Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy M12 vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022)
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications of the Samsung Galaxy M12 and Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022), focusing on their practical impact:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 168.9 × 75.8 × 9.3 mm | The Moto G Stylus 5G is slightly taller and thinner. The difference in size is noticeable, but not significant. |
| Weight | 212g | 215g | Both phones have virtually identical weight and will feel similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | The Moto G Stylus 5G offers a slightly larger screen which is better for media consumption and multitasking |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2460 | The Moto G Stylus 5G has a significantly sharper display with more detail and text clarity. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 395 | The Moto G Stylus 5G provides a clearer and more detailed display, making images and text look much sharper |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | The Moto G Stylus 5G has a better display technology with slightly better color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Moto G Stylus 5G will feel slightly smoother when scrolling and playing supported games. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have the same brightness. The actual brightness will depend on the specific panel and will affect viewing in bright sunlight conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | The Snapdragon 695 offers much better performance, providing a more responsive experience and better gaming capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 385,000 | The Moto G Stylus 5G has significantly higher performance, meaning faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 619 | The Adreno 619 in the Moto G Stylus 5G provides superior graphics capabilities, which will be evident in gaming and other graphics-intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer similar battery life and endurance. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | No Fast Charging specified | The Samsung Galaxy M12 provides slightly faster charging. This can save time, especially when in a hurry. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | The Moto G Stylus 5G has a slightly better aperture and 2 MP higher resolution, while Samsung has a larger sensor. The overall picture quality will depend on real-world testing. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.0 µm | The Moto G Stylus 5G has a higher resolution front camera, which is better for selfies and video calls. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | The Moto G Stylus 5G has a higher resolution for wider shots. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung has an additional dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. The Moto G Stylus relies on software for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | Both cameras are similar on paper, though the larger pixel size on Moto might provide better macro shots. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | The Moto G Stylus 5G has a slight edge for video recording with an option of 60fps and EIS. |
| Features | PDAF, Quad Camera | OIS, Night Mode, Triple Camera | The Samsung offers PDAF for faster focus. The Moto has OIS for less shaky video, Night mode for low light and better camera. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | The Moto G Stylus 5G offers a newer version of Android out of the box, which may have feature and security benefits. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | The Moto G Stylus 5G supports more modern Wi-Fi standards which may provide faster and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | The Moto G Stylus 5G has a slightly newer version of Bluetooth with improved power efficiency and audio features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The Moto G Stylus 5G has more precise and stable location with additional satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Single SIM | The Samsung Galaxy M12 is more practical for users needing to use 2 SIMs simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 256 GB | The Moto G Stylus 5G offers more storage out of the box for media. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 8 GB | The Moto G Stylus 5G will be better at multitasking with significantly more RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows additional storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | 2 microphones | The Moto G Stylus 5G has an advantage in audio capture quality with two microphones. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Dual SIM Support: The M12 is ideal for users who need to manage two phone numbers simultaneously.
- Fast Charging: Offers 15W fast charging.
- Dedicated depth sensor: For improved portrait mode shots.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 695 chipset provides a massive boost in performance for smoother usage and better gaming.
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, 120Hz refresh rate, and IPS LCD technology result in a sharper and smoother visual experience.
- More RAM and Storage: 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage ensure better multitasking and more space for media.
- Better Front and Wide Cameras: Higher resolution cameras offer better selfies and wide angle shots.
- Better video recording: Offers video recording at 60fps with EIS.
- Newer OS: ships with Android 12 for potential feature and security updates.
- Improved Audio Capture: The addition of a second microphone can help with audio quality.
- More Precise Location: With QZSS, Galileo support.
- Better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: For faster and more stable connections
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) lacks fast charging and dual SIM functionality, unlike the Samsung Galaxy M12.
- The Samsung Galaxy M12 has dedicated depth sensor while Motorola relies on software.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal User:
- Users who need dual SIM support.
- Budget-conscious buyers who need fast charging and are looking for an entry-level smartphone.
- Users who value Samsung’s brand, UI, and ecosystem.
- Users who prioritize a dedicated depth sensor.
Use Cases:
- Basic web browsing, social media, and messaging.
- Basic photo and video capturing.
- Everyday tasks with dual SIM management.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) Ideal User:
- Users who need good performance and smooth multi-tasking.
- Users who value a high-quality display for media consumption, web browsing and gaming.
- Users who take a lot of photos and videos.
- Users who require more storage and ram
- Users who want the latest software.
Use Cases:
- Gaming, media consumption, and multi-tasking.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos.
- Business professionals who need excellent performance for day-to-day tasks.
- Mobile productivity
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy M12 is positioned as an entry-level phone.
- The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) offers superior performance, camera, display and more storage and ram at a higher price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance for me? If performance is a priority for gaming, demanding apps, and smooth multitasking, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) is a better choice.
- Do I need dual SIM functionality? The Samsung Galaxy M12 is essential if you need two active SIM cards, making it suitable for managing personal and work numbers, while Motorola only offers a single SIM option.
- Is display quality a top priority? For users who value a sharp and smooth display for media consumption, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) with its higher resolution, pixel density, and refresh rate is preferable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget Conscious User - If you are on a very tight budget and need basic smartphone functionalities, the Samsung Galaxy M12 is suitable because of its lower price tag and fast charging capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Media Enthusiast - If you frequently play games, watch videos, or multitask, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022)'s superior performance, display, and camera quality make it the better option.
- Scenario 3: Dual SIM user - If you need dual sim support, the Samsung M12 is the only option for you between the two.
- Scenario 4: Photography and Videography - For users who often capture photos and videos, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022)'s better main camera, selfie camera, wide camera, and video capabilities, combined with optical stabilization, makes it the better choice.
Personal Choice
I would choose the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022). While both phones have their merits, the Motorola offers a significantly better overall experience due to its superior performance, display, cameras and storage. The higher refresh rate makes the UI and apps feel very fluid. The added RAM is also very beneficial for modern apps and multitasking, making it the more future-proof option of the two. Although the Samsung Galaxy M12 offers dual sim support and fast charging, the overall user experience with Motorola wins me over.
