1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Realme 12+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm | 163 x 75.5 x 7.9 mm | Realme 12+ is more compact and thinner, potentially more comfortable to hold and carry. |
| Weight | 212g | 190g | Realme 12+ is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Very similar screen sizes, negligible difference in practical use. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Identical sharpness, no difference in visual clarity. |
| PPI | 393 | 395 | Very similar pixel density, no noticeable difference. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Realme 12+ offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency with dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Realme 12+ provides much smoother scrolling, animations, and gameplay. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | Realme 12+ screen is significantly brighter, much better visibility in direct sunlight. Note: 0 nits for Motorola is likely an incorrect data point, but Realme has a significantly brighter screen. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6nm) | Realme 12+ has a newer and more efficient chipset, leading to better performance and battery life. |
| AnTuTu Score | 390,000 | 601,000 | Realme 12+ delivers significantly faster app loading, multitasking and overall performance, including better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Realme 12+ has a more powerful GPU, resulting in better graphics in games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Realme 12+ charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Minimal difference in practical use |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP f/1.7 | 50MP f/1.88 (Sony LYT-600, 1/2" sensor) | Realme 12+ has a slightly higher resolution and a newer sensor, generally producing better photos, especially in low-light situations. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.2 | 16MP f/2.45 | Motorola Moto G 5G has slightly wider aperture for better low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 8MP f/2.2 | 8MP f/2.2 | Similar wide-angle performance |
| Macro Camera | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Similar macro performance |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS | 4K@30fps, EIS | Both offer 4K recording, Realme 12+ has OIS providing better stabilization. |
| Stabilization | No | Yes (OIS) | Realme 12+ provides smoother videos with Optical Image Stabilization. |
| Camera Features | PDAF, LAF, Digital Zoom, EIS, HDR, Panorama, RAW, Night Mode | PDAF, OIS, Digital Zoom, EIS, HDR, Panorama | Both offer similar standard features, each has unique strengths. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | Realme 12+ has a significantly newer OS, with more features and better security, and will likely receive future Android updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Realme 12+ supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard, which offers faster speeds, better range, and performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE | Realme 12+ has a newer Bluetooth version with more features, including HID profile. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Similar GPS capabilities, with minor differences in supported satellite systems. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Realme 12+ offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 8GB/12GB | Realme 12+ has more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | Realme 12+ offers a superior audio experience with enhanced spatial audio, high-quality playback, clearer calls and better audio separation. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer biometric security via fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both have similar screen protection technology |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Similar sensor suites available |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:
- Slightly wider main camera aperture: f/1.7 vs f/1.88 on Realme, may provide marginal low-light advantage, though image quality is dependent on sensor and software processing.
- Slightly wider selfie camera aperture: f/2.2 vs f/2.45, potentially better in low-light.
- Laser Autofocus: Can provide slightly quicker focus in some situations.
- RAW photo support: More flexibility for editing photos.
- Night Mode: Dedicated night photography option.
Realme 12+ Advantages:
- Newer and more powerful chipset: Dimensity 7050 (6nm) vs. Snapdragon 750G (8nm) translates to faster performance, better gaming experience, and potentially better power efficiency.
- Significantly higher AnTuTu benchmark score: ~55% higher score suggests superior overall performance.
- Superior AMOLED Display: Deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency with dark mode.
- 120Hz refresh rate: Smoother scrolling and animations, making the user interface more fluid.
- Much brighter display: 2000 nits vs unspecified on Motorola, vastly improved outdoor visibility, especially in sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 67W fast charging vs. 20W greatly reduces charging time.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Provides smoother, less shaky video recording and improved low-light photo performance.
- Newer operating system: Android 14 vs. Android 10 on the Moto G 5G, with more features, better security, and longer update support.
- More storage and RAM options: Up to 512GB storage and 12GB RAM, while the Motorola offers 128GB storage and 6GB RAM.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone offers better audio experience.
- Newer Wifi and Bluetooth version Newer versions offer faster speeds and more features.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 12+ lacks features such as RAW photo support, Night mode, and laser autofocus which is available on the Motorola Moto G 5G.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G 5G is ideal for:
- Users on a strict budget: Potentially a more affordable option if you find it used for a lower price and you can tolerate the older specs.
- Users who prioritize a traditional camera experience: Those who prefer features like Laser Autofocus and RAW photo capture for manual control and editing.
- Casual users who don't need cutting edge performance and prioritize simplicity and reliability.
Use Cases:
- Basic web browsing, social media, and communication.
- Occasional photography in good lighting conditions.
- Users who need a secondary/backup device or a burner phone.
- Users who do not care about video recording quality or gaming.
Realme 12+ is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize performance: Gamers, multitaskers, and those who need a responsive device for daily use.
- Users who consume a lot of media: The superior AMOLED display and stereo speakers make it great for movies, videos, and music.
- Users who want a smoother experience: 120Hz display provides a much more fluid and responsive user interface.
- Users who want future proofing: Newer OS and fast charging will extend the life of the phone.
- Photography and Video Enthusiasts: Better main sensor with OIS for enhanced photo and video quality.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming, video editing, and other demanding tasks.
- Watching movies and videos on the go.
- Taking photos and videos in various conditions, especially in low light.
- Multitasking between multiple apps and browsing the web frequently.
- Heavy social media users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If price is the ultimate deciding factor, the Motorola might be the only viable choice if found very cheap.
- How important is performance and display quality to you? If you need smooth, fast performance and excellent display quality, the Realme 12+ is the clear choice.
- How much do you value the latest features and longevity of the phone? The Realme has a significantly newer OS, charging, and performance will provide a better long-term experience.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Use: If you only need a phone for basic communication and casual use, the Motorola Moto G 5G is acceptable if found at a very low price. However, be aware of the outdated software and weaker performance.
Scenario 2: Moderate Budget, Daily Driver: If you're looking for a reliable phone for everyday use, the Realme 12+ is the superior choice with its better performance, screen, and battery.
Scenario 3: Gaming and Media Enthusiast: If you heavily game or consume video content on your phone, the Realme 12+ with its 120Hz AMOLED display, faster processor, and excellent audio is the clear winner.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would absolutely choose the Realme 12+. The advantages it offers over the Motorola Moto G 5G in display quality, performance, camera, charging speed, and software are too significant to ignore. The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate alone makes it a far superior experience for daily use. The much faster charging speed is a major quality of life improvement. While the Motorola does offer some minor photography advantages like RAW shooting, the overall superior image quality of the Realme 12+ main camera sensor and the addition of OIS for better video capture make it a more compelling option for most users. Finally, the modern Android version, superior processing power, and better audio capabilities offer a much better experience for long-term use. Although the price might be slightly higher than the Motorola, the investment is well worth it considering the overall experience and usability, making the Realme 12+ a better option overall.
