Apple iPhone 12 vs Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 12 delivers superior performance and camera quality with its A14 Bionic chip and advanced 12MP optical image stabilization system, along with a premium 1200-nit OLED display. However, it charges at 60Hz only and the 2815 mAh battery requires frequent topping up. Motorola's G Stylus 5G 2023 counters with a much larger 5000 mAh battery lasting significantly longer, a 120Hz IPS display, and a higher megapixel main camera at 50MP, plus an included stylus for note-taking. The Moto suffers from slower processing (Snapdragon 6 Gen 1), lower video quality capped at 1080p, and an inferior IP52 rating versus the iPhone's IP68. Display brightness favors the iPhone at 1200 nits versus 550. Build quality clearly favors Apple with Ceramic Shield and aluminum. Choose the iPhone 12 if you prioritize camera performance, speed, and durability; pick the Moto G Stylus 5G if battery endurance, stylus functionality, and a larger screen matter more, plus you need to save $400.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 12 if…
- →First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- →Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- →Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
Buy the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) if…
- →Built-in stylus for note-taking and sketching
- →5G connectivity at an affordable price
- →5000 mAh battery with great endurance
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 12
Pros
- First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
- A14 Bionic delivers excellent performance and efficiency
- Dolby Vision HDR video recording is a first for any smartphone
Cons
- 60Hz display when competitors offered 90Hz or 120Hz
- Small 2815 mAh battery offers mediocre battery life
- 64 GB base storage is inadequate in 2020
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
- No telephoto lens — only dual camera
Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
Pros
- Built-in stylus for note-taking and sketching
- 5G connectivity at an affordable price
- 5000 mAh battery with great endurance
- Wi-Fi 6E support at this price
- 120Hz display for smooth scrolling
Cons
- LCD display instead of AMOLED
- Only 4 GB RAM limits multitasking
- Slow 20W charging
- IP52 is only splash resistant
- Only one OS update guaranteed
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 164 g | 202 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Plastic body |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP52 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 162.8 x 74.2 x 9.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8 |
| 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 | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Macro | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 20W TurboPower |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 550 |
| 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 | 5.1 |
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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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