1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 162.3 × 78.6 × 9.1 mm | Moto G 5G is taller and thicker, potentially feeling bulkier in hand. M35 is wider, affecting one-handed use. |
| Weight | 212g | 222g | Moto G 5G is slightly lighter, which may be more comfortable for extended holding. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | Minimal size difference; Moto G 5G has a slightly larger screen, but the practical difference is minor. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Negligible real-world difference in sharpness; Both are Full HD, providing adequate clarity for daily usage. |
| PPI | 393 | 390 | Both have very similar pixel density, resulting in equally crisp text and images. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | M35's AMOLED offers superior blacks, contrast, and color vibrancy, enhancing media consumption and dark-theme usage. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | M35 provides much smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experiences, making it feel more fluid and responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Brightness is not provided in the specifications for either phone |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | M35's newer chip (5nm) offers better efficiency and potentially better sustained performance in demanding tasks like gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 390,000 | 578,500 | M35 is significantly faster, meaning quicker app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MP5 | M35's GPU is more powerful, leading to better graphics performance in games and other graphically intensive applications. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | M35 has a much larger battery, meaning longer battery life and less need for frequent charging throughout the day. |
| Charging | 20W | 25W | M35 has slightly faster charging, which can reduce charging time, but the difference isn't dramatic. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP f/1.7, 0.80µm | 50MP f/1.8, 1/2" Sony LYT-600, 1.00µm | M35's main sensor is slightly higher resolution and a larger pixel size potentially offering improved low-light performance and better dynamic range, however Moto G 5G has a wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.2, 1.00µm | 13MP f/2.2, 1.12µm | Moto G 5G offers a higher resolution selfie camera, potentially capturing slightly more detail, while the M35 has larger pixels. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP f/2.2, 1.12µm | 8MP f/2.2 | Both are similar in terms of wide-angle lens capabilities. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4, 1.75µm | 2MP f/2.4 | Both are similar in terms of macro lens capabilities. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS, 720p@480fps with EIS | M35 offers additional capability to record in 720p@480fps which can be useful for some, both have similar capabilities in 4K and 1080p. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | M35 offers better video stabilization, resulting in smoother footage, especially when recording while moving. |
| Camera Features | PDAF, LAF, RAW | 2x2 OCL, Pro Video Mode, OIS, AutoFraming, NPU AI Engine, RAW 12 bits, DOL HDR | M35 offers many more advanced camera features, including OIS which gives sharper photos, and AI-powered enhancements. Moto G 5G has additional autofocus features but less overall features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:
- Slightly Lighter: May be more comfortable for extended use.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Can capture slightly more detailed selfies in good lighting.
- Additional Autofocus Features: Has PDAF and Laser AF for potentially faster and more accurate focusing in some conditions.
Samsung Galaxy M35 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, much better for media consumption. 120Hz refresh rate gives significantly smoother scrolling and animations.
- Better Performance: The Exynos 1380 chipset and higher benchmark scores offer a faster and more fluid user experience, particularly in demanding apps or games.
- Significantly Larger Battery: 6000mAh battery should provide significantly longer battery life compared to the Moto G 5G.
- Advanced Camera Features: OIS, 2x2 OCL, AutoFraming, NPU AI Engine, RAW 12 bits, DOL HDR add significantly better camera performance and more flexible video recording capabilities.
- Faster Charging: Slightly faster 25W charging.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers provide an enhanced audio experience.
- Newer Software: Runs on Android 14, whereas the Moto G 5G is stuck on Android 10.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides better protection against scratches and minor drops.
- Newer Connectivity Standards: Includes WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster wireless performance and more features.
Trade-offs:
- Moto G 5G: Trades a lower quality display, older software, and lower performance, for a slightly lighter build and higher resolution selfie camera and additional autofocus features.
- Samsung Galaxy M35: Trades slightly more weight and a more wide design, for an overall much better user experience, better performance, significantly better battery and camera system.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Who prioritize cost over top-tier performance and display quality.
- Users who prioritize a lighter phone: For whom the lower weight is important.
- Users needing PDAF and LAF autofocus: The additional autofocus features may be useful for some.
- Users less concerned with up-to-date software.
Use Cases:
- Basic social media browsing.
- Everyday calling and texting.
- Casual web browsing.
- Occasional light gaming.
Samsung Galaxy M35 Ideal User:
- Media Consumers: Users who watch videos, movies, or play games regularly will greatly benefit from the AMOLED display and smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
- Users who want a premium audio experience: The Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio features will provide great audio.
- Power Users: Those needing a fast and responsive phone for multitasking, demanding apps, and gaming will appreciate the Exynos 1380 chipset.
- Photography Enthusiasts: The enhanced camera system with OIS and additional features allows for more creative shooting, great video, and better photos.
- Users who want a long lasting battery: The significantly larger battery will be very useful for heavy users.
- Users who want a phone with up to date software: The M35 has Android 14 whereas the Moto G 5G has Android 10.
Use Cases:
- Heavy social media and content consumption.
- Demanding gaming.
- Photography and videography.
- Long days away from charging.
- Multitasking between apps.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Moto G 5G: Likely to be the more affordable option, appealing to those on a tight budget.
- Samsung Galaxy M35: Offers a much better overall experience with significant upgrades in display, performance, battery, and camera. It offers a higher price-to-value for users who value these upgrades.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality to you? (AMOLED with 120Hz vs. IPS LCD with 60Hz)
- How important is performance and battery life? (Significantly better performance and battery vs. slightly lighter build)
- What is your budget? (Price difference between the two models will be significant)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Budget is very limited, basic usage: Choose the Motorola Moto G 5G. While it's not as feature-rich, it covers the basics and is significantly more affordable.
Scenario 2: Mid-range budget, multimedia & everyday usage: Choose the Samsung Galaxy M35. The AMOLED display and better performance make it much more enjoyable for media and general daily use.
Scenario 3: Mid-range budget, heavy use with advanced features: Choose the Samsung Galaxy M35. The significantly better battery life, advanced camera features and higher performance will provide a great experience.
My Choice:
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy M35. While the Moto G 5G might be slightly more affordable, the upgrades provided by the Galaxy M35 offer a significantly better experience in nearly every area that is important in modern smartphones.
The combination of an AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a much more powerful processor, much larger battery, and a more advanced camera system (with OIS, and other features), along with newer software makes the Galaxy M35 a much better value for most users. The slightly extra weight and wide form factor are acceptable trade-offs for the superior user experience. The enhanced audio with stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and Hi-Res Audio is an additional feature I appreciate.
While the Moto G 5G may have niche benefits like being lighter and having additional autofocus features, the Galaxy M35 offers a more well-rounded and future-proof device for everyday usage, media consumption, and photography.
