Motorola Moto S50 vs OnePlus 12R: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power

The Motorola Moto S50 and OnePlus 12R represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The S50 aims to deliver a balanced experience with its Dimensity 7300 chipset, while the 12R leverages the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 to offer near-premium performance at a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus 12R emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset provides significantly superior processing power and gaming capabilities, coupled with impressive 14:32 hour battery life and 100W fast charging. While the Moto S50 offers a respectable experience, it can't match the 12R's overall performance.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto S50 OnePlus 12R
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bandsSA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, September 052024, January 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, September 05Available. Released 2024, February 06
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back or silicone polymer (eco leather) backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions154.1 x 71.2 x 8.1 mm (6.07 x 2.80 x 0.32 in)163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 2.96 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight170 g (6.00 oz)207 g (7.30 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1272 x 2670 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.36 inches, 103.5 cm2 (~94.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO P-OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 3000 nits (peak)LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G615 MC2Adreno 740
OSAndroid 14Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.5", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.0, 73mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, PDAF50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 0.7µm16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging68W wired, 50% in 13 min 15W wireless100W wired, 100% in 26 min
Type4310 mAhLi-Ion 5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsNautical Blue, Latte, PoincianaIron Gray, Cool Blue, Electric Violet, Sunset Dune
ModelsXT2309-5CPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611
PriceAbout 280 EUR€ 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.82 W/kg (body)

Motorola Moto S50

  • More affordable price point
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks
  • Wireless charging support

  • Significantly less powerful chipset
  • Likely inferior camera system
  • Shorter battery life

OnePlus 12R

  • Flagship-level Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
  • Exceptional battery life (14:32h)
  • Ultra-fast 100W charging

  • Higher price tag
  • May be overkill for basic users
  • No wireless charging (speculation)

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 12R boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1181 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Moto S50’s display specifications are currently unavailable, the 12R’s panel likely offers a superior viewing experience due to its higher brightness. The 12R’s display technology is also likely to include LTPO, enabling adaptive refresh rates for improved power efficiency, a feature not confirmed for the S50. Bezels and color accuracy are currently unknown for the S50, but the 12R is expected to deliver a vibrant and accurate color profile.

Camera Comparison

Camera details for the Moto S50 are currently limited. The OnePlus 12R is expected to feature a more robust camera system, likely with a larger main sensor and optical image stabilization (OIS). While both phones may include multiple lenses, the 12R’s image processing capabilities, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s ISP, will likely deliver superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The presence or absence of OIS on the S50 is unknown, but its inclusion on the 12R is a significant advantage for capturing sharp, blur-free photos and videos.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus 12R’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) features a powerful CPU configuration – 1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710, and 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 – offering a substantial performance advantage over the Motorola Moto S50’s Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4nm) with its 4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 setup. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s Cortex-X3 prime core provides a significant boost in single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and smooth multitasking. Both chips utilize a 4nm process, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s architecture is more advanced, resulting in superior sustained performance and thermal management. The 12R’s likely use of LPDDR5x RAM further enhances memory bandwidth, contributing to a snappier user experience.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 12R shines in battery performance, achieving an impressive 14:32 hours of active use. This is coupled with incredibly fast 100W wired charging, capable of fully charging the device in just 26 minutes. The Moto S50 offers 68W wired charging, reaching 50% in 13 minutes, and 15W wireless charging. While the S50’s charging speed is respectable, the 12R’s 100W charging is significantly faster, minimizing downtime. The 12R’s longer battery life, combined with its rapid charging, provides a more convenient and reliable user experience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto S50 if you prioritize a more affordable price point and value a balanced feature set with decent performance for everyday tasks. Buy the OnePlus 12R if you demand flagship-level performance for gaming and demanding applications, alongside exceptional battery life and incredibly fast charging speeds. The 12R is for power users, while the S50 caters to budget-conscious consumers.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 7300 in the Moto S50 struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
While the Dimensity 7300 is a capable chip, it won't deliver the same smooth experience as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the OnePlus 12R when playing demanding games. Expect to potentially lower graphics settings and frame rates to maintain playable performance on the Moto S50.
❓ How much faster is the 100W charging on the OnePlus 12R compared to the 68W charging on the Moto S50 in real-world use?
The OnePlus 12R can fully charge in 26 minutes, while the Moto S50 takes longer. This difference is significant for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery. The 12R’s charging speed minimizes downtime, making it ideal for those on the go.
❓ Is the lack of a dedicated telephoto lens on either phone a significant drawback?
Both phones appear to lack a dedicated telephoto lens. This means digital zoom will be used for distant subjects, resulting in some loss of image quality. However, the OnePlus 12R’s superior image processing capabilities may mitigate this issue to some extent.
❓ Will the Moto S50 receive fewer software updates compared to the OnePlus 12R?
Historically, OnePlus has offered more consistent and longer-term software support than Motorola. While Motorola has improved, OnePlus is likely to provide more frequent security patches and Android version updates for the 12R.