The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y12 and Motorola Moto G8 Plus represent compelling options, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Y12 focuses on affordability, while the Moto G8 Plus aims for a more balanced experience with a stronger chipset and a brighter display. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G8 Plus is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 665 chipset delivers noticeably smoother performance, and the brighter 581-nit display enhances outdoor visibility. While both phones offer similar battery endurance, the G8 Plus’s faster 15W charging is a practical advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 600/100 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June 20. Released 2019, June | 2019, October 24. Released 2019, October 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.4 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.28 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 158.4 x 75.8 x 9.1 mm (6.24 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190.5 g (6.74 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1544 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.35 inches, 99.6 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm (ultrawide), dedicated video camera (1080p)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 25 MP, f/2.0, 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes (market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aqua Blue, Burgundy Red | Dark Blue, Dark Red |
| Models | 1904, 1940 | XT2019, XT2019-2 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 270 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.88 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.2dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 87h |
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1505:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 79dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 80dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 168699 (v8)
GeekBench: 5641 (v4.4), 1385 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Y12
- Extremely affordable price point
- Decent battery life (87h endurance)
- Lightweight and portable
- Weak processor (Helio P22)
- Likely low-quality display
- Slow charging (spec not provided)
Motorola Moto G8 Plus
- More powerful processor (Snapdragon 665)
- Brighter display (581 nits)
- Faster 15W charging
- Slightly higher price
- May not be significantly better in low-light photography
- Larger size and weight
Display Comparison
The Motorola Moto G8 Plus boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 581 nits compared to the vivo Y12’s unspecified brightness. This makes the G8 Plus far more usable in direct sunlight. Both displays share a 1505:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color depth and black levels. However, the lack of detailed display specs for the Y12 makes a precise comparison difficult; it likely utilizes a lower-quality panel to meet its price point. The G8 Plus’s superior brightness is a clear win for outdoor users.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having a 'Photo' camera, which is unhelpful. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, given the market positioning, the Moto G8 Plus likely features a more capable primary sensor. The Y12 likely relies on lower-resolution sensors to keep costs down. The G8 Plus’s camera system is likely to offer better dynamic range and low-light performance. It's important to note that the inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and offers limited practical benefit.
Performance
The Motorola Moto G8 Plus’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm) represents a substantial upgrade over the vivo Y12’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm). The Snapdragon 665 utilizes a more efficient manufacturing process and a hybrid CPU architecture – four Kryo 260 Gold cores for performance and four Kryo 260 Silver cores for efficiency. This contrasts with the Y12’s all-Cortex-A53 cores. While both are octa-core, the Snapdragon 665’s architecture translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a better gaming experience. The 11nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Y12 and Motorola Moto G8 Plus achieve an impressive endurance rating of 87 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life. However, the Moto G8 Plus offers 15W wired charging, a significant advantage over the Y12’s likely slower charging speed (spec not provided). This means the G8 Plus can be topped up much faster, minimizing downtime. While both will likely last a full day for average users, the G8 Plus’s faster charging provides greater convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y12 if your primary need is an extremely affordable smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. You’re willing to compromise on performance and display quality to save money. Buy the Motorola Moto G8 Plus if you prioritize a more responsive user experience, better outdoor visibility, and faster charging, even if it means spending a bit more. This phone is better suited for moderate gaming and multitasking.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 665 in the Moto G8 Plus capable of playing demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 665 can handle PUBG Mobile at medium settings with a stable frame rate. While it won't deliver the highest graphical fidelity, it provides a playable experience for casual gamers. The Helio P22 in the Y12 will struggle with PUBG, likely requiring very low settings and potentially experiencing lag.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Motorola Moto G8 Plus compared to the vivo Y12?
The Moto G8 Plus supports 15W charging, while the Y12’s charging speed is unspecified but likely significantly slower (probably 10W or less). This means the G8 Plus can charge from 0-100% in approximately 2-3 hours, whereas the Y12 could take 4+ hours. This difference is substantial for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Will I notice a significant difference in app loading times between the two phones?
Yes, you will. The Snapdragon 665’s more powerful CPU and efficient architecture result in noticeably faster app loading times compared to the Helio P22. This is especially apparent when switching between multiple apps or launching resource-intensive applications.
