Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 165.9 × 76.2 × 8 mm | Redmi Note 12 is thinner and slightly taller, potentially feeling sleeker. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 188g | Redmi Note 12 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.67" | Negligible size difference; both offer a large viewing area. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Redmi Note 12 has significantly sharper visuals, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 266 | 395 | Redmi Note 12 offers a much crisper display, especially noticeable for reading and viewing high-resolution content. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Redmi Note 12's AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Redmi Note 12 provides much smoother scrolling, gaming and overall user interface experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits (Specification Error) | 1200 nits | Redmi Note 12 will be much easier to view outdoors in bright sunlight. Motorola Moto G Power's brightness is unknown, limiting comparison |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) | Redmi Note 12 has a more modern and efficient chipset, resulting in better performance and potentially better battery management. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 460,800 | Redmi Note 12 delivers a much faster and smoother experience, particularly noticeable in demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 | Redmi Note 12's GPU offers better graphics performance, benefiting gamers and users of visually intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable all-day battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Redmi Note 12 will charge significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP f/1.7 (0.8µm pixels) | 48MP f/1.8 (0.64µm pixels) | Moto G Power has a slightly wider aperture (f/1.7) which may lead to better low-light performance, but Redmi Note 12 has a larger sensor which will likely result in better image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.0 (1.12µm pixels) | 13MP f/2.45 (1.12µm pixels) | Redmi Note 12 offers higher resolution selfies. Moto G Power has wider aperture (f/2) which may provide better low light performance, but the increase in resolution for Redmi Note 12 could make up for it. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP f/2.2 | Redmi Note 12 can capture wider scenes than the Moto G Power. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Moto G Power can take depth shots for portrait photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both have a similar macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | Both phones offer similar video recording quality, with the Moto G Power being able to record at 60fps and the Redmi Note 12 having 120fps slow motion mode. |
| DxOMark | N/A | Main 69, Photo 74, Video 49 | Redmi Note 12's camera is rated to have decent photo quality but poor video quality. |
| Features | LAF | Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, RAW, Night Mode | Redmi Note 12 has more advanced photography features for more advanced users. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12 | Redmi Note 12 ships with a more modern operating system. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac, Dual band, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi MiMO | Redmi Note 12 offers slightly more advanced Wi-Fi features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Redmi Note 12 has a newer Bluetooth version, which may offer better range and power efficiency and more codecs for audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1) | Redmi Note 12 supports more satellite systems, potentially for better accuracy. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Redmi Note 12 offers dual SIM functionality, useful for separating work and personal lines. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64 GB | 128/256 GB | Redmi Note 12 provides substantially more storage capacity. |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 4/6/8 GB | Redmi Note 12 offers more RAM, which can result in smoother multitasking and less stuttering. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Basic | Both phones offer similar basic audio capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones offer the same biometric security features. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Redmi Note 12 offers better screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both have comprehensive sensor suites suitable for most needs. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Potentially Wider Aperture Main Camera: The f/1.7 aperture on the primary camera could provide better low-light performance compared to Redmi Note 12's f/1.8 aperture.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Offers a dedicated 2MP sensor for portrait mode effects.
- Laser Autofocus (LAF): May lead to faster and more reliable focusing in some situations.
- Proximity Sensor: A standard proximity sensor may be more reliable than a virtual one.
- Included Charger: A 10W charger is included in the box.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and significantly higher brightness and resolution results in a much better viewing experience.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset provides much higher performance than the Snapdragon 662.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the 15W charging of the Moto G Power.
- Better Cameras: The addition of a wide angle lens provides more flexibility with the main camera and the improved selfie camera with the extra 5MP.
- More Storage & RAM: Comes with more RAM options (up to 8GB) and offers substantially more storage with up to 256GB.
- Modern OS: Ships with Android 12.
- Dual SIM Support: Supports two SIM cards.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides scratch and shatter resistance.
- Better Bluetooth Codecs: Support for codecs such as LDAC for high quality audio.
- More Advanced Camera Features: Offers RAW format, Night Mode, and other advanced features.
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola Moto G Power offers a slightly wider aperture camera, and a laser autofocus system, but the Redmi Note 12's better image sensor, wide angle lens, and additional features will likely result in better overall image quality.
- The Motorola Moto G Power has a dedicated depth sensor and proximity sensor, while the Redmi Note 12 uses a virtual proximity sensor and doesn't have a dedicated depth sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal User:
- Users on an extremely tight budget who need a basic smartphone with decent battery life
- Users who primarily consume media and don't need a high-performance device
- Users who prefer a traditional proximity sensor
- Users who value a simple camera experience, primarily focusing on standard shots and the occasional portrait.
Use Cases:
- Basic social media browsing and casual internet use
- Long battery life for extended usage without frequent charging
- Occasional photography using the primary camera
- Making phone calls and sending text messages
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Ideal User:
- Users who value a high-quality display and smooth performance.
- Users who enjoy mobile gaming or other demanding apps.
- Users who need ample storage for photos, videos, and apps.
- Users who are looking for a better camera system overall
- Users who need dual SIM capabilities
- Users who want a modern Android experience.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and other demanding applications
- Viewing high-resolution videos and media
- Heavy multitasking between multiple apps
- Photography using multiple camera modes and capturing wide-angle shots.
- Using dual SIM cards for work and personal contacts.
- Fast and reliable charging experience.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 offers significantly better value for money, providing a far superior display, performance, camera, and overall user experience despite potentially costing slightly more. The Motorola Moto G Power will be more appealing to those on an extremely limited budget who are willing to make significant trade offs.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If extremely limited, the Moto G Power might be an option, however, the Redmi Note 12 offers much more in terms of price to value, therefore, if your budget allows for it, you should choose the Redmi Note 12.
- How important is display quality and performance to you? If a high-quality screen, smooth scrolling, and reliable performance are important, the Redmi Note 12 is a clear winner.
- What are your camera usage needs? If versatility with multiple camera modes, and high-quality photos and videos are important to you, the Redmi Note 12 is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic User on a Tight Budget: If the user's needs are very basic and budget is the sole concern, the Moto G Power could suffice, but they would be giving up a lot.
- Scenario 2: Average User: The Redmi Note 12 is a better all-round choice, offering a significantly better experience for the average user.
- Scenario 3: Power User/Gamer: The Redmi Note 12's superior performance and display make it the better choice for power users and gamers.
- Scenario 4: Photography Enthusiast: The Redmi Note 12's versatile camera system is better suited for photography enthusiasts.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12. Although the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) may have a slightly better standard camera with a larger aperture and a dedicated depth sensor and also includes a charger, the Redmi Note 12 offers a vastly superior experience across all other areas. The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is a game changer, providing much smoother and vibrant visuals and makes the phone feel much more premium. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset in the Redmi Note 12 is significantly faster than the Snapdragon 662, which leads to a far better user experience. With faster charging, a better camera system, and a more modern operating system, the Redmi Note 12 offers more value for the average user, making it the better choice. The small increase in price (if there is one) is well worth the upgrade.
