Okay, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Moto G (2022) and the OnePlus 12R. I'll break down the specs, discuss the real-world implications, and help you figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at the key specs of both phones, focusing on what these numbers mean in the real world:
| Feature | Motorola Moto G (2022) | OnePlus 12R | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.4 x 75.8 x 9.4 mm | 163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm | The Moto G is a bit taller and thicker, which might be noticeable in-hand and in a pocket. The OnePlus 12R is slightly more compact. |
| Weight | 204g | 207g | Both are similar, a difference of 3 grams will not be noticeable. Both phones are on the heavier side |
| Build | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | OnePlus 12R has significantly better screen protection, while the Moto G is unknown |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | OnePlus 12R offers a more immersive experience, with a larger screen for media consumption and gaming |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1264x2780 | OnePlus 12R has significantly higher resolution resulting in sharper text and visuals. The Moto G can appear less detailed. |
| PPI | 270 | 450 | The OnePlus 12R display looks much crisper, while the Moto G display may appear more pixelated especially in close viewing. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | Not available | The IPS LCD panel on the Moto G typically offers accurate colors but with lower brightness levels. OnePlus 12R's panel is unknown, so difficult to compare. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | OnePlus 12R screen is smoother and more fluid when scrolling and during animations, offering better user experience in daily interactions and gaming |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 4500 nits | OnePlus 12R is significantly better for outdoor use, offering excellent visibility in bright sunlight. The Moto G, with 0 nits stated, is likely very low |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | The OnePlus 12R’s chipset is much more powerful, resulting in better performance, smoother multitasking, and more demanding games will run much better. The Moto G is targeted at basic performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 389,300 | 1,743,901 | The OnePlus 12R scores 348% higher. Meaning significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, more future-proof. The Moto G is less capable in those areas |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 740 | The Adreno 740 in the OnePlus 12R is significantly more powerful, meaning much better gaming and graphic intensive tasks. The Mali G57 is less capable in those areas. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor, 0.64µm pixels | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" sensor, 1.00µm pixels | OnePlus 12R has a larger sensor meaning better image quality, especially in low light. It captures more light and detail |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixels | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.1" sensor, 1.00µm pixels | The OnePlus 12R has a higher resolution, although pixel size is smaller and aperture is less wide, meaning the Motorola has slight advantage in low light performance on its selfie camera. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor, 1.14µm pixels | OnePlus 12R can capture broader shots and is very helpful for capturing landscapes or group photos, whilst the Moto G cannot. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixels | None | The Moto G can take dedicated depth shots, while the OnePlus 12R cannot. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixels | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor, 1.75µm pixels | Both phones offer macro capabilities for close-up shots, with virtually identical performance. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps with OIS & EIS | The OnePlus 12R is capable of higher quality video capture, including stabilization, making for smoother, clearer footage. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | OnePlus 12R has a larger battery capacity, promising longer battery life throughout the day, though it might also be needed to power the higher performance. |
| Charging | 10W fast charging | 100W fast charging | OnePlus 12R offers much faster charging meaning you’ll spend less time plugged in and more time on the go. Moto G charging is very slow. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | OnePlus 12R has the ability to charge other devices, meaning can be used to charge your other phone, or bluetooth headset, which the Moto G cannot. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 | Android 14 | OnePlus 12R has a much more recent operating system, with the promise of 3 more updates, meaning more software features, bug fixes and security updates. The Moto G will likely not get any more major OS updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Up to 802.11ac | Up to Wi-Fi 7 | OnePlus 12R supports the latest Wi-Fi standards, offering faster speeds and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.3 LE | OnePlus 12R has a newer version with slightly improved power efficiency, range and transfer speeds. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | OnePlus 12R has a more robust suite of satellite systems, offering more accurate and faster location tracking. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | OnePlus 12R can use 2 SIM cards at once, meaning better coverage in areas with poor signal coverage. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | OnePlus 12R offers much more internal storage, and choice depending on budget. The Moto G storage is very small and there is no option to expand storage. |
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB or 16 GB | OnePlus 12R has significantly more RAM, making for smoother multitasking and future-proof for RAM hungry software. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, meaning that the internal storage is the only storage option. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 12R’s stereo speakers provide a more immersive audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor is more convenient for daily use, while still providing basic biometric security. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity, Geomagnetic, RGB, Pedometer | The Moto G has a barometer, while the OnePlus 12R has Gravity, Geomagnetic, RGB and Pedometer sensors. This suite of sensors allows for more specific usage cases in their respective fields |
Key Insights
Motorola Moto G (2022)
- Strengths: Affordable, basic functionality, a focus on core smartphone tasks. Good battery life, especially when paired with the less power hungry display and chipset. Decent primary camera.
- Competitive Advantages: The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is slightly more convenient. It also has a barometer sensor.
- Trade-offs: Significantly less powerful, lower resolution, poor outdoor visibility on the display, slower charging, basic build quality, basic audio, and lacks modern features like ultra-wide lens and video features.
- User Experience: The Moto G (2022) is a basic smartphone that offers decent battery life for its budget. The performance is adequate for everyday tasks like browsing and social media, and the camera takes passable photos. The screen isn't very sharp, making it not the most immersive experience.
OnePlus 12R
- Strengths: High-performance chipset, bright display, fast charging, excellent screen with fast refresh rate and very high resolution, more versatile cameras, including ultrawide lens, stereo speakers, up-to-date software, large RAM and storage.
- Competitive Advantages: Significantly faster performance, superior camera, much better display, very fast charging, dual SIM capability, better connectivity.
- Trade-offs: More expensive, slightly heavier, with larger dimensions than the Moto G.
- User Experience: The OnePlus 12R is a powerhouse, delivering a very smooth experience for everything from gaming to multitasking. The display is excellent, and the camera is capable of capturing great photos and videos. The battery life is fantastic and the fast charging ensures you're never out of power for too long.
User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola Moto G (2022):
- Best Suited For: Budget-conscious users, first-time smartphone owners, or those who need a simple, reliable device for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light browsing.
- Use Cases: Daily communication, occasional photos, light media consumption, and basic app use.
- OnePlus 12R:
- Best Suited For: Power users, gamers, photographers, or anyone who wants a smooth and fast experience with a great display and a good camera system.
- Use Cases: Gaming, mobile photography, video editing, media consumption, and daily power user tasks.
Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide which phone is right for you:
- How important is performance and responsiveness to you? If you value speed and want to play intensive games, the OnePlus 12R is a much better choice. If basic tasks and light usage is all you require, then the Motorola Moto G may be sufficient.
- What is your budget? The Moto G is the much more affordable option. The OnePlus 12R is a premium device, but comes with an increased cost. If budget is a major concern, the Motorola is the obvious choice.
- How crucial is camera quality and video recording? If you take a lot of pictures or videos and you value quality, the OnePlus 12R is a much better option due to the larger sensor, better optics and higher video recording capability. The Motorola Moto G does have an OK main camera, but does not compare to the OnePlus 12R.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: If you need a very basic phone for very little cost, choose the Motorola Moto G (2022).
- Performance Focused: If you demand top performance for gaming or work, the OnePlus 12R is the clear winner.
- Multimedia User: For the best media consumption experience, the OnePlus 12R, with its larger, higher resolution display and stereo speakers is the obvious choice.
- Value Conscious: If you are happy to pay more for the quality features, then the OnePlus 12R offers great value for the premium features it provides.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the OnePlus 12R without hesitation. Here's why:
As a tech enthusiast and someone who demands performance and quality, the OnePlus 12R aligns more with my needs and preferences. The better display, performance, camera, and overall feature set greatly outweigh the cost difference for me. The device's responsiveness and the smoother experience make it a far better fit for my daily use and for the level of performance I require. The significantly faster charging, coupled with the dual SIM capability, and the larger RAM and storage options, are simply non-negotiable features for my needs.
While the Motorola Moto G (2022) is a competent budget phone, the OnePlus 12R offers a far superior user experience overall, making it the clear choice for me.
