Samsung Galaxy M12 vs Motorola Moto G71 5G - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date April 30, 2021 January 19, 2022
Release Year 2021 2022

Physical

Volume 120.74 cm³ 101.26 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.07 "/g 3.58 "/g
Weight 212 g 179 g
Height 164 mm 161.2 mm
Width 75.9 mm 73.9 mm
Thickness 9.7 mm 8.5 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Blue
  • Green
  • Neptune Green
  • Arctic Blue
  • Iron Black

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.4 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 81.9 % 83 %
Pixel Density 270 PPI 411 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz N/A
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 122.07 mAh/in²
Battery Density 41.41 mAh/cm³ 49.38 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Exynos 850 (8 nm) Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
GPU Mali-G52 Adreno 619

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 11
Maximum OS Version 12

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy M12Motorola Moto G71 5GPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions164 x 75.9 x 9.7 mm161.2 x 73.9 x 8.5 mmThe Moto G71 5G is more compact, making it easier to handle and pocket. The M12 is noticeably thicker and larger, which might feel less comfortable for extended use.
Weight212g179gThe Moto G71 5G is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and carrying around.
Display
Size6.5"6.4"Minimal difference; both are large enough for comfortable media consumption.
Resolution720x16001080x2400The Moto G71 5G offers a much sharper and clearer display with higher pixel density, resulting in less pixelation and a better viewing experience.
Pixel Density (PPI)270411The Moto G71 5G display will appear significantly sharper, with finer details and clearer text.
TechnologyPLS LCDAMOLEDThe Moto G71 5G's AMOLED screen delivers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast. It will appear more vibrant and have better viewing angles.
Refresh Rate90Hz60HzThe Galaxy M12 offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations. However, the display technology is not as good as Moto G71 5G.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsBoth phones have similar peak brightness, but the practical display brightness is affected by the display technology used (LCD vs. AMOLED). Note: Brightness is missing, and can not be compared.
Performance
ChipsetExynos 850 (8 nm)Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)The Moto G71 5G's chipset is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
AnTuTu Score117,341396,564The Moto G71 5G offers a much more fluid and responsive experience. The Galaxy M12 may struggle with demanding apps and multitasking.
GPUMali-G52Adreno 619The Adreno 619 in Moto G71 5G will provide better graphics performance, resulting in smoother gameplay and faster rendering.
Battery
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhBoth phones offer comparable battery capacity for all-day use.
Charging15W Fast Charging33W Fast ChargingThe Moto G71 5G charges much faster, reducing downtime.
Camera
Main Camera48MP, f/2.0, 1/2" sensor50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensorThe Moto G71 5G has a wider aperture, allowing more light for low-light shots. Galaxy M12 has a larger sensor which can capture more light, and will be better in low light.
Selfie Camera8MP, f/2.216MP, f/2.2, 1.00 µm pixel sizeThe Moto G71 5G provides sharper selfies with more detail due to the higher resolution and larger pixel size.
Wide Angle Lens5MP, f/2.28MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel sizeThe Moto G71 5G has a higher resolution wide-angle camera, allowing for more detailed wide-angle photos.
Portrait Mode2MP Depth SensorNoSamsung M12 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots. Motorola does not.
Macro Lens2MP, f/2.42MP, f/2.4Comparable Macro lenses in both phones.
Video Recording1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fpsThe Moto G71 5G offers the option of recording at 60fps, resulting in smoother video, also offering slow-motion.
Camera FeaturesQuadruple Camera, PDAFTriple Camera, Digital Image Stabilization, Laser AF, RAWThe Moto G71 5G offers Optical Zoom and digital image stabilization for better photos and videos. The M12 provides more camera modules but potentially less effective image processing.
Software
OSAndroid 11Android 11 (upgradeable to 12)The Moto G71 5G is potentially better because it has available OS upgrade.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi802.11b/g/n802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-bandThe Moto G71 5G supports faster Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 5), offering faster and more reliable internet speeds, as well as dual band for less interference.
BluetoothBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.0 LEBoth have the same version, but the Moto G71 5G supports Low Energy for better battery efficiency.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeidouGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, GalileoThe Moto G71 5G offers more precise location tracking with additional satellite support.
SIMDual SIM Dual StandbyDual SIM Dual StandbyBoth have dual SIM capabilities.
Storage
Internal32/64/128 GB128 GBBoth have 128GB options. The M12 also has lower capacity versions.
RAM3/4/6 GB6/8 GBThe Moto G71 5G provides more RAM, which will improve multitasking and app performance.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone has expandable storage.
Audio
QualityBasicDolby Atmos, 2 microphonesThe Moto G71 5G will provide better audio quality due to Dolby Atmos and enhanced voice recording.
Security
FeaturesSide-mounted fingerprint sensorRear-mounted fingerprint sensorBoth offer fingerprint security, but the location is different; side-mounted is sometimes faster/more practical.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Motorola Moto G71 5G Advantages:

  • Superior Display: AMOLED panel with higher resolution and pixel density offers a much better viewing experience with more vibrant colors and sharper images.
  • Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 695 5G chipset provides significantly faster processing, making apps, multitasking, and gaming smoother and more responsive.
  • Faster Charging: 33W fast charging is much quicker than 15W, reducing battery charging time significantly.
  • Better Camera Capabilities: While the main camera sensor size is smaller, it benefits from better low-light performance due to the wider aperture. The higher resolution selfie and wide-angle cameras capture more detailed photos, and the inclusion of features like digital image stabilization and RAW support enhance the photography experience, and video recording at 60fps.
  • Better Audio: Dolby Atmos and dual microphones offer superior audio experience for media and calls.
  • Better Connectivity: Offers faster Wi-Fi standards and more satellite support for precise location.
  • More RAM: Having up to 8GB, the device allows for more applications running at the same time.
  • Software Updates: Has the possibility to be upgraded to Android 12

Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:

  • Slightly Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate provides a marginally smoother scrolling and animation experience, although it does not make up for the worse display technology.
  • Depth Sensor: A dedicated 2MP depth sensor for portrait mode photos.
  • Side-Mounted Fingerprint: Is sometimes faster and more convenient than rear-mounted sensors

Trade-offs:

  • The Moto G71 5G has a slightly smaller display (6.4" vs 6.5") but this is largely offset by superior quality and sharpness.
  • The Samsung Galaxy M12 might be less expensive.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal User for Motorola Moto G71 5G:

  • Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos, movies, and TV shows. The AMOLED display and better audio will greatly enhance the experience.
  • Gamers: The significantly faster processor and better GPU will offer a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience, as well as more RAM for running applications.
  • Social Media Users: Those who frequently take and share photos and videos will appreciate the improved camera quality and features.
  • Power Users: Those who need smooth multitasking, fast app loading, and good all-around performance.
  • Users who prioritize charging speed.
  • Users who expect longer device support and OS upgrades.

Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy M12:

  • Basic Smartphone Users: Those who primarily use their phone for calling, texting, and light browsing, and are on a tight budget.
  • Users who want a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
  • Users who prioritize a large battery and less demanding activities.
  • Users who want a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots.

Use Cases:

  • Moto G71 5G:
    • Streaming high-definition videos on the go.
    • Playing graphically intensive mobile games.
    • Taking detailed photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
    • Using GPS navigation for travel.
    • Daily multitasking between several applications.
  • Samsung Galaxy M12:
    • Browsing social media and websites.
    • Making and receiving calls.
    • Using basic apps.
    • Taking basic photos and videos.
    • Using portrait mode on photos.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • While pricing was not provided, the Motorola Moto G71 5G generally offers a better price-to-value ratio due to its much stronger performance, superior display, and better camera.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. How important is display quality for you? (If you prioritize vibrant colors and sharp images, the Moto G71 5G's AMOLED screen is a clear winner.)
  2. What is your primary use case? (If you are a heavy gamer or multitasker, the Moto G71 5G's faster processor is necessary. If basic use is sufficient, you can potentially save money with the M12.)
  3. How crucial is fast charging for your lifestyle? (The Moto G71 5G offers significantly faster charging, which is useful if you need quick top-ups.)

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: "I want the best possible display and performance for my budget."
    • Recommendation: Motorola Moto G71 5G is the superior choice for performance and display.
  • Scenario 2: "I need a phone for basic tasks and don't care much about performance or camera quality."
    • Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy M12 can handle basic tasks and is a budget option.
  • Scenario 3: "I want a good balance of features and future-proofing."
    • Recommendation: The Motorola Moto G71 5G offers a much more balanced, modern and future-proof set of features, thanks to it's chipset, display, camera and charging speed.

Personal Choice

If I were choosing, I would pick the Motorola Moto G71 5G. The significantly superior display, processing power, faster charging and better camera quality outweigh the slightly smoother refresh rate of the M12. The experience of using the AMOLED display and a much faster processor on the Moto G71 5G would greatly enhance my daily usage, especially for media consumption, gaming and photography. The inclusion of features like Dolby Atmos and digital image stabilization are also major advantages. The device is more future proof thanks to more RAM, a better chipset, better connectivity and software updates. While the Samsung Galaxy M12 is a budget-friendly option, the Moto G71 5G represents a much better value overall if the budget allows.

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.

Key Strengths:

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