Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Moto G51 5G and the Realme 12 Pro. I'll break down the specs, explore real-world implications, and help you figure out which phone might be the right fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Realme 12 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 170.5 × 76.5 × 9.1 mm | 161.5 × 74 × 8.8 mm | The Moto G51 is noticeably taller, wider, and slightly thicker, making the Realme 12 Pro more pocketable and comfortable for most users. |
| Weight | 208g | 190g | The Realme 12 Pro is significantly lighter, making it easier to handle for extended periods. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, no fancy foldable tech here. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.7" | Marginal difference; both offer a large screen for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Very similar pixel density, which means both screens should look sharp. |
| Pixel Density | 387 PPI | 394 PPI | Minimal difference, both are pretty sharp. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and better viewing angles, especially in direct sunlight. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both devices. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | The Realme 12 Pro has significantly better outdoor visibility with its higher brightness |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Realme 12 Pro's newer 4nm chip offers faster processing, better power efficiency, and improved overall responsiveness. |
| AnTuTu Score | 381,000 | 574,000 | The Realme 12 Pro is noticeably faster, handling demanding apps and games better. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 710 | The Adreno 710 provides better graphics performance, particularly noticeable in gaming. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity suggests comparable battery life for average use. |
| Charging | 10W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Realme 12 Pro charges much faster, a key convenience factor. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2" sensor | Realme 12 Pro has a larger sensor and slightly larger pixel size, which results in better low-light performance and more detail |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.4 | Realme 12 Pro has a higher resolution and likely better detail. |
| Telephoto Lens | Not Available | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.74" sensor | Realme 12 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for improved optical zoom and portrait capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP | 8MP | The Realme 12 Pro has a Wide Angle + Macro. The Moto G51 has a standalone Wide Angle and Macro Lens. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60/240fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps | Realme 12 Pro has higher resolution video recording capabilities with Electronic Image Stabilization across all resolutions. |
| Stabilization | No stabilization | Yes, Electronic and Optical | The Realme 12 Pro has significantly better video stabilization capabilities with Electronic Image Stabilization across all resolutions plus Optical Image Stabilization. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 14 | Realme 12 Pro has a much newer OS version and features, promising an up-to-date user experience. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Realme 12 Pro uses the latest Wi-Fi standard resulting in faster speeds and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Realme 12 Pro has a more recent Bluetooth standard with more advanced codec support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 256GB or 512GB | The Realme 12 Pro provides much more storage for apps, media, and other content. |
| RAM | 4GB or 8GB | 8GB or 12GB | Realme 12 Pro offers more RAM, which enables better multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage so choose accordingly. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Realme 12 Pro offers a richer audio experience with stereo speakers, higher resolution and noise cancellation. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G51 5G:
- Strengths:
- Large display with a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals.
- Affordable 5G phone.
- Has dedicated Macro lens.
- Has Laser Autofocus.
- Competitive Advantages:
- It’s an older model, making it more price conscious.
- Decent enough for basic tasks.
- Trade-offs and Limitations:
- The IPS LCD screen lacks the contrast and vibrant colors of an AMOLED display.
- The Snapdragon 480+ is underpowered for heavy use and gaming.
- Very slow 10W charging.
- Runs an older Android version.
Realme 12 Pro:
- Strengths:
- Superior AMOLED display with high brightness and great contrast.
- Significantly faster performance with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset.
- Impressively fast 67W charging.
- Versatile camera system with a dedicated telephoto lens and good stabilization.
- Newer Android 14 operating system.
- Great for content consumption and gaming.
- Large internal storage options.
- Good audio quality with stereo speakers.
- Competitive Advantages:
- It is an extremely well rounded phone that performs well on many fronts.
- Trade-offs and Limitations:
- More expensive than the Moto G51.
- No dedicated Macro Lens.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Moto G51 5G:
- Best Suited For:
- Budget-conscious users who prioritize basic smartphone functions.
- Users who need a large screen for media viewing but don't require top-tier display quality.
- Those who value macro photography.
- Use Cases:
- Casual browsing, social media, and basic app use.
- Watching videos and streaming content on a large screen.
- Photography enthusiasts who like to explore with macro lenses
- Price-to-Value: Offers essential features at an entry-level price, making it suitable for users with limited budgets.
Realme 12 Pro:
- Best Suited For:
- Users who desire a premium display and a smooth user experience.
- Users who enjoy mobile gaming and need reliable performance.
- Those who prioritize camera capabilities, especially the versatility of the zoom lens.
- Tech enthusiasts who want the latest software and faster performance.
- Users who want fast charging and good battery life.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos.
- Heavy multitasking and productivity tasks.
- Consuming a lot of content on its display.
- Using a device for several years.
- Price-to-Value: Justifies its slightly higher price tag with a superior display, significantly faster performance, versatile camera, and a more modern feature set.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- What's your Budget? If you're on a very tight budget, the Moto G51 5G is the more affordable option. However, if you can stretch your budget a bit, the Realme 12 Pro will offer a vastly improved experience.
- How Important is Performance and Display? If you value a high-quality display, smooth performance, and are a gamer, the Realme 12 Pro is the clear choice. If you’re just using it for casual use the G51 is enough.
- What are Your Camera Needs? If you want a phone with a versatile zoom lens and advanced stabilization features, the Realme 12 Pro is the better option. If you value macro photography the G51 is better
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Casual User: If you primarily use your phone for calls, social media, and light browsing, the Moto G51 5G could be sufficient, but the smoother experience of the Realme 12 Pro may be worth the extra price.
- The Gamer/Power User: The Realme 12 Pro is the clear winner for gamers and heavy multitaskers, thanks to its powerful chipset, better GPU, and ample RAM.
- The Photography Enthusiast: The Realme 12 Pro's superior zoom capabilities, stabilization, larger sensor and advanced features make it a better choice for capturing great photos and videos.
- The Media Lover: The Realme 12 Pro's AMOLED screen with higher brightness, combined with it's stereo speakers make it a no brainer.
My Choice:
If I were choosing between these two, I would absolutely go for the Realme 12 Pro. The leap in performance with its modern chipset and faster RAM is really impressive. The display technology alone makes this a much better choice due to the high brightness, color vibrancy, and great contrast, especially for those of us who use our phones outdoors a lot. Furthermore, having a newer operating system, faster charging, and the versatility of the telephoto lens makes it a complete phone that offers excellent value. While the Moto G51 5G may be more accessible for budget-conscious buyers, for me the Realme 12 Pro's enhanced capabilities justify the price increase.
