Motorola Moto G 5G vs Sony Xperia 1 III - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date December 7, 2020 August 25, 2021
Release Year 2020 2021

Physical

Volume 125.14 cm³ 96.06 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.16 "/g 3.49 "/g
Weight 212 g 186 g
Height 166.1 mm 165 mm
Width 76.1 mm 71 mm
Thickness 9.9 mm 8.2 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Frosted Silver
  • Volcanic Gray
  • Frosted Black
  • Frosted Gray
  • Frosted Purple

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.5 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1644 x 3840
Aspect Ratio 20:9 21:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.7 % 84.2 %
Pixel Density 393 PPI 643 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 111.38 mAh/in² 106.51 mAh/in²
Battery Density 39.96 mAh/cm³ 46.84 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 4500 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 619 Adreno 660

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.1
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, Video Output

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 11
Maximum OS Version 13

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureMotorola Moto G 5GSony Xperia 1 IIIPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm165 x 71 x 8.2 mmMotorola is larger and thicker, less comfortable for one-handed use. Sony is more compact and pocketable.
Weight212g186gSony is noticeably lighter, better for extended use without fatigue.
Display
Size6.7"6.5"Motorola offers slightly more screen real estate, potentially better for media consumption. Sony is slightly more compact, and can be better if you prefer to hold it with one hand.
Resolution1080x24001644x3840Sony has a much sharper display with significantly more detail, ideal for high-resolution content and text.
PPI393643Sony's higher pixel density results in a crisper, more detailed image. Noticeably sharper text and images.
TechnologyIPS LCDOLEDSony's OLED offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast. Noticeably improved viewing experience.
Refresh Rate60Hz120HzSony offers smoother scrolling and animations, resulting in a more fluid user experience, especially in gaming and fast-paced apps.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsBoth phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits
Performance
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 750GQualcomm Snapdragon 888 5GSony has a significantly more powerful chipset, providing faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
AnTuTu Score390,000889,100Sony scores over twice as high, indicating a much snappier overall experience, and making it suitable for demanding tasks.
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 660Sony's GPU is significantly more powerful, offering better graphics performance in games and graphically intensive applications.
Battery
Capacity5000mAh4500mAhMotorola has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life.
Charging20W30WSony charges faster, minimizing downtime.
FeaturesNon-removableBypass Charging, Non-removableSony's bypass charging feature can reduce battery wear while gaming/charging.
Camera
Main Camera Resolution48MP12MPMotorola has a higher resolution on paper but it doesn't mean better picture quality.
Main Camera Pixel Size0.80 µm1.80 µmSony's larger pixels allow more light, resulting in better low-light performance.
Selfie Camera Resolution16MP8MPMotorola has a higher resolution sensor, but that does not guarantee better quality.
Selfie Camera Pixel Size1.00 µm1.12 µmSony has larger pixels, allowing more light for the selfie camera.
Telephoto LensNoYesSony offers optical zoom capabilities. Motorola does not have a telephoto camera.
Wide Angle LensYes, 8MPYes, 12MPSony provides a higher resolution wide-angle lens.
ToF 3D sensorNoYesSony offers better depth mapping.
Macro LensYes, 2MPNoMotorola can take macro photos but quality is likely to be low.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@30fps, EISUp to 4K@120fps, HDR, OIS, EISSony offers significantly more advanced video capabilities including stabilization and higher frame rates for slow-motion.
DxOMark ScoreN/A105 (Mobile)Sony camera quality is rated as excellent, no rating for Motorola.
Camera FeaturesBasic Features, Night Mode, Laser AFAdvanced Features, OIS, Optical ZoomSony's camera offers more advanced features and better overall performance.
Software
OSAndroid 10Android 11, upgradable to 13Sony has a more up to date operating system with longer software support.
Connectivity
WiFi802.11acWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Sony supports faster and more efficient Wi-Fi standards.
Bluetooth5.15.2Sony features a newer Bluetooth version with more features.
GPSStandardDual-band GPS, more systemsSony has a more accurate GPS with more available satellites.
SIMDual Nano SIMDual Nano SIMBoth support Dual SIM functionality
Storage
Internal Storage64/128GB256/512GBSony offers significantly more internal storage.
RAM4/6 GB12 GBSony has significantly more RAM for better multitasking and faster app switching.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither supports expandable storage.
Audio
Audio Quality2 MicrophonesDolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo SpeakersSony offers a superior audio experience with richer sound quality.
Security
Security FeaturesRear-mounted Fingerprint SensorSide-mounted Fingerprint SensorBoth phones have fingerprint sensors. Side-mounted may be slightly more accessible.
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionUnknownCorning Gorilla Glass VictusSony offers top-tier screen protection.
Sensors
SensorsFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, GyroscopeFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, BarometerSony has additional environmental sensors.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:

  • Potentially Longer Battery Life: Larger 5000mAh battery may provide longer usage between charges.
  • Lower Price Point: Typically more budget-friendly, offering 5G on a budget.
  • Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography (though quality is questionable)

Practical Implications for Motorola:

  • Good for users needing all-day battery without frequent charging.
  • Appeals to those seeking 5G connectivity without premium price.
  • Macro lens can be fun, but likely does not produce high quality images.

Sony Xperia 1 III Advantages:

  • Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, OLED technology, and 120Hz refresh rate provide an unmatched viewing experience.
  • Far Superior Performance: Significantly more powerful chipset and GPU for faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
  • Advanced Camera System: High-quality main sensor, dedicated telephoto lens, advanced video recording, and higher DxOMark score.
  • More RAM and Storage: 12 GB RAM and up to 512 GB internal storage ensure smooth operation and ample space for files.
  • Faster Charging: 30W fast charging gets you back up and running more quickly.
  • Better Software Support: Newer Android version, with more OS updates.
  • Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers for a better audio experience.
  • Modern Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
  • Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection.

Practical Implications for Sony:

  • Ideal for users who prioritize an exceptional display and visual experience.
  • Perfect for gaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking.
  • Excellent for users who want great image and video capture.
  • Offers a superior overall user experience due to its higher performance and premium build quality.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • Motorola: Sacrifices display quality, performance, and camera capabilities for a lower price point and slightly larger battery.
  • Sony: Comes at a premium price, lacks a macro lens.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Motorola Moto G 5G Ideal User:

  • Budget-Conscious Users: Those who want 5G connectivity at the lowest possible price.
  • Casual Users: Individuals who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming.
  • Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Those who need all-day battery life and are less concerned about top-tier performance.

Use Cases:

  • Everyday web browsing, social media, and email.
  • Basic gaming.
  • Long usage periods away from charging.

Sony Xperia 1 III Ideal User:

  • Tech Enthusiasts: Users who value cutting-edge technology and top-tier performance.
  • Content Creators: Those who need a great camera for photos and videos and a high-quality display.
  • Mobile Gamers: Users who demand smooth graphics and fluid gameplay.
  • Multitasking Power Users: Users who demand a fast and smooth experience, switching between apps without any stutter.

Use Cases:

  • High-end gaming with demanding graphics.
  • Professional-quality photo and video capture.
  • Media consumption with superior display and sound.
  • Heavy multitasking with lots of apps running at the same time.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • Motorola: Offers excellent value for budget-conscious buyers seeking 5G.
  • Sony: Provides a superior overall experience, but at a significantly higher cost. Users must decide if the premium features are worth the price.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The Motorola is much cheaper, but the Sony offers significantly better features.
  2. How important are display quality and performance? If you value these, the Sony is the clear winner.
  3. What do you primarily use your phone for? Basic usage favors the Motorola while more demanding use cases strongly favor the Sony.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Tight Budget: Choose the Motorola Moto G 5G. It provides 5G on a budget with reasonable performance and a large battery.
  • Scenario 2: Casual User: Consider the Motorola if you are mainly using your phone for basic tasks with good battery life.
  • Scenario 3: Demanding User: The Sony Xperia 1 III is the best choice for high performance, amazing display quality and a top-tier camera system.
  • Scenario 4: Gaming Enthusiast: Choose the Sony Xperia 1 III for a top-tier mobile gaming experience, better graphics, and a high refresh rate display.
  • Scenario 5: Photography Enthusiast: The Sony Xperia 1 III wins with its advanced camera setup, better stabilization and better video quality.

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Sony Xperia 1 III.

The significantly superior display, performance, camera system, and overall feature set of the Sony make it the clear winner for me, despite the higher price. As someone who prioritizes a top-tier experience, especially when it comes to display quality, gaming, and photography, the Sony Xperia 1 III is better suited to my needs. The higher price is a trade off, but the features offered by the phone are worth the additional cost in my opinion.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.