1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 162.9 × 76 × 8.9 mm | Xiaomi is slightly smaller and thinner, may be more comfortable for one-handed use. Motorola is a little larger and thicker. |
| Weight | 212g | 208.4g | Virtually identical weight, negligible difference. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Very similar screen size, a negligible difference in practice |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer a sharp and clear display |
| PPI | 393 | 395 | Virtually the same pixel density. Both appear equally sharp |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | Xiaomi offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast. Significantly better viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Xiaomi provides much smoother scrolling, animations and better gaming experience |
| Brightness | 0 nits (assumed) | 900 nits | Xiaomi is vastly superior for outdoor visibility, very important in bright daylight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) | Xiaomi's chip is newer, more power-efficient, and generally faster, leading to snappier performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 390,000 | 573,100 | Xiaomi scores significantly higher in benchmarks. It should feel noticeably faster in day-to-day usage. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Xiaomi provides a better gaming performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should provide similar battery life for typical usage. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 120W Fast Charging | Xiaomi charges much faster, going from 0 to 100% in a fraction of the time compared to Motorola |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.8µm | 200MP, f/1.65, 1/1.4", 0.56µm | Xiaomi captures much more detail and offers better low-light performance. |
| Front Camera | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.0µm | 16MP, f/2.45 | Motorola has slightly wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | Comparable wide-angle performance. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | Comparable macro performance. |
| Video | 4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p@30/60 (EIS) | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120, 720p@960fps | Xiaomi provides more versatile video capabilities and includes OIS |
| DXOMark | N/A | Main: 113, Photo: 117, Video: 117 | Xiaomi has scored well in DXOMark tests, which suggests that the quality of its camera is very good |
| Features | LAF | OIS | Motorola offers Laser Autofocus, Xiaomi provides Optical Image Stabilization. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12, upgradeable to 14 | Xiaomi offers a more up-to-date experience and longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Xiaomi supports newer and faster WiFi standards |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Xiaomi has a newer version of Bluetooth and better codecs |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Xiaomi offers slightly better GPS performance due to better satellite support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128GB | 128/256GB | Xiaomi provides more storage space |
| RAM | 4/6GB | 8/12GB | Xiaomi is much better in multitasking, apps launching and heavy gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi provides a significantly enhanced audio experience for media consumption and immersive gaming. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones have fingerprint sensors, however side-mounted is generally considered more modern and convenient |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Xiaomi has a much more robust screen protection |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:
- Slightly Wider Front Camera Aperture: May result in slightly better low-light selfie performance, but the difference is minimal.
- Laser Autofocus (LAF): This can provide faster autofocus in certain scenarios, particularly in challenging lighting or for close-up shots.
- Lower Price (Generally): Older phone, so it's likely available for a significantly lower price.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Advantages:
- Superior Display: OLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate provides much better colors, blacks, smoothness and overall viewing experience compared to the IPS LCD on the Moto.
- Significantly Higher Brightness: Much better outdoor visibility, ensuring easy screen readability in bright sunlight.
- Much Faster Performance: The newer Mediatek chipset offers substantially better speed and app responsiveness.
- Much Faster Charging: 120W charging is a game-changer, significantly reducing the time spent waiting for a full battery.
- Far Superior Main Camera: The 200MP main camera offers vastly superior image quality, especially in terms of detail, dynamic range and low light performance
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Greatly improves video stability and low-light photo clarity, a crucial feature for mobile photography and videography.
- Much More RAM: The 8/12 GB of RAM in Xiaomi is significantly higher than the 4/6 GB offered in the Motorola, making multitasking and gaming smoother
- Better Audio: The Dolby Atmos and Stereo speakers gives you a much more immersive audio experience compared to the basic audio setup of Motorola.
- Modern Software: Comes with a newer version of Android and longer support, ensuring a more up-to-date experience.
- Newer Connectivity Standards: Offers WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, providing faster speeds and improved efficiency.
- Better Build Quality: The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, providing enhanced durability.
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola has a slightly better front-facing aperture and LAF but falls far behind in almost all aspects.
- The Motorola is most likely much cheaper than the Xiaomi, which will impact the purchase decision.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G 5G:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize basic smartphone functions and battery life, do not need to have the latest software, don't play heavy games, or require very good photo/video quality.
- Use Cases: Basic web browsing, social media, calls, and messaging. It can be suitable for those who are more familiar with and prefer Motorola's UI over Xiaomi's MIUI.
- Price-to-Value: Good value for basic users on a very tight budget, but compromises have to be made.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+:
- Ideal User: Tech-savvy users who value performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and fast charging, and are willing to pay a premium for these features.
- Use Cases: Heavy app usage, mobile gaming, high-quality photography and videography, multimedia consumption, and overall snappy smartphone experience.
- Price-to-Value: It provides very good value for the price, given the premium features it offers, but not suited for users on a very tight budget.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Motorola is likely cheaper, while the Xiaomi commands a higher price due to its better specs and features.
- How important are camera quality and display performance to you? The Xiaomi excels in both aspects while the Motorola is basic.
- What are the most demanding tasks you will perform? If gaming, multitasking, or fast charging are important, the Xiaomi is a better choice. If basic tasks are the only priority, the Motorola might suffice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight budget, basic smartphone needs: The Motorola Moto G 5G is the better fit given its expected much lower price.
- Scenario 2: Need performance and high-end features: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is the obvious choice because it excels in almost all areas over the Motorola and will provide a much better and smoother overall experience.
- Scenario 3: Prioritize Photography and Video quality: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is superior due to OIS, its much better main sensor and better video features.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+.
Here's why: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers a superior overall experience in almost every way, and it’s not just about raw numbers. The OLED display, faster chipset, much faster charging, much better camera system, the newer Android version, along with stereo speakers and better build quality are features that will significantly improve my daily experience with the phone, and these are features that I heavily value. While the Motorola is likely cheaper, the compromises are significant and will result in a subpar user experience.
