The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Nokia C12 Plus aims for ultimate affordability, while the Motorola Moto G23 attempts to balance price with a more modern feature set. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device delivers the best value for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G23 is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Helio G85 chipset, built on a more efficient 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Nokia C12 Plus’s Unisoc SC9863A1. The 30W charging is a significant advantage, offsetting the slightly smaller battery capacity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Europe, AP/MEA |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - AP/MEA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 01 | 2023, January 24 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2023, January 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | 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) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 184.3 g (6.49 oz) |
| | - | Water-resistant design |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 13, planned upgrade to Android 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Cyan, Charcoal, Light Mint | Matte Charcoal, Pearl White, Steel Blue |
| Models | - | XT2333-1 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 80 EUR |
Nokia C12 Plus
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple, uncluttered Android experience
- Likely larger battery capacity (unconfirmed)
- Significantly weaker performance
- Less efficient chipset
- Slower charging speeds
Motorola Moto G23
- Faster and more efficient processor
- 30W fast charging
- More responsive user experience
- Potentially higher price
- Battery capacity may be smaller than C12 Plus (unconfirmed)
- Motorola’s software skin may not appeal to all
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, details on resolution and brightness are missing. The Moto G23’s larger market presence suggests a potentially higher quality panel, but without specific nits measurements, it’s difficult to quantify. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, prioritizing cost reduction over premium aesthetics.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both devices targeting basic photography needs. Details on sensor sizes are unavailable, but given the price point, expect modest image quality. The Moto G23 may benefit from Mediatek’s image signal processor (ISP) offering slightly better noise reduction and dynamic range. The inclusion of a 30W charger suggests Motorola prioritizes user experience, potentially extending to software optimizations for the camera. Any additional cameras beyond the main sensor on either device are likely to be low-resolution and of limited utility.
Performance
The Motorola Moto G23’s Mediatek Helio G85 is the clear winner here. Built on a 12nm process, it’s significantly more efficient than the Nokia C12 Plus’s 22nm Unisoc SC9863A1. The Helio G85’s CPU configuration – 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 – offers a substantial advantage over the C12 Plus’s 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 and 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience. The G85 also features a more capable GPU, making it better suited for light gaming. The C12 Plus will struggle with anything beyond basic tasks.
Battery Life
While the Nokia C12 Plus likely has a larger battery capacity (details missing), the Motorola Moto G23’s 30W wired charging is a game-changer. This allows for significantly faster top-ups, mitigating the impact of a potentially smaller battery. The Unisoc chipset’s lower efficiency means the C12 Plus will drain its battery faster under load. The G23’s faster charging will be particularly beneficial for users who frequently use their phone throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia C12 Plus if you prioritize absolute affordability and a simple, uncluttered Android experience, and your usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Motorola Moto G23 if you prefer a more responsive user experience, faster charging, and the ability to handle moderately demanding apps and occasional gaming without significant slowdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Motorola Moto G23 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio G85 can handle PUBG Mobile, you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a playable framerate. The C12 Plus’s Unisoc chipset will likely struggle even at the lowest settings.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Motorola Moto G23 with the 30W charger?
Based on similar devices with 30W charging, expect a full charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 60-75 minutes. This is a significant improvement over the slower charging speeds of the Nokia C12 Plus.
❓ Is the Unisoc SC9863A1 chipset in the Nokia C12 Plus suitable for running multiple apps simultaneously?
The Unisoc SC9863A1 is designed for basic multitasking. Running several apps concurrently will likely result in noticeable slowdowns and lag. It's best suited for keeping only a few apps open at a time.
❓ Does the Motorola Moto G23 support software updates beyond the initial Android version?
Motorola typically provides at least one major Android update and a few years of security patches for its G-series devices. However, the exact update schedule for the Moto G23 is not yet confirmed.
