1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 161.9 × 74.7 × 8.6 mm | The Huawei nova 8i is more compact and thinner, making it more pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use. The Moto G 5G is larger and bulkier. |
| Weight | 212g | 190g | The Huawei nova 8i is noticeably lighter, enhancing comfort during extended use. The Moto G 5G might feel heavy over time. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Both displays are practically the same size; negligible difference in perceived screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2376 | Both phones offer similar sharpness, suitable for daily use and media consumption. Pixel density differences are negligible to the human eye. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use the same technology, so expect similar color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Standard 60Hz refresh rate for both, meaning no difference in smoothness for general use. Not ideal for high-refresh-rate gaming. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | The Snapdragon 750G in the Moto G 5G is significantly faster, leading to smoother app performance, quicker multitasking, and better gaming. The 662 is less powerful. |
| AnTuTu Score | 390,000 | 201,000 | The Moto G 5G demonstrates significantly higher performance, suitable for more demanding tasks and games. The nova 8i will feel slower during heavy use. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 610 | The Adreno 619 in the Moto G 5G provides better graphics performance, impacting gaming and GPU-intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4300mAh | The Moto G 5G has a larger battery, likely providing longer usage between charges. The nova 8i might require more frequent charging. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 66W fast charging | The nova 8i's significantly faster charging allows for quicker top-ups, a major convenience. The Moto G 5G's slower charging might be inconvenient. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res. | 48MP, f/1.7 | 64MP, f/1.9 | The nova 8i has a higher resolution sensor, potentially capturing more detail. The Moto G 5G's wider aperture might perform slightly better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera Res. | 16MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.0 | Both have similar resolution but the nova 8i's wider aperture can slightly improve low light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Similar wide-angle performance on both. |
| Portrait Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | The nova 8i has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots, resulting in better bokeh effect. The Moto G 5G doesn't have this. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar macro lens performance on both phones. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, EIS | 1080p@30fps | The Moto G 5G offers 4K recording and 1080p at 60fps with EIS, leading to higher-quality, smoother videos, especially beneficial for content creators. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10 | Both run on Android 10. The user experience will depend on the manufacturer's UI overlay on top of Android. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, Dual Band | 802.11ac | Similar Wi-Fi connectivity. The Moto G 5G's dual-band feature allows for better network selection. Both have WiFi Hotspot and WiFi Display. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, LE, A2DP, EDR | 5.0, LE, A2DP, aptX, LDAC, AAC | The Moto G 5G has slightly newer Bluetooth 5.1. The Huawei nova 8i supports higher quality audio codecs for wireless headphones, like aptX, AAC and LDAC. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The Huawei nova 8i supports more satellite systems (Beidou) for slightly improved accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 128 GB | Huawei nova 8i has a larger minimum internal storage of 128GB, useful for users storing large files. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 6 GB | Both phones support moderate multitasking. 6 GB is more ideal for smoother multitasking experience. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 Microphones | Noise Cancellation Mic, Stereo Speakers, 2 Microphones | The Huawei nova 8i provides better audio capture, clarity and immersive sound experience. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Rear Mounted | Side Mounted | The Huawei nova 8i side-mounted sensor offers more convenient unlocking for some users. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint, Gravity | Huawei Nova 8i supports additional Gravity sensor for more advanced applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 750G chipset offers superior speed for app loading, multitasking, and gaming, compared to the Snapdragon 662 in the Huawei.
- Higher Video Recording Quality: Supports 4K recording and 1080p at 60fps, beneficial for users who create videos.
- Larger Battery Capacity: The 5000mAh battery is likely to provide longer battery life than the Huawei's 4300mAh.
- More advanced Bluetooth Version: Newer Bluetooth version for better connectivity.
Huawei nova 8i Advantages:
- Faster Charging: The 66W fast charging capability is a major advantage, allowing for rapid battery top-ups.
- Better Audio: Features stereo speakers and a noise-cancellation microphone, enhancing audio experience and clarity for calls.
- Dedicated Portrait Camera: Includes a dedicated depth sensor for improved portrait photography.
- More Internal Storage: The 128GB of storage comes as standard.
- Compact and Lighter Design: It is easier to handle and carry due to its smaller size and lighter weight.
- Better Bluetooth Audio Codecs: Supports aptX, LDAC and AAC for higher quality audio through Bluetooth.
- More GPS Satellites: Supports Beidou satellite system for better accuracy.
Trade-offs:
- The Moto G 5G sacrifices faster charging and a more compact design for better processing power and video capabilities.
- The Huawei nova 8i sacrifices processing power and video capabilities for faster charging, enhanced audio, and a more compact build.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G 5G Ideal User:
- Gamers: Users who prioritize performance and want smooth gameplay on their mobile device.
- Content Creators: Individuals who frequently record videos and value high-quality footage.
- Users who prioritize battery life: Users who require long battery life and are comfortable with slightly slower charging speeds.
- Users who like 5G connectivity: The 750G chipset supports 5G, making it a future-proof device.
Huawei nova 8i Ideal User:
- Casual Users: Individuals who prioritize fast charging and a more convenient form factor for daily use.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who frequently consume audio content and value better audio quality.
- Social Media Enthusiasts: Those who enjoy taking portrait photos with a dedicated depth sensor and prefer a phone that is easy to carry around.
- Users who like more satellite systems for GPS navigation: Users who prefer more location accuracy and satellite support.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Performance vs. Convenience: Do you prioritize raw processing power and better video recording (Moto G 5G) or faster charging and a more compact build (Huawei nova 8i)?
- Battery life vs Charging: Do you prefer slightly longer battery life and slower charging (Moto G 5G) or faster charging but potentially slightly less battery life (Huawei nova 8i)?
- Audio and Camera Needs: Do you prefer enhanced audio quality and better portrait capabilities (Huawei nova 8i) or high quality video (Moto G 5G)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gaming & Heavy Use: Choose the Motorola Moto G 5G for its superior performance and larger battery.
- Scenario 2: Daily Commuting & Media Consumption: Choose the Huawei nova 8i for its compact build, fast charging, and better audio quality.
- Scenario 3: Casual Photography & Social Sharing: Choose the Huawei nova 8i for its dedicated portrait camera and convenience.
- Scenario 4: Video content creation: Choose the Motorola Moto G 5G for its 4K recording and better video quality.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Motorola Moto G 5G. Here's why:
My priority leans towards performance and future proofing. The significantly better chipset in the Moto G 5G would provide a much smoother user experience, especially for gaming and demanding apps. The 4K video recording capability is also a plus, and the large battery gives a good trade-off against the slightly slower charging. While the nova 8i has its advantages, those do not outweigh the performance benefits I prioritize.
While the nova 8i's fast charging is incredibly convenient, the slower charging on the Moto G 5G is acceptable given its large battery capacity. For me the performance boost matters more than the faster charging speed or the slightly better audio features. I would make that trade.
