1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy M12 and Motorola Moto G23, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Moto G23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 162.7 × 74.7 × 8.2 mm | The Moto G23 is slightly smaller and thinner, making it more pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use. The M12 is noticeably thicker and has a larger volume. |
| Weight | 212g | 184.3g | The Moto G23 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less tiring to hold. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Moto G23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Both phones have the same screen size, suitable for media consumption and general use. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Both have the same HD+ resolution. While adequate, the pixel density will not be ideal for sharp text and graphics. |
| PPI | 270 | 270 | Both phones offer similar sharpness, not the best in the market but acceptable for most users. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS LCD generally provides better viewing angles and color reproduction than PLS LCD, resulting in slightly richer and more accurate colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both phones have a smoother scrolling and animation compared to standard 60Hz displays, improving the general responsiveness and perceived fluidity. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | The brightness is unknown which is a major spec to be missing. This information is crucial for outdoor visibility. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Moto G23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | The Helio G85 is significantly more powerful. Expect the Moto G23 to perform better with games, multitasking, and more demanding apps. The 8nm process in the Exynos 850 should technically be more power efficient, but the overall performance deficit is significant. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 225,154 | The Moto G23 benchmark score is almost double that of the Galaxy M12, suggesting the Moto G23 will feel much faster in day-to-day tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G52 MC2 | The Mali-G52 MC2 in the Moto G23 is a slightly more capable version, leading to better graphics performance, especially in games. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Moto G23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.64µm | The Moto G23's main camera has a wider aperture allowing for better low-light performance and the slightly higher megapixel count should allow for more detailed pictures. The smaller pixel size would lead to lower individual light capture but the overall sensor performance is likely superior with the better aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.5, 1.00µm | The Moto G23 has a significantly higher resolution selfie camera, which is great for detailed selfies and video calls. The larger pixel size means it will likely capture more light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Both have a similar wide-angle lens for group photos and landscape shots. |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Galaxy M12 offers a dedicated depth sensor which will improve portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both devices have a low res macro lens. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, No stabilization, No Slow-mo | 1080p@30fps, Digital Stabilization, 120fps Slow-mo | The Moto G23 offers digital video stabilization for smoother footage and has a slow motion mode. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Moto G23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer a large battery capacity, suitable for a full day of moderate use. |
| Charging | 15W | 30W | The Moto G23 charges much faster, reducing downtime significantly. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both devices have a non-removable battery design. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Moto G23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | The Moto G23 has a more recent version of Android with newer features and security updates, resulting in a better overall user experience and security. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Moto G23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n | 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11n 5GHz, 802.11ac | The Moto G23 supports dual-band Wi-Fi and newer standards, providing faster and more stable wireless internet connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | The Moto G23 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version. Both have good overall bluetooth connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | The Moto G23 offers more satellite systems which should be beneficial to location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones offer dual SIM capability. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Moto G23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 64/128 GB | Both phones offer good storage options for apps and files. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 4/8 GB | The Moto G23 offers up to 8GB of RAM, which will provide better performance when multitasking and for demanding apps, the lowest RAM spec on the M12 is also very low at only 3GB of RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither of these phones can have their storage expanded. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Moto G23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Moto G23 offers a much richer audio experience with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Moto G23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both have side mounted fingerprint sensors for convenient access. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Moto G23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have unknown screen protection which can influence durability and susceptibility to damage. |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Moto G23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Both devices have a fairly standard sensor setup. The Galaxy M12 also includes a hall sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a breakdown of the key advantages of each phone:
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Dedicated depth sensor: The portrait mode will likely be better due to the inclusion of a depth sensor.
- Hall Sensor: This is beneficial for some applications such as magnetic cases.
Motorola Moto G23 Advantages:
- Significantly better performance: The Helio G85 chipset and higher AnTuTu score translate to a noticeably faster and smoother experience.
- Superior display technology: IPS LCD offers better viewing angles and color accuracy.
- Faster charging: 30W charging is significantly faster than the M12's 15W.
- Better main and selfie cameras: The larger aperture and higher megapixel counts on the main and selfie camera will offer better picture quality and low-light performance.
- More modern OS: Ships with Android 13, providing the latest features and security updates.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers provide a better media experience.
- Better video recording: Offers digital stabilization and slow-motion capabilities.
- More RAM: Up to 8GB of RAM will result in better multitasking.
- Better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Newer standards and technologies.
Practical Implications and Trade-offs:
- The Moto G23 is the clear winner for performance, and multimedia usage, especially with the better display, stereo speakers and enhanced video features.
- The Galaxy M12 has only one notable advantage in camera capabilities due to the inclusion of the dedicated portrait camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12:
- Ideal User: Someone on a very tight budget who needs a large screen and decent battery life for basic tasks. Not suitable for gamers or heavy app users.
- Use Cases: Basic web browsing, social media, casual media consumption, basic camera use.
- Price-to-Value: This device would need to be priced very competitively for it to be viable compared to the Motorola.
Motorola Moto G23:
- Ideal User: Users seeking good performance for daily use, light gaming, and media consumption at an affordable price.
- Use Cases: Smooth multitasking, light gaming, streaming media, taking photos and videos, using GPS.
- Price-to-Value: Offers much better performance and features for a mid-range smartphone.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions buyers should consider:
- How important is performance? If you need a fast and responsive phone for gaming and multitasking, the Moto G23 is the clear choice. If basic usage is all you need, the M12 will be sufficient, however, the G23 is still the superior choice in this scenario due to its advantages in screen technology, charging, and camera.
- Do you heavily use your camera? The Moto G23 has the advantage in the main and selfie camera, which will perform better in most scenarios. However, if you require a dedicated portrait sensor, the Galaxy M12 may be preferred.
- What is your budget? If you are on an extremely tight budget and cannot afford the G23, the M12 is the budget alternative, however, the better value is on the G23.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: If budget is the primary concern and you only need basic features, the Samsung Galaxy M12 might be an option, although you'll be sacrificing a lot of performance and features. However, I would still opt for the G23 over the M12 due to the significant upgrade in many aspects, the M12 provides too many trade-offs in key aspects.
- Everyday User: If you want a phone that performs well for everyday use, handles some gaming, and provides a superior multimedia experience, the Motorola Moto G23 is the best choice.
- Camera-Focused User: While the Motorola's main camera is superior, the portrait camera on the M12 might be more beneficial to users who take portrait shots on a regular basis. For most users, the camera system is superior on the G23.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Moto G23 without hesitation.
Reasons:
- Superior Performance: The significantly higher AnTuTu score and more powerful chipset translate to a much smoother and more responsive experience.
- Better Display: The IPS LCD provides better viewing angles and color accuracy.
- Faster Charging: The 30W fast charging is a significant advantage, reducing downtime.
- Better Camera: While the M12 has a portrait sensor, the superior lens and sensor on the G23 will likely perform better in most conditions.
- Modern OS and Connectivity: Android 13 and better Wi-Fi/Bluetooth are worth the investment.
- Enhanced Audio: The addition of stereo speakers is significant for my media consumption.
The Samsung Galaxy M12 simply does not offer enough advantages to outweigh the clear benefits of the Moto G23, unless you're on a very very tight budget and specifically need the portrait depth sensor and are willing to accept all other significant trade-offs. The Moto G23 provides the better all-round experience for most users and is superior value for the price.
