1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-12-07 | 2024-05-15 | The Edge 50 Ultra is a much newer device with likely better software support and newer hardware. |
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 161.1 × 72.4 × 8.6 mm | The Edge 50 Ultra is more compact and easier to handle, with a slimmer profile that is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 212g | 197g | The Edge 50 Ultra is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both phones have the same screen size, good for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | The Edge 50 Ultra has a sharper display with more detail, beneficial for reading and viewing high-resolution content. |
| PPI | 393 | 446 | The Edge 50 Ultra will have noticeably clearer text and images. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | P-OLED | The Edge 50 Ultra's P-OLED screen will have deeper blacks, richer colors, and better contrast compared to the Moto G 5G's IPS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | The Edge 50 Ultra offers dramatically smoother scrolling and animations, beneficial for gaming and general navigation. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | The Edge 50 Ultra's display is vastly brighter and much easier to read outdoors in direct sunlight. The Moto G 5G's brightness is not specified, suggesting it may not compete in this area. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Edge 50 Ultra's chipset is much more powerful, resulting in faster performance, better multitasking, and improved gaming capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 390,000 | 1,523,879 | The Edge 50 Ultra has significantly higher benchmark scores, indicating a massive performance advantage. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 735 | The Edge 50 Ultra's more advanced GPU provides superior graphics performance, ideal for gaming and other graphically intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | The Moto G 5G has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life, though this will depend on other factors. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging, Li-Ion | 125W fast charging, Li-Polymer | The Edge 50 Ultra charges significantly faster, allowing for quick power-ups, and it uses a newer, potentially safer battery technology. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable, 50W wireless charging, 10W reverse wireless charging | The Edge 50 Ultra offers versatile charging options, including wireless and reverse charging, which are absent in the Moto G 5G. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/1.3", 2.00µm, Omnivision OV50H | The Edge 50 Ultra has a larger sensor and wider aperture, which should improve low-light performance. It also uses larger pixels, which is better for light gathering. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.00µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/2.76", 0.64µm, Samsung S5KJN1 | The Edge 50 Ultra has a much higher resolution, which allows for detailed selfies. The wider aperture will help with low light shots as well. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 64MP, f/2.4, 1/2", 0.70µm, Omnivision OV64B | The Edge 50 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens, enabling optical zoom capabilities which the Moto G 5G lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76", 0.64µm, Samsung S5KJN1 | The Edge 50 Ultra has a substantially higher resolution wide-angle lens which results in more detailed landscape shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | N/A | The Moto G 5G has a dedicated macro lens for close up shots, a feature lacking on the Edge 50 Ultra. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS, various slow-motion options | The Edge 50 Ultra offers higher quality video recording options and more flexible slow-motion capabilities. |
| DxOMark Score | N/A | 146 (Mobile), 150 (Photo), 134 (Video) | The Edge 50 Ultra's camera system has been tested and benchmarked to offer very good quality in both photo and video. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Time-Lapse, 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Dual capture, RAW, Night Mode | The Edge 50 Ultra has more advanced camera features, including Optical Zoom, Optical Image Stabilization, and continuous autofocus. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | The Edge 50 Ultra has a much newer operating system, guaranteeing better security, software support, and access to the latest features. |
| Max OS Version | N/A | 17 | The Edge 50 Ultra will receive updates for a few more years than the Moto G 5G. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be | The Edge 50 Ultra supports the latest Wi-Fi standards, enabling faster and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 LE | Bluetooth 5.4 LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC | The Edge 50 Ultra offers newer Bluetooth standard with higher quality audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | The Edge 50 Ultra supports more satellite systems, resulting in more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | The Edge 50 Ultra has an eSIM for additional flexibility, while the Moto G 5G requires two physical SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 512GB/1024GB | The Edge 50 Ultra has significantly more storage space, better for storing lots of pictures, videos and apps. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 12GB/16GB | The Edge 50 Ultra has more RAM, which enhances multitasking and overall performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | The Edge 50 Ultra offers superior audio quality with stereo speakers and spatial sound. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both have fingerprint sensors for security, with similar performance for most users. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Edge 50 Ultra has a more durable display, better protected against scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both phones have similar sensor suites, suitable for advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:
- Potentially longer battery life: The 5000mAh battery might offer a longer runtime.
- Dedicated Macro Camera: For those who like taking very close-up pictures of small objects.
- Lower price: Likely more affordable compared to the Edge 50 Ultra.
Practical Implications for Moto G 5G:
- Good for users who prioritize battery life and have budget constraints.
- Macro lens is a niche feature and may not be a key selling point for all.
- Its performance is significantly behind the Edge 50 Ultra.
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Display: P-OLED, higher resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, and much higher brightness offer a significantly better viewing experience.
- Much Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset and more RAM deliver a dramatically smoother experience for all tasks.
- Advanced Camera System: Telephoto lens, higher resolution wide-angle and selfie cameras, and OIS offer greater versatility and image quality.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: The 125W fast charging and wireless charging features provide significant convenience.
- More Modern Features: Including newer Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a more modern operating system.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides better screen protection.
- eSIM Support: Offers flexibility for users with multiple lines or international travel.
Practical Implications for Edge 50 Ultra:
- Ideal for users who value premium display quality, performance, and camera capabilities.
- Its faster charging and wireless charging are perfect for those on the go.
- The better build quality will appeal to people looking for a durable and high-end device.
Significant Trade-Offs:
- The Moto G 5G trades performance, camera quality and other modern features for a lower price.
- The Edge 50 Ultra sacrifices potential battery life for a better display, higher performance and premium features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G 5G:
- Ideal Users: Budget-conscious users, those who prioritize battery life, and those who need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks.
- Use Cases: Casual web browsing, social media, messaging, and basic photography.
- Value: Good value for its price, but significant compromises on performance and features.
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra:
- Ideal Users: Users who prioritize high performance, a premium display, top-tier camera capabilities, and faster charging.
- Use Cases: Demanding mobile gaming, high-quality media consumption, professional photography/videography, and heavy multitasking.
- Value: High value for money, given the premium features and performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend?
- Performance Needs: How demanding are your typical tasks, including gaming and multitasking?
- Camera Importance: How important are camera quality, video features and zoom capabilities for you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Needs: If you are on a tight budget and need a phone for basic communication and web browsing, the Moto G 5G may suffice. It is not recommended for power users however.
- Scenario 2: Performance-Oriented User: If you are a gamer or someone who does a lot of multitasking, the Edge 50 Ultra is the better choice for its performance and its premium features.
- Scenario 3: Premium Camera Enthusiast: If you take a lot of photos, the Edge 50 Ultra's advanced camera system will provide a better experience.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would absolutely choose the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra. Here's why:
- Future-Proofing: The newer chipset, more RAM, and latest software of the Edge 50 Ultra make it a much more future-proof device. This means it will stay performant and usable for a longer period, making it a better long-term investment, despite the higher price tag.
- Superior User Experience: The significantly better display (P-OLED, higher refresh rate, brightness) and faster performance would make my daily use far more enjoyable. This is a tangible benefit that impacts every interaction with the phone.
- Photography Capabilities: I value good camera performance, and the Edge 50 Ultra's versatile camera system with its dedicated telephoto lens and its higher quality main, wide-angle and selfie sensors, combined with its better video capabilities, offer a superior photographic experience.
- Convenience Features: The faster charging (125W) and wireless charging are a huge plus for me. The convenience of charging my phone quicker cannot be understated.
While the Moto G 5G has its appeal for a budget buyer, the Edge 50 Ultra is the superior phone in every other aspect and is absolutely worth the higher price for those who can afford it. The Moto G 5G is an outdated device that is not in the same league as the Edge 50 Ultra.
