Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G 5G vs. OnePlus Nord 4
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 162.6 × 75 × 8 mm | OnePlus Nord 4 is more compact, thinner, and lighter, making it easier to handle and pocket. Motorola Moto G 5G is bulkier, which might feel less comfortable in daily use. |
| Weight | 212g | 199.5g | OnePlus Nord 4 is slightly lighter, which may be noticeable during extended use, especially in one-handed operation. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.74" | Both phones have very similar screen sizes. The difference is negligible |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1240x2772 | OnePlus Nord 4 provides a sharper image, with text and graphics appearing clearer. This difference is noticeable when viewing detailed content or small text. |
| PPI | 393 | 450 | OnePlus Nord 4's higher pixel density translates to finer details and smoother visuals, enhancing the overall viewing experience, especially for high-resolution content. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | OnePlus Nord 4 has superior display technology, resulting in deeper blacks, vibrant colors, and better contrast. This means better video viewing and enhanced gaming visuals. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | OnePlus Nord 4 delivers smoother scrolling and transitions, making the interface feel more responsive and fluid. Gaming is also significantly improved with a higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2200 nits | OnePlus Nord 4 offers much better outdoor visibility, making it easier to use in bright sunlight. The Motorola's display would struggle significantly in such conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G | Qualcomm SM7675 Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 | OnePlus Nord 4 offers significantly higher performance, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. The difference in chipsets is very noticeable. |
| AnTuTu Score | 390,000 | 1,366,982 | OnePlus Nord 4 has over 3.5x the performance of the Moto G 5G, making it suitable for intensive tasks and future-proofing, while Moto G 5G might struggle with newer apps or games. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 732 | OnePlus Nord 4 has a much more powerful GPU, leading to smoother and more detailed graphics in games and demanding applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Both have similar main camera capabilities. OnePlus Nord 4 with a newer and slightly larger sensor may offer slightly better image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.4 | Both offer similar resolution; however, Motorola's wider aperture allows for slightly better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Both phones have comparable wide-angle lens cameras, providing similar image quality and field of view. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Motorola Moto G 5G has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots, which is absent in OnePlus Nord 4. The impact of this is only for users who enjoy extreme close-up photography. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | 4K@60fps, 1080p@120fps | OnePlus Nord 4 offers more versatile video recording options, including 4K@60fps and 1080p@120fps, resulting in higher quality videos with smoother motion capture. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | OnePlus Nord 4 has a larger battery, offering longer battery life on a single charge. This is beneficial for heavy users. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | OnePlus Nord 4's significantly faster charging is a major convenience, reducing charging times from hours to minutes. This means less downtime and greater usage time. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | OnePlus Nord 4 provides the latest Android software, likely offering more features, security updates, and a smoother experience, while Motorola is stuck on an outdated version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | OnePlus Nord 4 has support for the latest WiFi standard, potentially offering faster data transfer and more stable connectivity when used with compatible routers. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.4 | OnePlus Nord 4 has a newer Bluetooth version, offering better connectivity, improved audio quality and power efficiency with compatible devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | OnePlus Nord 4 has more comprehensive GPS support, resulting in more accurate location tracking and improved navigation. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 128/256/512 GB | OnePlus Nord 4 has larger storage options, reducing the need for external storage and allowing for more apps, media, and files to be stored. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 8/12/16 GB | OnePlus Nord 4 offers more RAM for better multitasking performance, allowing for running multiple apps without experiencing lag and smoother gaming. |
| Other | |||
| Audio Quality | 2 microphones | Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | OnePlus Nord 4 has stereo speakers, offering better audio quality than the Motorola for media consumption and gaming. |
| Security | Rear Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both phones offer fingerprint security features. The practical impact should be similar, though sensor technology and placement could lead to minor differences. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity, Geomagnetic | Motorola Moto G 5G includes a Compass, while OnePlus Nord 4 offers more sensor options such as Gravity and Geomagnetic, useful for different apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, useful for detailed shots.
- Wider Selfie Aperture: Slightly better low-light selfies due to the wider f/2.2 aperture.
- Compass Sensor: Has a compass sensor
OnePlus Nord 4 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution, pixel density, brightness, and refresh rate, resulting in a significantly better visual experience.
- Much Higher Performance: Significantly faster processor, resulting in superior speed and efficiency in all tasks.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Longer battery life with drastically faster charging, greatly enhancing usability.
- More RAM & Storage: Greater memory and storage options, meaning better multitasking and room for more files.
- Advanced Camera Features: Including 4K 60fps video recording, and a newer sensor with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) for more stable and higher quality videos.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14 and likely to get more updates.
- Modern Connectivity: Support for WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola Moto G 5G offers a macro lens but lacks in almost every other area compared to the OnePlus Nord 4. The practical impact of the macro lens is small compared to the superior performance and display of the OnePlus Nord 4.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G 5G:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users needing a basic 5G smartphone for everyday tasks.
- Use Cases: Basic browsing, social media, occasional photography, and light gaming.
- Price-to-Value: Suitable if price is the main concern and the user doesn't need much power, though it's severely outdated.
OnePlus Nord 4:
- Ideal User: Performance-oriented users who want a fast, responsive phone with a great display and good camera.
- Use Cases: Gaming, video editing, watching high-resolution content, photography, and all other daily tasks.
- Price-to-Value: Higher price, but the performance, display quality, battery life, and camera capabilities justify the added cost for users wanting more than the basics.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Performance Needs: How much processing power do you need for your daily tasks and games?
- Display Quality: How important is a high-quality display for your viewing experience?
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget & Basic Use: If you're on a very tight budget and just need a basic phone for simple tasks, the Motorola Moto G 5G could suffice. However, be aware that this device is very outdated and might not be very usable for long.
- Scenario 2: Moderate Budget & Good Experience: If you want an overall excellent experience with smooth performance, vibrant display, and fast charging, then the OnePlus Nord 4 is the better option.
- Scenario 3: Performance & Gaming: For users who want a future-proof phone that can handle heavy gaming and multitasking, then the OnePlus Nord 4 is the clear choice because of its advanced chipset and screen.
My Choice
I would choose the OnePlus Nord 4. The difference in performance is staggering, offering a much more fluid and enjoyable user experience. The superior AMOLED display, faster charging, and better camera quality makes it a much more future proof phone. While the Motorola might be cheaper, the compromise in performance and outdated software makes it hard to recommend for anyone that does not need a burner phone. The OnePlus Nord 4 is a significant upgrade in almost all areas, providing much better value and usability.
