The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 12 and Motorola Edge 40 Neo are two strong contenders vying for your attention. The Realme 12 focuses on delivering solid performance at an aggressive price point, while the Motorola Edge 40 Neo aims for a more balanced experience with a focus on battery life and faster charging. This comparison dives deep into the specifications and real-world implications of each device to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and significantly faster charging, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo is the better choice. Its 68W charging and 10:28h active use score outweigh the Realme 12’s lower price, offering a more convenient and less anxiety-inducing experience. However, budget-conscious users will find the Realme 12 a capable performer.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, March 06 | 2023, September 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, March 06 | Available. Released 2023, September 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.6 x 76.1 x 7.7 mm (6.52 x 3.00 x 0.30 in) | 159.6 x 72 x 7.9 mm (6.28 x 2.83 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 170 g or 172 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 800 nits (typ), 950 nits (HBM) | P-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G610 MC3 |
| OS | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 | Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| 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/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 50% in 30 min | 68W wired, 50% in 15 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Twilight Purple, Woodland Green | Black, Soothing Sea, Caneel Bay, Peach Fuzz |
| Models | RMX3999 | XT2307-1 |
| Price | ₹ 15,999 | $ 299.00 / € 168.73 / ₹ 19,900 |
Realme 12
- Potentially lower price point
- Capable Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ processor
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Slower 45W charging
- Likely lower peak display brightness
- Limited battery life information
Motorola Edge 40 Neo
- Excellent 10:28h battery life
- Ultra-fast 68W charging (50% in 15 min)
- Brighter 1073 nit display
- Potentially higher price
- Dimensity 7030 may not offer a massive performance leap
- Camera performance needs further scrutiny
Display Comparison
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 1073 nits, which translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While the Realme 12’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to be lower, impacting outdoor usability. The Edge 40 Neo’s higher brightness is a tangible benefit for users who frequently use their phones outside. We expect both devices to utilize AMOLED panels, but the Edge 40 Neo’s brightness advantage is a clear win.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications for both devices are limited. However, the focus should be on the main sensor and image processing. Without knowing the sensor sizes, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. The Edge 40 Neo’s marketing emphasizes its photo and video capabilities, suggesting a more refined camera experience. The Realme 12’s camera performance will likely be adequate for social media sharing, but may lack the dynamic range and detail of the Edge 40 Neo in challenging lighting conditions. We advise users to look at independent camera samples before making a decision.
Performance
Both phones utilize MediaTek Dimensity chips built on a 6nm process, but the Motorola Edge 40 Neo’s Dimensity 7030 has a slight edge in CPU performance. Its octa-core configuration with 2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 cores outperforms the Realme 12’s 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 cores. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking, particularly noticeable for users who frequently switch between applications. While both are capable of handling everyday tasks, the Edge 40 Neo offers a more responsive experience. The GPU performance difference is less clear without specific benchmarks, but the 7030 is generally considered more powerful.
Battery Life
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo shines in the battery department. Its active use score of 10:28h and endurance rating of 80h demonstrate excellent battery life, allowing for all-day usage without needing a recharge. The Realme 12’s battery capacity is not specified, but its 45W charging is significantly slower than the Edge 40 Neo’s 68W charging. The Edge 40 Neo can reach 50% charge in just 15 minutes, while the Realme 12 takes 30 minutes – a crucial difference for users who need a quick power boost. This faster charging capability mitigates any potential concerns about battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 12 if you need a dependable smartphone for everyday tasks and prioritize value for money above all else. It’s ideal for users who don’t heavily game or rely on extremely fast charging. Buy the Motorola Edge 40 Neo if you prefer a phone that can comfortably last a full day on a single charge and offers significantly quicker top-ups, making it perfect for busy individuals and travelers.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 7030 in the Motorola Edge 40 Neo get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the Dimensity 6100+ in the Realme 12?
While both chips are built on a 6nm process, the Dimensity 7030’s slightly higher clock speeds and potentially more demanding GPU could lead to more heat generation during prolonged gaming. However, Motorola typically employs effective thermal management solutions, so overheating is unlikely to be a significant issue. The Realme 12 may run slightly cooler, but at the cost of some performance.
❓ How much faster is the 68W charging on the Motorola Edge 40 Neo compared to the 45W charging on the Realme 12 in a real-world scenario?
The difference is substantial. The Edge 40 Neo can reach 50% charge in 15 minutes, while the Realme 12 takes 30 minutes for the same level. This means you can add a significant amount of battery life in a short amount of time with the Motorola, making it ideal for users who are always on the go. A full charge will also be noticeably quicker on the Edge 40 Neo.
❓ Is the camera on the Motorola Edge 40 Neo capable of recording 4K video at 60fps?
While not explicitly stated in the provided data, Motorola typically includes 4K/60fps video recording capabilities in their Edge series phones. It's highly probable the Edge 40 Neo supports this feature, offering a higher level of video quality and smoothness compared to potentially limited video recording options on the Realme 12.
