Apple iPhone 12 mini vs Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 12 mini delivers premium performance through its A14 Bionic chip, providing faster app loading and gaming compared to the Moto G Stylus 5G's Snapdragon 6 Gen 1. However, Motorola's offering excels in practical value, featuring a larger 6.7-inch display with 120Hz refresh rate, substantially larger 5000 mAh battery, and a higher-resolution 50MP main camera with optical image stabilization. At $399, the Moto G includes a stylus and wireless charging. The iPhone 12 mini's 5.4-inch screen feels restrictive for many users, and its 2227 mAh battery demands daily charging. While Apple provides superior iOS optimization and longevity, Motorola's 2024 model offers significantly better real-world usability for the price. Those prioritizing screen real estate, battery life, and camera versatility should choose the Moto G Stylus 5G, while iPhone loyalists seeking compact performance will prefer the 12 mini.
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 Stylus 5G (2024) if…
- →Built-in stylus for note-taking and precise screen interaction
- →Vibrant pOLED 120Hz display with 1300-nit peak brightness
- →IP68 dust and water resistance at the $399 price point
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 Stylus 5G (2024)
Pros
- Built-in stylus for note-taking and precise screen interaction
- Vibrant pOLED 120Hz display with 1300-nit peak brightness
- IP68 dust and water resistance at the $399 price point
- Wireless charging support is uncommon in this segment
- Large 5000 mAh battery with respectable 30W fast charging
Cons
- Stylus lacks Bluetooth or air gesture features like S Pen
- No telephoto camera for zoom photography
- Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is mid-range — not ideal for heavy gaming
- Only one OS update and three years of security patches
- Video recording maxes out at 4K@30fps
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 14 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 133 g | 190 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Vegan leather back, plastic frame |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm | 162.6 x 75 x 8.3 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 32 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR | 4K@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | 13 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2227 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 30W wired (TurboPower) |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 5.4 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | pOLED |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1300 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 710 |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
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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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