1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Motorola Moto G85 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 161.9 × 73.1 × 7.6 mm | G85 is noticeably more compact and slimmer, making it easier to handle and pocket. |
| Weight | 212g | 171g | G85 is significantly lighter, improving comfort for extended use and portability. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Negligible difference in screen size; both provide ample viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both offer a clear viewing experience. |
| PPI | 393 | 395 | Very similar pixel density; both provide detailed images. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | P-OLED | G85's P-OLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and potentially better color accuracy compared to the G 5G's LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | G85 has a smoother display experience, beneficial for gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | G85 is much brighter, providing much better visibility in outdoor, sunny conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6 nm) | G85’s newer chipset delivers noticeably better performance, smoother multitasking and faster app loading. |
| AnTuTu Score | 390,000 | 475,000 | G85 has better overall performance, including slightly faster app loading, smoother operation. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 | Identical GPU's; graphics performance should be comparable. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80 µm | 50MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 1.00 µm, Sony LYT-600 | G85 has slightly higher resolution, a bigger sensor and bigger pixels, likely resulting in better low-light performance and overall image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.00 µm | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.70 µm | G85 has a much higher resolution selfie camera, capturing more detailed selfies, but with a slightly narrower aperture. |
| Wide Angle lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm | Both cameras are identical; wide-angle performance is expected to be similar |
| Macro lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm | N/A | G 5G has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. G85 lacks this feature. |
| Video | 4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p@30/60fps (EIS) | 1080p@30/60fps | G 5G offers higher video resolution (4K), better for video recording. G85 only offers up to 1080p, but with EIS. |
| DxOMark Mobile | N/A | Main score: 88, Photo: 83, Video: 109 | G85's camera performance is rated by DxOMark, G 5G is not. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, Digital zoom, OIS, etc. | Dual camera, Digital zoom, OIS etc. | G 5G has a triple camera setup with Night Mode, while G85 features a dual camera with OIS for better image stabilization. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacity; expected battery endurance should be similar. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging, Li-Ion | 30W fast charging, Li-Polymer | G85 charges faster, reducing waiting time, and uses a more modern battery technology. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | G85 has a newer version of Android, offering the latest features, security updates, and possibly better performance. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wifi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6) | G85 has newer WiFi standard for better speed and performance on supported networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, A2DP, EDR | 5.1 LE, A2DP | Both devices support basic Bluetooth audio profiles, G5G includes EDR. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | G85 supports more satellite systems, improving location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | G85 includes eSIM option, providing more flexibility with carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | G85 has higher base storage (128GB), more storage for apps and data. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 8/12 GB | G85 has significantly more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones do not offer expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | G85 has better audio features, including a more immersive experience using Dolby Atmos and Stereo Speakers |
| Security | |||
| Features | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both provide basic biometric authentication via fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | G85 offers better screen protection against scratches and minor impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both phones share the same comprehensive suite of sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages
- 4K Video Recording: Offers higher resolution video recording capability (4K@30fps), which is better for vloggers and users who need high video quality.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Features a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, a feature missing on the G85.
- EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) Bluetooth: Supports EDR via Bluetooth which can potentially improve data transfer rates in certain use cases
Motorola Moto G85 Advantages
- Superior Display: P-OLED display provides better contrast, deeper blacks, and potentially more vibrant colors with 120hz refresh rate providing a much smoother experience.
- Brighter Screen: Much higher brightness (1600 nits) improves outdoor visibility significantly.
- Better Performance: Newer chipset and higher AnTuTu score mean faster and smoother overall performance.
- Better Camera Sensor: Larger sensor, larger pixels, likely to result in better low-light and overall photo quality
- Higher Resolution Front Camera: Offers much higher detail in selfies.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging allows for quicker battery top-ups.
- Modern Software: Comes with Android 14, offering the latest features and security patches.
- Enhanced Audio: Includes Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers for an immersive audio experience
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for screen durability.
- eSIM Support: Adds flexibility to users with digital SIM options.
- Wi-Fi 6 Support: Newer WiFi Standard provides potentially faster and more stable connections.
- More RAM and Storage: Higher RAM and storage configuration offers better multitasking, app storage, and overall performance.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Better image stabilization for crisper images.
Trade-offs
- Moto G 5G: Loses out on display quality, brightness, performance, main and front camera capabilities, software, charging speed, audio and screen protection, but does provide higher quality video recording, a macro lens and EDR.
- Moto G85: Loses out on the dedicated Macro Lens and 4k video recording of the G 5G
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G 5G
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who want a large display and 4K video recording.
- Use Cases:
- Users needing a budget-friendly phone with high video recording capabilities
- Users who value Macro photography
Motorola Moto G85
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a premium display experience, smooth performance, great camera, and faster charging.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday users who consume a lot of multimedia and want a vibrant display
- Users who value smooth performance and good multitasking.
- Users who often take photos in low-light conditions.
- Users who value fast charging, newer software, and great audio.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality and brightness to you? (P-OLED vs. LCD, 1600 vs 0 nits)
- How much do you value performance and the latest features? (Newer chipset and OS of G85 vs the older on G 5G)
- How important is Macro photography and video recording quality (4k) to you? (G 5G includes both)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious with High video Recording Needs: If 4k video recording is non-negotiable, then the Motorola Moto G 5G is a better choice due to its 4K recording and macro lens.
- Overall Premium Experience: If you want the best possible display, performance, camera, audio and charging, the Motorola Moto G85 is the better option.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Moto G85.
Reasons:
- Superior Display: The P-OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and 1600 nits of brightness is a significant upgrade, providing a much better viewing experience.
- Better Performance: The newer chipset and higher RAM will ensure smoother multitasking and a more responsive experience in daily use.
- Enhanced Camera: While the G 5G has 4k recording and a macro lens, the larger main sensor, OIS and higher-resolution selfie camera on the G85 is a better overall option.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging is a practical benefit, saving time and hassle in daily life.
- Modern Features: The G85's modern software, audio features, screen protection, eSIM, and Wi-Fi 6 provides a more complete and up-to-date package.
While the G 5G has advantages in 4k recording and a macro lens, the G85 offers a superior overall experience. The G85's combination of a premium display, better performance, improved camera capabilities, and faster charging makes it the better choice for the typical user. The lack of a macro lens on the G85 is a minor trade-off considering the overall enhancements.
