Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 and the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024). I'll break down the specs, highlight the key differences, and offer some real-world insight into what these phones offer.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table, keeping it real and focused on what matters to you:
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm | 162.6 x 74.8 x 8.3 mm | Redmi Note 12 is slightly taller and wider; Moto G Stylus 5G is a bit thicker. Pocket feel is minimal. |
| Weight | 188g | 190g | Virtually identical, you won’t notice the difference. Both are light enough for comfortable use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Very similar screen sizes; negligibly different. Both offer ample space for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both deliver sharp images and text. No real visual difference in detail. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 395 PPI | Identical sharpness; text and images will appear equally crisp on both screens. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both deliver vibrant colors and deep blacks. AMOLED might offer slightly better contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both. Great for gaming and a fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1200 nits | Both are easily viewable in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6nm) | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) | Moto G Stylus 5G's newer chip is more powerful, offering snappier performance and better efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 460,800 | 514,000 | Moto G Stylus 5G benchmarks about 12% higher; translates to smoother gaming and app loading. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 710 | Moto G Stylus 5G has a more powerful GPU; expect better graphics performance, especially in gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP (f/1.8, 1/2.76") | 50MP (f/1.8, 1/1.56") | Moto G Stylus 5G has a larger sensor; better low-light performance and more detailed images. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP (f/2.45, 1.12µm) | 32MP (f/2.45, 0.7µm) | Moto G Stylus 5G provides much sharper, more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP (f/2.2) | N/A | Redmi Note 12 offers a wide-angle lens for group shots and expansive views. |
| 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 | 13MP (f/2.2) | Moto G Stylus 5G has a combined wide-angle + macro lens for versatility. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, No stabilization | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, Yes stabilization | Moto G Stylus 5G records in 4K with stabilization for higher-quality, more stable footage. |
| DxOMark | Main 69 (Photo 74, Video 49) | N/A | Redmi Note 12 camera scored at 69 by DxOMark; Moto G Stylus 5G is untested. |
| Camera Features | Triple, Digital stabilization, Ultra stable video, RAW | Dual, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Time-Lapse, 4K Video, Dual Capture | Moto G Stylus 5G excels in video, while Redmi Note 12 emphasizes photography. OIS provides better video stability. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery size; expect comparable battery life with moderate usage. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging , 15W wireless | Redmi Note 12 charges slightly faster. Moto G Stylus 5G offers wireless charging, which is a significant bonus. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable , Wireless Charging | Moto G Stylus 5G offers more advanced battery features such as reverse and wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14 (Upgradable to 15) | Moto G Stylus 5G has a newer OS with a guarantee of future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6E (802.11ax) | Moto G Stylus 5G supports faster, more reliable WiFi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 (AAC, LDAC, SBC) | 5.1 (APT-x, LDAC, SBC) | Both offer good Bluetooth audio; Moto G Stylus 5G adds APT-x for higher-quality audio. |
| GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | Moto G Stylus 5G has wider support for satellite systems. Expect better accuracy in location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Moto G Stylus 5G offers an eSIM for more flexible carrier options. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB | Moto G Stylus 5G offers generous storage. Redmi Note 12 has a lower storage variant available |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 8GB | Moto G Stylus 5G comes standard with 8 GB of RAM, ensuring smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither offers storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Moto G Stylus 5G offers enhanced audio experience with spatial audio, stereo speakers and better voice recording. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 has a more advanced fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 additionally features: Ultrasonic proximity virtual; Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) additionally features: Proximity; Comprehensive sensor suite suitable for advanced features and gaming |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Strengths:
- Solid All-Rounder: Offers a good balance of features, including a vibrant AMOLED display, a decent camera, and reliable performance for everyday tasks.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging is a plus for quickly topping up the battery.
- Wide-Angle and Macro Lens: Having dedicated lenses adds versatility for various photographic needs.
- Proven Camera System: Has a tested camera performance (DxOMark) that helps with judging its capacity
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) Strengths:
- More Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip provides a significant boost in performance, making it more suitable for gaming and demanding applications.
- Superior Video Recording: Offers 4K recording and optical image stabilization, making it an excellent choice for video enthusiasts.
- Better Selfie Camera: The 32MP front camera captures much more detailed and clearer selfies.
- Wireless Charging: A rare feature in this class of phone, offering convenience.
- Software Updates: Ships with Android 14, with a guaranteed upgrade to 15, giving it a longer software lifecycle.
- Enhanced Audio Experience: Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and dual microphones greatly enhance audio for media consumption and voice recording.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports the latest WiFi 6E for faster and more efficient wireless connections.
- eSIM Support: Provides greater flexibility for carrier options.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 12: The older chipset can struggle with heavy tasks, and the lack of optical stabilization in video is a disadvantage. Its older Android version also means you might miss out on new features.
- Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024): While it offers a combined wide-angle and macro lens, it lacks dedicated lenses and doesn't have DxOMark test results for camera enthusiasts to rely on, it doesn't have dedicated lenses and doesn't have DxOMark test results for camera enthusiasts to rely on.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is ideal for:
- Casual Users: Those who want a dependable phone for everyday use (social media, browsing, messaging) and are less demanding in terms of performance.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Offers good value, especially for those who prefer a reliable option without breaking the bank.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who take advantage of different lenses and features for photography but don't require high-end video quality.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is ideal for:
- Performance Users: People who need a phone that can handle gaming and resource-intensive applications.
- Video Creators: Those who require high-quality video capabilities with optical stabilization.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who value features like wireless charging, latest OS, modern connectivity, and superior audio experience.
- Travelers: Those who want the flexibility to easily switch carriers with an eSIM option.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- How important is gaming or performance? If you game often or need to run heavy apps, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is the clear winner. If you mostly browse social media and email, the Redmi Note 12 will do just fine.
- Do you prioritize video quality and stabilization? The Motorola's 4K video with OIS makes it the better choice if you record a lot of videos. If you just take photos, the Redmi Note 12 still offers a good option.
- What's your budget, and what features do you value most? If cost is the driving factor, the Redmi Note 12 offers good value. But if you want a more powerful, feature-rich phone, the Moto G Stylus 5G is worth the extra money.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You’re a student who needs a phone for social media, note-taking, and some light gaming. You also like to take landscape photos when you travel. Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi Note 12. Its display is nice and the extra camera lenses can make photos better.
- Scenario 2: You are a content creator and need a phone that can capture stable, high-quality videos and sharp selfies for your social media channels. Recommendation: Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024). The 4k and OIS are key for you.
- Scenario 3: You want a reliable phone with a modern OS and good audio for enjoying music and podcasts. You occasionally travel and might need to swap SIMs. Recommendation: Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024). This is the better choice because of its eSIM and enhanced audio.
- Scenario 4: You are a budget-conscious buyer who needs a dependable phone for everyday tasks but doesn't need the latest features. Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi Note 12. It is a reliable phone that offers great value for your money.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024). While the Redmi Note 12 is a solid device, the Motorola's more powerful chipset, superior video capabilities, wireless charging, and newer software make it a better option overall. As someone who values performance and modern features, the Moto G Stylus 5G aligns more with my preferences and the type of tasks I usually need from my phone. The improvements to video recording, paired with features like OIS, 4K recording and modern OS make it a good choice for me.
