Motorola Moto G30 vs Xiaomi 12 Pro - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Xiaomi 12 Pro
Xiaomi 12 Pro
Xiaomi

General

Launch Date March 17, 2021 December 31, 2021
Release Year 2021 2021

Physical

Volume 113.8 cm³ 100.08 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.25 "/g 3.3 "/g
Weight 200 g 204 g
Height 165.2 mm 163.6 mm
Width 75.7 mm 74.6 mm
Thickness 9.1 mm 8.2 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Phantom Black (Dark Pearl)
  • Pastel Sky
  • Blue
  • Green
  • Purple
  • Gray

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.73 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1440 x 3200
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 81.6 % 89.6 %
Pixel Density 269 PPI 521 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A 1000 nits
Peak Brightness N/A 1500 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 118.34 mAh/in² 101.56 mAh/in²
Battery Density 43.94 mAh/cm³ 45.96 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 4600 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU Adreno 610 Adreno 730

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 12
Maximum OS Version 12

Comparison Summary

Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G30 vs. Xiaomi 12 Pro

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureMotorola Moto G30Xiaomi 12 ProPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions165.2 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm163.6 x 74.6 x 8.2 mmMoto G30 is slightly larger and thicker, potentially feeling less sleek and pocketable
Weight200g204gNegligible weight difference
Display
Size6.5"6.73"Xiaomi 12 Pro offers slightly more screen real estate
Resolution720x16001440x3200Xiaomi 12 Pro has a much sharper display with more detail
Pixel Density269 PPI521 PPIXiaomi 12 Pro offers significantly clearer text and images
TechnologyIPS LCDAMOLEDXiaomi 12 Pro boasts superior color vibrancy, deeper blacks, and better viewing angles
Refresh Rate90Hz120HzXiaomi 12 Pro provides smoother scrolling and animations
Brightness0 nits1500 nitsXiaomi 12 Pro is vastly superior for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 662 (11 nm)Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Xiaomi 12 Pro offers drastically faster performance for demanding apps and games
AnTuTu Score170,9681,177,498Xiaomi 12 Pro handles demanding tasks with ease, while G30 will struggle more
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 730Xiaomi 12 Pro offers far superior graphics processing, especially for gaming
Camera
Standard Camera64.4MP, f/1.750MP, f/1.9, 1/1.28" Sony IMX707, 1.22µmXiaomi 12 Pro has a larger sensor and pixel size, implying better low-light performance despite lower megapixel count
Selfie Camera13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm32MP, 1/3.14" Samsung JD1, 0.70µmXiaomi 12 Pro offers higher resolution for selfies
Wide-Angle Camera8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64µmXiaomi 12 Pro has much higher resolution for wide-angle photos
Portrait Camera2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm50MP, f/1.9, 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64µmXiaomi 12 Pro has a higher resolution dedicated portrait lens
Macro Lens2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µmNoneMoto G30 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots
Video Recording1080p@30/60fpsUp to 8K@24fpsXiaomi 12 Pro offers significantly more advanced video capabilities with higher resolution and frame rate
Camera FeaturesPDAF, LAFOIS, EIS, Night ModeXiaomi 12 Pro offers image stabilization, optical zoom, and night mode, which greatly improve photo quality
DXOMarkN/A129 (Mobile)Xiaomi 12 Pro’s camera performs well in tests
Battery
Capacity5000mAh4600mAhMotorola Moto G30 has a slightly larger battery
Charging15W Fast Charging120W Fast Charging, 50W Wireless, 10W Reverse WirelessXiaomi 12 Pro charges much faster and offers wireless charging, including reverse wireless charging
Battery TypeLi-IonLi-Polymer
Software
OSAndroid 11 (upgradable to 12)Android 12Xiaomi 12 Pro comes with a newer OS out of the box
Connectivity
Wi-FiWi-Fi 5Wi-Fi 6Xiaomi 12 Pro has faster Wi-Fi standards
Bluetooth5.05.2Xiaomi 12 Pro offers Bluetooth 5.2
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, GalileoA-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5)Xiaomi 12 Pro offers more GPS standards for better location accuracy
Storage & Memory
Internal Storage64/128 GB128/256 GBXiaomi 12 Pro offers higher storage options
RAM4/6 GB8/12 GBXiaomi 12 Pro offers much more RAM
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone offers expandable storage
Audio
QualityBasicDolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 micsXiaomi 12 Pro has better audio quality with stereo speakers
Security
FeaturesRear fingerprint sensorBasic fingerprint sensorSimilar basic biometric security features
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionUnknownCorning Gorilla Glass VictusXiaomi 12 Pro offers superior scratch and impact resistance for the screen
Sensors
SensorsFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, GyroscopeFingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, RGB, Ultrasonic ProximityXiaomi 12 Pro has a more advanced sensor suite

2. Key Differences Analysis

Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:

  • Larger Battery: Offers a slightly bigger battery capacity (5000mAh) potentially leading to slightly longer battery life in normal usage.
  • Dedicated Macro Lens: Includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, a feature the Xiaomi 12 Pro lacks.
  • Lower Price: Expected to be significantly cheaper, making it a budget-friendly option.

Practical Implications: The Moto G30 will appeal to budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and macro photography. Its performance is adequate for basic tasks, but not for demanding applications or games.

Xiaomi 12 Pro Advantages:

  • Superior Display: Boasts a much higher resolution, pixel density, and AMOLED technology, offering an unparalleled viewing experience.
  • Significantly Better Performance: Features a high-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, making it much faster for gaming and demanding apps.
  • Advanced Camera System: Offers better low-light performance, higher video recording capabilities, and features like OIS and night mode.
  • Ultra-Fast Charging: Supports 120W fast charging, greatly reducing charging times, and 50W wireless charging.
  • Modern Features: Includes newer WiFi and Bluetooth versions and an advanced suite of sensors.
  • Premium Build: Features a premium build with Gorilla Glass Victus for superior screen protection and improved audio features.

Practical Implications: The Xiaomi 12 Pro excels in all areas except battery life. It's designed for users who want the best possible display, performance, and camera experience, and are willing to pay for it.

Trade-offs:

  • The Xiaomi 12 Pro lacks a dedicated macro camera and has a slightly smaller battery capacity, though its 120W charging means it can recharge much quicker. The Moto G30 provides macro and slightly better battery capacity but suffers in almost every other area.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Motorola Moto G30 - Ideal User:

  • Budget-Conscious Users: Those who prioritize cost and battery life over performance or camera quality.
  • Light Smartphone Users: Individuals who use their phone for basic tasks like browsing, messaging, and social media.
  • Occasional Macro Photographers: Users who enjoy taking close-up shots.

Specific Use Cases:

  • Daily communication and browsing with basic performance
  • Extended use for basic tasks throughout the day, less frequent charging
  • Occasional close-up photography of small subjects

Xiaomi 12 Pro - Ideal User:

  • Performance Enthusiasts: Those who want top-tier gaming and app performance.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: Users who desire high-quality photos and videos, especially in low-light situations.
  • Multimedia Consumers: Users who watch movies and videos and appreciate a high-quality display.
  • Professionals: Those who want all-around superior features for productivity and versatility.

Specific Use Cases:

  • Demanding mobile gaming
  • High-quality photography, including low-light situations
  • Watching videos, movies, or streaming content on a crisp, vibrant display
  • Extensive multitasking and resource-intensive applications

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The Moto G30 is a budget phone, while the Xiaomi 12 Pro is in the premium range.
  2. What is your primary use case? Basic usage vs gaming and demanding apps.
  3. How important is camera quality, display, and performance to you? These are areas where the Xiaomi 12 Pro excels dramatically.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Budget-Constrained User: If the budget is a primary concern, and the use case is for basic smartphone functions, the Motorola Moto G30 is sufficient.
  • Mid-Range User: A hypothetical user that doesn't need every top-of-the-line feature. If this describes you neither phone is the right choice. You need to investigate a mid-range smartphone in this case.
  • Premium User: If you want the best display, top-tier performance, and high-quality photography, the Xiaomi 12 Pro is the better choice despite the higher cost.

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi 12 Pro. While it's more expensive, the benefits in display quality, performance, and camera capabilities are significant. As someone who uses their phone extensively for various tasks, including media consumption, gaming, and photography, the premium features of the 12 Pro justify the higher cost. The dramatically faster charging speed is also a huge plus for a power user. The Moto G30 has a place as a basic budget device, but it doesn't meet 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.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
  • Technical storytelling
  • User-centric technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.