Apple iPhone 12 mini vs Motorola Moto G 5G (2024)
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 12 mini delivers superior display technology with its 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen offering 1200 nits brightness and exceptional color accuracy, paired with the powerhouse A14 Bionic chip for demanding tasks and gaming. Motorola's Moto G 5G (2024) counters with practical advantages: a larger 6.6-inch 120Hz IPS LCD display, significantly bigger 5000mAh battery for all-day use, and a capable 50MP main camera. Performance gap heavily favors Apple's flagship processor, while the Moto G wins on battery longevity and screen refresh rate. Water resistance differs notably, with iPhone 12 mini offering IP68 versus Moto G's IP52 rating. At $699 versus $199, the iPhone 12 mini justifies premium pricing for professionals and power users seeking raw performance and build quality. However, budget-conscious buyers prioritizing battery life and screen size should choose the Moto G 5G, which provides excellent practical value despite modest processing capabilities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 12 mini if…
- →Lightest 5G iPhone at just 133 g
- →Compact form factor perfect for one-handed use
- →Same A14 Bionic as larger iPhone 12 models
Buy the Motorola Moto G 5G (2024) if…
- →5G connectivity at an extremely affordable $199
- →120Hz display is smooth for gaming and scrolling
- →5000 mAh battery delivers outstanding two-day endurance
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 12 mini
Pros
- Lightest 5G iPhone at just 133 g
- Compact form factor perfect for one-handed use
- Same A14 Bionic as larger iPhone 12 models
- Beautiful OLED display despite small size
- MagSafe accessory support
Cons
- Very small 2227 mAh battery with poor endurance
- No telephoto camera
- 60Hz display refresh rate
- 5G usage drains battery quickly
- Discontinued after poor sales
Motorola Moto G 5G (2024)
Pros
- 5G connectivity at an extremely affordable $199
- 120Hz display is smooth for gaming and scrolling
- 5000 mAh battery delivers outstanding two-day endurance
- Near-stock Android 14 is clean and bloat-free
- IP52 splash resistance adds basic protection
Cons
- IPS LCD display has washed-out colors compared to AMOLED
- Only 15W charging takes over two hours for a full charge
- No ultrawide camera — just main and macro
- 4 GB RAM can feel limiting with multiple apps
- Only one OS update promised
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Motorola Moto G 5G (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 14 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 133 g | 192 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Plastic frame and back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP52 |
| Dimensions | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm | 164.9 x 75.1 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, PDAF |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 16 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR | 1080p@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | — |
| Macro | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2227 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 15W wired (TurboPower) |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 5.4 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 550 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz + 6x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 619 |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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