1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 162.6 × 74.8 × 8.3 mm | Moto G Stylus is slightly smaller and thinner, potentially more comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 205g | 190g | Moto G Stylus is noticeably lighter, making it easier to carry around and hold for longer periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Moto G Stylus offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Moto G Stylus has a much sharper display, with significantly clearer text, images and videos. |
| PPI | 270 | 395 | Moto G Stylus has higher pixel density for sharper images. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | P-OLED | Moto G Stylus offers superior color reproduction, deeper blacks, and wider viewing angles, resulting in a better viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Moto G Stylus has smoother scrolling, animations, and transitions, making the user interface feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | Moto G Stylus offers significantly better visibility in direct sunlight, essential for outdoor use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Moto G Stylus offers much faster processing, loading apps, and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 514,000 | Moto G Stylus has significantly better performance, ideal for gaming and demanding apps. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 710 | Moto G Stylus provides superior graphics performance, better for gaming and video editing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life under comparable usage. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging, Li-Ion | 30W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Moto G Stylus charges much faster, reducing charging time. Li-Polymer is typically more durable. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse, wireless charging, non-removable | Moto G Stylus offers extra features like reverse and wireless charging for added convenience. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | Moto G Stylus has a slightly higher resolution, a wider aperture, and larger sensor, leading to better low-light performance and image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.45, 0.70µm | Moto G Stylus has a significantly higher resolution front camera, better for high-quality selfies and video calls. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Galaxy A12 has a dedicated telephoto camera for zoomed shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | None | Galaxy A12 has a dedicated wide angle camera to capture more of a scene. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Galaxy A12 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Moto G Stylus has a dedicated ultrawide and macro sensor which enables capturing close-up shots and wider scenes. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@up to 120fps | Moto G Stylus can record higher quality 4K video and has slow motion capabilities. |
| Stabilization | No | Yes | Moto G Stylus has video stabilization for smoother footage. |
| DXOMARK | Mobile 90, Photo 0, Video 0 | N/A | Galaxy A12 camera performance rating is available on DXOMARK while there are no scores for Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) |
| Additional Features | Quadruple Camera | Dual Camera, Time-Lapse, OIS, Night Mode, Dual Capture | Moto G Stylus has features such as Time-Lapse, Night Mode, and OIS. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Telephoto Lens: Offers a dedicated telephoto camera for zoomed shots, providing more versatility in photography.
- Wide Angle Lens: Includes a wide angle lens that is useful for capturing wider scenes and group photos.
- Depth Sensor: Has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode with bokeh effect.
- DXOMARK Score: The camera is tested and scored on DXOMARK providing some level of benchmark data.
- Lower cost: As an older phone, it will be more affordable
Practical Implications of Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- More options when taking photos with the three different additional camera lenses
- The camera performance is tested and scored on DXOMARK
- Good option if the user is on a tight budget
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) Advantages:
- Superior Display: Larger, higher resolution, P-OLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate and high brightness offers a significantly better viewing experience.
- Vastly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset provides a substantial performance boost for everyday tasks, gaming, and multitasking.
- Better Cameras: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras with larger sensors and better aperture capture more detail and perform better in low-light conditions. The addition of a wide angle + macro sensor gives versatility in taking shots.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging gets the battery filled up much quicker.
- Wireless and Reverse Charging: Offers more convenient charging features
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos provide a more immersive audio experience.
- Modern Software: Ships with Android 14, offering the latest features and security updates.
- Better Connectivity: Newer WiFi standard and Bluetooth version
- eSIM support: Offers more flexibility with carriers
Practical Implications of Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) Advantages:
- A much smoother and more responsive user experience.
- A brighter, clearer and more enjoyable display experience.
- Higher-quality images and videos.
- Significantly faster app loading and switching times.
- Faster charging and more convenient charging features.
- More immersive audio for games and media.
- Future-proof with newer operating system and connectivity options
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A12 has a slightly more diverse camera system with dedicated telephoto, wide, and depth sensor, while the Motorola has one ultrawide + macro camera.
- The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is more expensive than the Samsung Galaxy A12.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who prioritize basic smartphone functionality.
- Users who prefer dedicated zoom, wide and depth cameras.
- Users who don't need the best performance and display.
- Users who don't care about the latest features.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Basic phone calls, texts, and social media browsing.
- Casual photography where camera performance is not a top priority.
- Users who want a basic smartphone without any bells and whistles.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) Ideal User:
- Users who want a high-quality display and immersive audio experience.
- Users who value fast performance for multitasking and gaming.
- Users who want good image and video capture capabilities.
- Users who want long-term value and features.
- Users who prefer a lightweight phone
Use Cases for Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024):
- Gaming, watching videos, and streaming content.
- Photography enthusiasts who want versatile camera capabilities.
- Users who multitask frequently.
- Users who need fast charging, wireless charging and reverse charging
- Anyone who wants a modern and feature-rich experience
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A12 offers good value for users on an extremely tight budget looking for basic phone functionality and a diverse camera system, but compromises significantly on performance and screen quality.
- The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) justifies its price with its dramatically better performance, display, camera quality, and overall feature set, providing better long-term value for those willing to invest more.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If budget is a major concern, the Galaxy A12 is significantly more affordable but is a big compromise in other categories.
- How important is performance and display quality? If responsiveness, smooth scrolling, and image clarity are crucial, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is the clear choice.
- What are your camera usage needs? The Galaxy A12 has a telephoto, wide angle and depth sensor but lacks in the quality aspect. The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) focuses on a higher quality main sensor and has an ultrawide + macro lens.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic User: If you primarily use your phone for calls, texts, and occasional browsing, and your budget is very tight, the Samsung Galaxy A12 will suffice.
- Scenario 2: Multimedia User: If you often watch videos, play games, browse social media and prefer quality, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is the far better option with its superior screen, audio and performance.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is the better option for users who want a more quality photo and video experience.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024). While it is more expensive, the significant improvements in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and software make it a far better overall smartphone experience. The dramatically superior processor makes it a much more enjoyable experience. The enhanced display with its vivid colors and fluid 120Hz refresh rate is essential for a pleasant visual experience. The better camera setup makes it more versatile for day-to-day photography. The faster charging, wireless charging and reverse charging are very convenient to have. While the Galaxy A12 might be tempting with its price tag, the daily experience and future proofing that the Motorola provides are worth the investment.
