Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Moto G (2022) and the Moto G32. These two budget-friendly smartphones from Motorola offer different approaches to balancing features and cost. As always, I'll be focusing on what these differences mean for you in the real world, not just on spec sheets.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Moto G (2022) | Motorola Moto G32 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.4 x 75.8 x 9.4 mm | 161.8 x 73.8 x 8.5 mm | The G32 is more compact and noticeably thinner making it more pocketable, while the G (2022) is bulkier. |
| Weight | 204g | 184g | The G32 will feel lighter and more comfortable for long usage periods. The 20g difference is noticeable. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphone builds - no fancy foldable tech here. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Both offer a fairly large screen which is great for media consumption and everyday use. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | The G32 provides a significantly sharper display with more details and clarity. It's the difference between standard HD and Full HD viewing. |
| PPI | 270 | 405 | The G32 display will appear less pixelated and clearer, enhancing text and image quality. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both offer similar color accuracy and viewing angles for a budget display. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Smooth scrolling experience for both phones. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 | Snapdragon 680 4G | The Dimensity 700 in the G (2022) has a slight performance advantage in general usage and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 389,300 | 249,000 | The G (2022) is significantly faster with 56% higher benchmark score. It would be more suitable for moderate gaming and demanding apps. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 610 | The G (2022) has more capable graphics processing. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 50MP f/1.8 | 50MP f/1.8 | Both offer similar main camera performance with the same sensor. Good for everyday snapshots. |
| Selfie | 13MP f/2.2 | 16MP f/2.2 | The G32 has a slightly better resolution selfie camera for sharper video calls and photos. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP f/2.0 | The G32 has a wide angle camera, allowing for wider captures and additional versatility in shooting. |
| Depth Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | The G (2022) is capable of better depth and bokeh effects for portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both offer a similar macro camera, which are generally limited in quality. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both record at 1080p, acceptable for social media. The G32 has 120fps slow motion while the G(2022) doesn't offer slow motion. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, PDAF, HDR | Digital & Optical zoom, PDAF, LAF, HDR, RAW | The G32 offers more advanced camera features and options for enthusiasts who like to tweak their photos. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer all-day battery life. |
| Charging | 10W | 30W | The G32 charges significantly faster, making it much more convenient to juice up quickly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12 (Upgradable to 13) | The G32 is confirmed to receive the upgrade to Android 13 giving it a software edge with potentially better security and features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Similar Wi-Fi speeds and features are offered on both phones. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE | The G32 uses the newest Bluetooth 5.2, offering more range and reliability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | The G32 has more satellite options offering better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | The G32 allows the user to use two SIMs, convenient for work and personal use. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64 GB | 64, 128, 256 GB | The G32 has larger storage options. |
| RAM | 6 GB | 4, 6, 8 GB | The G32 has more RAM options, with the higher option being more suitable for gaming and intense multi-tasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The G32 has a significantly better audio experience for media consumption and calls. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Side-mounted finger print | Side-mounted finger print | Both phones have a side fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | The G (2022) has additional barometric sensor for atmospheric pressure readings, while the G32 features a hall sensor for proximity detection. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G (2022):
- Strengths: The primary strength of the Moto G (2022) lies in its stronger chipset. The Dimensity 700 is a superior processor for heavier tasks and games. It has a higher benchmark score and is therefore much better at handling demanding applications compared to the G32. The additional Barometer sensor also provides extra environmental data not found in the G32.
- Competitive Advantages: This device is aimed at those who care more about performance and speed than high-resolution displays. If you prefer a smoother experience for games and demanding apps, the G (2022) is the better option.
- Trade-offs/Limitations: The trade-off with the G (2022) is its lower-resolution display (720p vs 1080p). Users who consume a lot of videos or enjoy sharper visual experiences may not enjoy this choice.
Motorola Moto G32:
- Strengths: The G32 shines in its display quality, with a significantly higher resolution (1080p vs 720p), better PPI and pixel density. Its wide angle camera and upgraded Bluetooth make it more versatile. It also provides a better sound experience with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers and charges significantly faster at 30W compared to 10W on the G (2022). The better RAM options (4,6 or 8GB) are also a considerable advantage if you want more flexibility with multitasking or gaming.
- Competitive Advantages: This phone is perfect for users who prioritize display quality, audio experience, faster charging and camera versatility. It is also more pocketable and lighter for everyday usage. The addition of a Dual SIM is also useful for those who require two SIM cards for personal and professional reasons.
- Trade-offs/Limitations: The main trade-off is its less powerful processor. While the Snapdragon 680 is efficient, it will perform less well when handling resource-intensive apps or games.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Moto G (2022):
- User Profile: Ideal for users who prioritize performance over display quality, enjoy gaming, and multitasking with heavy apps, or those who might like the additional Barometer sensor.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, multitasking with demanding apps, smooth day-to-day performance, preference for a less heavy and less bulky device.
- Price-to-Value: Offers very good value for money with its performance in its budget category.
Motorola Moto G32:
- User Profile: Best suited for users who prioritize screen quality, camera versatility, enhanced audio, faster charging, and lighter build. Useful for media enthusiasts or those who prioritize a better viewing experience.
- Use Cases: Streaming videos, watching movies, social media, photography, video conferencing, enjoying music, and casual gaming. Also, useful for those who need to use two SIM cards on a daily basis.
- Price-to-Value: Offers great value for money with the display, battery, audio and camera versatility.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you decide between these two, ask yourself these three questions:
- How important is display quality to me? If you consume a lot of video content, the G32's 1080p display is a significant upgrade. However, if you are not particularly sensitive to display quality and prefer better performance, the G (2022) is a good option.
- Do I need the best performance for gaming or heavy apps? If your smartphone is your primary tool for gaming, or if you have to run a lot of resource-intensive applications, the better chipset on the G (2022) makes it the better option.
- What features matter most in daily use? Consider whether a smaller phone, faster charging, or more versatile camera options with Dolby Atmos sound are most important. If those are key to your daily experience, then the G32 is the better option for you.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Casual Gamer: Go with Moto G (2022), prioritize the enhanced chipset for smoother gaming performance.
- For the Media Enthusiast: Choose the Moto G32, enjoy the superior display, audio, and wide angle camera for media consumption.
- For the Everyday User: Consider what features you use the most. If you prefer a more practical device with lighter weight, better display and faster charging, the G32 is the better option. If you prefer to have more performance when using heavy apps, go with the G (2022).
- For the Professional On The Go: If you need a lighter, more pocketable device, with a good display, long battery life and dual SIM capabilities, the G32 is the best option.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Motorola Moto G32. While the Moto G (2022) offers better performance on paper, the improvements on the G32 make it more suitable for my everyday usage.
The higher resolution display of the G32 is an important upgrade, and the difference is immediately noticeable when watching videos or browsing social media. The improved audio with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos adds more enjoyment to the media experience, while the faster charging is a great advantage for daily convenience. The improved camera with a wide-angle lens provides more versatility when taking shots on a daily basis. Finally, the newer Bluetooth and the dual sim capabilities makes this a more modern and complete phone for daily use.
While gaming performance will be better on the G(2022), the improvements and features provided on the G32 are more attractive for everyday use, making it my top pick for a budget phone.
