1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 161.5 × 74 × 8.8 mm | The Realme 12 Pro is more compact and comfortable in hand, while the Moto G 5G is bulkier and may be less pocket-friendly. |
| Weight | 212g | 190g | The Realme 12 Pro is noticeably lighter, making it easier to handle for extended periods without fatigue. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have the same screen size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Negligible difference in sharpness; both are Full HD. |
| PPI | 393 | 394 | Practically identical pixel density; very similar sharpness. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The Realme 12 Pro has an AMOLED display, offering deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors compared to the Moto G 5G's IPS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Realme 12 Pro provides a smoother user experience with its 120Hz refresh rate, making scrolling and animations appear much more fluid than the 60Hz of the Moto G 5G. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | The Realme 12 Pro is dramatically brighter and more visible under direct sunlight compared to the Moto G 5G (brightness data for Moto is missing). |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Realme 12 Pro's newer and more efficient chipset results in better overall performance and likely better power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 390,000 | 574,000 | The Realme 12 Pro scores significantly higher, indicating snappier app loading and better performance in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 710 | The Realme 12 Pro's GPU is superior, leading to better gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 50MP, f/1.8 | The Realme 12 Pro has slightly higher resolution and a slightly smaller aperture. Real-world difference will depend on sensor quality and image processing. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.4 | The Motorola G 5G has a slightly wider aperture for slightly better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.0 | The Realme 12 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, which the Moto G 5G lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 (shared with macro) | Motorola has a dedicated wide-angle lens while Realme has a shared wide-angle and macro lens. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not dedicated, shared with ultrawide | Motorola has a dedicated macro lens, but the Realme's ultrawide doubles as a macro. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS, 1080p@120fps | The Realme 12 Pro has better slow-motion recording (240 fps vs. 60 fps) and has video stabilization. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | The Realme 12 Pro has much faster charging, which drastically reduces charging times and improves user convenience. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 10 | Android 14 | The Realme 12 Pro has a much more up-to-date Android version, offering new features, better security and a better user experience. |
| Storage & Memory | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128GB | 256/512GB | The Realme 12 Pro offers substantially more storage space, useful for storing more photos, videos and apps. |
| RAM | 4/6GB | 8/12GB | The Realme 12 Pro has significantly more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and better app performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | The Realme 12 Pro supports Wi-Fi 6, resulting in faster and more reliable WiFi connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE | The Realme 12 Pro has a slightly newer Bluetooth version, offering enhanced audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | The Realme 12 Pro supports more satellite systems for improved location accuracy. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Realme 12 Pro has a significant advantage in audio capabilities with stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res audio and noise cancellation. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:
- Wider Aperture on Main Camera: Its f/1.7 aperture on the main camera theoretically allows more light, potentially improving low-light performance, though this is dependent on the sensor and processing quality.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: A separate 2MP macro lens offers a dedicated way to take close-up shots, though the resolution is low.
- Compass sensor: Provides enhanced location and orientation services, useful for certain navigation and AR applications.
Realme 12 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology with a 120Hz refresh rate and dramatically higher brightness offers a much better viewing experience, especially in bright conditions and for visually demanding tasks.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset and higher RAM leads to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Faster Charging: 67W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto lens enables optical zoom, offering greater flexibility in photography.
- More Storage and RAM: Significantly larger storage options and RAM capacity.
- Stereo Speakers and Dolby Atmos Support: Much better audio experience.
- Newer Android Version: Better user experience, features and security.
- Better Video Recording: 1080p @120fps and video stabilization.
- Modern WiFi Standards: Faster and more reliable WiFi connections with WiFi 6.
- More accurate location: Improved location accuracy with additional satellite systems.
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola Moto G 5G sacrifices screen quality, processing speed, and camera versatility (optical zoom) for a potentially negligibly better low-light main camera performance (depending on post-processing). It has a more basic screen and is not as powerful, and charges slower.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Motorola Moto G 5G:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users primarily concerned with price, accepting compromises in display, performance, and camera versatility.
- Basic Smartphone Needs: Individuals who mainly use their phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, browsing, and social media, with only occasional photography.
- Prefer a dedicated macro lens: If a dedicated macro lens is a priority, the Motorola G 5G offers one, though the low resolution is a major downside.
Ideal User for Realme 12 Pro:
- Users who value a high-quality display: Those who prioritize vibrant colors, deep blacks, smooth visuals, and good outdoor visibility in their smartphone display.
- Performance-Oriented Users: Users who want a phone that can handle demanding games, resource-intensive apps and multitasking without lag.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who desire versatile camera options, including optical zoom for various photographic situations.
- Users who value fast charging: Users who need to quickly charge up their device.
- Users who value good audio: Users who prioritize good quality and loud audio, especially from the built-in speakers.
- Users who want a modern operating system: Users that need to stay up to date with the latest security and features.
Specific Use Cases:
- Motorola Moto G 5G: Ideal for basic communication, casual browsing, and general day-to-day usage where absolute performance is not a primary concern. Good for users that need a compass for navigation.
- Realme 12 Pro: Perfect for mobile gaming, media consumption, photography, and users who need a fast, reliable device with a high-quality display. Ideal for users that record videos frequently.
Price-to-Value:
- The Realme 12 Pro likely offers a significantly better price-to-value ratio due to its superior performance, display, and features, justifying its higher price tag. The Motorola Moto G 5G appears to be a much more basic phone overall.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality? If a high-quality screen with vibrant colors, smooth refresh rate and good brightness are critical, the Realme 12 Pro is the obvious choice.
- What are your performance needs? If you need a fast device for demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking, the Realme 12 Pro's superior processor and RAM are necessary.
- How important is camera versatility? If a telephoto zoom lens is important, the Realme 12 Pro is the only option. If the main camera low light performance and a macro lens are more important, then the Motorola is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You prioritize a low price and just want basic smartphone functions. The Motorola G 5G is the better option, however its age means it is not a great option for anyone seeking good performance, modern features or a good user experience.
- Scenario 2: You value smooth performance, a high-quality display, a versatile camera, fast charging, and good audio. The Realme 12 Pro is the best fit in this scenario.
- Scenario 3: You record a lot of videos, especially vlogs or social media content. The Realme 12 Pro is the superior choice due to its video stabilization, slow-motion and better overall quality.
My Choice and Why
I would choose the Realme 12 Pro.
While the Motorola Moto G 5G might be cheaper, the Realme 12 Pro offers a vastly superior user experience in almost every aspect. Its AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is a game-changer for visual quality and fluidity. The faster chipset, greater RAM, and significantly faster charging speed provide tangible benefits for everyday use. The telephoto lens is a feature I value for photography, and the better audio experience from the stereo speakers is also very important for me.
The age of the Moto G 5G and its outdated software is also a major concern. The Realme 12 Pro will provide a far better experience overall for most people. While it may come at a slightly higher price, I believe that the improvements in display, performance, camera capabilities, charging speed and the much better audio experience justify it. The lack of a compass is a small downside compared to the many advantages it offers. Therefore, the Realme 12 Pro is the clear winner for me.
