Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 and the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023). I’ll be breaking down the specs, explaining what they mean for you, and helping you decide which phone might be the better fit.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these two devices stack up, focusing on what the specifications mean for real-world usage:
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm | 162.8 x 73.8 x 9.2 mm | Redmi Note 12 is slightly taller and wider, but the Moto G Stylus is thicker. |
| Weight | 188g | 202g | Redmi Note 12 is lighter, which may be noticeable during longer use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.6" | Very similar screen sizes; negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both offer a sharp and clear display. |
| PPI | 395 | 399 | Practically identical sharpness; both appear crisp to the eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Significant difference: AMOLED offers superior blacks, contrast, and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | Major advantage for Redmi Note 12: Much better visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 | Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) has a more powerful and efficient chipset. |
| AnTuTu Score | 460,800 | 565,000 | Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) is noticeably faster in everyday tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 710 | Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) has a better GPU for gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.88 | Moto G Stylus has a higher-resolution sensor with larger individual pixels, potentially capturing more light and detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45 | 16MP, f/2.5 | Moto G Stylus has a higher-resolution selfie camera, useful for video calls and selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | N/A | Redmi Note 12 has a dedicated wide angle lens, allowing for more versatile landscape and group photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Redmi Note 12 offers a dedicated Macro lens for close up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2 | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) provides combined functionality into a single lens. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) can record in higher resolution and frame rates, better for video enthusiasts. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes (OIS) | Moto G Stylus has Optical Image Stabilization, resulting in smoother video recordings. |
| DxoMark Score | 69 (Mobile) | N/A | Redmi Note 12 was tested with decent results in Dxomark, Moto G Stylus doesn't have a score. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should provide similar battery life for typical usage. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 20W fast charging | Redmi Note 12 charges significantly faster. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13 | Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) has a more updated OS out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) is equipped with a newer Wi-Fi standard, supporting faster and more efficient connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) features newer Bluetooth standards. |
| GPS | More satellite systems | More satellite systems | Redmi Note 12 supports a larger number of satellite systems for more accurate location tracking, while Moto G Stylus supports a newer set of satellite bands. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Single SIM | Redmi Note 12 can handle 2 SIMs simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both offer similar storage configurations. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Both are similar for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | Moto G Stylus has significantly better audio quality with stereo speakers, spatial audio and dual mics for noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both offer standard biometric fingerprint unlock. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Redmi Note 12 has better scratch and impact protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Motion, Proximity | Biometric, Motion, Proximity | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 has a Compass and Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual Sensor, while Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) offers Proximity, Hall, and Geomagnetic sensors. |
| ### 2. Key Insights |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12:
- Strengths:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED panel offers significantly better image quality, especially for watching videos or enjoying vivid colors.
- Brighter Screen: 1200 nits brightness makes it much easier to use outdoors in direct sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging is a nice upgrade compared to 20W, reducing charging time.
- Triple Camera: The additional ultrawide and macro lens provide flexibility in photography.
- More satellite systems: Provides better location tracking using more systems.
- Trade-offs:
- Older Processor: The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 is less powerful than the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, impacting overall performance.
- Older Software: Ships with Android 12, while the Motorola has Android 13.
- Single speaker: The audio system is very basic, and does not compare to the Moto's dual speakers.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023):
- Strengths:
- Better Performance: The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset provides a noticeable boost in speed and smoothness.
- Higher Quality Video: The ability to shoot in 4K with OIS is a major advantage for video recording.
- Stereo Speakers: Features dual speakers and Dolby Atmos support, offering a better audio experience.
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 13, ensuring a more current user experience.
- Bluetooth 5.2: The newer bluetooth standards enables better audio, more stable connections.
- Combined wide angle and macro lens: This functionality combines two lenses into one, making it easier to use.
- Trade-offs:
- IPS LCD Display: The display is not as vibrant or as power-efficient as the AMOLED in the Redmi Note 12.
- Slower Charging: 20W charging is slower, meaning longer waits for a full battery.
- Heavier Phone: It is 14g heavier than the Xiaomi.
- Single SIM: Only one SIM card can be used at a time.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is best for:
- Users who prioritize display quality and brightness, such as media consumers and outdoor users.
- Those who need a fast-charging device for quick top-ups.
- Users who like taking different types of photos using dedicated lenses.
- Those who need Dual-SIM functionality.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) is best for:
- Users seeking a smooth and responsive experience, particularly for gaming or multi-tasking.
- Video creators or those who frequently use their phones for video capture.
- Users who want a better audio experience with stereo speakers.
- Those who need a newer version of Android.
- People who prefer the combined wide angle and macro lens.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you choose, ask yourself these three questions:
- How much do I value display quality? If deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent outdoor visibility are crucial, the Redmi Note 12's AMOLED screen is a winner.
- Is performance or video quality more important to me? If a smooth experience and higher-quality videos matter most, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) is the better option.
- What is my preferred audio system and do I need dual-SIM functionality? If great stereo audio and the functionality to add two sims are important, then you should be choosing between those features.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Media Enthusiast: If you spend hours watching videos on your phone, go with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 for its AMOLED display.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer: For a more fluid gaming experience, choose the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) with its more powerful processor.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User: If you value a balance between performance, software, and features, consider the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) due to its balanced feature set.
- Scenario 4: Photographer: The Xiaomi is better for diverse photography due to its dedicated macro and wide-angle lens, and good performance using it's triple lens system. The Motorola has a better main sensor but overall less flexibility in lenses.
- Scenario 5: Business User: The Xiaomi may be better due to its dual sim capacity, and it's overall good performance in everyday apps and features.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I’d lean towards the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023). Although the AMOLED screen of the Xiaomi is tempting, the overall user experience that the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 offers, combined with the upgraded video capabilities, newer software and enhanced audio is compelling for my use case. The better processor and newer Bluetooth standards would be key for a smoother everyday usage, and while I'll miss the extra flexibility of having an extra lens on the Xiaomi's camera, the overall quality that the Motorola delivers is more important to me. Plus, the Stereo Speakers of the Motorola will give a much better overall audio experience, which is something I really appreciate.
