Samsung Galaxy A12 vs Motorola Moto G13 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date December 21, 2020 January 24, 2023
Release Year 2020 2023

Physical

Volume 110.64 cm³ 99.66 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.17 "/g 3.54 "/g
Weight 205 g 183.5 g
Height 164 mm 162.7 mm
Width 75.8 mm 74.7 mm
Thickness 8.9 mm 8.2 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • White
  • Rose Gold
  • Matte Charcoal
  • Blue Lavender

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.5 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 82.1 % 83.9 %
Pixel Density 270 PPI 270 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A 400 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 118.34 mAh/in² 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 45.19 mAh/cm³ 50.17 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU PowerVR GE8320 Mali-G52 MC2

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 13
Maximum OS Version 12

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A12Motorola Moto G13Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm162.7 × 74.7 × 8.2 mmMoto G13 is slightly smaller, narrower, and thinner making it slightly more pocketable.
Weight205g183.5gMoto G13 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use.
Display
Size6.5"6.5"Both have the same screen size.
Resolution720x1600720x1600Both have similar sharpness with a 720p display, which may look less sharp than higher-resolution screens.
PPI270270Both have the same pixel density.
TechnologyPLS LCDIPS LCDIPS LCD on the Moto G13 typically offers slightly better viewing angles and color reproduction.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzMoto G13 will offer smoother scrolling and animations with its higher refresh rate.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsBoth phones have the same brightness levels. (Note: Specification is likely incorrect as it is 0 nits, so this can be ignored)
Performance
ChipsetMediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm)Moto G13's Helio G85 offers significantly better performance for gaming, app loading, and multitasking.
AnTuTu Score103,000225,154Moto G13 has more than double the benchmark performance, indicating a much snappier user experience.
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G52 MC2Moto G13 has a more capable GPU leading to better graphics performance in apps and games.
Battery
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhBoth offer similar battery life, likely lasting a full day for most users with moderate use.
Charging15W fast charging, Li-Ion20W fast charging, Li-PolymerMoto G13 charges faster and Li-Polymer batteries are often more durable.
Camera
Standard Camera48MP, f/2.0, 1/2" sensor50MP, f/1.8Moto G13 has a slightly wider aperture, potentially better low-light photos and slightly higher resolution
Selfie Camera8MP, f/2.28MP, f/2.0, 1/4" sensor, 1.12 µmMoto G13’s larger pixels and wider aperture could result in better low-light selfies.
Telephoto Lens2MP, f/2.4NoneA12 has telephoto lens for zoomed images while G13 does not.
Wide Angle Lens5MP, f/2.2NoneA12 has wide angle lens which captures a wider field of view.
Portrait Lens2MP, f/2.42MP, f/2.4Both phones offer similar depth-sensing for portrait mode.
Macro LensNone2MP, f/2.4Moto G13 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots.
Video Recording1080p@30fps; Slow-motion: No1080p@30fps; Slow-motion: Yes (120fps)Moto G13 has slow-motion support at 120fps which A12 lacks.
Software
OSAndroid 10 (max 12)Android 13Moto G13 has a newer Android version out of the box and is likely to have longer software support.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi802.11a/b/g/n802.11a/b/g/n/acMoto G13 supports Wi-Fi 5 (ac), offering faster speeds and better range with compatible routers.
Bluetooth5.05.1 LEMoto G13 has slightly improved range and lower power consumption with a newer version of Bluetooth.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeidouGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, GalileoMoto G13 supports additional satellite systems for better location accuracy.
Storage
Internal32/64/128 GB64/128 GBBoth offer similar storage options, although A12 starts at a lower storage tier.
RAM3/4/6 GB4 GBA12 has a 6 GB option for heavy multitasking.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone supports microSD card expansion.
Audio
Audio QualityBasic audio featuresDolby Atmos, Stereo SpeakersMoto G13 offers a significantly enhanced audio experience with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers.
Security
Featuresside-mounted fingerprint sensorside-mounted fingerprint sensorBoth phones offer basic biometric security.
Sensors
FeaturesBiometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: AccelerometerBiometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, GyroscopeMotorola Moto G13 has gyroscope for motion related features.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Motorola Moto G13 Advantages:

  • Significantly Better Performance: The Helio G85 chipset in the Moto G13 delivers a much smoother and snappier experience for everyday use, gaming and multitasking.
  • Smoother Display: The 90Hz refresh rate display provides smoother scrolling and animations than the 60Hz on the Galaxy A12.
  • Better Audio: With stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support the G13's audio experience is much better.
  • Faster Charging: The 20W charging on the Moto G13 charges the phone quicker than the 15W on the Galaxy A12.
  • More Modern Software: Android 13 offers a newer interface and features compared to Android 10 (upgradeable to 12) on the Galaxy A12.
  • Better Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5 and newer Bluetooth offer better speeds and more reliable connections.
  • Macro Lens: The Moto G13 includes a macro lens for detailed close-up shots which the A12 lacks.
  • More Up-to-Date Technology: The newer technology ensures a more optimized and robust experience overall.

Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:

  • Telephoto and Wide Angle Lens: The Galaxy A12 includes a telephoto and wide-angle lens that Moto G13 does not provide, offering more photography versatility, allowing users to zoom and capture more in the frame.
  • Slightly More RAM: The A12 has a 6GB option, allowing it to manage heavy multitasking slightly better.

Trade-offs:

  • The Galaxy A12's additional telephoto and wide-angle lens provide greater flexibility in photography, while the Moto G13 focuses on providing a single, higher-quality main camera.
  • The A12 gives more RAM options at the expense of a much slower processor.
  • The G13 has a better screen but neither is particularly high resolution.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal User for Motorola Moto G13:

  • Everyday Users: Those who need a reliable phone for daily tasks like browsing, social media, and communication will find the Moto G13 a smooth and responsive device.
  • Casual Gamers: The G85 chipset offers enough performance for many popular mobile games.
  • Media Consumers: The enhanced display and stereo speakers make it good for watching videos.
  • Value Seekers: Those who prioritize performance and features within a budget.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value a strong main camera.

Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A12:

  • Basic Users: Those who need a simple phone for calls, texts, and very light app usage.
  • Users Needing More Camera Versatility: People who want extra options like telephoto and wide-angle lenses.
  • Price-Conscious Shoppers: Those looking for a very budget-friendly phone.
  • Samsung Fans: Those who prefer the Samsung brand and ecosystem.

Specific Use Cases:

  • Moto G13: Ideal for someone who watches a lot of videos, plays games, takes photos and uses social media. It handles these tasks smoothly.
  • Samsung Galaxy A12: Suitable as a backup phone or for a first-time smartphone user who needs basic functionality and a variety of camera lens options but doesn't need high performance.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. How important is performance to me? If you want smooth app usage and mobile gaming, the Moto G13 is a much better choice.
  2. Do I prioritize screen quality and sound over camera versatility? If yes, the Moto G13 with its 90Hz display, stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos is the winner.
  3. Is camera lens versatility a key factor for me? If yes, the Samsung Galaxy A12 provides additional telephoto and wide angle lens options.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1 (Budget Gaming): If you need a phone for gaming on a tight budget, the Motorola Moto G13 is the better choice because of its significantly better processor.
  • Scenario 2 (Basic Use, Limited Budget): If you're looking for the absolute lowest-cost option and only need basic phone functions, the Samsung Galaxy A12 will be cheaper (although the G13 is significantly better).
  • Scenario 3 (Multimedia Consumption): If you primarily watch videos and listen to music, the Motorola Moto G13 with its enhanced audio and smoother display experience is far superior.
  • Scenario 4 (Everyday Photography): If you want a phone with more versatile camera lenses, the Samsung Galaxy A12 would be better. If you value higher quality photos from a main lens, the Motorola Moto G13 is better.

Personal Choice:

I would choose the Motorola Moto G13.

Reasoning:

While the Samsung Galaxy A12 offers the flexibility of a telephoto and wide-angle lens, the overall experience with the Motorola Moto G13 is far superior for my everyday needs. The G13's significantly better processor makes the phone much snappier and more enjoyable to use. The smoother 90Hz display, enhanced audio with stereo speakers, and faster charging, provide a substantially better multimedia experience. In addition, it has the newer Android software, making it the more future-proof device. For most users, a smoother and more responsive phone will be far more impactful in daily life than having a telephoto lens or slightly more RAM. In terms of practical daily use and overall value, the Motorola Moto G13 is the clear winner.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.