Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Moto G31 and the Oppo A77. We'll move beyond spec sheets and explore what these numbers really mean for your day-to-day life. Buckle up!
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at the key specs, laid out in a way that highlights their real-world impact:
| Feature | Motorola Moto G31 | Oppo A77 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Size | 161.9 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm | 163.8 x 75.1 x 8 mm | Oppo A77 slightly larger, but both are pocketable. Moto G31 is a bit thicker. 9g heavier Oppo might be noticeable. |
| Weight | 181g | 190g | Moto G31 is lighter by 9g, potentially feels less cumbersome during long use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.56" | Oppo A77 offers a negligibly larger display for slightly more screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1612 | Moto G31 has a much sharper display, leading to crisper text and images. 123% more pixels on the Motorola G31. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 411 | 269 | Moto G31 offers noticeably greater sharpness and clarity, making content look cleaner. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Moto G31 has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, and better energy efficiency with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Oppo A77 offers smoother scrolling, though the difference isn’t massive in daily usage. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both are identical with the same peak brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G85 (12nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6nm) | Oppo A77 has a more modern chip built on a more efficient process (6nm vs 12nm). |
| AnTuTu Score | 225,154 | 42,000 | Moto G31 has a SIGNIFICANTLY higher score, which should result in much smoother performance, faster app loading, and better gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Both have Mali GPUs but of different generations. Moto G31 should be better based on Antutu score. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP f/1.8 | 13MP f/2.2 | Moto G31 offers significantly higher resolution and better low-light capabilities with wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP f/2.2 | 16MP f/2.0 | Oppo A77 has a slightly higher resolution front camera with wider aperture for better selfies. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 8MP f/2.0 | None | Moto G31 includes an extra ultrawide lens for greater versatility in photography. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Moto G31 has a dedicated macro camera for detailed close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, 120fps slow-mo | 1080p@30fps, no slow-mo | Both capture 1080p but Moto G31 has slow-motion feature. |
| Camera Features | PDAF, LAF, RAW, etc | Basic features | Moto G31 includes more advanced camera features like Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF), Laser Autofocus (LAF), and RAW support for more flexibility. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3200mAh | Moto G31 offers much longer battery life thanks to its larger cell. |
| Charging | 10W Fast Charging | Standard Charging | Moto G31 provides faster charging than Oppo A77. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 (Upgradable to 14) | Oppo A77 has a newer OS out of the box, with more years of potential support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | ac, Dual Band, Direct | n, Dual Band | Moto G31 has a newer WiFi version supporting Wi-Fi Direct. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 4.1 | Moto G31 uses a newer, more energy-efficient Bluetooth standard. |
| GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | Moto G31 offers better location accuracy with wider variety of GPS protocols. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 32GB or 64GB | Moto G31 offers more storage options for those who require extra space for photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 4GB | 3GB or 4GB | Both offer 4 GB of ram. Both sufficient for basic usage. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 mics | Basic features | Moto G31 provides an enhanced sound experience with Dolby Atmos. The second microphone will improve voice recording. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both phones share a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for convenient unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Oppo A77 has better scratch and impact resistance on the screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | Moto G31 offers Gyroscope for gaming and other applications requiring this sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G31
- Strengths:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen with its higher resolution and pixel density is a clear winner, offering vibrant colors and crisp visuals.
- Performance Powerhouse: The higher AnTuTu score, albeit not as modern chipset, translates to noticeably snappier performance and smoother multitasking, significantly higher score than Oppo A77
- Photography Versatility: With its triple-lens setup, including wide and macro lenses, along with features like PDAF and RAW support, the Moto G31 is the more versatile camera.
- Long-Lasting Battery: A significantly larger battery will keep the phone going for longer between charges.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos and dual microphones enhance the audio experience significantly.
- More Storage: Offering up to 128 GB of internal storage, it accommodates more apps, photos and other data
- GPS and WiFi: Supports advanced GPS protocols, along with a faster Wi-Fi version with Wi-Fi direct.
- Additional sensors: Comes with a gyroscope, while the Oppo A77 lacks it.
- Trade-offs:
- Older OS: Ships with Android 11, while the Oppo A77 ships with Android 12.
- No Expandable Storage: For the user requiring more storage space, this phone will run out of space fast if the 64GB model is bought.
- No Screen Protection: Does not come with a known screen protector.
Oppo A77
- Strengths:
- Smoother Display: Offers a higher 90Hz refresh rate, leading to slightly smoother animations and scrolling.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 12, which is more up to date than the Android 11 on the Motorola Moto G31.
- Selfie Camera: Better aperture on the selfie camera (f/2.0 vs f/2.2), with slightly higher resolution.
- Screen Protection: Comes with Gorilla Glass 5.
- Trade-offs:
- Lower Display Resolution: The 720p IPS LCD display is noticeably less sharp and vibrant than the Moto G31's AMOLED screen.
- Significantly Lower Performance: A much lower Antutu score indicates that the phone might struggle with multitasking and performance with gaming.
- Basic Camera: The single rear camera and a lack of advanced photography features limit versatility.
- Smaller Battery: The significantly smaller battery likely results in shorter battery life.
- Less Storage: Comes with 32GB or 64 GB of storage compared to the 64GB and 128GB options in the Motorola Moto G31.
- Slower Bluetooth: Uses an older Bluetooth standard.
- Fewer GPS protocols: Lacks support for Beidou, SUPL, and Galileo.
- No advanced Audio Features: Does not have advanced audio recording features such as Dolby Atmos.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola Moto G31:
- Ideal for: Users who value display quality, general performance, camera versatility, and long battery life.
- Best Use Cases:
- Frequent media consumption (watching videos, browsing photos)
- Casual gaming, and multitasking.
- Taking photos and videos of all sorts
- Users who need a phone that will last them the entire day.
- Users that like to consume audio.
- Oppo A77:
- Ideal for: Users who prioritize smooth scrolling, basic functionality and a more up-to-date operating system.
- Best Use Cases:
- Basic everyday use, social media browsing, and casual communication.
- Users who prioritize software updates over other features.
- Users that take more selfies than photos of the surroundings.
- Users that are more prone to dropping their devices.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your decision:
- How important is display quality to you? If you often watch videos or browse photos, the Moto G31's AMOLED display will be a game-changer. If it is less important, the Oppo A77 can be considered.
- Do you need a phone that will last you the entire day? If you do, the Motorola Moto G31's large battery will win on this point, without a second thought.
- Are you on a budget? If budget is an issue, the Oppo A77 is the cheaper phone based on the tech specifications, but the user experience is way better on the Motorola Moto G31 based on the specifications.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Media Lover: Choose the Motorola Moto G31 for its vibrant AMOLED display, better audio quality, and longer battery life.
- The Casual User: Consider the Oppo A77 if your needs are basic and you value a newer Android version.
- The Camera Enthusiast: The Motorola Moto G31's triple-lens camera system and features provide more flexibility and versatility.
- The Power User: The Motorola Moto G31 with better general performance will be preferred.
- The User on a budget: The Oppo A77 is the budget option but its value for money will be severely impacted based on its significantly lower performance.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would go with the Motorola Moto G31. Here’s why:
- Display Matters: The AMOLED screen is a major draw. As someone who consumes a lot of media, the difference in display quality is significant.
- Performance is Key: The AnTuTu scores speak for themselves and I prefer a phone that will be much faster in general usage.
- Versatile Camera: I like having flexibility when taking photos, and the wide and macro lens provide that.
- Battery Anxiety: A large battery ensures that the phone will last me an entire day, without having to charge the phone during lunch.
While the Oppo A77 has the advantage of a newer operating system, for me, the other specifications on the Motorola Moto G31, such as the display, performance, camera, battery life, audio and additional sensors outweigh this advantage. It’s a better all-around experience for my needs.
