Alright, let's dive into this head-to-head between the Motorola Moto G31 and the Motorola Razr 50. On paper, they're worlds apart – one a budget-friendly workhorse, the other a stylish foldable. But let's see what that means for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Moto G31 | Motorola Razr 50 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Radically different designs; Razr 50 offers portability and unique form factor; G31 is traditional. |
| Dimensions | 161.9 × 73.9 × 8.6 mm | 171.3 × 74 × 7.3 mm | Razr 50 taller and thinner; G31 slightly wider and thicker; Razr 50 more pocketable when folded. |
| Weight | 181g | 188.4g | G31 is slightly lighter, but both are manageable; Weight difference minimal. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.9" | Razr 50 has larger display; more immersive viewing for videos and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2640 | Razr 50 slightly sharper; more detailed visuals. |
| Pixel Density | 411 PPI | 413 PPI | Both offer very similar sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | G31 has superior blacks, contrast, power efficiency for dark themes, and vibrant colours. | |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Razr 50 has smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 3000 nits | Razr 50 offers vastly superior visibility under bright sunlight; G31 unquantifiable. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G85 (12nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7300X (4nm) | Razr 50 has significantly faster CPU and better performance. |
| Antutu Score | 225,154 | 620,395 | Razr 50 offers 2.75x faster processing than Moto G31. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G615 MC2 | Razr 50 has significantly better graphics performance, suitable for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8 | Both have comparable main cameras; Razr 50 has larger pixels, possibly better low-light performance. |
| Selfie | 13MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.4 | Razr 50 has much higher resolution selfie camera, better details. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.0 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Razr 50 has higher resolution wide angle camera. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | G31 has a dedicated macro lens while Razr 50 does not |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps with EIS | Razr 50 offers superior video recording quality, plus electronic image stabilization. |
| DXOMARK Scores | N/A | 92 (Mobile), 0 (Photo), 0 (Video) | Razr 50 scored 92 in overall mobile testing. |
| Features | Triple camera, Digital IS, HDR, Optical Zoom, PDAF etc. | Dual camera, Digital IS, OIS, Ultra Stable video, PDAF, Timelapse, Night Vision etc. | Razr 50 has more advanced video stabilization and features. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4200mAh | G31 has larger battery capacity, potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | 10W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Razr 50 has significantly faster charging speeds, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, wireless 15W | Razr 50 offers versatility with reverse and wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Razr 50 offers latest Android OS, access to new features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (WiFi 6/6E) | Razr 50 has support for faster Wi-Fi, more efficient with better performance |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.3 LE | Razr 50 offers latest Bluetooth version, more efficient and enhanced connectivity. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM/eSIM) | Razr 50 offers additional eSIM support, allowing for more flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB / 128 GB | 256GB / 512 GB | Razr 50 has significantly more storage space, better for media and app hoarding. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB / 12GB | Razr 50 has much more RAM, enabling better multi-tasking and faster performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones have no SD card slot, limiting their potential for expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Razr 50 offers enhanced spatial audio, better audio separation and immersion, better voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both provide the same type of biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Razr 50 is more robust to scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Razr 50 features Gravity sensor. |
2. Key Insights
- Motorola Moto G31: The Reliable Budget Option
- Strengths: Its main advantages lie in its large 5000mAh battery and AMOLED display technology. It also offers a dedicated macro lens, which the Razr 50 lacks. This makes it a solid choice for users who prioritize long battery life and a good display, while being budget conscious.
- Limitations: It falls behind significantly in processing power, refresh rate, charging speeds, and camera features compared to the Razr 50.
- Motorola Razr 50: The Modern Foldable Powerhouse
- Strengths: This phone excels with its cutting-edge foldable design, superior performance, 120Hz refresh rate display, faster charging, and advanced camera features like 4K video recording and OIS. The superior brightness and Gorilla Glass Victus make it much better suited for outdoor use and for rougher use. It is also has more ram and storage.
- Limitations: It comes with a smaller battery (4200mAh) than the G31, but compensates with 30W fast charging. Its higher price and the need to adapt to the foldable form factor is a trade off to be considered.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola Moto G31:
- Ideal For: Budget-conscious users, daily users needing long battery life, users who prefer a standard smartphone experience, and those who rarely game or take many photos.
- Use Cases: Basic social media, browsing, calling, basic media consumption, and general day to day use where battery life is key.
- Motorola Razr 50:
- Ideal For: Tech enthusiasts, users wanting a premium experience, those who enjoy mobile photography and videography, and anyone who wants a highly portable device with impressive performance.
- Use Cases: Content creation, mobile gaming, heavy multitasking, on-the-go productivity, and anyone seeking a statement phone with advanced features.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to ask yourself:
- What is my budget? The Moto G31 will be significantly more affordable than the Razr 50.
- Do I value performance or battery life more? If performance and speed are paramount, the Razr 50 is the clear choice. If battery life is more crucial, the Moto G31 will be more suitable.
- What type of user am I? If you're a content creator, gamer, or want a cutting-edge device, go for the Razr 50. If you need a reliable daily driver on a budget, the Moto G31 is adequate.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Budget-Conscious User: You need a dependable phone for daily tasks without breaking the bank. Recommendation: Motorola Moto G31
- Performance-Focused User: You require a phone that excels at mobile gaming and can handle multitasking with ease. Recommendation: Motorola Razr 50
- Mobile Photographer/Videographer: You want a phone with advanced camera features and video recording capabilities. Recommendation: Motorola Razr 50
- User Who Values Battery Life: Your phone must last all day with heavy use without frequent charging. Recommendation: Motorola Moto G31
- Tech Enthusiast: You like the newest and greatest, and you want something that stands out. Recommendation: Motorola Razr 50
My Choice
If I were to choose, I'd go with the Motorola Razr 50. While the G31 is a solid budget option, the Razr 50 offers a massive upgrade in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. The foldable design is innovative and offers unique versatility. It's also nice to have the option of reverse and wireless charging.
For me, the slightly smaller battery is a worthwhile trade-off for the faster charging and all the other improvements. I also highly value the better camera, the 4K recording, the higher display brightness and the enhanced performance, which would all be used in my day to day usage of a smartphone.
