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

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date December 7, 2020 April 26, 2023
Release Year 2020 2023

Physical

Volume 125.14 cm³ 95.71 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.16 "/g 3.65 "/g
Weight 212 g 176 g
Height 166.1 mm 159.9 mm
Width 76.1 mm 73.9 mm
Thickness 9.9 mm 8.1 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Frosted Silver
  • Volcanic Gray
  • Ice Blue
  • Onyx Black
  • Pearl Green

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.43 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.7 % 84.5 %
Pixel Density 393 PPI 409 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A 700 nits
Peak Brightness N/A 1000 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 111.38 mAh/in² 120.93 mAh/in²
Battery Density 39.96 mAh/cm³ 52.24 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 619 Mali-G57 MC2

Connectivity

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

Software

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

Comparison Summary

Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G 5G vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureMotorola Moto G 5GXiaomi Redmi Note 12SPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mmMoto G 5G is larger and bulkier, Note 12S is more pocketable and comfortable in hand.
Weight212g176gNote 12S is significantly lighter, making it easier for extended use.
Display
Size6.7"6.43"Moto G 5G offers a slightly larger viewing area, suitable for media consumption.
Resolution1080x24001080x2400Both offer similar sharpness.
PPI393409Both have comparable pixel density, resulting in crisp images and text.
TechnologyIPS LCDAMOLEDNote 12S has superior blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors. Also, AMOLED offers superior power efficiency when using dark themes.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzNote 12S provides smoother scrolling and animations.
Brightness0 nits1000 nitsNote 12S is significantly brighter, offering much better outdoor visibility.
Screen ProtectionUnknownCorning Gorilla Glass 3Note 12S offers a more durable screen against scratches and minor impacts
Performance
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8 nm)Mediatek Helio G96 (12 nm)Snapdragon 750G is generally more efficient and offers better sustained performance than the Helio G96.
AnTuTu Score390,000412,400Note 12S has slightly higher benchmark score, implying better general performance.
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G57 MC2Both handle modern mobile games but the Snapdragon's Adreno 619 often provides better optimization with popular games.
Camera
Standard Camera48MP, f/1.7108MP, f/1.8Note 12S has higher resolution for more detailed photos; Moto G 5G has slightly wider aperture, potentially better in low light
Selfie Camera16MP, f/2.216MP, f/2.4Moto G 5G has slightly wider aperture, potentially better low-light selfies.
Wide Angle Lens8MP, f/2.28MP, f/2.2Comparable wide-angle capabilities.
Macro Lens2MP, f/2.42MP, f/2.4Comparable macro capabilities.
Video Recording4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p@60fps (EIS)1080p@30fpsMoto G 5G can record higher resolution videos and offers a 60fps option
Slow-motionYes, 60 fpsYes, 120 fpsNote 12S can capture smoother slow-motion footage with a higher frame rate.
Camera FeaturesPDAF, LAF, Continuous Shooting, Panorama, RAWDigital image stabilization, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, Night ModeMoto G 5G offers additional autofocus and shooting options, including the ability to save RAW images.
Battery
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhBoth have similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life.
Charging20W Fast Charging33W Fast ChargingNote 12S charges significantly faster, reducing downtime.
Battery FeaturesNon-removableReverse Charging, Non-removableNote 12S offers reverse charging, which can act as a power bank for other devices
Software
OSAndroid 10Android 13Note 12S provides a newer Android version, usually meaning better feature and security support
Connectivity
WiFi802.11ac802.11ac, Wi-Fi MiMOBoth have standard WiFi support; Note 12S includes Wi-Fi MiMO for better connectivity.
Bluetooth5.15.2, HIDNote 12S has a slightly newer version with more features.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoNote 12S has more satellite support, offering potentially better location accuracy, Moto G5G supports SUPL
SIMDual SIM Dual StandbyDual SIM Dual StandbyBoth support Dual SIM setups.
Storage
Internal64/128 GB64/128/256 GBNote 12S has more storage options, including 256GB.
RAM4/6 GB6/8 GBNote 12S has more RAM which is better for multitasking and gaming.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone supports expandable storage.
Audio
Quality2 microphonesHi-Res Audio, Stereo SpeakersNote 12S delivers enhanced audio output with dual speakers and Hi-Res Audio support.
Security
Fingerprint SensorRear-mountedSide-mountedNote 12S has a more modern and convenient side-mounted sensor.
Sensors
SensorsFingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, ProximityFingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity SensorBoth offer a complete array of sensors.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:

  • 4K Video Recording: Superior video resolution for higher quality recordings.
  • Wider Aperture on Main Camera: Potentially better low-light performance for the primary camera, although the Xiaomi has a significantly higher resolution sensor
  • Wider Aperture on the Selfie Camera: Potentially better low-light selfies compared to Xiaomi's
  • More Camera Features: Includes PDAF, LAF, continuous shooting, panorama mode and the ability to capture RAW images, making it better for enthusiasts who want more control of the image capture process.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Advantages:

  • Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher brightness, vibrant colors, better blacks, contrast and power efficiency when using dark themes.
  • Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations.
  • Significantly Lighter: More comfortable for prolonged use.
  • Faster Charging: 33W fast charging for quicker battery replenishment.
  • Higher Resolution Main Camera: 108MP main camera for potentially more detailed photos.
  • Stereo Speakers with Hi-Res Audio: Enhanced audio experience for media consumption and gaming.
  • Newer OS: Comes with Android 13 out of the box, offering potential security and feature advantages
  • Reverse Charging: Ability to charge other devices.
  • More Storage options: Available with a 256GB storage option in addition to the 128GB option
  • More RAM Options: Available with 8GB of RAM in addition to the 6GB option

Trade-offs:

  • The Moto G 5G sacrifices screen quality for better video resolution and more advanced camera features.
  • The Redmi Note 12S sacrifices video recording quality for better screen technology, a lighter design and a faster charging battery.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Motorola Moto G 5G Ideal User:

  • Video Content Creators: Users who prioritize video recording quality and want 4K capabilities and EIS.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want more advanced camera features like PDAF, LAF, RAW capture, and more control over their pictures.
  • Users with Larger Hands: The bigger phone may be more comfortable for users with larger hands, especially when recording videos.
  • Budget-Conscious: If available at a cheaper price.

Specific Use Cases:

  • Recording 4K video blogs or vlogs.
  • Taking high-resolution pictures with RAW format, allowing for maximum post-processing flexibility
  • Users who need additional camera features
  • A user that prefer larger phones

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Ideal User:

  • Media Consumers: Users who prioritize vibrant display for watching videos and browsing content.
  • Multitaskers: Users that will benefit from having more RAM (8GB) and a more fluid multitasking experience.
  • Gamers: Users that will benefit from smoother visuals (90Hz), better audio quality, a lighter design and faster charging capabilities.
  • Everyday Users: Users who value a lightweight device with a quality display, good battery life, and fast charging capabilities.

Specific Use Cases:

  • Watching movies and shows on a vivid AMOLED display.
  • Playing mobile games with smoother visuals.
  • Users that prefer a lighter and easier-to-handle phone
  • Quick charging during commutes or short breaks.
  • Using reverse charging to top up other devices
  • Users who prefer a more modern design and user experience

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. Screen Quality vs. Camera Features: Do you prioritize a vibrant AMOLED display with a high refresh rate (Note 12S) or 4K video recording and additional camera control (Moto G 5G)?
  2. Comfort vs. Battery Charging: Do you prefer a lighter, more comfortable phone with faster charging (Note 12S), or a bigger phone with more advanced camera features?
  3. Budget & Value: Which phone offers a better price-to-value ratio based on your specific needs, considering the storage and RAM options available?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Content Creator: If your primary use case involves video creation, the Motorola Moto G 5G is the better option due to its 4K video recording capabilities, advanced camera features, wider aperture, and RAW image support.
  • Scenario 2: Daily Media Consumption and Gaming: If you mostly consume media, play games, and do basic multitasking, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is the better choice due to its superior AMOLED display, smoother 90Hz refresh rate, faster charging and stereo speakers.
  • Scenario 3: Balanced User: For those seeking a good balance, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is still the better option due to its significantly better display technology, lighter weight, faster charging, higher ram and more storage options, making it a better overall package for most users.

My Choice

I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S. While the Motorola Moto G 5G offers compelling features for specific users, particularly video creators, the Redmi Note 12S provides a superior overall experience for the vast majority of users. The AMOLED screen is a significant upgrade, offering far better visuals than the Moto G 5G's LCD screen. Combined with the smoother 90Hz refresh rate, the Redmi Note 12S delivers a more fluid and enjoyable user experience, essential for daily tasks and media consumption. The lighter design is also a crucial factor, making it more comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. Finally, the faster charging and more RAM options are practical advantages. Although I would miss 4K video recording capabilities and the advanced camera features from the Moto G 5G, the Redmi Note 12S is the better-rounded device for my needs.

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.

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