1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Moto G (2023) | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 164 × 75 × 8.4 mm | The Moto G (2023) is slightly thinner (1.3mm) and may feel more comfortable in the hand and pocket. |
| Weight | 212g | 189g | The Moto G (2023) is significantly lighter (23g), making it more comfortable for extended use and less tiring for long phone calls or gaming. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Moto G (2023) | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Both have the same screen size which provides a similar viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Both offer the same screen clarity, suitable for basic content consumption. |
| PPI | 270 | 270 | Both have the same pixel density, resulting in similar sharpness. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS LCD in Moto G (2023) generally offers better viewing angles and color reproduction, resulting in a slightly better visual experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Moto G (2023)'s 120Hz display provides noticeably smoother scrolling and animations, resulting in a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness, but we lack the actual value, so the impact is unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Moto G (2023) | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | The Moto G (2023)'s Snapdragon chipset generally offers better performance and power efficiency compared to the Exynos 850. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 380,000 | The Moto G (2023) has a significantly higher AnTuTu score, suggesting much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 619 | The Adreno 619 in the Moto G (2023) generally provides better graphics performance, especially in gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Moto G (2023) | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera Resolution | 48MP | 48MP | Both have similar resolution main camera, suitable for everyday shots. |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/1.7 | The wider aperture on the Moto G (2023) allows more light to enter the sensor, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | The wider aperture on the Moto G (2023) allows more light to enter the sensor, resulting in better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP | None | The Samsung Galaxy M12 has an additional wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP | None | The Samsung Galaxy M12 has an additional portrait mode lens for capturing depth information |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | 2MP | Both phones have a macro lens for close-up photography with a similar aperture, the pixel size differs but its real world impact is minimal |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both capture video at the same resolution and frame rate, suitable for standard video recording. |
| Features | Quadruple Camera, PDAF, etc. | Dual Camera, Digital Image Stabilisation, RAW, PDAF, etc | The Samsung Galaxy M12 has more camera modules but the Moto G (2023) has digital image stabilization and the ability to capture in RAW format. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Moto G (2023) | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 15W fast charging | Both support the same fast charging standard which will provide similar charging times |
| Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Both battery types offer similar functionality in this case. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages
- Wide Angle and Depth Lenses: Offers more versatility in photography with wide-angle and depth sensors, allowing more creative shots.
- Slightly Higher RAM (in some variants): Offers up to 6 GB of RAM which can be beneficial for users who multitask more heavily, but this is dependent on the variant.
Motorola Moto G (2023) Advantages
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 480+ chipset and Adreno 619 GPU provide much better overall performance, especially in gaming and demanding tasks.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate offers a more fluid and responsive user experience.
- Superior Display Technology: The IPS LCD provides generally better viewing angles and color accuracy than the PLS LCD.
- Lighter Build: The lighter weight (23g less) makes it more comfortable to hold and carry.
- Better Low Light Performance: Wider aperture on both main and front cameras.
- Digital Image Stabilization & RAW Support: Offers better image stabilization and more flexibility in photo editing.
- Newer Operating System: Comes with Android 13, offering newer features and better security compared to the M12's Android 11.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and dual microphones offering an improved experience
- eSIM Support: Offers more flexibility with dual sim connectivity
Trade-offs
- The Samsung Galaxy M12 offers wide-angle and depth cameras which the Moto G (2023) lacks.
- The Samsung Galaxy M12 in some variants can have 2GB extra RAM but this is dependent on the chosen version of the device.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal User
- Casual photographers: Those who prioritize having wide-angle and depth camera options.
- Budget-conscious users: May be more affordable (depending on variant).
- Users who prefer Samsung's interface and features
- Users who may need the extra ram (depending on model)
Specific Use Cases:
- Capturing landscape photos or group shots with the wide-angle lens.
- Taking portrait shots with a depth effect.
- Casual app usage, light gaming, social media browsing
Motorola Moto G (2023) Ideal User
- Performance-focused users: Those who prioritize smooth and fast performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Users who value a smooth display: Those who prefer higher refresh rates for a fluid user experience.
- Multimedia enthusiasts: Benefit from better audio, video, and color reproduction.
- Users who prefer stock Android: Those who prefer a cleaner and more up-to-date Android experience.
- Users who want enhanced photographic flexibility: Due to the inclusion of RAW image capture and digital image stabilization.
- Users who prefer a more lightweight and ergonomic design.
- Users who may benefit from eSIM capabilities.
Specific Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games with smoother frame rates.
- Consuming video content with vibrant colours and good viewing angles.
- Multitasking between multiple apps without noticeable lag.
- Taking low light photos and editing them afterwards.
Price-to-Value Ratio
The Motorola Moto G (2023) offers a much better price-to-value ratio for the majority of users due to its superior performance, display, and modern software. The Samsung Galaxy M12's main advantage is its extra camera lenses and potentially slightly higher ram, but its overall performance is significantly lacking when compared to the Moto G (2023).
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance and smooth multitasking to you? (The Moto G (2023) excels here.)
- How much do you value versatile camera capabilities, specifically wide angle and depth lenses? (The Galaxy M12 provides more lenses but the Moto G (2023) offers better raw image editing and image stabilization.)
- How important is a modern, fluid display? (The Moto G (2023) with 120Hz has a better experience here.)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User on a Tight Budget: If budget is the absolute primary concern, and you don't need high performance or the smoothest experience, the Galaxy M12 might be adequate. However, the Motorola Moto G (2023) is worth the extra investment for a better overall experience.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Heavy App User: The Motorola Moto G (2023) is far better suited for gaming and heavy app usage due to its better processor, GPU, and RAM.
- Scenario 3: Casual Photographer who likes a wide range of lenses: The Samsung Galaxy M12 offers additional lenses however if image stabilization and raw editing flexibility is desired the Moto G (2023) is a better fit.
- Scenario 4: User who wants a smooth and more responsive device: The 120Hz refresh rate of the Moto G (2023) provides a much better and fluid user experience.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Moto G (2023). While the Samsung Galaxy M12 has some extra camera lenses and potentially more ram in some versions, the overall benefits of the Moto G (2023) are much more significant for a better user experience. The significantly better performance, smoother 120Hz display, lighter build, better image quality, and more up-to-date Android version make it a superior choice for most users. The vastly improved performance provided by the Motorola is not worth sacrificing for extra camera lenses that will not be used in most scenarios and a higher ram that does not make up for the huge difference in performance between the two phones. The addition of stereo speakers, dual microphones and eSIM support also make it a better choice.
