The Motorola Moto G10 and Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) represent compelling options in the fiercely competitive sub-₹15,000 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dissects their key specifications to reveal which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a superior display, the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) emerges as the better choice. Its Exynos 850 chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a noticeable advantage over the Moto G10’s Snapdragon 460, despite the latter’s slightly better endurance rating.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 16 | 2021, August 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, February 27 | Available. Released 2021, August 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.7 x 9.2 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| | Water-repellent design | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Grey, Iridescent Pearl | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | XT2127-2 | SM-A127F, SM-A127F/DS |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.79 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 152h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 11878:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-29.2 LUFS (Average)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 140230 (v8)
GeekBench: 1139 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 9.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Motorola Moto G10
- Exceptional battery endurance (152h rating)
- High contrast display (11878:1 nominal)
- Potentially lower price point
- Less powerful Snapdragon 460 chipset
- Slower 10W charging
- 11nm process less efficient
Samsung Galaxy A12 (India)
- More efficient Exynos 850 chipset (8nm)
- Faster 15W charging
- Potentially smoother user experience
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to G10
- Display specifications less detailed
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The Motorola Moto G10 boasts a high nominal contrast ratio of 11878:1, suggesting deep blacks, while achieving a measured peak brightness of 370 nits. However, the Galaxy A12’s display specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison difficult. Given Samsung’s history with PLS LCD panels, it likely offers good color accuracy and viewing angles. The G10’s high contrast is beneficial for viewing content in darker environments, but the A12’s potentially wider color gamut could be preferable for multimedia enthusiasts. The lack of refresh rate information for both devices suggests standard 60Hz panels.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing algorithms. Without this information, a meaningful comparison is challenging. However, given Samsung’s generally strong camera software, the A12 likely offers more refined image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) is powered by the Exynos 850, fabricated on an 8nm process, offering improved power efficiency and thermal performance compared to the Motorola Moto G10’s Snapdragon 460 (11nm). While both utilize octa-core CPUs, the Exynos 850’s Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz provide a performance edge over the G10’s Kryo 240 cores (1.8 GHz and 1.6 GHz). This translates to smoother app launches, faster multitasking, and a more responsive overall user experience. The 8nm process also implies less throttling under sustained load, making the A12 a better choice for moderate gaming.
Battery Life
The Motorola Moto G10 claims an endurance rating of 152 hours, indicating excellent battery life. However, the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) compensates for potentially lower capacity with 15W wired charging, significantly faster than the G10’s 10W charging. This means the A12 can replenish its battery more quickly, reducing downtime. While the G10 excels in longevity, the A12’s faster charging offers greater convenience for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto G10 if you prioritize maximum battery life and a high contrast display for media consumption, and are willing to accept slightly slower performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) if you value a more responsive user experience, better multitasking capabilities, and faster charging, even if it means slightly less endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy A12 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850, built on an 8nm process, is generally efficient and manages heat well. While it may warm up during extended gaming, it's unlikely to experience significant throttling like some other chipsets in this price range. The larger process node contributes to better thermal management compared to the Moto G10's Snapdragon 460.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using for detailed close-up shots?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro cameras on both the Moto G10 and Galaxy A12 are largely marketing features. The small sensor size and lack of autofocus result in images with limited detail and sharpness. They are best avoided in favor of the main camera.
❓ What kind of gaming performance can I expect from the Galaxy A12 with titles like PUBG Mobile?
The Galaxy A12’s Exynos 850 can handle PUBG Mobile at medium settings with a stable frame rate. While it won’t deliver the highest graphical fidelity, it provides a playable experience. The Snapdragon 460 in the Moto G10 will likely require lower settings to achieve similar performance.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Moto G10 with its 10W charger?
With its 10W charging, the Moto G10 will likely take around 3-4 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%. This is significantly slower than the Galaxy A12’s 15W charging, which can reduce charging time to approximately 2-2.5 hours.
