Okay, let's break down the Motorola Moto G31 and Moto G71 5G, putting these phones head-to-head in a way that’s both technically sound and easy to understand. We'll go beyond just listing specs to focus on what these differences mean for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Moto G31 | Motorola Moto G71 5G | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.9 × 73.9 × 8.6 mm, 181g | 161.2 × 73.9 × 8.5 mm, 179g | Virtually identical size and weight; minimal difference in hand feel. Both should be fairly comfortable to hold and use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.4" | Same screen real estate on both devices. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both screens will appear crisp. |
| Pixel Density | 411 PPI | 411 PPI | Equivalent clarity. Expect similarly sharp images and text on both devices. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast on both phones. This tech is great for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Standard smoothness; the display refreshes 60 times per second; general navigation will be fine, but not super smooth. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | This data is missing, making it difficult to compare the screen's visibility in various lighting conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | The Snapdragon 695 is significantly more powerful, offering smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance compared to the Helio G85. |
| AnTuTu Score | 225,154 | 396,564 | The Moto G71 5G is almost twice as performant (76% higher score). Expect a noticeable speed difference in daily use, especially with more demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 619 | The Adreno 619 offers better graphics performance compared to the Mali-G52, leading to a better gaming experience on the G71 5G. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64 µm pixel size | Similar primary sensors on both, good for everyday snapshots. Expect decent image quality in good lighting. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.00 µm pixel size | The G71 5G has a slightly higher resolution front camera, which could translate into slightly more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12 µm pixel size | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | The Moto G31 has a wider aperture, theoretically allowing slightly better low-light wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm pixel size | 2MP, f/2.4, pixel size | Similar macro performance for extreme close-up shots, though these sensors are generally basic on phones in this category. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, 120 fps slow-motion | 1080p@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 60 fps slow-motion | The G71 5G offers 1080p at 60fps which is nice for slightly smoother video. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer all-day battery life for most users. |
| Charging | 10W | 33W | The G71 5G charges significantly faster, getting you back to full power much quicker. This makes a huge difference in convenience. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | The Moto G71 5G has the advantage of being able to upgrade to Android 12, which means more potential future feature and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Both are the same for WiFi connectivity. Both will be able to access the same modern Wi-Fi bands. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Both phones offer similar Bluetooth audio compatibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB | The G71 5G has more internal storage by default for users who don't want to expand their storage, the G31 has the 64gb option for users who want a cheaper option. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | The G71 5G has more RAM for better multitasking and app performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones lack expandable storage, so be sure to select enough internal storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | Both phones are evenly matched in audio capabilities, expect similar audio experiences. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | While both offer fingerprint security, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor is usually faster and more comfortable for unlocking the phone. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | The Moto G31 has a compass. |
2. Key Insights
- Motorola Moto G31 Strengths: The Moto G31 is a budget-friendly option with a good AMOLED display and solid build quality, the wide angle camera is better than its competitor and it offers a compass sensor. It also has a side mounted fingerprint sensor. The G31 is a good value for the cost, but it will be slower.
Motorola Moto G71 5G Strengths: The G71 5G stands out with its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 695 chipset, faster 33W charging, higher RAM and also comes with an Android 12 upgrade. This makes it a more future-proof device and gives it better performance capabilities.
Performance Discrepancy: The most substantial difference is the performance. The Snapdragon 695 in the G71 5G makes it significantly faster, leading to a smoother user experience, especially in gaming and multitasking.
- Charging Speed: The 33W fast charging in the G71 5G is a big advantage, allowing users to quickly top up their battery. The 10W charging on the G31 is quite slow in comparison.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola Moto G31 is ideal for:
- Users on a tight budget seeking an OLED display and solid build quality.
- Those who prioritize a compass sensor.
- Users who do not require fast performance and only do basic tasks like web surfing and social media.
- Motorola Moto G71 5G is ideal for:
- Users who want a future proof and fast phone for their daily needs.
- Users who want faster charging.
- Users who want better performance in games and more demanding apps.
- Those looking for better long-term software support with Android 12.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help users decide:
- How important is performance to you?
- If performance is crucial for gaming or seamless multitasking, the G71 5G is the better choice. If you just want to browse the web the G31 may be enough.
- How much do you value fast charging?
- If you need to quickly top up your phone, the G71 5G's 33W charging is significantly better than the G31's 10W charging.
- How important is software updates?
- The G71 5G is going to offer an upgrade to Android 12 where the G31 will most likely not.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Casual User: If you only want to do basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and are on a budget, the Moto G31 will likely meet your needs, offering great features for the price.
- The Speed Seeker: If you are a gamer or someone who requires faster loading times and smoother performance, the Moto G71 5G is the clear winner due to its powerful chipset and higher RAM.
- The Power User: The Moto G71 5G is the better pick due to its faster performance, better charging, and also being more future-proof for software updates, this makes it a longer lasting option.
Conclusion
The Moto G31 and Moto G71 5G cater to different types of users. The Moto G31 is a good value pick, offering a decent phone with a great display, while the Moto G71 5G comes at a higher price but offers faster performance, faster charging, and a longer lasting option.
What I Would Choose
For me, I would choose the Motorola Moto G71 5G. The primary reason is the performance difference. The Snapdragon 695 chipset is a major upgrade over the Helio G85, providing a much smoother user experience, especially when multitasking and playing demanding games. Plus, the faster 33W charging is a significant convenience upgrade, and the Android 12 update makes it a more future-proof investment. While both phones offer excellent displays, the overall package of the G71 5G, with its better performance and fast charging, is worth the extra cost for me. I also do a fair bit of gaming and the Adreno GPU combined with the Snapdragon CPU would be a huge upgrade. The added RAM is also really nice for heavy multitasking which I do quite a bit of.
