vivo S12 vs Motorola Edge 20 Pro: Which Mid-Range Flagship Reigns Supreme?
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a brighter display, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 870 chipset delivers a noticeable edge in demanding tasks, and the 673 nits peak brightness provides superior outdoor visibility. However, the vivo S12 offers a compelling alternative for those seeking a more streamlined experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | vivo S12 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1x | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 22 | 2021, July 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 30 | Available. Released 2021, August 16 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) or eco leather back |
| Dimensions | 157.2 x 72.4 x 7.4 or 7.6 mm | 163 x 76 x 8 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g or 181 g (6.31 oz) | 185/190 g (depending on color) (6.53 oz) |
| - | Water-repellent design | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ | OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 1100 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MC9 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 11, OriginOS Ocean | Android 11, planned upgrade to Android 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF 8 MP, f/2.3, 105˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/3.4, 126mm (periscope telephoto), 1.0µm, 5x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240/960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF 8 MP, f/2.3, 105˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.4 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 44W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | 4200 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Yellow | Midnight Blue, Blue Vegan Leather, Iridescent Cloud |
| Models | V2162A | XT2153-1 |
| Price | About 390 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 112h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -29.2 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 711090 (v9) GeekBench: 3140 (v5.1) GFXBench: 49fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo S12
- Faster 44W wired charging
- Potentially more power-efficient chipset (6nm)
- Sleek and lightweight design (assumed based on brand reputation)
- Likely lower peak display brightness
- Potentially less powerful GPU for gaming
- Limited camera details available
Motorola Edge 20 Pro
- More powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset
- Brighter 673 nits display for outdoor visibility
- Optimized Qualcomm ISP for image processing
- Slower 30W wired charging
- Potentially more thermal throttling under sustained load
- Larger size may not suit all users
Display Comparison
The Motorola Edge 20 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 673 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the vivo S12. This difference translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While both displays feature an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED panels), the Edge 20 Pro’s higher peak brightness is a tangible advantage. We lack PWM frequency data for both, but the Edge 20 Pro’s larger size (6.7 inches vs. S12’s 6.44 inches) may impact pixel density and perceived sharpness.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the vivo S12. The Motorola Edge 20 Pro likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) for improved image processing. Without specific details on the S12’s camera system, it’s difficult to assess its low-light performance or dynamic range. The Edge 20 Pro’s camera system, while not specified in detail, likely prioritizes versatility and image quality, leveraging the Snapdragon 870’s ISP capabilities.
Performance
The Motorola Edge 20 Pro’s Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) holds a performance advantage over the vivo S12’s MediaTek Dimensity 1100 (6nm). The Snapdragon 870’s Kryo 585 cores, with a prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, offer higher single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and smoother UI navigation. While the Dimensity 1100’s Cortex-A78 cores are competitive, the Snapdragon 870’s Adreno 660 GPU provides a more substantial graphics boost for gaming. The 7nm process node of the Snapdragon 870, while slightly older, is well-optimized, potentially mitigating thermal throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Both the vivo S12 and Motorola Edge 20 Pro share an endurance rating of 112 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro’s 30W charging is slower than the vivo S12’s 44W wired charging. This means the S12 will achieve a full charge significantly faster, potentially offsetting any minor battery capacity differences. The Dimensity 1100’s 6nm process may contribute to slightly better power efficiency, but the Snapdragon 870’s optimization could close the gap.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S12 if you need a sleek, lightweight device with a focus on everyday tasks and social media, and appreciate a more refined software experience. Buy the Motorola Edge 20 Pro if you prioritize raw processing power for gaming and multitasking, demand a brighter, more visible display, and value a longer-lasting battery experience despite slower charging.