Alright, let's break down the Motorola Moto G31 and the Samsung Galaxy M55. I'll put on my tech journalist hat and get into the nitty-gritty to give you a clear picture of what each phone offers and who they're for.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Moto G31 | Samsung Galaxy M55 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm | 163.9 x 76.5 x 7.8 mm | M55 is slightly taller and wider but thinner, making it more pocketable. G31 is bulkier. |
| Weight | 181g | 180g | Both phones are almost identically weighted. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | M55 offers a slightly larger viewing area, good for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Sharp, clear visuals on both, but M55 has that bit of extra screen space. |
| PPI | 411 | 393 | Both have great pixel density for crisp visuals. Slight advantage to G31, but barely noticeable to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors, deep blacks, and great viewing angles on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | M55 provides significantly smoother scrolling and animations. G31 is a bit choppy. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Brightness is listed as 0 nits for both, so this is not usable for comparison. Assume similar brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm) | M55 is much more powerful, handling demanding tasks easily. G31 is okay for daily tasks but will struggle with heavy gaming or multi-tasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 225,154 | 698,000 | M55 is more future-proof, with way more headroom for performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 644 | M55 has much better graphics performance, giving it a clear gaming advantage. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer all-day battery life, but usage will vary. |
| Charging | 10W | 45W | M55 charges considerably faster, a huge convenience. G31 will take a long time to charge. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Negligible difference for everyday users, both are non-removable. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.8 | Both offer decent standard camera performance for general photography. M55 is missing some spec information. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/2.2 | M55 has a much higher resolution selfie camera. Better for detailed selfies and potentially good for video calls. |
| Wide-Angle | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12 µm pixel size | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | G31 offers a slightly wider aperture. Both offer wide angle. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm pixel size | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both are basic macro lenses. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps with OIS/EIS | M55 takes much higher quality video with better stabilization and frame rates. |
| Camera Features | Digital Zoom, Optical Zoom, Triple Camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Both are pretty packed with features but the M55 includes OIS and 4K video which is a big advantage. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | M55 offers a much more modern OS and will likely get longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | M55 has better WiFi tech offering faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 | M55 has newer Bluetooth that offers improved range, and speed. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, NavIC System | M55 supports more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support Dual SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128GB | 128/256GB | M55 offers more storage. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB | M55 has double the RAM, which makes multitasking a much smoother experience. |
| Expandable | No | No | No extra storage can be added on either device. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos | G31 offers 2 microphones for better voice capture, but both are Dolby Atmos compatible. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | G31 has a more modern sensor technology. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | M55 offers more protection against screen damage. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint; Proximity; Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | Fingerprint; Proximity; Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Both offer a comprehensive sensor suite. M55 lacks a Hall sensor but has geomagnetic. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G31:
- Strengths:
- Decent AMOLED screen for its price point.
- Okay for basic day-to-day tasks and light browsing.
- Slightly better audio recording with dual microphones.
- Offers a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is slightly better than the basic one on the M55.
- Competitive Advantages:
- More affordable for budget-conscious users.
- Trade-offs/Limitations:
- Significantly less powerful chipset and GPU compared to the Samsung.
- Slower charging speed.
- Older software, less likely to get future updates.
- No screen protection listed which is concerning.
Samsung Galaxy M55:
- Strengths:
- Significantly more powerful processor and graphics.
- Smoother display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
- Much faster charging.
- Better camera (higher resolution selfie camera, OIS).
- More modern software (Android 14).
- More storage space.
- Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for better screen protection.
- Supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard and the latest Bluetooth version.
- Competitive Advantages:
- Superior performance for gaming and multitasking.
- More advanced and feature-rich camera capabilities.
- Better future proofing thanks to more processing power and newer software.
- Trade-offs/Limitations:
- More expensive than the Motorola G31.
- No expandable storage.
- Uses a basic fingerprint sensor, which is less ideal than the side-mounted sensor.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Moto G31:
- Best suited for:
- Budget-conscious users who primarily need a phone for basic tasks, messaging, and browsing.
- Users who prioritize a slightly better audio recording and basic functionality over high-performance gaming.
- Users who prefer a side-mounted fingerprint sensor over the alternative.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday phone for calls, texts, and social media.
- Media consumption such as watching videos (but remember the 60Hz refresh rate will not be as smooth as the 120Hz on the Samsung).
Samsung Galaxy M55:
- Best suited for:
- Users who need a high-performing phone that can handle gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Users who want to future-proof their phone.
- Users who prioritize camera quality, particularly selfie enthusiasts and those who capture a lot of video.
- Users who want a smooth and fast user experience.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming.
- Photo and video editing.
- Media creation and consumption.
- Productivity on the go.
- Those who will use it as their main device.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you choose:
- What's my budget?
- If you have a strict budget, the Moto G31 will save you money but you will sacrifice power and smoothness.
- How important is performance?
- If you need a powerful device for gaming or multitasking, the M55 is the better option.
- Which features do I value the most?
- If you prioritize camera quality, video recording, and smooth software, the M55 is the obvious choice.
Scenario-based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Casual User
- If you are a casual user who only uses a phone for basic calls, messaging and social media, the Motorola Moto G31 will likely suffice.
- Scenario 2: The Gamer/Power User
- If you are a gamer or power user and need more processing power and faster speeds, the Samsung Galaxy M55 is a much more suitable device.
- Scenario 3: The Photography Enthusiast
- If you take a lot of photos and videos, the Samsung Galaxy M55 with its better camera and 4K recording with OIS is the clear choice.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would definitely pick the Samsung Galaxy M55. While the Motorola Moto G31 is more budget-friendly, the vast difference in performance, the much better display with a 120Hz refresh rate, significantly faster charging and higher storage and RAM make the M55 the better choice by far. The better camera on the M55 also provides a more versatile option. I think the overall experience will be much more enjoyable, and with the newer software the M55 will likely get more updates and therefore be a more future-proof device.
The G31's budget price is compelling, but I believe the value proposition on the M55 is far greater.
