Okay, let's dive deep into the nitty-gritty and see how the Motorola Moto G31 and Huawei nova 12i stack up against each other. I'm aiming to give you a clear picture of what these phones offer, not just on paper but in your hands.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Moto G31 | Huawei nova 12i | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-12-06 | 2024-04-16 | The nova 12i is significantly newer, potentially benefiting from more recent software and hardware advancements. |
| Size | 161.9 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm | The nova 12i is slightly taller and wider but a touch thinner; both offer a similar in-hand feel with minimal differences. |
| Weight | 181g | 199g | The Moto G31 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | The nova 12i provides a slightly more immersive viewing experience due to the larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2388 | Both phones offer sharp visuals, but the Moto G31 has a negligibly higher pixel density. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 411 | 391 | The Moto G31 is a little sharper. Both will appear very crisp to the naked eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The Moto G31's AMOLED screen offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The nova 12i offers a smoother scrolling experience due to the higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness on both phones is identical - but these are not the accurate readings. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G85 | Snapdragon 680 4G | The Snapdragon 680 in the nova 12i offers better overall performance, especially in app loading and general responsiveness. |
| AnTuTu Score | 225,154 | 289,000 | The nova 12i scores significantly higher in benchmarks, translating to snappier performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 610 | The Adreno 610 in the nova 12i provides better graphics performance, particularly for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP f/1.8 | 108MP f/1.9 | The nova 12i boasts a much higher resolution sensor for more detailed photos and better cropping capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP f/2.2 | 8MP f/2.0 | The Moto G31 has a higher resolution selfie camera, while the nova 12i has a slightly wider aperture, performing better in low-light |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP f/2.0 | None | The Moto G31 has an additional wide-angle lens, offering greater versatility for landscape and group photos. |
| Portrait Lens | None | 2MP f/2.4 | The nova 12i has a depth sensor for improved portrait shots with better bokeh effect. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | The Moto G31 has a dedicated macro lens for capturing close-up details. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, slow-mo | 1080p@30fps, no slow-mo | Both can record 1080p videos at 30fps, but only the Moto G31 offers slow-motion capture. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life. |
| Charging | 10W fast charging | 40W fast charging | The nova 12i's 40W fast charging will significantly reduce charging times. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | The nova 12i provides more storage options, beneficial for users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | The nova 12i's 8GB of RAM offers smoother multitasking and better performance for demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 mics | Basic Features | The Moto G31 has better audio quality with Dolby Atmos support and two microphones for better voice capture. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Motorola ships with Android 11 but the Huawei OS is missing from the specifications | |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both phones support the same WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.0 LE + EDR, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Huawei nova 12i supports additional bluetooth codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Huawei nova 12i supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer quick and reliable biometric authentication via the fingerprint sensor |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones use similar screen protection technology |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Motorola Moto G31 has a dedicated Proximity sensor while Huawei nova 12i comes with a virtual one. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G31:
- Strengths: Superior AMOLED display with deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, better audio quality with Dolby Atmos, offers a wide-angle and macro lens, slightly lighter weight, and more sensors.
- Competitive Advantages: The AMOLED display, wide angle and macro lens, and advanced audio features set it apart from the nova 12i in terms of visual and auditory experience, especially for multimedia consumption.
- Trade-offs: The older chipset results in slightly slower performance compared to the nova 12i. Slower charging, only 10W.
Huawei nova 12i:
- Strengths: Significantly faster performance, larger display and higher refresh rate, much faster 40W charging, larger main camera sensor, higher RAM and storage, and more satellite support.
- Competitive Advantages: Its superior performance and fast charging make it a better option for power users and those who need to charge their phone quickly.
- Trade-offs: The IPS LCD panel doesn't offer the same contrast and color depth as an AMOLED, the main camera lacks versatility, and there are no advanced audio features.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Moto G31: Ideal for users who prioritize display quality (especially those who love consuming media on their phone), good audio, and camera versatility. It’s also better for those who prefer a lighter phone. Good for general day-to-day use, watching videos, and taking photos.
Huawei nova 12i: Perfect for users who need a phone that performs quickly and can be recharged rapidly. This is a great choice for gamers, multitaskers, and users who prioritize overall smoothness and speed. It's suitable for heavy social media users and content creators that take advantage of the large camera.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to guide your choice:
- Display Preference: Do you value deeper blacks and vibrant colors (Motorola Moto G31 with AMOLED) or a smoother scrolling experience (Huawei nova 12i with 90Hz)?
- Performance Needs: Are you a power user requiring fast app loading, or are you more focused on multimedia consumption with decent performance? If you are a power user, you should go with the Huawei nova 12i.
- Camera Versatility vs. Detail: Do you want a wide-angle and macro lens on your phone, or a higher-resolution main sensor with better low-light performance? If you value versatility, go for the Moto G31. If you prefer detail, go for the Huawei Nova 12i.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Multimedia Lover: If you mostly use your phone for streaming videos, the Moto G31’s AMOLED display and Dolby Atmos audio give you the most immersive experience.
- On-the-Go Power User: The nova 12i’s faster charging and snappier performance make it ideal for busy users who need their phone to keep up with their fast-paced lives.
- Casual User: If you just need a good phone at a good price, then the Moto G31 is the best option since it covers all the necessities and it also has a couple of additional features you will not find in the Huawei Nova 12i.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I'd lean towards the Huawei nova 12i. While I appreciate the Moto G31’s AMOLED display and its additional camera features, the performance difference is what truly moves the needle. The Snapdragon 680 offers a much snappier experience in day-to-day usage. The 40W charging is also a game changer and a life-saver. Finally, the larger display and faster refresh rate provides a more immersive and smooth experience which would be my priority.
Ultimately, the “best” phone depends on your needs and priorities. But based on the specs and the trends, the Huawei nova 12i wins this one.
