Lenovo K12 Pro vs. Motorola Moto G Power (2021): A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Choices

Both the Lenovo K12 Pro and the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) target the budget-conscious smartphone user, relying on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 chipset for a balance of performance and efficiency. However, a key differentiator emerges in their charging capabilities, alongside subtle variations that cater to different priorities. This comparison dissects these nuances to determine which device offers the best value.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing faster charging and a slight edge in convenience, the Lenovo K12 Pro is the better choice. While both phones share the same Snapdragon 662 processor, the K12 Pro’s 20W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Moto G Power’s 15W charging, making it ideal for those constantly on the go.

PHONES
Phone Names Lenovo K12 Pro Motorola Moto G Power (2021)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 41, 66, 71
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2020, December 09. Released 2020, December 122021, January 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, January 14
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions172.1 x 76.8 x 9.7 mm (6.78 x 3.02 x 0.38 in)165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm (6.51 x 2.99 x 0.37 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight221 g (7.80 oz)206.5 g (7.30 oz)
 Water-repellent coatingWater-repellent coating
Display
Resolution720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 610
OSAndroid 10Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM
 -eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.2, 1.0µm8 MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximityFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging20W wired 2.5W reverse wired15W wired
TypeLi-Po 6000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsElectric Violet, Metallic SageFlash Gray, Polar Silver
ModelsXT2091-8, XT2091-7-
PriceAbout 130 EURAbout 60 EUR

Lenovo K12 Pro

  • Faster 20W charging for quicker top-ups
  • Includes 2.5W reverse wired charging
  • Identical Snapdragon 662 performance

  • Specific battery capacity unknown
  • Camera specs not detailed

Motorola Moto G Power (2021)

  • Potentially longer battery life (based on Moto G Power history)
  • Identical Snapdragon 662 performance
  • Generally reliable Motorola software experience

  • Slower 15W charging
  • Lacks reverse charging capability

Display Comparison

Both devices are expected to feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. While specific details like resolution and refresh rate aren't provided, the focus here isn't display quality. The lack of information suggests neither phone aims to compete in the display-centric market. Bezels are likely comparable, reflecting cost-saving measures in manufacturing.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, but the quality will heavily depend on sensor size and image processing algorithms. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and low resolution. The primary sensor's aperture and size will be the key determinants of image quality in various lighting conditions.

Performance

The core of both the Lenovo K12 Pro and Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores. This means performance will be virtually identical for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. The absence of information regarding RAM type (LPDDR4X is likely) and storage speed suggests neither phone prioritizes raw performance over cost-effectiveness. Thermal management will likely be adequate for the chipset's capabilities, but sustained heavy workloads could lead to throttling.

Battery Life

While battery capacity isn't specified, the Moto G Power line historically emphasizes battery life. However, the Lenovo K12 Pro gains a significant advantage with its 20W wired charging capability compared to the Moto G Power’s 15W charging. This translates to a faster 0-100% charge time, reducing downtime. The K12 Pro also includes 2.5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to act as a power bank for smaller devices – a feature absent on the Moto G Power.

Buying Guide

Buy the Lenovo K12 Pro if you need quicker top-ups and appreciate the flexibility of reverse wired charging. This is ideal for users who frequently travel or rely heavily on their phone throughout the day. Buy the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) if you prioritize maximizing battery life and prefer a simpler, more streamlined experience, accepting a slower charging speed as a trade-off. It's a solid choice for users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks and don't mind charging overnight.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will I notice a significant difference in charging time between the Lenovo K12 Pro and the Moto G Power?
Yes, the Lenovo K12 Pro’s 20W charging is noticeably faster than the Moto G Power’s 15W charging. While exact times depend on battery capacity (which isn't specified), you can expect a substantial reduction in charging time with the K12 Pro, especially from 0-50%.
❓ Can the Lenovo K12 Pro charge my wireless earbuds or smartwatch?
Yes, the Lenovo K12 Pro features 2.5W reverse wired charging. While not incredibly fast, it's sufficient to top up smaller devices like wireless earbuds, smartwatches, or even another phone in an emergency.
❓ How will the Snapdragon 662 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 662 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to maintain a stable frame rate. Expect some occasional stuttering during intense firefights. Neither phone is designed for high-end gaming.