1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-17 | 2024-01-29 | Realme 12 Pro is significantly newer, likely with more modern software and features. |
| Dimensions | 165.2 × 75.7 × 9.1 mm | 161.5 × 74 × 8.8 mm | Realme 12 Pro is slightly smaller and thinner, potentially more comfortable to hold and carry. |
| Weight | 200g | 190g | Realme 12 Pro is slightly lighter, which can be noticeable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Realme 12 Pro has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2412 | Realme 12 Pro offers much sharper visuals, leading to a better viewing experience. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 269 | 394 | Realme 12 Pro's higher pixel density results in a clearer, less pixelated image. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Realme 12 Pro's AMOLED display offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Realme 12 Pro provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | Realme 12 Pro has dramatically better visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Realme 12 Pro has a much more powerful and efficient chipset, offering faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 170,968 | 574,000 | Realme 12 Pro has significantly higher performance, better for gaming and demanding applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 710 | Realme 12 Pro has a better GPU, offering superior graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 64.4MP | 50MP | Motorola G30 has a higher megapixel count, though megapixels aren't the only factor in image quality. |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | Motorola G30's wider aperture might capture slightly more light in low-light situations. |
| Standard Camera Sensor | N/A | Sony IMX882 1/2" | Realme 12 Pro has a known good sensor which may produce better quality images. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 13MP | 16MP | Realme 12 Pro's selfie camera has higher megapixel, but again, this isn't the sole indicator of quality. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | Motorola G30 has a wider aperture for potentially better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 32MP (Sony IMX709) | Realme 12 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoomed images. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP | No | Motorola Moto G30 has a dedicated ultrawide camera for landscape photography. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP | No | Motorola Moto G30 has a dedicated depth sensor for better bokeh in portrait photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | No | Motorola Moto G30 has a dedicated macro lens for close up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | No | 8MP (Sony IMX355) | Realme 12 Pro offers an ultrawide+macro camera. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@60fps | 4K@30fps | Realme 12 Pro supports 4K video recording, offering a higher level of video quality. |
| Video Stabilisation | No | Yes (EIS) | Realme 12 Pro supports electronic image stabilization for smoother video recording. |
| Slow Motion | 60 fps | 240 fps | Realme 12 Pro supports a much higher slow-motion frame rate. |
| Camera Features | LAF, RAW | OIS, Optical Zoom | Realme 12 Pro has optical image stabilization and optical zoom capabilities which will be better than Digital zoom on Moto G30. Moto G30 offers laser autofocus and RAW capture, which can be beneficial for users who want more control over their photos. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 15W | 67W | Realme 12 Pro charges much faster than the Motorola G30. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 14 | Realme 12 Pro ships with a more recent version of Android. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Realme 12 Pro supports newer Wi-Fi standards for faster speeds and improved performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE | Realme 12 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version for better audio and connectivity performance, as well as more audio codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Realme 12 Pro has more satellite systems, leading to better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Realme 12 Pro offers significantly more storage space for apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | Realme 12 Pro has more RAM for smoother multitasking and faster performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Realme 12 Pro has significantly enhanced audio features for a better multimedia experience. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Rear Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones have fingerprint sensors, but exact sensor type is unspecified for Realme 12 Pro. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have unspecified screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Both phones offer the same basic sensor setup. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:
- Wider Aperture on Main and Selfie Camera: May capture slightly more light in low-light conditions, although sensor quality also significantly impacts this.
- Dedicated Ultra-Wide, Macro, and Depth Sensors: Offers more flexibility for different types of photography (wide landscapes, close-up shots, portrait shots), even if the quality is not as good as on the Realme.
- Laser Autofocus and RAW: Offers faster autofocus and the ability to capture RAW images, more control for photography enthusiasts.
Realme 12 Pro Advantages:
- Newer and more Powerful Chipset: Offers significantly better performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology, higher resolution, higher brightness, and a 120Hz refresh rate provide a much better visual experience.
- Telephoto Lens: Enables optical zoom capabilities for better zoomed images.
- Better Video Quality: 4K recording and EIS.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster charging times than Motorola G30.
- More RAM and Internal Storage: Provides smoother multitasking and ample space for media and apps.
- Advanced Audio Features: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers for enhanced multimedia experience.
- Newer Software: Ships with a more recent version of Android.
- Newer Connectivity: Supports more satellite systems, newer Wi-Fi, and newer Bluetooth.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 12 Pro: Lacks a dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth sensors, relying on a combined wide+macro lens.
- Motorola Moto G30: Slower performance, an inferior display, and slower charging speeds. Older version of Android, which may not be supported for as long.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Motorola Moto G30:
- Budget-conscious users who prioritize a lower price over top-tier performance or a premium display.
- Users who want a variety of different cameras with wide angle, macro and depth lens options, even if the image quality is not the best.
- Users who don't play demanding games or use resource-intensive apps and have basic smartphone needs.
Ideal User for Realme 12 Pro:
- Users who prioritize performance and a premium display for gaming, media consumption, and a smooth user experience.
- Users who want good camera capabilities, including telephoto zoom and high-resolution video.
- Users who need lots of storage and RAM for multitasking and storing large media files.
- Users who value fast charging, saving time when needing to charge their phone.
- Users who want the latest version of Android and modern connectivity technologies.
Specific Use Cases:
- Motorola Moto G30: Basic web browsing, social media, occasional photography, and calls. A good choice for those who want a cheap but functional phone.
- Realme 12 Pro: Gaming, watching high-definition content, capturing high-quality photos and videos, and using resource-intensive apps. A good choice for those who are looking for good performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What's your primary use case? (e.g., gaming, photography, basic use)
- What is your budget? Are you looking for the best value for money, or a top-end experience?
- How important is display quality, performance, camera, and battery to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious & Basic Usage
- Recommendation: Motorola Moto G30 is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Gaming and Media Consumption
- Recommendation: Realme 12 Pro is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast (Variety of Lenses vs. Zoom)
- Recommendation: Motorola Moto G30 for more variety; Realme 12 Pro for better zoom quality.
- Scenario 4: Performance and Future-Proofing
- Recommendation: Realme 12 Pro is the better choice.
What I would choose and why!
I would choose the Realme 12 Pro. My reasoning is based on several factors, prioritizing a better overall user experience, which is achieved through:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset offers significantly better performance than the Snapdragon 662, making the phone much snappier, more responsive, and more capable for multitasking and demanding applications.
- Significantly Better Display: The AMOLED panel with its higher resolution, brightness, and 120Hz refresh rate is a game-changer compared to the Moto G30's LCD. This leads to much more enjoyable media consumption, gaming, and even everyday browsing.
- Improved Camera System with Telephoto Lens: While the G30 has more lenses, the inclusion of a telephoto lens and overall better camera hardware on the Realme 12 Pro gives a lot more flexibility and better zoom quality, which I value more than a dedicated macro lens.
- Much Faster Charging: 67W fast charging is a massive advantage, quickly topping up the battery which is very convenient.
- More Modern Features: The combination of newer software (Android 14), newer connectivity technologies, and a better audio experience makes the Realme 12 Pro a more modern and future-proof device.
While the Motorola Moto G30 might be suitable for very budget-conscious users, the Realme 12 Pro provides a far superior experience in almost every aspect, which outweighs its potential higher cost. The differences in performance, display quality, camera versatility, and overall user experience justify choosing the Realme 12 Pro for me.
