Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy M12
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | Motorola is slightly taller and thicker; M12 is slightly smaller and may be easier to hold for some. |
| Weight | 212g | 212g | Both have identical weight, feeling similar in hand. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard, non-folding smartphones. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | Motorola offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive media consumption and better visibility. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | Motorola's higher resolution will display sharper, clearer images and text. |
| PPI | 393 | 270 | Motorola has a significantly sharper display with more detail. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | PLS LCD | Motorola offers better viewing angles and color accuracy. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Samsung's 90Hz display provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have unspecified peak brightness. Real-world visibility depends on the manufacturer's implementation and other factors, not just raw peak brightness. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Motorola's Snapdragon 750G is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 390,000 | 117,341 | Motorola performs much faster in overall performance benchmarks. This impacts responsiveness in everyday use and intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G52 | Motorola's GPU is more powerful, better for graphics-intensive tasks like gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80µm | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.80µm | Motorola's wider aperture (f/1.7) captures more light, leading to better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.00µm | 8MP, f/2.2 | Motorola offers higher resolution selfies with more detail. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 5MP, f/2.2 | Motorola's wide-angle captures more detail in wide shots. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung can take portrait shots with simulated depth of field while Motorola cannot. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both have the same macro lens capabilities. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | Motorola can record much higher quality video, with stabilization at multiple settings. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Laser autofocus (LAF), RAW, Night Mode | Quadruple camera | Motorola offers higher quality video with better image stabilization and dedicated night mode. Samsung provides a quad-camera system for a greater range of shooting options, along with PDAF. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, providing comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging, Li-Ion | 15W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Motorola charges faster, reducing charging time. |
| Removable | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both have non-removable batteries. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 750G chipset delivers significantly better performance in all aspects, from app loading to gaming, making the device feel much faster and more responsive.
- Sharper Display: The higher resolution and PPI result in a much clearer and more detailed display, enhancing the viewing experience.
- Better Cameras: Offers higher resolution selfie and wide-angle cameras, a wider aperture main camera, and 4K video recording. Also supports digital image stabilization, laser autofocus (LAF), night mode, and RAW capture.
- Faster Charging: 20W fast charging enables quicker battery replenishment.
- More advanced wifi: Supports dual band and newer wifi standards
- Bluetooth: Features a newer Bluetooth 5.1, though this may not be a big difference for most users.
- Audio: Has 2 microphones for improved voice capture
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Smoother Display: The 90Hz refresh rate provides a slightly smoother experience during scrolling and animations, although not as big of an advantage as other aspects like resolution and performance.
- Portrait Mode: Has a dedicated depth sensor that enables portrait mode photography.
- Quad Camera: Offers a greater range of shooting options
- Bluetooth: Samsung Galaxy M12 has more Bluetooth features.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 11 (versus Android 10 on Moto).
Trade-offs
- Motorola Moto G 5G: The phone is slightly taller and thicker, might be less comfortable for some users. It lacks a dedicated portrait mode (depth) camera.
- Samsung Galaxy M12: Significantly less performance. While it has a smoother display, the resolution is far lower, making it feel less sharp, and the camera, while versatile, can't compete with the Motorola's in terms of quality. It has slower charging and an older Bluetooth standard.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G 5G:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, multimedia enthusiasts, and those who prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
- Use Cases: Demanding mobile gaming, watching high-resolution videos, capturing quality photos and videos, multitasking between apps, and those who want a more future-proof device.
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent performance for the price, making it a good value for users who prioritize those aspects.
Samsung Galaxy M12:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, those who prefer a slightly more compact phone, and users who want a versatile camera system with a depth sensor for portrait mode shots.
- Use Cases: Basic everyday tasks, casual social media browsing, photography where portrait mode is desired, and users who prefer a smoother display over better pixel density.
- Price-to-Value: A solid option for those on a strict budget, providing an overall capable device with a smoother display experience and portrait mode.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is more important - display sharpness or display smoothness? If display sharpness and clarity is desired, the Moto is much better. If you want slightly smoother animations, the M12 has a slight edge with its 90hz display.
- Is performance a priority? If so, the Motorola Moto G 5G is the clear choice with its vastly superior chipset and benchmark scores.
- How important is camera quality and video capabilities? If the highest possible video quality and stabilization is desired, the Motorola Moto G 5G is far superior. If you want a portrait mode camera, the M12 is the only one with this feature.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Gaming & Performance: Choose the Motorola Moto G 5G for its much faster chipset and superior GPU.
- Multimedia Consumption: The Motorola Moto G 5G's sharper display and higher-quality video capture make it a better choice.
- Budget-Conscious: If on a very strict budget, the Samsung Galaxy M12 is a decent choice for a smoother display experience.
- Photography: If a dedicated portrait mode camera and versatile camera system is desired, the Samsung Galaxy M12 may be better. For all other photography applications, the Motorola G5 is the better choice.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Motorola Moto G 5G.
Reasoning:
While the Samsung Galaxy M12 offers a slightly smoother 90Hz display and a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, the advantages of the Motorola Moto G 5G are far more significant for me. The vastly superior performance of the Snapdragon 750G, combined with the sharper display and better main camera, makes it a much more versatile and future-proof device. The better video quality and faster charging further solidify the Motorola as the preferred choice. Ultimately, the core user experience will be superior on the Moto G5G for my needs.
