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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a higher-quality camera and prefer iOS, the Apple iPhone 12 would be the better choice, albeit at a higher price. The iPhone 12 has consistently better camera performance for both photos and videos. However, if you're looking for value and extended battery life, along with a larger screen and more storage, the Motorola Edge (2021) might suit you better. It offers a significantly longer battery life and a bigger display, which might enhance your media consumption or gaming experiences. Additionally, the Motorola Edge runs on Android and has double the base storage capacity compared to the iPhone 12. Keep in mind, the Edge's camera, while capable, does not match the iPhone's performance. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 12
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good display quality
Advantages of the Motorola Edge (2021)
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
5.2
The Apple iPhone 12 has good overall camera quality, while the Motorola Edge (2021) has poor overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 12 offers a superior camera experience compared to the Motorola Edge (2021), with the iPhone 12 having good selfies and camera versatility, along with better overall photos due to its higher dynamic range and low light performance. Conversely, the Motorola Edge struggles due to its poor selfie quality and overall camera performance, which also affects photo dynamic range and low light abilities, deeming the hardware and software less capable for photography enthusiasts.
Photo Quality
7.1
5.3
The Apple iPhone 12 takes good photos, while the Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor photos.
The Apple iPhone 12 provides a better camera experience with superior software for photo processing, dynamic range, and low light performance, combined with a good selfie camera. In contrast, the Motorola Edge (2021) lags considerably with poorer overall camera quality and notably inferior selfie camera performance, limiting its appeal for users prioritizing photo taking capabilities.
Video Quality
7.2
4.7
The Apple iPhone 12 takes good videos, while the Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone 12 provides a very good video experience with top-tier video software quality, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, alongside good microphone quality. In contrast, the Motorola Edge (2021) offers only fair video resolution and framerate performance, and its video stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality are all rated as poor.
Battery
6.2 Hours
8.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 has 6.2 hours of battery life. The Motorola Edge (2021) has 8.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Motorola Edge (2021) is 6.8 inches.
Cost
$600
$165
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Apple iPhone 12 has a price of $600 and the Motorola Edge (2021) costs $165.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 and the Motorola Edge (2021) compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 | Motorola Edge (2021) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$600 | $165 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Motorola | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 23, 2020 | September 2, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2460 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 395 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | LCD | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | SD778G | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 4.7/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 108 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.2 Hours | 8.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2815 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.78" x 2.81" | 6.65" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.78 oz | 7.05 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | No | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue, Purple, Green, White, Black, Red | Nebula Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 12
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Dig into reviews and images
Pocket-lint
Stuart Miles | March 2022
"The iPhone 12 offers many of the important things that you want from the iPhone: a decent camera, 5G, great screen, fast processor. For the group of people who want a new iPhone without the price tag of the iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 13 range, this is a great choice. There's no settling for second best with this smartphone."
Motorola Edge (2021)
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Philip Michaels | October 2021
"If you've overlooked Motorola's higher-end phones in the past, the Motorola Edge 5G UW does a very good job at trying to regain your attention. Improvements to the main camera impress. I'm also impressed by how quickly the phone recharges. It's the affordability that ultimately wins the day for the Motorola Edge. this phone offers enough premium features to put it at the forefront of midrange options."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 or the Motorola Edge (2021)
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
About Motorola
Motorola, a well-known name in the smartphone world, has a long-standing legacy in the industry, with a history dating back to the early days of mobile phones. The brand is mostly known for striking a balance between affordability and functionality, as well as providing a clean and straightforward interface with their software skin on top of Android. While they have traditionally been prominent in the budget and midrange categories, Motorola has also occasionally ventured into the high-end category for smartphones.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
151,800
Recommendations made
86,020
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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