1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Samsung Galaxy A04 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm | 164.4 x 76.3 x 9.1 mm | Moto G 5G is slightly taller and thicker, potentially feeling bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 212g | 192g | Samsung A04 is lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | Moto G 5G provides a slightly larger viewing area for content consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 720 x 1600 | Moto G 5G offers significantly sharper and clearer visuals. |
| Pixel Density | 393 PPI | 270 PPI | Moto G 5G has a notably crisper display with finer details visible. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | PLS LCD | Moto G 5G’s IPS LCD likely has better viewing angles and color reproduction compared to PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have standard refresh rates. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical peak brightness at 0 nits; likely an error. Actual brightness would be a factor, but data is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Mediatek Helio P35 (12 nm) | Moto G 5G has a much more powerful processor for smoother performance and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 390,000 | 124,000 | Moto G 5G has substantially higher performance, providing snappier app launches and better multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | PowerVR GE8320 | Moto G 5G’s GPU is significantly more capable, providing better graphics for games and apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Samsung A04 has slightly higher resolution, but Moto G 5G has a wider aperture, potentially better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Moto G 5G takes considerably more detailed and higher resolution selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | Not present | Moto G 5G allows for capturing broader scenes. |
| Portrait Mode | Not present | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung A04 has a dedicated depth sensor to create portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not present | Moto G 5G enables close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | 1080p@30fps | Moto G 5G allows higher resolution video, providing better quality, with more fps options. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | Not present | Moto G 5G offers electronic image stabilization for smoother videos. |
| Slow Motion | Yes, 60 fps | No, 30 fps | Moto G 5G captures more detailed and fluid slow-motion videos. |
| Camera Features | Triple cam, PDAF, LAF, RAW, Night Mode | Dual cam, Portrait Mode | Moto G 5G provides more advanced camera features like PDAF and RAW for better image quality and flexibility; Samsung has a dual camera and depth sensor. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer the same battery capacity for similar endurance. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | Standard Charging | Moto G 5G charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12 | Samsung A04 offers a newer Android version out-of-the-box and potentially more updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11b/g/n/ac | Moto G 5G has more wifi functionality and supports dual-band. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | Moto G 5G has the slightly newer Bluetooth standard. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | Moto G 5G supports more satellite systems for potentially better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 32/64/128 GB | Both have similar storage options, but Samsung A04 has a 32GB option. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 3/4/6 GB | Both offer similar multitasking capabilities; some options for the A04 have less ram. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither allows external storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 Microphones | Basic audio | Moto G 5G likely captures clearer audio, especially during calls or video recording. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Security | Moto G 5G provides biometric security for convenient unlocking. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Accelerometer, Proximity | Moto G 5G has a more comprehensive sensor suite, allowing for advanced features and gaming capabilities. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 750G chipset offers significantly better performance in benchmarks, translating to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming experiences.
- Sharper Display: The higher resolution and pixel density (1080x2400, 393 PPI) display provides a noticeably sharper and more detailed viewing experience.
- Advanced Camera System: Features a triple camera setup with a wide-angle lens, macro lens, better low-light performance due to a wider aperture, significantly better video recording capabilities (4K, EIS, 60fps), and more camera features such as PDAF, LAF and RAW.
- Faster Charging: 20W fast charging dramatically reduces charging times.
- More Comprehensive Sensors: Includes a fingerprint sensor, compass, and gyroscope, enabling a wider range of features, including better gaming functionality.
- Better Audio Quality: Has 2 microphones for better audio capture.
Samsung Galaxy A04 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: It's 20 grams lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use.
- Newer Android OS: Ships with Android 12, providing a more up-to-date software experience and potentially more future updates.
- Portrait Mode: Dedicated depth sensor for enhanced portrait mode photos.
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola Moto G 5G is heavier and bulkier than the Samsung A04, which might be a concern for some users.
- The Samsung A04 has a more basic feature set and is significantly less powerful than the Motorola Moto G 5G.
- The Samsung A04 uses a lower quality LCD display, lower resolution screen, and has a significantly less capable camera system.
- The Samsung A04 has slightly less battery charging capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G 5G Ideal Users:
- Gamers: The powerful Snapdragon 750G and Adreno 619 GPU provide a better gaming experience with smoother graphics and frame rates. The gyroscope and compass sensors enable advanced gaming functionalities.
- Multimedia Consumers: The high-resolution display, wide viewing angle, and high quality video and audio recording capabilities, make it ideal for watching videos, browsing content, or using social media.
- Photography Enthusiasts: The advanced camera system with a wide-angle, macro lens, 4k video recording and additional camera features offers more versatility and flexibility for creative photography.
- Users Prioritizing Performance: Individuals who want a snappy, responsive phone that can handle multitasking and demanding applications.
- Users Who Want to Record Good Audio: The 2 microphones will ensure higher quality recording.
Samsung Galaxy A04 Ideal Users:
- Basic Users: Individuals who mainly use their phone for calls, texting, and light social media usage.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: People looking for an affordable phone with a decent battery life.
- Users Who Want a Light Phone: Those who prefer a lighter device for comfortable handling.
- Users Who Want an Up-to-Date Android OS: Those looking for newer android versions right out of the box.
- Users Who Want a Basic Portrait Mode Camera: Those looking for a basic portrait mode photography option.
Use Cases:
- Motorola Moto G 5G: Gaming, watching high-resolution content, advanced mobile photography/videography, smooth multitasking, GPS navigation with more location accuracy, calls with higher clarity, and overall more demanding tasks.
- Samsung Galaxy A04: Basic communication, web browsing, casual social media usage, everyday tasks, calls, and basic photography using the portrait mode feature.
Price-to-Value:
- The Motorola Moto G 5G offers substantially more value for the price, given its superior performance, display, camera capabilities, and features, making it a better long term investment despite its older age.
- The Samsung Galaxy A04 is targeted towards a more budget-conscious demographic.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? If the budget is extremely tight, the Samsung A04 might be more appealing. However, the Moto G 5G provides substantially better value for a slightly higher price.
- What is my primary use case? If gaming, multimedia consumption, or photography is important, the Moto G 5G is the better choice. If only basic tasks are needed, the A04 is sufficient.
- How important is long-term performance and software updates? The Moto G 5G provides much higher performance, while the A04 has a newer version of Android.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget-Conscious, Basic Use): If you only need a phone for basic communication and web browsing and have a very tight budget, the Samsung Galaxy A04 might suffice.
- Scenario 2 (Balanced Performance and Features): If you prioritize performance, a better display, and a more versatile camera but don't need the very latest OS version, the Motorola Moto G 5G is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3 (Mobile Gaming/ Photography): For gaming, photography, videography, or a need for smoother performance, the Motorola Moto G 5G is the only viable choice due to its superior hardware.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Moto G 5G.
The Motorola Moto G 5G offers a substantially better overall user experience. The performance difference is massive. The Snapdragon 750G, coupled with the Adreno 619 GPU, will provide a smoother, faster, and more enjoyable experience for all tasks, from browsing to gaming. The higher-resolution display significantly improves visual quality, and the much more capable camera system allows for greater creative flexibility. The faster charging is a notable convenience, and the added sensors and 2 microphones enhance functionality. While it is slightly heavier, the advantages of the Moto G 5G outweigh the slight design trade-off by a large margin. The Samsung A04 might be slightly newer, and lighter, but it simply doesn't have the performance, display or camera capabilities necessary to be a serious contender against the Motorola. It is also important to mention that for a small price increase, you are getting much better features, which makes the Motorola Moto G 5G the clear winner in the value for money category.
