Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S vs Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date April 26, 2023 June 2, 2023
Release Year 2023 2023

Physical

Volume 95.71 cm³ 110.53 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.65 "/g 3.27 "/g
Weight 176 g 202 g
Height 159.9 mm 162.8 mm
Width 73.9 mm 73.8 mm
Thickness 8.1 mm 9.2 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Ice Blue
  • Onyx Black
  • Pearl Green
  • Cosmic Black
  • Rose Champagne

Display

Screen Size 6.43 " 6.6 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 84.5 % 87.5 %
Pixel Density 409 PPI 399 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 700 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1000 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 120.93 mAh/in² 114.78 mAh/in²
Battery Density 52.24 mAh/cm³ 45.23 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Mali-G57 MC2 Adreno 710

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 13 13
Maximum OS Version

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureXiaomi Redmi Note 12SMotorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1162.8 x 73.8 x 9.2Moto G Stylus is slightly larger and thicker. Redmi is more pocketable.
Weight (g)176202Redmi is noticeably lighter, reducing hand fatigue.
StylusNoYesMoto G Stylus offers precise input for note-taking and drawing.
Display
TypeAMOLED, 90HzIPS LCD, 120HzRedmi offers richer colors and deeper blacks, Moto G Stylus has smoother scrolling and animations.
Size (inches)6.436.6Moto G Stylus has a slightly larger screen for media consumption.
Resolution1080 x 24001080 x 2400Identical resolution, sharpness is comparable.
Refresh Rate (Hz)90120Moto G Stylus provides a smoother user experience, especially in gaming.
Peak Brightness (nits)1000Not specifiedRedmi's higher peak brightness ensures better outdoor visibility. Missing Moto G Stylus peak brightness limits comparison.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Helio G96 (12 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm)Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 offers significantly better performance and efficiency.
CPUOcta-core (2x2.05 GHz A76 & 6x2.0 GHz A55)Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz A78 & 4x1.8 GHz A55)Moto G Stylus has a more powerful CPU architecture, resulting in faster app loading and multitasking.
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 710Adreno 710 provides superior graphics performance for gaming.
RAM (GB)6/86/8Comparable RAM options.
Storage (GB)128/256128/256Comparable storage options.
Camera
Main Camera (MP)10850Redmi boasts higher resolution, Moto G Stylus utilizes pixel binning for potentially better low-light performance.
Optical StabilizationNoYesMoto G Stylus offers superior video stability.
Video Recording1080p@30fps4K@30fpsMoto G Stylus can record higher resolution video.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)50005000Identical battery capacity. Real-world battery life depends on usage and optimization.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Advantages:

  • Brighter Display: Better visibility in direct sunlight.
  • More Compact and Lighter: Easier to handle and carry.
  • Lower Price: Generally more affordable.

Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) Advantages:

  • Significantly Better Performance: Smoother overall experience and better gaming capabilities.
  • Higher Refresh Rate Display: Smoother scrolling and animations.
  • Stylus Support: Enables note-taking and drawing.
  • 5G Connectivity: Faster data speeds in areas with 5G coverage.
  • Optical Image Stabilization: Significantly improved video quality.
  • Higher Resolution Video Recording: Captures more detail.

Trade-offs:

  • Redmi Note 12S sacrifices performance and features for a lower price and smaller form factor.
  • Moto G Stylus 5G is larger and heavier due to the included stylus and larger battery.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S: Budget-conscious users who prioritize a bright display, compact design, and basic smartphone functionality. Suitable for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and casual photography.

Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023): Users who value performance, a smooth display, and stylus functionality. Ideal for mobile gaming, note-taking, content creation, and those who want 5G connectivity.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The Redmi Note 12S is generally more affordable.
  2. Is a stylus important to you? The Moto G Stylus is the only option with a built-in stylus.
  3. Do you prioritize performance or portability? The Moto G Stylus offers better performance, but the Redmi Note 12S is more compact and lightweight.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Student on a budget: Redmi Note 12S
  • Creative professional: Moto G Stylus 5G
  • Mobile gamer: Moto G Stylus 5G

My Choice: Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)

While the Redmi Note 12S offers a compelling price, the Moto G Stylus 5G's superior performance, smoother display (120Hz), stylus functionality, and 5G connectivity make it a more versatile and future-proof device. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 provides a significant performance advantage over the Helio G96, ensuring a smoother user experience in demanding tasks and games. The addition of optical image stabilization is crucial for capturing steady videos. Although the Moto G Stylus is slightly larger and heavier, the benefits outweigh the minor compromises in portability for my personal needs. I prioritize performance and future-proofing over a slightly lower price.

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.