1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | The Moto G 5G is slightly taller and thicker, making the ROG Phone 8 Pro feel a bit sleeker and more pocketable despite having similar width. |
| Weight | 212g | 225g | The ROG Phone 8 Pro is slightly heavier, which may be noticeable during long periods of use. |
| Build | | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers superior scratch and drop protection due to the Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The Moto G 5G's screen protection is not specified. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, not foldable. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Virtually identical screen sizes; the slight difference is negligible in daily use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same Full HD+ resolution, meaning similar levels of sharpness. |
| PPI | 393 | 388 | The pixel density is almost identical, so you won't perceive any difference in display clarity. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | AMOLED offers deeper blacks, richer colors, and better contrast ratios, resulting in a more vibrant visual experience and better outdoor visibility. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers significantly smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's much higher brightness means significantly better visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's processor is significantly faster and more energy-efficient, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better overall performance. |
| Antutu Score | 390,000 | 2,020,000 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro demonstrates much higher performance, which translates to faster load times, seamless gaming, and better future-proofing. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 750 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a much more powerful GPU, offering better graphics performance for gaming and graphically intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a slightly higher resolution and a larger sensor with larger pixels, which should result in better low-light performance and detail, while the Moto G 5G has a wider aperture, potentially better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.00µm | 32MP, 1/3.2", 0.70µm | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers higher resolution for sharper selfies; however, smaller pixels may not be as good in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2", 0.70µm | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities, allowing for closer shots without loss of quality; the Moto G 5G lacks a telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | None | The Moto G 5G offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive landscapes or group photos. The ROG Phone 8 Pro lacks this feature. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | None | The Moto G 5G has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography; The ROG Phone 8 Pro lacks this feature. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3", 1.12µm | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a combined wide-angle and macro lens, offering versatility in shots. The Moto G 5G lacks this feature. |
| Video | 4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p@60fps (EIS); Slow-motion: 60 fps | 8K@24fps (HDR, EIS), 4K@60fps (HDR, EIS), 1080p@240fps (HDR,EIS); Slow-motion: 480 fps | The ROG Phone 8 Pro provides superior video recording capabilities with higher resolutions, HDR support, and much faster slow-motion capabilities; the Moto G 5G is limited to 4K@30fps. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a larger battery, offering potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | 65W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | The ROG Phone 8 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Removable | No | No | Both have non-removable batteries. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:
- Lower Price: The Moto G 5G is a budget-friendly option with basic features.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: It has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, which is absent on the ROG Phone 8 Pro.
- Dedicated Wide Angle Lens: It has a dedicated wide-angle lens for group photos and expansive landscapes which is absent on the ROG Phone 8 Pro.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 provides a significantly faster and smoother experience for demanding apps and gaming.
- Better Display: AMOLED technology, a 165Hz refresh rate, and higher brightness offer a superior visual experience.
- Advanced Camera System: Offers optical zoom, significantly better video recording capabilities, and more versatile camera setup with its wide angle and macro camera combination.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging allows for much quicker battery replenishment.
- Larger Battery: 5500mAh battery offers longer usage times.
- More RAM and Storage: Offers significantly more RAM and internal storage for smoother multitasking and space.
- Better Audio: Has stereo speakers and DTS:X audio enhancement.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14 and is expected to receive further upgrades.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards.
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola Moto G 5G offers dedicated wide and macro lenses but lacks the overall superior performance, display, and camera quality of the ROG Phone 8 Pro. It also has an older Android version and lacks high performance features.
- The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is significantly more expensive but provides premium features and performance. It does not have dedicated macro or wide-angle lenses like the Moto G 5G.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G 5G:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users looking for a reliable phone for everyday use.
- Use Cases:
- Basic web browsing and social media
- Casual photography
- General day-to-day tasks
- Users who need a dedicated wide angle and macro lens.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, and photography enthusiasts who prioritize performance and features.
- Use Cases:
- High-end gaming
- Resource-intensive applications
- High quality videography and photography
- Multi-tasking
- Users who need the absolute best performance
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Motorola Moto G 5G is a budget option, providing essential features at a low price.
- The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a premium experience with advanced features, justifying its higher price tag for users who need them.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Performance Needs: Do you need top-tier performance for gaming or demanding tasks?
- Camera Importance: How important is a high-quality camera with advanced video capabilities?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User on a Tight Budget: If you need a basic phone for everyday tasks and don't need high performance, the Motorola Moto G 5G is suitable.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer or Power User: If gaming, demanding applications, and future-proofing are priorities, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is better due to its superior camera capabilities with telephoto, significantly better video capabilities, and advanced features like OIS. The Moto G 5G is fine for everyday photos but lacks the depth of features and video recording capabilities of the ROG Phone.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro.
Here's why:
- Future-Proof Performance: I value a phone that will stay fast and responsive for years to come. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset in the ROG Phone 8 Pro is a substantial leap ahead in terms of performance and future-proofing compared to the Moto G 5G's older chipset.
- Superior Display: I spend a lot of time consuming content on my phone. The ROG Phone 8 Pro's AMOLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate would offer a much more enjoyable and visually appealing experience. The higher brightness is also a significant advantage for outdoor visibility.
- Advanced Camera System: While I appreciate the macro and wide angle lenses of the Moto G 5G, the ROG Phone 8 Pro's main camera with larger sensor and superior video capabilities, combined with the addition of a telephoto lens is much more valuable to me as a versatile shooter.
- Faster Charging & Longer Battery Life: 65W charging is incredibly convenient, and the larger battery would ensure I don't need to worry about running out of power.
- Overall Premium Experience: The ROG Phone 8 Pro provides a more premium and powerful experience in almost every aspect. The cost is higher, but the performance and features make it worth the investment for my usage needs.
While the Moto G 5G is a decent budget phone, the ROG Phone 8 Pro's leap in performance, display technology, and camera capabilities makes it a clear winner for me.
