1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.2 × 75.7 × 9.1 mm | 165.9 × 76.2 × 8 mm | The Redmi Note 12 is slightly thinner and taller; the G30 is a bit bulkier. The Redmi Note 12 might feel a bit more sleek |
| Weight | 200g | 188g | Redmi Note 12 is 12g lighter, which might be noticeable during extended one-handed use. |
| Build | Not specified | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 Screen | Xiaomi's screen is more protected from scratches. The G30 screen protection is unknown |
Display
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | Redmi Note 12 offers a slightly more immersive experience due to its larger screen. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Redmi Note 12 will show significantly sharper images and text due to the higher resolution. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 269 | 395 | Redmi Note 12 provides notably crisper visuals. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Redmi Note 12's AMOLED display provides deeper blacks, vibrant colors, and better contrast compared to the IPS LCD on the G30, also has better power efficiency in dark themes |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Redmi Note 12 will have slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | Redmi Note 12 offers significantly better outdoor visibility under sunlight |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) | Redmi Note 12's newer, more efficient chipset will generally perform faster and cooler. |
| AnTuTu Score | 170,968 | 460,800 | Redmi Note 12 shows a massive performance increase, leading to a much smoother user experience for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 | Redmi Note 12's GPU will handle graphics-intensive tasks (gaming) much better |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 48MP | Motorola's main camera captures more detail theoretically, but sensor quality is important. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | Motorola's wider aperture allows more light, slightly better in low light |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | Not specified | 1/2.76" | Xiaomi's main camera has a smaller sensor which affects light sensitivity |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 13MP | 13MP | Both have similar selfie cameras |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.45 | Motorola's wider selfie aperture allows for slightly better performance in low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Similar wide-angle capabilities |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Motorola has an additional depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar macro lens capabilities. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps | Both can record Full HD; the G30 supports 60fps. |
| Slow Motion | 60fps | 120fps | Redmi Note 12 can record smoother slow-motion videos |
| DXOMARK | Not Tested | 69 Mobile, 74 Photo, 49 Video | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12’s cameras score well |
| Camera Features | Quadruple Camera, LAF | Triple Camera, OIS | The G30's laser autofocus may provide faster focusing. Redmi Note 12's image stabilization will result in steadier videos |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer comparable battery life for daily use. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Redmi Note 12 charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Li-Polymer typically has a longer lifespan and may be safer. |
Other
| Feature | Motorola Moto G30 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 | Redmi Note 12 offers a more recent OS version out of the box. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, Dual Band | 802.11ac, Dual Band, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMO | Redmi Note 12 supports more advanced Wi-Fi technologies for better connectivity |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.1, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Redmi Note 12 features a newer version with more advanced audio codecs. |
| 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 for more precise location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality for multi-network access |
| Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Redmi Note 12 offers more storage capacity for apps, photos and videos |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Redmi Note 12 offers more RAM for better multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither support storage expansion with a memory card. |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Rear-mounted | Side-mounted | Side-mounted fingerprint sensors are generally considered more ergonomic. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Redmi Note 12 offers better screen protection. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Redmi Note 12 offers a Compass and Ultrasonic Proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:
- Wider Aperture Main Camera: The f/1.7 aperture of the main camera might allow for better low-light photos compared to the Redmi Note 12 (f/1.8).
- Wider Aperture Front Camera: The f/2.2 aperture of the front camera might allow for better low-light photos compared to the Redmi Note 12 (f/2.45).
- Portrait Mode (Depth) Sensor: The G30 has a dedicated depth sensor which will allow better portrait mode images.
Practical Implications: Better potential for low-light photography and better portrait photos.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Advantages:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen with higher resolution, refresh rate, brightness and better pixel density offers a much more enjoyable viewing experience.
- Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset with significantly higher AnTuTu benchmark scores indicates substantially faster speeds in everyday usage, including app loading, gaming, and multitasking.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging allows for a much quicker recharge, minimizing the time the phone is plugged in.
- More Storage/RAM Options: The Redmi Note 12 offers a 256GB storage option and an 8 GB RAM version for power users.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 12 out of the box and is more likely to receive software updates than the older G30
- Better Bluetooth: newer bluetooth version with better audio quality codecs
- Better Build: Comes with Gorilla Glass 3 screen protection
Practical Implications: Significantly improved visual quality, better performance for demanding tasks, faster charging, more memory, better build, more modern features.
Trade-offs:
- Camera: While the G30 has a higher resolution main camera, the Redmi Note 12's optimized sensor and other features might result in better overall photo quality. The Redmi Note 12 also benefits from Dxomark tests, whereas the G30 hasn't been tested.
- Slow Motion: While both have slow motion video capabilities, the Redmi Note 12 has 120fps capability which gives smoother slow motion compared to the G30's 60fps.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G30 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those primarily concerned with affordability and less concerned with top-tier performance and display quality.
- Users Needing Basic Camera Functionality: Suitable for users needing a standard camera experience and better depth photos, with better low-light performance for selfies.
- Users comfortable with the known brand: The phone offers a budget option for users that prefer Motorola.
- Users who do not care about high performance: The phone is acceptable for basic daily tasks.
Specific Use Cases:
- Daily calling, messaging, and browsing.
- Casual photography.
- Users who prefer Motorola brand.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Ideal Users:
- Users Prioritizing Visual Quality: Those who appreciate vibrant colors, high resolution, and smooth refresh rates.
- Performance-Oriented Users: Gamers or those who multitask heavily and need a device that responds quickly.
- Users needing Long Battery Life & Fast Charging: Ideal for people who are frequently on the go and need a phone that can quickly recharge.
- Users wanting latest features: Newer device with better connectivity and security.
Specific Use Cases:
- Streaming videos and playing games.
- Running multiple apps simultaneously.
- Outdoor use under bright sunlight.
- Mobile Photography and videography
- Advanced bluetooth audio quality
Price-to-Value:
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 generally offers a better value for money with significant upgrades in display, performance and charging speed.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality to you? If you watch videos often or appreciate a vivid display, the Redmi Note 12's AMOLED screen will be far superior.
- Do you need top-tier performance or just basic functionality? If you play demanding games or multitask heavily, the Redmi Note 12's faster chipset and higher RAM are essential.
- How important is fast charging and long battery life? If you are often on the go, then the Redmi Note 12's fast charging is extremely valuable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1 (Budget User): If budget is the primary concern and usage is limited to basic tasks, the Motorola Moto G30 is a reasonable choice.
Scenario 2 (Performance Seeker): For gaming and heavy multitasking, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is significantly better due to its superior chipset, GPU, and RAM.
Scenario 3 (Multimedia Enthusiast): If you prioritize watching videos and prefer a vibrant, sharp, and bright display, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is the clear winner.
Scenario 4 (Everyday User): For a better experience overall, the Redmi Note 12 offers more storage, faster charging, a newer OS, and a superior display for not a huge cost increase over the G30.
What I would choose:
I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12. While the Motorola G30 has some minor advantages in low-light photography with wider apertures, the overall package offered by the Redmi Note 12 is significantly superior. The AMOLED display is a massive upgrade, providing a much better viewing experience. The performance is also vastly improved, ensuring a smoother experience for all tasks. The 33W fast charging is also very appealing to me.
While the Motorola G30 might be slightly cheaper, the extra cost for the Redmi Note 12 is well worth it.
