Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Moto G51 5G and the Xiaomi Redmi 12C. As a tech journalist with an engineering background, I’m keen to look past the marketing jargon and see how these phones stack up in the real world.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of the key specifications, presented in a way that highlights their practical implications for the end-user:
| Feature | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 170.5 x 76.5 x 9.1 mm | 168.8 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm | The Moto G51 is slightly taller and thicker, but both phones have similar widths. The Redmi 12C is a bit more pocketable and comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 208g | 192g | The Redmi 12C feels noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and one-handed operation. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.71" | Both phones provide a large screen experience, suitable for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1650 | The Moto G51 boasts a much sharper display with significantly more pixels, leading to clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 387 | 268 | The Moto G51 offers a crisper visual experience, making details more pronounced and text easier to read. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both phones offer standard LCD quality, color accuracy, and viewing angles, suitable for everyday use. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | The Moto G51 will feel much smoother when scrolling, gaming, and navigating the UI, which translates to a more fluid and enjoyable experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Neither phone offers high peak brightness. This makes them less suitable for viewing under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8nm) | Helio G85 (12nm) | The Snapdragon 480+ in the Moto G51 is significantly more powerful, offering superior app performance, multitasking, and 5G connectivity. |
| AnTuTu Score | 381,000 | 225,154 | The Moto G51 is expected to be significantly faster in real-world use, especially for resource-intensive tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G52 MC2 | The Adreno 619 in the Moto G51 is better optimized for gaming and graphics processing. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" | 50MP, f/1.8 | Both phones have similar main camera hardware, but the Moto G51's larger sensor size and known sensor model could translate to slightly better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2 | 5MP | The Moto G51 captures much more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 8MP | N/A | The Moto G51 offers more versatility with its additional wide-angle lens. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both phones feature a basic macro lens for close-up shots, but their performance is typically limited. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60/240fps | 1080p@30fps | The Moto G51 provides more options, including higher frame rates and slow-motion recording. |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | 45 Mobile, 50 Photo, 43 Video | The Xiaomi Redmi 12C has a mediocre score for a mobile phone |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer similar battery capacity, indicating they should offer a similar battery life. |
| Charging | 10W Fast Charging | 10W Fast Charging | Both phones have very slow charging speeds for their battery size. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 12 | Android 12 | The Redmi 12C has a slightly more recent version of Android out of the box, but the Moto G51 can also be updated to Android 12. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both support dual-band Wi-Fi, providing reliable internet connection. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.1 LE | Both phones offer similar modern Bluetooth connectivity for wireless audio and data transfer. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both phones offer precise navigation with support for major global positioning systems. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Micro + Nano SIM | Both phones support Dual SIM connectivity, but the Moto G51 uses two Nano SIMs while the Redmi 12C uses a Micro and a Nano SIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 32GB/64GB/128GB | Both phones offer similar storage options, but the base variant of the Redmi 12C only has 32GB. |
| RAM | 4GB/8GB | 3GB/4GB/6GB | The Moto G51 offers up to 8GB of RAM which gives better performance during multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, which could be limiting for users with large media libraries. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 mics | Basic | The Moto G51 offers enhanced audio with Dolby Atmos and dual mics, which is great for audio recording and media consumption. |
| Security | |||
| Biometrics | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Rear-mounted Fingerprint | The Moto G51's side-mounted sensor is generally faster and more ergonomic than the Redmi 12C's rear-mounted one. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Fingerprint | Proximity (virtual), Accelerometer, Fingerprint | The Moto G51's additional Gyroscope sensor gives better motion tracking capabilities for games and augmented reality apps |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G51 5G:
Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 480+ chip offers significantly better performance than the Helio G85, resulting in smoother app usage, better multitasking, and improved gaming capabilities.
- Sharper Display: The higher resolution and pixel density of the Moto G51's display provide a noticeably clearer and more detailed viewing experience.
- Smoother Experience: The 120Hz refresh rate offers a more fluid experience, especially noticeable in gaming, scrolling and app navigation.
- Better Camera Versatility: A superior front facing camera, a wide angle lens, and more versatile video recording capabilities make the Moto G51 more suitable for photography enthusiasts.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and dual mics give an improved audio experience, making the phone better for listening to media and recording audio.
- More RAM: The Moto G51 offers up to 8GB of RAM for better multitasking.
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola phone is heavier, which makes it slightly less comfortable to hold for extended times.
- The Motorola phone is older which makes its OS less up to date, but it is upgradeable to Android 12.
Xiaomi Redmi 12C:
Strengths:
- Lighter Build: The Redmi 12C is significantly lighter, making it comfortable for extended use, and easy to carry around.
- Slightly More Recent OS: Out of the box it comes with Android 12, but the G51 can be updated.
- Slightly Lower Price: Generally, the Redmi series are more affordable than the Moto series.
Trade-offs:
- Lower Performance: The Helio G85 chipset is notably less powerful than the Snapdragon 480+, which may lead to a less responsive experience and lower gaming performance.
- Lower Resolution Display: The lower resolution display results in less clear text and images compared to the Moto G51.
- Basic Camera Capabilities: The selfie camera is subpar, and the phone lacks the flexibility of a wide-angle lens, making it less versatile for photography.
- Basic Audio: Its lack of audio enhancements and dual mics means it is more basic in its audio recording and playing capabilities.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Moto G51 5G is best for:
- Power Users: Those who demand smooth performance for multitasking and app usage.
- Gamers: The better GPU and smoother display make the Moto G51 a better option for gaming.
- Media Consumers: The sharper display, smoother refresh rate, and Dolby Atmos audio will provide a more immersive experience.
- Photography Enthusiasts: The higher-resolution selfie camera and wide-angle lens make it better for a variety of photography needs.
Xiaomi Redmi 12C is best for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who need a basic smartphone experience without needing any high-end features.
- Casual Users: Those with simple usage patterns and who prioritize comfortable one-handed operation.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your decision:
How important is performance? If you use your phone for demanding tasks like gaming, or video editing, the Moto G51 is the superior option due to its significantly more powerful chipset and 8GB of RAM. If you only perform basic tasks and prioritize cost savings, the Redmi 12C can be considered.
Do you prioritize display quality? If you want a sharper display for viewing text, images, and media, the Moto G51 is the clear winner with its Full HD+ screen and high pixel density, as well as its higher refresh rate. If a basic display is good enough for you then consider the Redmi 12C.
How often do you take pictures? If you regularly take selfies or need the versatility of a wide-angle lens, the Moto G51 is the superior option. If you are fine with taking the odd picture on your phone, the Redmi 12C's single rear camera is okay.
What I Would Choose
If I were choosing between these two, I would choose the Motorola Moto G51 5G.
While both phones have their advantages, the Moto G51 offers a far superior overall experience. It strikes the right balance between performance, display quality, camera versatility, audio quality, and user experience. The Snapdragon 480+ chip offers a significant boost in performance that you'll notice in day to day use and is far more future-proof. The 120Hz refresh rate makes for a much smoother experience. Additionally, the cameras of the Motorola are better. The Redmi 12C is not a bad phone, it's just outclassed by the Moto G51.
The Moto G51 is simply the better all-around device.
