Samsung Galaxy M12 vs Motorola Moto G32 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date April 30, 2021 August 16, 2022
Release Year 2021 2022

Physical

Volume 120.74 cm³ 101.5 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.07 "/g 3.53 "/g
Weight 212 g 184 g
Height 164 mm 161.8 mm
Width 75.9 mm 73.8 mm
Thickness 9.7 mm 8.5 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Blue
  • Green
  • Mineral Grey
  • Satin Silver
  • Rose Gold

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.5 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 81.9 % 85.4 %
Pixel Density 270 PPI 405 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 118.34 mAh/in² 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 41.41 mAh/cm³ 49.26 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Exynos 850 (8 nm) Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver)
GPU Mali-G52 Adreno 610

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 11 12
Maximum OS Version 13

Comparison Summary

Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy M12 vs. Motorola Moto G32

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy M12Motorola Moto G32Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm161.8 × 73.8 × 8.5 mmMoto G32 is more compact and thinner, likely easier to handle and pocket.
Weight212g184gMoto G32 is significantly lighter, enhancing comfort during extended use.
Display
Size6.5"6.5"Both have the same screen size; screen real estate is comparable.
Resolution720x16001080x2400Moto G32 has a much sharper display; text and images will appear clearer.
PPI270405Moto G32 has noticeably higher pixel density, resulting in a more detailed and crisp picture.
TechnologyPLS LCDIPS LCDMoto G32's IPS LCD often offers better viewing angles and color accuracy than PLS LCD, leading to an enhanced visual experience.
Refresh Rate90Hz90HzBoth provide smoother scrolling and animations than standard 60Hz displays.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsPeak brightness not specified for either phone. This could affect outdoor visibility.
Performance
ChipsetExynos 850 (8 nm)Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)Snapdragon 680 is more powerful, translating to quicker app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
AnTuTu Score117,341249,000Moto G32 has a significantly higher benchmark score, indicating superior overall performance.
GPUMali-G52Adreno 610Adreno 610 is generally better for gaming, meaning smoother gameplay and better graphics rendering.
Camera
Main Camera Resolution48MP50MPMoto G32 has slightly higher resolution for potentially more detail in photos.
Main Camera Aperturef/2.0f/1.8Moto G32's wider aperture allows more light, which should improve low-light photos.
Main Camera Sensor Size1/2"1/2.76"Samsung M12 has a larger sensor, which can capture more light, but the difference is not significant.
Selfie Camera Resolution8MP16MPMoto G32 captures more detailed selfies.
Wide Angle Camera Resolution5MP8MPMoto G32's wide-angle lens captures more detail.
Wide Angle Camera Aperturef/2.2f/2.0Moto G32's wider aperture on its wide-angle lens should provide slightly better low-light performance
Portrait Mode (depth)2MPN/ASamsung M12 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode; Moto G32 relies on software.
Macro Lens Resolution2MP2MPBoth have similar macro lens resolution.
Video Recording1080p@30fps1080p@30fpsBoth record similar video quality.
Slow-motionNoYes (120 fps)Moto G32 can capture slow-motion footage for creative effects.
Camera FeaturesQuadruple camera, PDAF, HDR, etc.Triple camera, Digital Image Stabilization, LAF, RAW, HDR, etcMoto G32 has additional stabilization and a RAW mode for more control, while Samsung has an additional camera.
Battery
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhBoth offer similar battery life, expected to last a full day for most users.
Charging15W Fast Charging30W Fast ChargingMoto G32 charges significantly faster, allowing for quicker power-ups.
Software
OSAndroid 11Android 12 (upgradable to 13)Moto G32 has a more up-to-date Android version with potentially better features and security.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi802.11b/g/n802.11a/b/g/n/acMoto G32 supports faster Wi-Fi standards (802.11ac), offering better speeds on compatible networks.
Bluetooth5.05.2Moto G32 uses a newer version of Bluetooth which is more energy-efficient
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeidouGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, GalileoMoto G32 has more GPS systems for better location accuracy
Storage
Internal Storage32/64/128 GB64/128/256 GBMoto G32 offers more storage options, with a 256GB configuration for users with more media
RAM3/4/6 GB4/6/8 GBMoto G32 offers a higher RAM option for smoother multitasking.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone supports microSD card expansion.
Audio
Audio FeaturesBasicDolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphonesMoto G32 provides a far superior audio experience for media consumption and calls.
Security
Fingerprint SensorSide-mountedSide-mountedBoth provide basic biometric security.
Sensors
SensorsFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, GyroscopeFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, GyroscopeMotorola has a built-in compass, useful for navigation and augmented reality applications.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Motorola Moto G32 Advantages:

  • Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution and pixel density, offering a sharper and more detailed viewing experience. IPS LCD technology provides better colors and viewing angles.
  • Better Performance: More powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset and higher AnTuTu score, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
  • Faster Charging: 30W fast charging speeds, significantly faster than the Samsung M12.
  • Better Cameras: Higher-resolution front and wide-angle cameras, better aperture in the main and wide-angle cameras for better low-light photos, slow-motion video capture capabilities, and RAW mode for more advanced photography.
  • Up-to-date software: Ships with a newer Android version and is upgradable to a newer version of Android.
  • Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and dual microphones provide a much better audio experience than the basic audio features in the M12.
  • More Storage: Offers a higher 256GB storage option.
  • More RAM: Offers a higher 8GB RAM option.
  • More GPS systems: Better location accuracy and reliability.

Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:

  • Dedicated Depth Sensor: Offers a dedicated portrait mode camera; this may give slightly better bokeh effects over software-based portrait mode.
  • Quadruple Camera: Having an additional lens.
  • Additional Bluetooth Features: Has additional Bluetooth features, which might be important for some specific use cases.
  • Larger Main Camera Sensor: Has a larger main camera sensor.

Trade-offs:

  • Moto G32: Sacrifices the portrait depth sensor for a more powerful all-around camera system and improved audio features.
  • Samsung M12: The larger main sensor might give it a slight advantage in some photography scenarios, but it falls significantly behind the Moto G32 in terms of overall camera quality, performance, and screen resolution.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy M12:

  • Basic Smartphone Users: Those who need a phone for calls, basic social media, and simple tasks.
  • Budget-Conscious Shoppers: Users who want a device with a large battery without needing top-end features.

Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy M12:

  • Light Everyday Tasks: Web browsing, email, and messaging.
  • Long Battery Life Focus: Users who prioritize battery over performance for basic tasks.

Ideal Users for Motorola Moto G32:

  • Multimedia Consumers: Those who watch videos, listen to music, and play games on their phones.
  • Social Media Enthusiasts: Users who take lots of photos and videos and want better image quality and features.
  • Performance Seekers: Those who need fast app loading, smoother multitasking, and responsive gaming.

Specific Use Cases for Motorola Moto G32:

  • Gaming: The better chipset and GPU make gaming smoother and more enjoyable.
  • Content Creation: The improved cameras and slow-motion video mode are better suited for social media content.
  • Entertainment: Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos provide a far superior experience for watching videos and listening to music.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • The Moto G32 offers a better value overall. While it might cost slightly more, the significantly better display, faster charging, enhanced audio, and performance enhancements make it worth the extra investment for the majority of users.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. How important is display quality? If a sharp and detailed display is a priority, the Moto G32 is a much better choice.
  2. Do you prioritize battery life or performance? While both have similar battery capacity, the Moto G32 has faster charging.
  3. How much do you use your phone for media consumption or gaming? The Moto G32's superior audio, processing power, and display make it the superior option for these activities.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Budget-Constrained, Basic Needs: If your budget is very tight and you only need a phone for basic communication, the Samsung Galaxy M12 is acceptable; but the difference in price is likely less than the difference in quality.
  • Scenario 2: Multimedia User, Moderate Budget: The Motorola Moto G32 is the clear winner with its superior display, audio, and performance.
  • Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast on a Budget: The Moto G32 also offers a better all-around camera experience with more features and higher resolution on the front-facing camera.

My Choice

If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Motorola Moto G32. The advantages of the Moto G32 are significant and impactful for daily use. The dramatically superior display quality, better performance, faster charging, enhanced audio, and better camera capabilities greatly outweigh the minor advantages of the Samsung Galaxy M12. The Moto G32 provides a much better user experience across the board, making it worth any potential price difference. For the vast majority of users, it provides a superior experience in almost every measurable way.

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.

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