Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Moto G31 and the Motorola Edge 50 Neo. I'm going to break down the specs, explain what they mean for you, and help you figure out which phone might be the better fit.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at how these two phones stack up, focusing on practical user impact:
| Feature | Motorola Moto G31 | Motorola Edge 50 Neo | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Size | 161.9 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm | 154.1 x 71.2 x 8.1 mm | The Edge 50 Neo is more compact and thinner, making it easier to handle and pocket. The G31 is slightly larger. |
| Weight | 181g | 171g | The Edge 50 Neo is a bit lighter, which can make a difference during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.4" | Both have the same screen size, but that's where the similarities end. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1256 x 2760 | The Edge 50 Neo has a significantly sharper screen, with more clarity in text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 411 | 474 | The Edge 50 Neo's higher PPI translates to crisper visuals and sharper detail. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both use great OLED tech, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Edge 50 Neo's 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel incredibly smooth. The G31's 60Hz is functional but less fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 3000 nits | The Edge 50 Neo will be dramatically more visible in bright sunlight, a huge plus for outdoor use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G85 (12nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4nm) | The Edge 50 Neo’s chip is newer and far more powerful, offering faster performance in every task. The G31's chipset is quite dated. |
| AnTuTu Score | 225,154 | 675,000 | The Edge 50 Neo will provide a substantially smoother and more responsive experience, and be much more capable for gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G615 MC2 | The Edge 50 Neo has a much stronger GPU, so it will render graphics more quickly. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" | The Edge 50 Neo has a larger sensor, allowing it to capture more light and detail, especially in low-light situations. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.2 | The Edge 50 Neo will take higher resolution selfies with better detail. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.0 | The Edge 50 Neo includes an telephoto lens, while the G31 doesn't. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.0 | None | The G31 has a dedicated wide-angle camera, useful for group shots and landscapes. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The G31 has a macro lens for close-ups, but the 2MP resolution isn't very high. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2 | The Edge 50 Neo includes a wide-angle with macro feature. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | The Edge 50 Neo offers much better video quality, along with many stabilization options. |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | 115 (Mobile) | The Edge 50 Neo has been professionally tested and scored 115 for overall camera quality, a clear benchmark of quality. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4310 mAh | The G31 has a larger battery, suggesting better potential for battery life. |
| Charging | 10W | 68W | The Edge 50 Neo charges much faster, which can be a real time-saver. |
| Wireless Charging | No | 15W | The Edge 50 Neo supports wireless charging, which is a convenient addition. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 | Android 14 | The Edge 50 Neo has a much more recent Android version, with more current security features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6E (802.11ax) | The Edge 50 Neo supports Wi-Fi 6E, providing much faster and more reliable wireless connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.0 LE | Both phones have similar Bluetooth capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM/eSIM | The Edge 50 Neo allows for eSIM usage which is great for travel and digital sims. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB or 128 GB | 256GB or 512 GB | The Edge 50 Neo offers significantly more storage, which is great for photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8GB or 12GB | The Edge 50 Neo offers much more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and a more responsive interface. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage; you're stuck with what you get. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 mics | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The Edge 50 Neo has better spatial audio using stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | The Moto G31 has a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint reader. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | The Edge 50 Neo has a much more durable screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The G31 has more sensors, potentially opening up more functionalities. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G31 Strengths:
- Larger Battery: Its 5000 mAh battery is a clear win for longer battery life.
- Wide Angle Lens and Macro Lens: It has a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens which may be useful to a select audience.
- Hall Sensor
- Digital Image Stabilization and RAW Support: For photographers, these are additional features.
- More Advanced Fingerprint Sensor: The side-mounted fingerprint reader may be faster.
Motorola Edge 50 Neo Strengths:
- Superior Display: With higher resolution, pixel density, brightness, and a 120Hz refresh rate, it offers a significantly better viewing experience.
- Much Faster Performance: The Dimensity 7300 chipset is dramatically more powerful than the Helio G85.
- Enhanced Camera System: It has a larger primary sensor, a telephoto lens, a higher-resolution front camera, and much better video recording capabilities.
- Faster Charging: The 68W fast charging can quickly top up the battery, and wireless charging is convenient.
- More Storage and RAM: The Edge 50 Neo has much more storage and RAM and in the current age, that matters.
- Modern Software: It ships with Android 14, ensuring the latest features and security updates.
- Better Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E support provides faster and more reliable network performance.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection.
- Stereo Speakers: Better overall audio.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Battery Size: The Edge 50 Neo has a smaller battery, but the fast charging and efficient chip likely help mitigate this.
- Wide Angle and Macro Lens: The Edge 50 Neo's Wide Angle lens acts as a macro lens. The G31 has dedicated lenses but may not be as useful.
- Cost: The Edge 50 Neo is likely more expensive than the G31.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola Moto G31:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Best for users primarily focused on cost and battery life.
- Casual Users: Suitable for basic tasks like browsing, messaging, and social media, but not intensive tasks.
- Limited Photography Needs: Can be used for everyday photos, but won’t excel in demanding conditions.
- Older Tech Users: If you prefer familiarity or aren't too demanding, this phone is perfectly fine.
- Motorola Edge 50 Neo:
- Performance Seekers: Ideal for users who need snappy performance, smooth multitasking, and gaming.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Great for watching videos, viewing photos, and enjoying a high-quality visual experience.
- Photography Lovers: The superior camera system makes it a good choice for casual and serious photographers alike.
- Power Users: The faster charging, modern software, and enhanced connectivity cater well to power users.
- Modern Users: Up-to-date tech and features with fast charging and wireless charging.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How important is performance and speed? If you want smooth multitasking and gaming, the Edge 50 Neo is the clear choice.
- How much do you value screen quality? If you enjoy watching videos, or browsing detailed content, the Edge 50 Neo's screen is noticeably superior.
- What is your budget? If you are on a budget, the Moto G31 will suit your needs but you will have to make compromises. If you're willing to pay a little more for all of the upgrades, the Edge 50 Neo is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "Basic Phone User"
- Recommendation: The Moto G31 is acceptable if you really want a low price and the best battery life.
- Scenario 2: "Everyday Photographer"
- Recommendation: The Edge 50 Neo offers much better image quality with its larger sensor and additional telephoto lens.
- Scenario 3: "Multimedia Enthusiast"
- Recommendation: The Edge 50 Neo's superior screen quality, stereo speakers and fast performance, will make consuming content much more enjoyable.
- Scenario 4: "Power User or Gamers"
- Recommendation: The Edge 50 Neo's performance is superior and will handle demanding tasks and games with ease.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I'd go with the Motorola Edge 50 Neo. Even though it has a slightly smaller battery, the advantages in performance, display quality, camera, charging speed, and software are just too significant to ignore. I appreciate smooth performance and a great screen for all the things that I do. It's the more versatile and modern device, better suited to all my needs. The dated Helio G85 on the Moto G31 is just too much of a compromise. It's worth it to me to have the added features and updated performance of the Edge 50 Neo.
