Smartphone Comparison: Motorola One 5G Ace vs. Realme 12+
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Realme 12+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-14 | 2024-03-02 | Realme 12+ is significantly newer, likely with more modern features and longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm | 163 x 75.5 x 7.9 mm | Realme 12+ is more compact and thinner, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and easier to pocket. |
| Weight | 212g | 190g | Realme 12+ is lighter, making it less fatiguing to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Negligible difference; both offer ample screen real estate for media consumption and browsing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both provide sharp visuals for daily use; pixel density is virtually identical. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Realme 12+ has superior display with deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors ideal for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Realme 12+ offers much smoother scrolling and animations making the phone feel more responsive during everyday interactions. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | Realme 12+ is significantly better for outdoor use, clearly viewable even in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G (8nm) | Dimensity 7050 (6nm) | Realme 12+ has a more powerful and efficient chipset, resulting in faster performance and better battery management. |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 601,000 | Realme 12+ provides noticeably smoother and faster performance for gaming and multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Performance differs, Realme 12+ GPU is expected to provide better graphics performance in gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | 67W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer) | Realme 12+ charges significantly faster, allowing quicker top-ups and less time tethered to a power outlet. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/2", 0.61µm (Sony LYT-600) | Realme 12+ has a slightly higher resolution sensor. Motorola has a wider aperture and larger pixels. Sensor size is missing for the Motorola. |
| Front | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 16MP, f/2.45, Unknown µm | Motorola One 5G Ace has a wider aperture. Pixel size of Realme 12+ front camera is not available. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.2, Unknown µm | Both phones have similar specifications for their wide-angle lenses. Pixel size for the Realme is not available. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown µm | Both phones have comparable macro lens setups. Pixel size for the Realme is not available. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | Both phones record up to 4K, quality is expected to be very similar; Realme 12+ also has OIS that is not present on the Motorola. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 10 | Android 14 | Realme 12+ has the latest Android OS offering new features, security updates, and better performance/stability. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Realme 12+ supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard, resulting in faster and more reliable network performance. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Realme 12+ offers a slightly newer Bluetooth version with marginal improvement in performance and power consumption. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Realme 12+ supports using two SIM cards simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB | Realme 12+ has more storage options, providing more space for files, apps, and media. |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | Realme 12+ offers more RAM, improving multitasking and overall responsiveness. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage; users should select storage variant wisely during purchase. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Realme 12+ offers enhanced audio quality with spatial audio, stereo speakers, and noise cancellation. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Wider Aperture on Main and Front Camera: The f/1.7 aperture on the main camera and f/2.2 on the front camera might offer slightly better low-light performance compared to the Realme 12+'s f/1.88 and f/2.45 respectively.
- Laser Autofocus: The inclusion of Laser Autofocus (LAF) can lead to faster and more accurate focusing in certain situations.
- RAW Image Capture: Gives more control in post-processing to users who value photography.
- Potentially lower price point: Being an older model, it is likely to have a lower price, making it a budget-friendly option.
Realme 12+ Advantages:
- Significantly Newer: Launched over 3 years later, which translates to newer tech, software, and potentially better hardware integration.
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness offers a much better visual experience, especially in outdoor environments.
- Better Performance: A much more powerful chipset and higher RAM capacity result in a smoother, faster, and more responsive experience, especially for gaming and multitasking.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging is significantly faster than 15W, minimizing downtime while charging.
- Enhanced Audio: Features like Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, stereo speakers, and a noise-canceling microphone make it a great device for multimedia consumption.
- Dual SIM: Supports two SIM cards simultaneously, useful for travelers or users with multiple phone numbers.
- Newer Android OS: Comes with Android 14 out of the box.
Trade-offs:
- Motorola: The primary trade-off is its age and outdated technology that's far behind that of the Realme 12+. The main selling point is likely to be its lower cost and slightly better low-light performance on the main camera.
- Realme: The trade-off is potentially a higher price compared to the Motorola and a slightly less wide main camera aperture, along with the lack of RAW image format and Laser Autofocus.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Motorola One 5G Ace:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for a very affordable 5G phone.
- Basic Use Cases: Primarily for calls, texts, and casual browsing; less demanding users.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who desire Laser Autofocus and Raw Image support may prefer this for more advanced photography features.
- Users with lower technical understanding: Those less concerned about software updates and future compatibility.
Ideal User for Realme 12+:
- Power Users: Demanding users needing a smooth, responsive, and powerful smartphone.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who enjoy watching videos and playing games frequently.
- Outdoor Users: Users who spend a lot of time outdoors or in bright sunlight needing a bright and viewable display.
- Users valuing fast charging: Those who want to minimize downtime when they need to charge their phone.
- Users wanting longevity: Those looking for a modern phone with good future software update prospects.
Use Case Examples:
- Motorola One 5G Ace: A retiree who wants a cheap phone for basic communication and some light internet browsing. The lower cost is the main driver.
- Realme 12+: A college student who plays games, watches videos, and needs fast charging for their busy schedule. The superior display, performance and charging are the main drivers.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If budget is your primary concern and you require only basic functions, the Motorola One 5G Ace may be a suitable option.
- How important is display quality and performance? If a great screen, smooth performance, and fast charging are a must, the Realme 12+ is the obvious choice.
- What is your primary use case? If you're a casual user, the Motorola One 5G Ace could suffice. If you are a power user who plays games or consumes lots of media, go for the Realme 12+.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is the biggest concern: Choose the Motorola One 5G Ace, accepting the outdated tech for a lower price.
- Scenario 2: A great all-around experience is needed: Choose the Realme 12+ for its superior display, performance, and modern features.
- Scenario 3: A user who values photography and wants a budget option: Choose the Motorola for wider aperture main and selfie cameras, LAF, and RAW support.
- Scenario 4: User wants a device to last a long time: Choose the Realme 12+ for its newer Android OS, better software support, and better hardware.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Realme 12+.
The primary reasons for this choice are:
- Significantly better display: The AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate offers a superior visual experience compared to the Motorola's LCD. This makes a huge difference in day-to-day usage and media consumption.
- Much faster performance: The Dimensity 7050 chipset is a big upgrade over the Snapdragon 750G. This is really important for smooth app transitions, multitasking, and gaming.
- Faster charging: The 67W charging is incredibly convenient and will greatly reduce the amount of time spent tethered to a wall socket.
- Modern features and Software: The Realme 12+ also has a newer version of Android, and with that comes more features and a longer lifespan when it comes to support.
While the Motorola One 5G Ace offers a lower price, the significant improvements in display, performance, charging speed, audio, and software on the Realme 12+ make it the better choice for me personally. I value a smooth user experience and I am willing to pay more for the upgrades. The Motorola is a very old phone now, and unless budget is the only factor, the Realme is a better pick.
