Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Samsung Galaxy M12
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | Moto G Power slightly taller; M12 slightly thicker. Marginal, likely unnoticeable difference in daily use. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 212g | Moto G Power is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.5" | Negligible 0.1" difference; Both offer a large display for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Identical resolution; Expect similar sharpness, may not appear very crisp. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 266 | 270 | Similar pixel density. Slight differences are not very perceptible. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | PLS LCD | IPS LCD generally offers better viewing angles and color accuracy compared to PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | M12 screen will feel smoother and more responsive during scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical peak brightness. Difficult to evaluate without real-world testing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Snapdragon 662 generally performs better in benchmarks and real-world scenarios. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 117,341 | Moto G Power has significantly higher benchmark score (52% better), suggesting better performance during gaming and multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 | Adreno 610 generally performs better for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP f/1.7 | 48MP f/2.0, 1/2" sensor | Moto G Power has a wider aperture (f/1.7), potentially better low-light performance. M12 has a slightly larger sensor, which might improve low light performance too. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.0 | 8MP f/2.2 | Moto G Power has a wider aperture (f/2.0) for potentially better low light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Camera | None | 5MP f/2.2 | M12 offers a wide-angle lens, useful for landscape or group photos. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Similar depth sensors for portrait mode. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Similar macro sensors for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60fps w/ EIS | 1080p@30fps | Moto G Power can shoot 60fps video for smoother footage. Both have EIS for video stability. |
| Slow-motion Video | 60 fps | 30 fps | Moto G Power offers potentially better slow-motion performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life for all-day usage. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 15W fast charging | Similar charging speeds; Expect similar charging times. |
| In-Box Charger | 10W in-box charger | None Specified | Moto G Power includes a charger in the box. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 | M12 offers a more recent Android version out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11n | Moto G Power supports faster Wi-Fi standards, better for local networking. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.0 | M12 offers a wider range of Bluetooth profiles. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | M12 supports two SIM cards simultaneously for multiple numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32 GB or 64 GB | 32 GB, 64 GB or 128 GB | M12 has a larger 128GB option for more storage for media files |
| RAM | 3 GB or 4 GB | 3 GB, 4 GB or 6 GB | M12 has a larger 6GB option, potentially better for multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both feature a side-mounted fingerprint reader for security and quick unlocking |
| Other | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | Moto G Power additionally features a compass sensor. Samsung Galaxy M12 features a Hall sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Better Performance: The Snapdragon 662 chipset and higher AnTuTu score deliver significantly better overall performance for gaming, multitasking, and general usage.
- Superior Main Camera Aperture: The wider f/1.7 aperture should lead to better low-light photos.
- Faster Video Recording: Ability to record 1080p video at 60fps with EIS, resulting in smoother video.
- Faster Wi-Fi: The 802.11ac Wi-Fi support offers better speeds and network performance.
- In-Box Charger: Includes a 10W charger in-box.
- Compass Sensor: Provides more accurate navigation and orientation.
- Better Slow Motion: Offers better slow motion at 60 fps
- Better Display Technology IPS LCD offers better viewing angles.
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- 90Hz Refresh Rate: Smoother display experience for scrolling and animations.
- Wide-Angle Camera: Adds versatility to photography with the wide-angle lens.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 11, offering more updated features.
- Dual SIM Support: Allows users to manage two phone numbers on one device.
- More Storage Options: Offers a 128GB option for users needing more space.
- More RAM Option 6GB option for users looking to heavily multitask.
- Better Bluetooth Profiles: Wider range of Bluetooth profiles.
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) prioritizes performance and better main camera quality but lacks the wide-angle camera and a 90Hz display.
- The Samsung Galaxy M12 offers a smoother display and wide-angle lens but sacrifices performance and main camera aperture compared to the Moto G Power.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal Users:
- Performance-Focused Users: Those who need good app performance, smooth multitasking, and moderate gaming.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Looking for the best performance and camera quality for the price.
- Users with Moderate Video Requirements: Those who need EIS for smoother video recording and better slow motion capabilities.
- Users needing reliable Wi-Fi performance: For those who rely on fast local networking.
- Those preferring IPS LCD displays: Better viewing angles.
Use Cases:
- Everyday social media, browsing, and productivity tasks
- Playing games, especially less demanding titles
- Capturing good quality photos in various light conditions
- Watching videos with slightly smoother playback
- Navigation and location based services using the built-in compass
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal Users:
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who appreciate a smoother display for scrolling and watching videos.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who want the flexibility of a wide-angle lens.
- Dual SIM Users: Those who need to manage two phone numbers simultaneously.
- Users Wanting More Storage Users looking for a higher 128 GB storage option.
- Those looking for a newer Android experience: The newer OS will provide more up to date features.
Use Cases:
- Capturing wide landscape and group photos
- Daily media consumption and browsing
- Managing two different SIM accounts
- Casual gaming, not focused on high performance
- Bluetooth connectivity with a wide range of devices
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Performance vs. Display Smoothness: Do you prioritize faster app loading and gaming (Moto G Power), or do you want smoother scrolling and animations (Galaxy M12)?
- Camera Versatility: Do you need the wider aperture of the Moto G Power for low light, or is the wide-angle lens of the Galaxy M12 more useful?
- Dual SIM vs. Better Wi-Fi: Do you need dual SIM capability, or is better Wi-Fi performance more important?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Best Performance on a Budget: Choose the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) for the best processing power and camera aperture.
- For Multimedia Enjoyment and a Wide-Angle Camera: Choose the Samsung Galaxy M12 for its smoother 90Hz display and wide-angle lens.
- If Dual SIM is a Must: The Samsung Galaxy M12 is the clear choice.
- For the best gaming performance: Choose the Motorola Moto G Power with its superior chipset.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Motorola Moto G Power (2021). My reasoning is based on a few key points:
- Performance is King: The Snapdragon 662 chipset offers a significant performance boost compared to the Exynos 850. For my daily usage, which involves multitasking, browsing, and occasional gaming, the Moto G Power would offer a snappier and more responsive experience.
- Better Camera for Everyday Use: While the wide-angle lens on the M12 is useful, I prioritize the main camera's low-light capabilities and quality of shots. The wider f/1.7 aperture on the Moto G Power would be more beneficial in everyday scenarios.
- Fast and Reliable Wi-Fi: The faster Wi-Fi standard supported by the Moto G Power would give me better network speeds.
- Smoother 60 FPS Video: I like to capture videos from time to time. The Moto G Power's support for 60fps recording means smoother footage.
Although the 90Hz display on the Galaxy M12 is a nice feature, I find the performance and camera trade-offs of the Moto G Power are more appealing for my specific needs. The dual SIM capability and wide-angle lens on the M12 would be useful, but they don't outweigh the performance benefits offered by the Motorola device.
