offering better stability and audio quality. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), SUPL, BeiDou (B1) | Standard GPS | Edge 30 Fusion offers more precise location tracking. |
| Storage & Memory | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both offer similar storage options, no expandable options are provided on either phone. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 4/6/8 GB | Edge 30 Fusion offers more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and improved performance in demanding tasks. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards, so users are limited to internal storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio Features | Edge 30 Fusion provides better audio output and capture quality |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Redmi 12 has a better positioned side-mounted sensor; both provide basic biometric security. |
| Other Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Edge 30 Fusion has more complete sensor suite, which is ideal for gamers. Both have similar features to most smartphones. |
2. Key Insights
- Motorola Edge 30 Fusion Strengths:
- Performance: Its Snapdragon 888+ chip provides a massive performance advantage.
- Display: The P-OLED display with 144Hz refresh rate is a major visual upgrade, with great brightness.
- Camera: A better main camera sensor, combined with better video and features, provides superior imaging.
- Fast Charging: It charges much faster than the Redmi 12.
- Premium Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers offer superior audio output and capture.
- Build and Ergonomics: Lighter and smaller for easy handling.
- Connectivity: Supports modern Wi-Fi standards.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 Strengths:
- Battery Life: The larger battery will likely result in longer battery life.
- Bluetooth: Newer Bluetooth version.
- Reverse Charging: The ability to reverse charge other devices is a useful feature.
- Price: Likely cheaper than the Edge 30 Fusion, being a budget oriented device.
- Software: Ships with a newer version of Android, with a clear update path to Android 14.
Trade-offs:
- The Edge 30 Fusion has a smaller battery, less modern version of Bluetooth and no reverse charging capability, while the Redmi 12 lacks performance, a high refresh rate display, fast charging and better camera features.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge 30 Fusion:
- Best For: Power users, gamers, photography enthusiasts, and those who value smooth performance, good display and faster charging.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, high-end multitasking, capturing professional-grade video, consuming high quality content.
Xiaomi Redmi 12:
- Best For: Budget-conscious users, casual smartphone users who focus on battery life, those who need reverse charging capability and need a newer version of Android.
- Use Cases: Day-to-day tasks, social media, media consumption, and users who prioritize long battery life, and the ability to charge other devices.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Performance vs. Price: Do you need a high-performing phone for gaming and demanding apps, or is a more budget-friendly device sufficient?
- Display and Camera Quality: Do you prioritize a high-quality display with better contrast and refresh rates, and a superior camera for your creative endeavors? Or are a basic display and average cameras sufficient?
- Battery Life and Features: Is having a long battery life and reverse charging more important than faster charging?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Mobile Gamer: Get the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion. Its superior performance, high refresh rate display, and advanced cooling will drastically enhance your gaming experience.
- The Budget-Conscious Casual User: Get the Xiaomi Redmi 12. It handles daily tasks well and has excellent battery life at a much lower cost.
- The Content Creator: Go for the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion. The superior camera, video recording capabilities, and enhanced display will be very beneficial.
- The Heavy Media Consumer: The choice here depends on if you value better display/audio or just want longer lasting battery. Motorola Edge 30 Fusion has superior display and audio, but Redmi 12 has a larger battery.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would go for the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion. Here's why:
As someone who values high performance, display quality, and camera capabilities, the Edge 30 Fusion simply offers more of what I need. The superior chipset, 144Hz P-OLED display, fast charging and great set of cameras makes it a much better all-rounder. I am fine with the slightly smaller battery, since my typical usage pattern is a mix of tasks, and the fast charging can compensate. While the Xiaomi Redmi 12 certainly has its strengths, the Edge 30 Fusion provides an overall better experience. It’s worth paying more for that increased performance and overall higher quality of device.
