The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Motorola Moto G23 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 edges out the Moto G23 thanks to its superior chipset, faster charging, and impressive battery life. While the Moto G23 offers a clean Android experience, the Redmi Note 12 provides a more well-rounded package for the price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Europe, AP/MEA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - AP/MEA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 24 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 24 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 162.7 x 74.7 x 8.2 mm (6.41 x 2.94 x 0.32 in) | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 184.3 g (6.49 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | Water-resistant design | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 13, planned upgrade to Android 14 | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1.0µm | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Matte Charcoal, Pearl White, Steel Blue | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | XT2333-1 | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | About 80 EUR | € 151.99 / $ 219.99 / ₹ 11,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) |
Motorola Moto G23
- Clean Android experience
- Reliable performance
- Decent battery life
- Affordable price
- Less powerful chipset
- Slower charging
- Lower display brightness
- Potentially less impressive camera
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Faster chipset (Snapdragon 4 Gen 1)
- Brighter display
- Exceptional battery life
- Faster charging (33W)
- Generally better camera performance
- Xiaomi's MIUI software (can be polarizing)
- Potential for more pre-installed apps
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 boasts a significantly brighter display at 706 nits compared to the Moto G23 (estimated around 450-500 nits). Its 'infinite' contrast ratio suggests excellent image quality. While the Moto G23's display is adequate, the Redmi Note 12 offers a more visually appealing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the Redmi Note 12 likely has a slight edge due to Xiaomi's image processing. While specific camera specs are not detailed, the Redmi Note 12 generally delivers better camera performance in this price range. Expect good photos and videos from both, but the Redmi Note 12 might offer slightly more vibrant colors and better low-light performance.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6nm) chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Moto G23's Helio G85 (12nm). The Cortex-A78 cores in the Snapdragon offer better single-core performance, resulting in smoother multitasking and app loading. Gaming performance will also be better on the Redmi Note 12.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 shines in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 101 hours and active use lasting 10 hours and 58 minutes. The Moto G23's battery life is respectable, but falls short of the Redmi Note 12's exceptional endurance. The Redmi Note 12's 33W charging is also faster than the Moto G23's 30W.
Buying Guide
The Motorola Moto G23 is ideal for users prioritizing a near-stock Android experience and a reliable, no-frills device. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is a better choice for those seeking a smoother performance, faster charging, and longer battery life, especially if you value a brighter display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better performance?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset offers significantly better performance than the Moto G23's Helio G85.
❓ Is the Moto G23's software experience better?
The Moto G23 offers a cleaner, near-stock Android experience, which some users prefer. However, Xiaomi's MIUI on the Redmi Note 12 has improved and offers a wide range of features.
