1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Motorola Moto G 5G and the TCL 40 SE, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm | 167.9 x 76.5 x 8.5 mm | TCL 40 SE is slightly taller and thinner, potentially feeling more modern and sleek; Moto G 5G is thicker, might feel more bulky. |
| Weight | 212g | 190g | TCL 40 SE is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. |
| Build | Exact build materials unspecified for both. Weight difference hints at different chassis construction, with potential impact on perceived quality and durability. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.75" | Negligible difference in screen size. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 720 x 1600 | Motorola Moto G 5G has a much sharper display; text and images will look noticeably clearer, particularly when reading small text or viewing detailed images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 393 | 260 | Motorola Moto G 5G display will be visibly sharper and more detailed. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Similar color reproduction and viewing angles; no major difference here. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | TCL 40 SE offers smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall visual experience, especially in UI and supported games. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 900 nits | TCL 40 SE will be significantly more readable under direct sunlight, ideal for outdoor use. The Moto G 5G has an unknown brightness which is a major disadvantage. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Mediatek Helio G37 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 750G offers significantly better performance for demanding tasks, multitasking, and gaming. The 8nm process is also more energy-efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 390,000 | 160,000 | Moto G 5G is considerably faster; app loading will be quicker, multitasking smoother, and gaming experiences far better. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | PowerVR GE8320 | The Adreno 619 in the Moto G 5G is substantially better for gaming and graphics-intensive apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 50MP, f/1.85 | While the TCL has slightly higher resolution, the wider aperture on the Moto G 5G theoretically allows for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Motorola offers much higher detail in selfies, though TCL may perform slightly better in low light due to its wider aperture. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | Not Available | Moto G 5G allows for versatile photography with a wider field of view. |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | TCL 40 SE can create better bokeh effect in portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar macro capabilities for close-up shots on both devices. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, EIS, Slow-motion: 60fps | 1080p@30fps, Slow-motion: 30fps | Moto G 5G records much higher resolution video, making it suitable for quality recording; better video quality and smooth slow-motion recording on Moto G 5G. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, LAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | The Moto G 5G has more advanced camera features including digital image stabilization, laser autofocus, RAW capture, and night mode that significantly enhance image and video quality. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5010 mAh | Practically the same, both phones will offer similar battery life for typical use. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Motorola Moto G 5G charges slightly faster |
| Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Li-Polymer may have a slightly longer lifespan but it's not a noticeable difference. |
Other
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10 | Android 13 | TCL 40 SE comes with a more up-to-date version of Android. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, dual band | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, dual band | Similar Wi-Fi performance, both are able to use 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.1 LE | Similar low-energy bluetooth performance for connecting to headphones, wearables, etc. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | TCL offers slightly better location accuracy with the inclusion of Beidou and lack of SUPL; negligible difference in normal usage. |
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | TCL 40 SE offers more storage options for those who need it. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 4GB/6GB | Similar multitasking capabilities on both. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage; users should select models with sufficient built-in capacity. |
| Audio | 2 Microphones | Stereo Speakers | TCL 40 SE offers more immersive audio, better for enjoying media; Motorola Moto G 5G offers better audio quality for calls. |
| Security | Rear fingerprint | Side fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint sensors tend to be more convenient and slightly faster; no major impact on security. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gravity | Motorola Moto G 5G is better suited for gaming and motion tracking due to its gyroscope; the TCL lacks this but has a gravity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 750G chipset offers significantly better CPU and GPU performance, resulting in a faster and smoother experience for demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking.
- Sharper Display: The higher resolution and PPI provide a more detailed and visually appealing display, ideal for users who prioritize clarity.
- Enhanced Camera System: 4K video recording, a wide-angle lens, and advanced features like laser autofocus, RAW capture and a 16MP selfie camera offer more versatility and better quality.
- Wider feature set: Compass and gyroscope can be used in many games and apps which lack the ability to be used in the TCL 40 SE.
TCL 40 SE Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate provides a more fluid user experience, making scrolling and animations feel smoother.
- Brighter Display: The significantly higher brightness makes the screen much more usable under direct sunlight.
- Modern OS: Ships with Android 13 out of the box, compared to the Moto G 5G's outdated Android 10.
- Larger Storage Option: 256 GB offers twice the storage capacity of the higher option of Moto G 5G.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers provide much better audio immersion for listening to music and watching videos.
Trade-offs:
- Motorola Moto G 5G trades a smoother and brighter screen, stereo speakers, and a newer OS for superior performance and camera quality.
- TCL 40 SE trades performance and camera quality for a smoother, brighter display, better audio and more modern software.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G 5G:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, and those who prioritize camera quality.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming (smooth gameplay, better graphics).
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos, especially in diverse lighting conditions.
- Multitasking with demanding apps (video editing, resource-intensive apps).
- Users who want the best experience and will not need more than 128GB of space.
- Price-to-Value: Offers strong performance and camera capabilities, but may be less appealing if a smoother screen is a priority.
TCL 40 SE:
- Ideal User: Casual users who prioritize display smoothness, audio quality, and a modern OS, without demanding performance.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing, social media, and media consumption.
- Users who need a brighter screen for outdoor usage.
- Users who consume a lot of music/videos.
- Users who need the maximum storage at 256GB.
- Price-to-Value: Provides good value for basic tasks and users who value display and sound quality, but has a weaker camera and performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance? (Gaming, heavy apps, multitasking): If yes, then the Motorola G 5G is better; if no, then the TCL 40 SE is suitable.
- How important is screen brightness and refresh rate? (Outdoor use, smooth animations): If high, TCL 40 SE is better, if low, then the Motorola G 5G is suitable.
- How important is camera quality? (Photos, videos): If you need versatility and high quality, the Motorola G 5G is better; if only casual use, TCL 40 SE is suitable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: Choose Motorola Moto G 5G for its far superior performance and smooth gameplay due to the better GPU.
- Scenario 2: Social Media User/Content Consumer: Choose TCL 40 SE for its smoother, brighter display, better audio, and latest OS.
- Scenario 3: Photo Enthusiast: Choose Motorola Moto G 5G for its higher quality, versatile cameras, better features, and higher video quality.
- Scenario 4: Outdoor worker/User: Choose TCL 40 SE for its far brighter screen which is readable in any environment.
- Scenario 5: Media Storage: Choose TCL 40 SE for double the storage size at 256GB.
What I Would Choose
Personally, I would choose the Motorola Moto G 5G. Although I value a smooth, bright display, the significant performance boost that the Motorola Moto G 5G offers is more critical for my needs. I frequently multitask between apps, occasionally game, and use the camera in a variety of situations. The 4k video recording, wider field of view, better selfie camera, and included features like RAW and night mode are also very useful for me. While the TCL 40 SE has an advantage in brightness and refresh rate, the difference in performance is too large to ignore in my scenario.
