Motorola Moto G 5G vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date December 7, 2020 March 30, 2023
Release Year 2020 2023

Physical

Volume 125.14 cm³ 99.49 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.16 "/g 3.63 "/g
Weight 212 g 183.5 g
Height 166.1 mm 165.7 mm
Width 76.1 mm 76 mm
Thickness 9.9 mm 7.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Frosted Silver
  • Volcanic Gray
  • Ice Blue
  • Mint Green
  • Onyx Gray

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.67 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.7 % 85.3 %
Pixel Density 393 PPI 395 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A 450 nits
HBM Brightness N/A 700 nits
Peak Brightness N/A 1200 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 111.38 mAh/in² 112.39 mAh/in²
Battery Density 39.96 mAh/cm³ 50.26 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU Adreno 619 Adreno 610

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 13
Maximum OS Version 14

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureMotorola Moto G 5GXiaomi Redmi Note 12 4GPractical Impact
Dimensions166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm165.7 x 76 x 7.9 mmThe Redmi Note 12 is noticeably thinner and slightly smaller, making it more pocketable and comfortable to hold.
Weight212g183.5gThe Redmi Note 12 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use, especially one-handed.
BuildUnknownCorning Gorilla Glass 3Redmi Note 12's screen is more durable and scratch-resistant, enhancing longevity.
Fingerprint SensorRear-mountedSide-mountedSide-mounted is generally quicker and more ergonomic to unlock, depending on user preference.

Display

FeatureMotorola Moto G 5GXiaomi Redmi Note 12 4GPractical Impact
Size6.7"6.67"Negligible size difference. Both offer a large screen for media and gaming.
Resolution1080x24001080x2400Identical clarity and sharpness.
PPI393395Both provide very similar sharpness and detail.
TechnologyIPS LCDAMOLEDAMOLED offers deeper blacks, superior contrast, more vibrant colors and better battery efficiency when using a dark mode.
Refresh Rate60Hz120HzThe Redmi Note 12 provides much smoother scrolling, animations, and a more fluid user experience.
Brightness0 nits1200 nitsThe Redmi Note 12 display is far easier to view in bright sunlight.

Performance

FeatureMotorola Moto G 5GXiaomi Redmi Note 12 4GPractical Impact
ChipsetQualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm)The Moto G 5G offers slightly better overall performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
AnTuTu Score390,000338,900Moto G 5G will feel slightly more responsive in day-to-day use and for heavier applications.
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 610The Moto G 5G provides better graphics performance, resulting in smoother gameplay and faster graphics rendering.

Camera

FeatureMotorola Moto G 5GXiaomi Redmi Note 12 4GPractical Impact
Standard Camera48MP, f/1.7, 0.8µm pixels50MP, f/1.8, 0.64µm pixels, 1/2.76" sensorRedmi Note 12 has a higher resolution sensor but a smaller pixel size. Moto G 5G has a wider aperture for better low-light performance.
Selfie Camera16MP, f/2.2, 1.00µm pixel13MP, f/2.45, 1.12µm pixelThe Moto G 5G has higher resolution, but the Redmi Note 12 has slightly larger pixels for better light capture, however the Moto G 5G has a wider aperture.
Wide Angle Lens8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel, 1/4" sensorBoth are identical in resolution and aperture.
Macro Lens2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixel2MP, f/2.4Both are comparable for basic macro shots
Video Recording4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps1080p@30fpsMoto G 5G can record in much higher resolution (4K) for better quality videos, and offers 60fps for smoother motion.
Video Slow-motionYes, 60 fpsNoMoto G 5G offers better quality slow motion recording.
Camera FeaturesPDAF, LAF, Continuous, Panorama, RAW, Night Mode, EISDigital image stabilization, HDRThe Moto G 5G provides more advanced features for creative photography and better low-light capabilities.
DXOMark ScoreUnlistedMain score: 63, Photo score: 54, Video score: 66The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G has a respectable camera performance as tested by DXOMark.
### Battery
FeatureMotorola Moto G 5GXiaomi Redmi Note 12 4GPractical Impact
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhBoth phones will likely provide similar battery life, depending on usage.
Charging20W33WThe Redmi Note 12 charges much faster, reducing downtime.
Battery FeaturesNon-removableReverse charging, Non-removableThe Redmi Note 12 can act as a power bank for other devices in emergencies.

Software

FeatureMotorola Moto G 5GXiaomi Redmi Note 12 4GPractical Impact
OSAndroid 10Android 13The Redmi Note 12 has a newer OS version and will likely receive more software updates, providing more features, better security and enhanced performance.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 750G chipset and Adreno 619 GPU offer better overall performance and gaming capabilities.
  • Better Camera Features: Offers more camera features like PDAF, LAF, RAW capture, and 4K video recording with EIS, making it a more versatile photography tool.
  • Better Video quality: 4K video recording and 1080p @ 60fps
  • Higher quality audio: 2 Microphones for enhanced voice capture

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Advantages:

  • Superior Display: The AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness offers a much better viewing experience.
  • Faster Charging: The 33W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
  • Lighter and Thinner: More comfortable to hold and pocket.
  • More recent OS: Android 13 provides a newer and more refined user experience, with better support
  • Reverse Charging: Allows the device to act as a powerbank
  • Superior build: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides enhanced screen protection.

Trade-offs:

  • The Motorola Moto G 5G offers better performance and advanced camera features but lacks the superior display and faster charging of the Redmi Note 12.
  • The Redmi Note 12 boasts a superior display, faster charging, lighter design and more recent OS, but sacrifices some performance and advanced camera features.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Motorola Moto G 5G:

  • Ideal User: Gamers, photography enthusiasts, users who prioritize performance and advanced camera features.
  • Use Cases:
    • Mobile gaming
    • High-quality video recording
    • Demanding apps and multitasking
    • Users who want a more powerful and versatile camera

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G:

  • Ideal User: Everyday users, media consumers, those who prioritize a superior visual experience and longer battery life.
  • Use Cases:
    • Streaming videos and movies
    • Casual social media usage
    • Long-lasting battery for everyday use
    • Users who value a brighter, smoother display
    • Users who value portability

Price-to-Value Ratio: Both phones offer good value in their respective categories. The Redmi Note 12 offers a better display and faster charging for everyday use and a newer OS, while the Moto G 5G provides better performance and camera capabilities.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. How important is display quality for you? If you watch a lot of videos or spend time on social media, an AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate on the Redmi Note 12 is a better choice.
  2. Do you prioritize performance or camera quality? If you play games or need advanced camera features, the Moto G 5G might be the better option.
  3. How important is the user experience and software support? The Redmi Note 12 has a more recent Android version.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Daily Commuter/Media Consumer: If you mainly browse social media, watch videos, and prioritize portability, choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G for its brighter and smoother display, lighter build, and faster charging.
  • Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Hobbyist Photographer: If you are a gamer who needs higher performance, better graphics capabilities, and more advanced camera features, the Motorola Moto G 5G would be the better choice.
  • Scenario 3: Casual user wanting future proofing: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G has a newer OS which would be updated more frequently.

My Choice

I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G. While the Motorola Moto G 5G offers better performance and camera features, the superior display on the Redmi Note 12 with its AMOLED panel, 120Hz refresh rate, and higher brightness significantly improves the overall user experience for my typical usage, which involves a lot of media consumption and everyday tasks. Additionally, the faster charging and lighter design are key factors that make it a more practical choice for my daily routine. The updated operating system is also a big plus, offering the latest features and software support.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.