Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy M12 vs. Motorola Moto G51 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 170.5 × 76.5 × 9.1 mm | Moto G51 is taller, M12 is slightly thicker. |
| Weight | 212g | 208g | Virtually identical weight; negligible difference in hand feel. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | Moto G51 offers a slightly larger viewing area for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Moto G51 has a noticeably sharper display with more detail and clarity. |
| PPI | 270 | 387 | Moto G51's higher pixel density results in crisper text and images. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | Moto G51 generally offers better viewing angles and color reproduction. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Moto G51 provides smoother scrolling and animations for a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is the same; may struggle in direct sunlight (exact values not specified) |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | Moto G51's Snapdragon chipset offers significantly faster processing speeds for apps and games. |
| Antutu Score | 117,341 | 381,000 | Moto G51 delivers considerably better overall performance, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 619 | Moto G51's Adreno GPU is better for graphics-intensive tasks like gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera (Main) | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor | Moto G51 has a wider aperture for better low-light performance. M12 has larger sensor size. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Moto G51 takes higher-resolution selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 5MP, f/2.2 | 8MP | Moto G51 has a higher resolution wide-angle camera. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP | None | M12 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP | Both have macro lenses; Moto G51's has a larger pixel size for better close-up shots. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60/240fps | Moto G51 provides more video options including high frame rate recording |
| Features | Quad camera, PDAF | Triple camera, Laser AF, RAW, PDAF | Moto G51 offers more advanced focus (Laser AF) and greater editing capability (RAW). |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer comparable battery life, suitable for a full day of moderate usage. |
| Charging | 15W, Li-Polymer | 10W, Li-Ion | M12 charges slightly faster. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Moto G51 has a guaranteed upgrade, potentially longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Moto G51 supports newer Wi-Fi standards for faster speeds and more stability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | Moto G51 has a newer version, offering slightly improved energy efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Moto G51 supports more satellite systems for more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 64/128 GB | Moto G51 has a higher maximum storage configuration |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 4/8 GB | Moto G51 has more RAM, better for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage which may be a limiting factor for users with large media libraries. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | Moto G51 offers an improved audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both devices have the same sensor location. |
| Other | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Hall, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Similar sensor suite but M12 adds a Hall Sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G51 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 480+ chipset and higher AnTuTu score lead to significantly better performance in everyday tasks, multitasking, and gaming.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density, along with the superior IPS LCD panel, provide a crisper and more vibrant visual experience. The 120Hz refresh rate adds to smoother interactions
- Better Camera: While sensor sizes differ, the wider aperture, higher resolution for the front camera, and high frame video recording offer better overall photo and video performance and greater flexibility. Laser autofocus and RAW capture enhance flexibility.
- Future-Proof Software: Android 11 with a guaranteed upgrade to 12 offers a more up-to-date and potentially longer software experience.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and dual microphones offer a superior sound experience and voice capture
- Better Connectivity: Newer wifi standards and more precise GPS offer more stability and location accuracy.
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 15W fast charging compared to Moto G51's 10W allows for quicker battery top-ups.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Offers a dedicated depth sensor for more creative portraits.
- Hall Sensor: This feature may be useful for specific applications where a magnetic field needs to be detected.
- Price: Likely to be more affordable than Moto G51 5G.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy M12 trades performance, display quality, and some camera capabilities for faster charging and a dedicated depth sensor with a lower price point.
- Motorola Moto G51 5G prioritizes performance and display quality at the cost of slightly slower charging speed.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritizing affordability and basic smartphone functionality.
- Casual users: Who primarily use their phone for calling, texting, social media, and light browsing.
- Users who don't need high performance and future-proof software: A reliable budget-friendly phone for basic daily use.
Use Cases:
- Daily communication, social media, and basic web browsing.
- Occasional photos and videos.
- Users who value simple features without added bells and whistles.
Motorola Moto G51 5G Ideal User:
- Users seeking smoother performance and a better overall smartphone experience.
- Mobile gamers and media consumers: Who value a high refresh rate display and good gaming performance.
- Enthusiasts: Who prefer the flexibility of enhanced camera and better audio features.
- Users seeking some level of future proofing: A device with a confirmed software upgrade and newer wifi standards.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming, multimedia consumption, and demanding applications.
- Photography and videography, including low-light scenarios.
- Users wanting a fluid, responsive user interface.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy M12 offers good value for basic users on a tight budget, who don't need to be concerned with performance, and can accept compromises in display quality and performance.
- The Motorola Moto G51 5G offers more value for users who want a better performance, display, and camera experience, and the future software updates offer good value for longevity.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is your budget? The M12 will likely be more affordable.
- How important is performance to you? The Moto G51 is far superior in this regard.
- Do you value better display quality and smoothness? The Moto G51 has a superior display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Limited Budget, Basic Use: If you need a budget phone for basic daily tasks, the Samsung Galaxy M12 will suffice, but at the expense of performance and a less smooth experience.
- Scenario 2: Gaming, Media, Photography, and Future-Proofing: If you are looking for a well-rounded phone with good performance, a better display and some future-proofing, the Motorola Moto G51 5G is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Future proofing: If you plan to use the phone for more than a year, the Motorola Moto G51 5G is the best choice because of the software upgrade, more precise GPS, and newer wifi standards.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the Motorola Moto G51 5G. While both phones have similar battery capacity and basic features, the Moto G51 5G offers a significantly better user experience for several key reasons:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 480+ chipset provides a noticeable boost in performance compared to the Exynos 850, which translates to a smoother experience when navigating the phone, using apps, and playing games. The higher Antutu score is a clear indicator of this difference.
- Display: The sharper display with higher resolution, pixel density, IPS technology, and 120Hz refresh rate offers a better viewing experience for content consumption, browsing and overall interaction with the phone.
- Camera: While the main sensors have small differences, the wider aperture, the high frame rate recording, the inclusion of laser autofocus and the RAW capture capability make the Moto G51 camera a better option overall.
- Software: The guarantee of the update to Android 12 means that the Motorola G51 has a longer lifespan in terms of software support, which provides peace of mind and a smoother experience over time.
- Audio: The inclusion of Dolby Atmos and two microphones provide added benefits that the Samsung Galaxy M12 doesn't provide.
- Future Proofing: The newer wifi and GPS standards add to the future proofing of this device, making it a better choice for those who plan to use this phone for more than a year.
Although the Samsung Galaxy M12 offers slightly faster charging and a dedicated depth sensor, I believe the Motorola Moto G51 5G's performance and display advantages outweigh these benefits, making it the better choice for the user profile I identify with, i.e. someone who uses their device to do more than just basic tasks, games occasionally and also appreciates good photography and video capture.
