Apple iPhone 12 vs Motorola Edge 40
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 12 excels with its superior A14 Bionic chipset, excellent 60Hz OLED display tuning, and reliable iOS ecosystem, making it faster for demanding apps and gaming. Motorola Edge 40 offers better value with a larger 6.55-inch 144Hz pOLED screen, significantly larger 4400mAh battery, faster 68W charging, higher resolution 50MP main camera, and more RAM at $300 less. Performance-wise, the iPhone 12 remains snappier for daily tasks, but the Edge 40's Dimensity 8020 handles most workloads admirably. Camera quality slightly favors iPhone 12's computational photography, though Edge 40's 50MP sensor captures more detail. Battery life decisively favors Motorola with nearly 56% more capacity and superior charging speeds. For budget-conscious buyers seeking versatility, the Motorola Edge 40 delivers compelling specs and longevity. However, iPhone 12 users enjoy superior optimization and longer software support through 2026. Choose iPhone 12 for ecosystem lock-in and performance; select Edge 40 for practical value and battery endurance.
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 Motorola Edge 40 if…
- →Ultra-slim at 7.49 mm and light at 167 g with IP68 protection
- →144Hz pOLED display is exceptionally smooth
- →f/1.4 main camera aperture captures excellent low-light photos
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
Motorola Edge 40
Pros
- Ultra-slim at 7.49 mm and light at 167 g with IP68 protection
- 144Hz pOLED display is exceptionally smooth
- f/1.4 main camera aperture captures excellent low-light photos
- 68W fast charging with wireless charging at this price
- Vegan leather option provides a unique, grippy texture
Cons
- Dimensity 8020 is a mid-range chip — not flagship performance
- Only one OS update promised by Motorola
- 4400 mAh battery is modest for heavy users
- No telephoto camera for zoom shots
- 256 GB single storage option with no expansion
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | Motorola Edge 40 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 164 g | 167 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Aluminum frame, vegan leather or glass back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 158.4 x 72 x 7.49 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.4, OIS, PDAF |
| 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, macro mode |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 4400 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 68W wired (TurboPower) |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.55 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | pOLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 144Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz + 4x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Mali-G77 MC9 |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | MediaTek Dimensity 8020 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
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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