Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Moto G31 and the Motorola Edge 40 Neo. I'll break down the specs, explore what they mean for you, and help you decide which phone might be the best fit for your needs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Moto G31 | Motorola Edge 40 Neo | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.9 × 73.9 × 8.6 mm | 159.6 × 72 × 7.9 mm | The Edge 40 Neo is slightly smaller and thinner, potentially feeling more comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 181g | 170g | The Edge 40 Neo is lighter, which might make a difference over extended use. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard builds. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | The Edge 40 Neo offers better screen protection against scratches and minor impacts. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.55" | The Edge 40 Neo offers a slightly larger screen, making content consumption a little more immersive. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have sharp and detailed screens. |
| PPI | 411 | 402 | Both phones offer a very crisp display, with imperceptible differences in sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both use high-quality OLED variants, resulting in vivid colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | The Edge 40 Neo's 144Hz refresh rate will feel significantly smoother and more responsive during scrolling, gaming, and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | The Edge 40 Neo is much brighter, providing far better visibility in bright sunlight conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6 nm) | The Edge 40 Neo’s newer, more efficient chip leads to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 225,154 | 527,666 | The Edge 40 Neo boasts a significantly higher AnTuTu score, reflecting substantially better performance across the board. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G610 MC3 | The Edge 40 Neo has a more capable GPU, improving graphics rendering for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.00µm | The Edge 40 Neo’s main camera has a larger sensor and larger pixel size, which will capture more light resulting in better low-light performance and less noise. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.70µm | The Edge 40 Neo offers higher resolution selfies, while the Moto G31 has a wider aperture, potentially better in lower light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | N/A | The Moto G31 features a dedicated Wide Angle lens for capturing landscape or group photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | N/A | The Moto G31 features a dedicated Macro Lens for detailed close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | N/A | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | The Edge 40 Neo combines a Wide Angle and Macro lens into one for versatility. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | The Edge 40 Neo offers much higher video recording capabilities and includes electronic image stabilization (EIS) for smoother videos. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | N/A | 103 (Photo: 102, Video: 116) | The Edge 40 Neo has been tested by DxOMark with very positive results, showing strong performance in both photo and video capture, the Moto G31 has no testing data. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, Digital Image stabilization | Dual camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Night Mode | The Moto G31 offers triple camera lens versatility, while the Edge 40 Neo has OIS for stabilized photos and videos and a dedicated Night mode for better low-light captures. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should provide all-day battery life for most users. |
| Charging | 10W fast charging | 68W fast charging | The Edge 40 Neo charges significantly faster, which can be a huge time-saver. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13, with guaranteed Android 15 upgrade. | The Edge 40 Neo has a much newer version of Android and is guaranteed to get updates for longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | The Edge 40 Neo offers faster and more efficient Wi-Fi with WiFi 6. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | The Edge 40 Neo has a newer Bluetooth version, offering improved connections and better audio codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | The Edge 40 Neo has slightly more accurate and faster GPS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | The Edge 40 Neo offers eSIM support for easy carrier switching, while the Moto G31 has dual physical SIM slots. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB or 128GB | 256GB | The Edge 40 Neo has considerably more storage for apps, photos, videos, and files. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB or 12GB | The Edge 40 Neo has far more RAM options for smoother multitasking and better overall system performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers external storage options. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Edge 40 Neo has better sound quality with stereo speakers, for immersive audio experience, and improved voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer biometric security; the side mounted option might be slightly easier to use. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both phones have a very comprehensive sensor suite |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G31 Strengths:
- Affordability: The Moto G31 is an entry-level device that prioritizes affordability, making it accessible to budget-conscious users.
- Dedicated Macro & Wide Angle Lenses: It features dedicated macro and wide angle lenses, offering a bit more versatility in photography at a lower price point.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: The side-mounted fingerprint sensor might be slightly easier for some users.
Motorola Edge 40 Neo Strengths:
- Performance Powerhouse: With its newer chipset, higher AnTuTu score, and superior GPU, the Edge 40 Neo is significantly faster and smoother for all tasks.
- Stunning Display: The 144Hz refresh rate and much higher brightness of the P-OLED panel make the Edge 40 Neo's display a clear winner for a superior visual experience, especially outdoors.
- Superior Camera: The larger sensor on the main camera, combined with OIS and 4K video recording, positions the Edge 40 Neo as a strong contender for mobile photography and videography.
- Faster Charging: The 68W charging is a huge convenience, allowing for much quicker battery top-ups.
- More Storage and RAM: The base 256GB of storage and 8/12 GB of RAM ensures better multitasking and long term usability.
- Modern Software: The phone ships with a much newer OS (Android 13, upgradable to 15), ensuring better features, security, and overall longevity.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers offer a richer, more immersive audio experience.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Newer WiFi and Bluetooth versions provide for faster and more reliable connections.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides enhanced protection against scratches.
Trade-Offs & Limitations:
- Motorola Moto G31: The G31 is showing its age, with slower performance, lower-quality display, and significantly lower charging speeds. The lack of expandable storage is also a limitation.
- Motorola Edge 40 Neo: The only possible trade off is the slight decrease in the aperture on the selfie camera, which could be slightly worse in low light, but the higher resolution should make up for it.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Moto G31:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Ideal for those who need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks like browsing, calls, and messaging, and want to spend the least amount possible.
- Occasional Photographers: Suitable for casual users who value a bit more camera versatility, and are not too focused on high-end image quality.
- Light Users: This device is geared towards those who don't perform heavy multitasking, gaming or other demanding tasks.
Motorola Edge 40 Neo:
- Performance Enthusiasts: A perfect match for users who demand fast, smooth performance for gaming, multitasking, and app usage.
- Media Lovers: It's ideal for those who enjoy watching videos, browsing content, and playing games, thanks to the smooth, vibrant display.
- Photo and Video Enthusiasts: A great choice for anyone wanting to capture higher-quality photos and videos, especially in low-light settings, with OIS for stabilized footage.
- Power Users: The 68W fast charging is a huge plus for those who need a reliable phone that can be quickly topped up to stay powered all day.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help guide your decision:
- What is your budget? If affordability is the top priority, the Moto G31 is an option. If you can spend more, the Edge 40 Neo provides significantly more value.
- How important is performance and overall smoothness? If you demand seamless multitasking and a fluid experience, the Edge 40 Neo's faster processor and 144Hz display are essential.
- What are your photo and video needs? If you prioritize higher-quality photos and videos, especially in low light, the Edge 40 Neo's enhanced camera and OIS are worth the investment.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic Use (calls, messages, casual browsing): If you only need a phone for basic tasks and are on a tight budget, the Moto G31 can suffice.
- Scenario 2: Daily Driver (multitasking, social media, media consumption): The Edge 40 Neo is a far superior daily driver for smooth, lag-free performance and a great media experience.
- Scenario 3: Photography Focused: The Edge 40 Neo has a much better camera, with the capability to record 4k video and OIS, it is by far the superior choice.
- Scenario 4: Gaming and Performance: The Edge 40 Neo is the clear winner with it's much faster chip, and better display with 144hz refresh rate.
My Choice:
If I were choosing between these two, I'd go with the Motorola Edge 40 Neo without hesitation. The jump in performance, the far superior display, much better camera quality, and especially the faster charging speed are game-changers for daily usability. While the Moto G31 is certainly more budget-friendly, the Edge 40 Neo offers a much more modern and capable experience that justifies its higher price tag. As someone who relies heavily on their smartphone for both work and personal use, I prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities, making the Edge 40 Neo the clear choice for me.
