1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Motorola Edge 40 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 161.2 × 74 × 8.6 mm | The Edge 40 Pro is more compact and thinner, making it easier to handle and more pocketable. |
| Weight | 212g | 199g | The Edge 40 Pro is lighter, offering a more comfortable experience during prolonged use. |
| Build Material | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Edge 40 Pro has better scratch and drop resistance on the screen. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Motorola Edge 40 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Negligible difference in screen size; both offer ample viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness for both displays, excellent detail in text and images. |
| PPI | 393 | 394 | Practically identical pixel density; no noticeable difference in visual clarity. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | The Edge 40 Pro's OLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | The Edge 40 Pro's 165Hz screen results in much smoother scrolling, gaming, and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1100 nits | The Edge 40 Pro display is significantly brighter, leading to much better visibility in sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Motorola Edge 40 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | The Edge 40 Pro has a much more powerful and energy-efficient processor, resulting in superior overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 390,000 | 1,532,500 | The Edge 40 Pro offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and much better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 740 | The Edge 40 Pro’s GPU enables much better graphics performance in games and other demanding applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Motorola Edge 40 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" sensor, 1.00 µm pixel size | The Edge 40 Pro's sensor size and pixel size allow for better low-light performance, though it has a slightly narrower aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.00 µm pixel size | 60MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor, 0.61 µm pixel size | The Edge 40 Pro's selfie camera offers significantly more detail. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.93" sensor, 1.22 µm pixel size | The Edge 40 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities, allowing for high quality zoomed photos. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" sensor, 0.64 µm pixel size | The Edge 40 Pro takes significantly higher resolution wide-angle photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm pixel size | N/A | The Moto G 5G has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photos. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps, with 1080p@960fps | The Edge 40 Pro offers much more versatile and higher-quality video recording options, including high frame rate slow-mo. |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | Overall: 130, Photo: 133, Video: 135 | The Edge 40 Pro's camera performance is better according to DXOMark scores. |
| Stabilization | EIS | HDR, EIS, OIS | The Edge 40 Pro has superior video stabilization, offering smoother footage. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Motorola Edge 40 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4600mAh | The Moto G 5G has a slightly larger battery capacity, which might lead to slightly longer battery life under similar usage. |
| Charging | 20W | 125W | The Edge 40 Pro's much faster charging significantly reduces downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | N/A | 15W | The Edge 40 Pro offers convenient wireless charging. |
| Reverse Charging | N/A | 5W | The Edge 40 Pro can wirelessly charge other devices. |
Other Features
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Motorola Edge 40 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 10 | Android 13 | The Edge 40 Pro has a much newer OS, offering better security and features. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | WiFi 7 | The Edge 40 Pro supports the latest Wi-Fi standards, offering faster and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | The Edge 40 Pro has the newer bluetooth version, with support for advanced codecs. |
| GPS | Basic | L1+L5 | The Edge 40 Pro offers more accurate GPS. |
| SIM | Dual Nano | Nano SIM + eSIM | The Edge 40 Pro offers eSIM support for digital carrier switching. |
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 256GB/512GB | The Edge 40 Pro has significantly more storage for apps, media, and files. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 12GB | The Edge 40 Pro offers significantly better multitasking and faster app switching with much higher RAM. |
| Audio | 2 microphones | Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos, 4 microphones | The Edge 40 Pro has superior audio quality and recording capabilities. |
| Security | Rear-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint | Both have fingerprint sensors for biometric security. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both do not offer expandable storage. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:
- Larger Battery: A 5000mAh battery might offer slightly longer battery life than the Edge 40 Pro under similar usage.
- Macro Lens: A dedicated macro lens allows for close-up photography.
- Potentially Lower Cost: As an older and less feature-packed phone, it's likely available at a lower price point.
Practical Implications:
- The larger battery may be beneficial for users who need their phone to last through a long day without frequent charging.
- The macro lens can appeal to users who enjoy capturing detailed close-up shots of small objects.
Motorola Edge 40 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: OLED panel with 165Hz refresh rate and much higher brightness, offering an exceptional viewing experience.
- Significantly Better Performance: Much more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset leads to a substantially faster and smoother experience.
- Advanced Camera System: Higher resolution sensors, a dedicated telephoto lens, higher quality video capabilities, and better low-light performance.
- Much Faster Charging: 125W fast charging reduces charging times dramatically and allows for faster power-ups
- Wireless and Reverse Charging: Added convenience of wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices wirelessly.
- Modern Software: Ships with Android 13, offering newer features and security enhancements.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards, as well as more accurate GPS.
- Much Higher RAM and Storage: 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage, allowing for more seamless multitasking and better app/media support.
- Superior Audio: Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos provide a much richer audio experience
Practical Implications:
- The OLED display provides an immersive viewing experience, especially for media consumption, gaming, and general use
- Superior performance is useful for users who use their phone for intensive tasks like gaming, video editing, or multitasking heavy applications
- The better camera system offers better quality photos and videos, suitable for content creation or capturing important memories.
- Faster charging minimizes downtime and increases flexibility, especially useful for those who are always on the go.
Trade-offs:
- The Moto G 5G sacrifices overall performance, display quality, camera capabilities and charging speeds for potential cost savings and a slightly larger battery.
- The Edge 40 Pro comes at a potentially higher price, and users have to sacrifice a dedicated macro lens for better overall image capture capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G 5G Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users: Those who prioritize affordability over top-tier features and are looking for a reliable device for everyday tasks.
- Users with basic needs: Those who primarily use their phone for calls, texting, social media, and light browsing.
- Users who prioritize battery life: Those who value a phone that can last a full day on a single charge without frequent top-ups.
- Users who like macro photography: Those interested in capturing detailed close up images.
Specific Use Cases:
- Basic web browsing and social media.
- Streaming music and podcasts.
- Casual gaming.
Motorola Edge 40 Pro Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who require top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and resource-intensive apps.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with excellent low-light performance and telephoto zoom.
- Media Consumers: Those who prioritize a high-quality display for watching videos and enjoying content with vibrant colors and deep blacks.
- Users who need fast charging: Those that value the convenience of super fast charging.
- Users who prefer a modern smartphone experience: Those that value a newer OS, faster connectivity and enhanced audio.
Specific Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Editing photos and videos on the go.
- Heavy multitasking across many different applications.
- Watching high-quality movies and TV shows.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The Moto G 5G is likely much more affordable than the Edge 40 Pro.
- How important is performance to you? The Edge 40 Pro offers significantly better performance for demanding tasks.
- How important is the camera system? The Edge 40 Pro features much more versatile camera system with better low-light performance and zoom capabilities.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is the primary concern, and your usage is basic: The Motorola Moto G 5G is the more practical option, providing a decent experience for everyday use.
- Scenario 2: You are a gamer or require high performance for demanding apps: The Motorola Edge 40 Pro offers significantly better performance with its superior chipset and RAM.
- Scenario 3: You value a high quality display and enhanced audio experience: The Motorola Edge 40 Pro is the only choice, offering an OLED panel with 165Hz refresh rate, high brightness, and stereo speakers.
- Scenario 4: You take a lot of pictures/videos and want high quality results: The Motorola Edge 40 Pro is the superior choice, offering versatile lenses, much better video capabilities and image processing.
- Scenario 5: You need a phone with fast charging and long battery life: The Motorola Edge 40 Pro has much faster charging and decent battery life. While the Moto G 5G offers a slightly larger battery, the difference in real-world usage would be negligible.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Edge 40 Pro.
Here's why: While the Motorola Moto G 5G might offer a slightly larger battery, the performance difference between the two is staggering. The Edge 40 Pro offers a vastly superior display with its OLED panel and 165Hz refresh rate, which is crucial for an immersive smartphone experience. The much more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and increased RAM will ensure a lag-free and smooth experience for multitasking and running demanding apps and games.
I also value the advanced camera system of the Edge 40 Pro, which allows for better image quality, versatile lenses and enhanced stabilization. The super-fast 125W charging of the Edge 40 Pro also means I would spend less time tethered to a charger and more time using the phone. The updated Android 13 OS, enhanced audio and advanced connectivity make it a future-proof and all-round superior device.
The slight decrease in battery capacity is a small trade-off for the major improvements the Edge 40 Pro offers in terms of display, performance, camera, and other features. While the Moto G 5G is a competent budget device, the Edge 40 Pro delivers a truly premium and modern smartphone experience, which I am willing to pay a premium for.
