Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Moto G31 and the Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G. I'll break down their specs, analyze the real-world implications, and help you figure out which might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Moto G31 | Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions (mm) | 161.9 × 73.9 × 8.6 | 157.4 × 75.8 × 7.6 | The G31 is taller and thicker but narrower, while the S22+ is wider and thinner. Consider pocket fit and hand comfort. |
| Weight (g) | 181 | 195 | G31 is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable during extended use, the S22+ will feel slightly more substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size (inches) | 6.4 | 6.6 | S22+ offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive media consumption, though the difference may be minimal for some users. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both are Full HD, resulting in sharp visuals, though minor variations exist. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 411 | 393 | Both offer good pixel density; the difference is practically unnoticeable to most users. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use vibrant and contrast-rich AMOLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate (Hz) | 60 | 120 | S22+ provides much smoother scrolling and animations with a 120Hz refresh rate, making the user experience feel significantly more fluid. |
| Brightness (nits) | 0 | 1750 | The S22+ is dramatically brighter, making it much more usable in direct sunlight. This is a huge difference. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G85 | Exynos 2200 (Europe) | S22+ boasts significantly more powerful processing, which impacts gaming, multitasking, and overall responsiveness; The S22+ is far more future-proof. |
| AnTuTu Score | 225,154 | 890,774 | S22+ has vastly superior benchmark performance, demonstrating its raw power; the G31 will struggle with demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Xclipse 920 | The S22+ has a more powerful GPU, providing better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity (mAh) | 5000 | 4500 | G31 has a larger battery, potentially providing better endurance, but this will be heavily dependent on software and how it's used. |
| Charging | 10W | 45W | The S22+ charges much faster, significantly reducing the time spent plugged in. |
| Charging Features | Non-removable | Bypass, Non-removable, 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse Wireless | The S22+ has more versatile charging options, including bypass charging (allowing you to use it while plugged in without over stressing the battery), and wireless charging capabilities. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera (Standard) | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor, 0.64µm pixels | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" sensor, 1.0µm pixels | S22+ has a larger sensor with larger pixels, capturing more light and detail and generally better image quality, particularly in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixels | 10MP, f/2.2, 1.22µm pixels | G31 offers higher resolution but the S22+ with a larger pixel size may offer slightly better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9", 1.0µm pixels | The S22+ has a telephoto lens for optical zoom, offering more flexibility in capturing distant objects without digital pixelation. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm pixels | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.40µm pixels | The S22+ captures higher resolution wide-angle shots, though the G31's wider aperture may help in low-light. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixels | None | The G31 includes a dedicated macro lens for extreme close-up shots, which the S22+ lacks. It is important to understand that a dedicated macro lens is often of very poor quality compared to utilizing the main sensor with cropping. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | S22+ can record much higher quality video, offers HDR, EIS, stereo sound, and is a far more capable device for videography. |
| DXoMark | Not Tested | 125 (Mobile), 122 (Photo), 124 (Video) | S22+ has been professionally tested and scored high, showing its prowess in photography, the G31 has not been tested. |
| 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, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, 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, RAW | The S22+ has many more video focused features and OIS (optical image stabilization); The G31 includes laser autofocus, which can improve focus speeds in some scenarios. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 | Android 12 | S22+ has a newer OS, likely providing better features and security patches; The S22+ is likely to receive OS updates for 4 years. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | up to 802.11ac | up to WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | S22+ has the latest WiFi standard, offering better speeds and stability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | S22+ has a newer version of Bluetooth for more reliable connections and better audio features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | S22+ has more comprehensive GPS support for better accuracy in navigation. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Both offer dual SIM support, but the S22+ offers the flexibility of eSIM for digital carrier switching, while the G31 allows for two physical sims simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | S22+ comes with more storage options, allowing more flexibility for users that capture a large number of photos and videos. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | S22+ offers more RAM for smoother multitasking and better app performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | Stereo Speakers | G31 offers Dolby Atmos and dual microphones while S22+ uses stereo speakers; both offer different audio advantages |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | G31 offers a side mounted fingerprint sensor, while the S22+ uses a basic fingerprint sensor, likely under the display. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | S22+ offers superior scratch and drop resistance for screen protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer, Geomagnetic | S22+ has additional sensors like a barometer for more detailed environmental data and a Geomagnetic sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G31 Strengths:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery is a significant advantage, potentially offering longer battery life for users who don't need extremely high performance.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: A dedicated macro lens allows close-up photography, though with limited resolution.
- Lower Price Point: The G31 will be a much lower cost device, giving better access to a smartphone.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: A side-mounted fingerprint sensor is often faster than a basic fingerprint sensor.
Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2200 chipset offers a vast leap in processing power and GPU performance. This is a considerable advantage for any user.
- High-End Display: The 120Hz AMOLED display with extreme brightness provides a much smoother and visually superior experience.
- Advanced Camera System: Features a telephoto lens, larger sensor with larger pixels on the primary lens, and higher quality video recording.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Options: The S22+ supports much faster charging and has the added convenience of wireless charging, including reverse wireless charging.
- Build Quality & Protection: Has superior screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+.
- Better Connectivity: Comes with newer and faster WiFi and Bluetooth standards
- More Future-Proof: Offers a much more robust platform that will last longer, including OS updates until Android 16.
Trade-offs and Limitations
- Motorola Moto G31: The processor will struggle with demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, slow charging speeds, limited camera performance, and no expandable storage.
- Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G: The main trade-off is cost. The cost of the S22+ is significantly higher than the G31. The S22+ also offers lower battery capacity.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Moto G31 is Ideal For:
- Budget-Conscious Users: People who want a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank.
- Basic Use Cases: Users who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, social media, browsing, and light media consumption.
- Battery Life Focus: Users that prioritize battery endurance over extreme performance, gaming, or camera quality.
Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G is Ideal For:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who demand top performance for gaming, productivity, and multitasking.
- Content Creators: Individuals that need a high-quality camera for photos and videos.
- Multimedia Lovers: Users that value a vibrant and smooth display for gaming and watching movies and video content.
- Users That Want a Premium Experience: The higher price tag reflects the more premium materials and build quality, as well as the extra features offered.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What is your primary use case for a phone?
- G31: If basic tasks are your focus and you are on a budget, the G31 may be adequate.
- S22+: If you want high performance, a great camera, or consume a lot of media, the S22+ is the better option.
- How important is the display and performance?
- G31: A basic display at 60hz will be acceptable for basic tasks, but will feel outdated next to the S22+.
- S22+: The 120Hz display, with superior brightness and image quality offers the most premium display experience. The performance is significantly higher on the S22+.
- What is your budget?
- G31: If budget is a major concern, the G31 is the more affordable choice.
- S22+: Be prepared to pay a premium for the advanced features and performance of the S22+.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Casual User: If you just need a phone for basic tasks and prioritize a long battery life, the Moto G31 might be the better option. The Moto G31 also offers a very affordable price, making it very accessible.
- The Gamer/Power User: For gaming, demanding apps, and multitasking, the Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G offers the best experience with higher performance, and better thermals for consistent performance.
- The Content Creator: The Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G's camera system and video recording features make it the ideal choice for photo and video creation.
- The Media Consumer: If the quality of the display is extremely important, the brighter display with a 120hz refresh rate of the S22+ will provide a far better experience.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two devices, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G. While it comes with a significantly higher price tag, the sheer increase in performance, camera capabilities, display quality, charging options, build quality, and additional features are well worth it in the long run. The Motorola Moto G31 simply can't compete with the premium experience the S22+ offers. As an enthusiast, I value the cutting-edge technology that the S22+ provides, and the difference between these two devices is extremely large. While the G31 offers an affordable smartphone, its technology is outdated and will provide a less than ideal experience for anyone that is serious about their smartphone. The S22+ on the other hand is an extremely competitive phone, even to this day.
