Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Moto G31 and the newer Moto G85. I've got my engineering hat on, but I'll be sure to explain things like I'm chatting with a friend over coffee—no jargon dumps here! We'll break it down into digestible chunks, focusing on how these specs translate to your actual, everyday use.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Moto G31 | Motorola Moto G85 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-12-06 | 2024-06-25 | G85 is significantly newer; Expect improvements in hardware and software. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, no fancy foldable tech here. |
| Dimensions | 161.9 × 73.9 × 8.6 mm | 161.9 × 73.1 × 7.6 mm | G85 is slimmer and slightly lighter, should feel more comfortable in hand and pocket. |
| Weight | 181g | 171g | G85 is 10g lighter, subtle but noticeable difference for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.67" | G85 has a slightly larger screen, which means a more immersive experience for videos and games. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp, detailed visuals at Full HD+ resolution. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 411 | 395 | Both have high pixel density, meaning the difference in sharpness will be hard to discern. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks, no clear advantage here. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | G85's 120Hz display will feel significantly smoother for scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | G85 has much higher brightness, vastly improved visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6 nm) | G85's chipset is more modern and powerful; Expect faster app loading and smoother gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 225,154 | 475,000 | G85 scores more than double, indicating a huge leap in raw performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 619 | G85's GPU provides superior graphics, better gaming performance and smoother UI. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | 50MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 1.00µm | G85's larger sensor and pixel size will result in better low-light shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.70µm | G85 has much higher resolution for sharper selfies, but less low-light ability. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | G31's wider aperture may perform better in low light. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | None | G31 includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots; G85 omits this. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, No Stabiliz., 120fps Slow-mo | 1080p@30/60fps, Yes Stabiliz., 30fps Slow-mo | G85 offers stabilization and higher frame rates, but G31 has higher slow-mo capture rate. |
| DxOMark Scores | Not Available | Mobile: 88 (Photo: 83, Video: 109) | G85's camera performance is objectively better. |
| Features | Triple Camera, Optical zoom | Dual Camera, OIS | G85 has OIS for sharper photos, but G31 has a triple setup and optical zoom. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same capacity, should offer comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 10W | 30W | G85 charges much faster, getting you back in action more quickly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | G85 ships with a much newer version of Android, offering better features and security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | G85 has a faster and more efficient Wi-Fi connection. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | G85 has a slightly newer version of Bluetooth, providing more stability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | G85 supports more satellite systems for better accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM / eSIM | G85 offers eSIM for easier digital carrier switching; G31 has two SIM slots. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | G85 offers larger storage options for more files, apps, and media. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB/12GB | G85 has much more RAM, ensuring smoother multitasking and snappier performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 Microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 Microphones | G85 has stereo speakers, for an improved audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | G31 offers a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | G85 has better screen protection and should be more durable. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both offer a solid set of sensors, G31 has the hall sensor. |
2. Key Insights
- Motorola Moto G31:
- Strengths: The G31 offers a solid AMOLED screen, a good pixel density, and a triple camera setup that includes a macro lens. It has a wider aperture wide-angle lens and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor which is considered more practical by many. It has more slow-motion recording options.
- Trade-offs: It lacks the high refresh rate and brightness of the G85, its performance is notably weaker, and it has much slower charging speeds.
- Motorola Moto G85:
- Strengths: The G85 has a superior display with a 120Hz refresh rate and excellent brightness, a significantly more powerful processor, faster charging, and a higher-resolution selfie camera. It also has stereo speakers and a newer OS. It also has a larger main camera sensor with larger pixel size. It has better video recording with OIS.
- Trade-offs: It omits the dedicated macro lens and does not record slow-motion video as high as the G31.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola Moto G31:
- Best for: Budget-conscious users who prioritize a good quality AMOLED screen, a decent camera setup, and a phone that will handle basic tasks. It's also suitable for those who might find the macro lens and more advanced slow-motion to be beneficial.
- Use Cases: Casual social media browsing, basic photography, day-to-day communication, and watching videos.
- Price-to-Value: A good value proposition in its respective budget class for the screen technology.
- Motorola Moto G85:
- Best for: Users who want a smoother and more responsive experience, better gaming performance, improved outdoor visibility, and a more versatile camera system, with better audio experience.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, frequent social media usage, content creation, watching high-quality videos, and everyday multitasking.
- Price-to-Value: A strong performer that justifies its higher price tag due to the large boost in hardware and features, especially for users seeking a faster phone.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do you prioritize a smooth, responsive display and overall speed?
- If yes, the Moto G85 is the better choice.
- Are you on a tight budget but still want a nice screen and decent cameras?
- The Moto G31 may suit your needs in this case.
- How important is fast charging, stereo audio and a more modern OS?
- If these features are crucial, the Moto G85 is a clear winner.
Scenario-based Recommendations:
- The Casual User: If you primarily use your phone for basic tasks, light browsing and social media, the Moto G31 can handle those tasks, and the screen will provide enjoyable visuals.
- The Tech Enthusiast: If you crave a smooth experience, the Moto G85's 120Hz display and stronger chipset are what you're looking for, it has better audio, better protection, and a faster charging experience.
- The Mobile Photographer: If taking quality photos is important to you, while the G31 has a good camera system, it is not as refined as the G85, which has OIS for stable photos and higher resolution selfies.
My Choice:
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would go with the Motorola Moto G85. While the G31 is a decent budget device, the jump in overall performance, display quality, and the added features of the G85 make it the better choice, especially considering its faster charging and better OS. For me, the combination of a smoother user experience and the better camera is enough to justify the cost, with the stereo speakers and better build quality adding more value to the G85. While a macro lens is useful to have, I believe I would get much more use out of the improved primary camera of the G85.
