The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and two contenders vying for your attention are the Motorola Moto G53 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12. Both offer compelling features at accessible prices, but which one truly delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 edges out the Moto G53 thanks to its faster charging, slightly brighter display, and more modern chipset. While the Moto G53 boasts impressive battery endurance, the Redmi Note 12's overall package provides a more refined and feature-rich experience for the price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EMEA & AP, China | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42 - EMEA & AP | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - EMEA & AP | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - China | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 15 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 15 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| 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 + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | Water-resistant design | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | 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, 120Hz | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 13, planned upgrade to Android 14 | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 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 |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
or
16 MP, f/2.2, (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, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired (China, LATAM)
10W wired (International)
Reverse wired | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ink Blue, Arctic Silver, Pale Pink | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | XT2335-2 | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | $ 295.00 / £ 143.15 | € 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 123h
|
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1746:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-26.0 LUFS (Very good)
|
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 314195 (v9)
GeekBench: 1594 (v5.1), 1797 (v6.0)
GFXBench: 29fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) |
Motorola Moto G53
- Exceptional battery life
- High contrast ratio display
- Clean Android experience
- Slower charging
- Less powerful chipset
- Lower peak brightness
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Faster charging (33W)
- Brighter display
- More modern chipset (Snapdragon 4 Gen 1)
- Generally smoother performance
- Slightly shorter battery life than Moto G53
- Potential for MIUI bloatware
Display Comparison
Both phones feature vibrant displays, but the Redmi Note 12 takes a slight lead. The Moto G53's 1746:1 contrast ratio is excellent, but the Redmi Note 12's measured 706 nits brightness surpasses the Moto G53's 599 nits, making it easier to view outdoors. The Redmi Note 12 also claims an 'infinite' contrast ratio, though this is a marketing term and difficult to quantify.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is generally comparable, with both phones offering decent image quality in good lighting conditions. However, detailed camera reviews are needed to fully assess their capabilities in various scenarios. Both are described as 'Photo / Video' in the provided data, suggesting similar functionality.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6nm) offers a noticeable performance boost over the Moto G53's Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8nm). The Cortex-A78 cores in the Redmi Note 12 provide better performance for demanding apps and multitasking. While both handle everyday tasks well, the Redmi Note 12 feels snappier overall.
Battery Life
The Moto G53 shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 123h. The Redmi Note 12's endurance rating is 101h, still respectable, but not quite as long-lasting. However, the Redmi Note 12's 33W charging significantly reduces charging times, reaching 50% in just 22 minutes.
Buying Guide
The Motorola Moto G53 is ideal for users prioritizing exceptional battery life and a smooth, albeit not blazing-fast, experience. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is a better choice for those who value faster charging, a brighter display, and a slightly more powerful processor for everyday tasks and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset generally provides better gaming performance due to its more modern architecture and higher clock speeds.
❓ Is the Moto G53's battery life really that good?
Yes, the Moto G53's endurance rating of 123h is exceptionally high, suggesting it can easily last for two or more days on a single charge with moderate usage.
