Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Moto G31 and the Samsung Galaxy S23+. As a tech journalist and smartphone analyst, I'm here to break down the specs and tell you what they really mean for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed table comparing the key technical specifications of both phones, focusing on their real-world implications:
| Feature | Motorola Moto G31 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm | 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm | The G31 is taller and thicker, while the S23+ is wider. The S23+ is noticeably thinner, which often translates to a more premium in-hand feel. |
| Weight | 181g | 196g | The G31 is lighter, making it more comfortable for longer use. The S23+ is heavier, which some might perceive as higher quality. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.6" | S23+ offers a slightly larger display, enhancing media consumption and gaming experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both have similar Full HD+ resolution. You wouldn't notice a huge difference in sharpness for daily use. |
| PPI | 411 | 393 | Both offer very similar pixel density, resulting in comparable clarity on screen. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use AMOLED panels, known for vibrant colors, high contrast, and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S23+ will feel smoother in animations, gaming and UI navigation; The G31 might look choppy in fast-scrolling situations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1750 nits | S23+ provides significantly better visibility in bright sunlight, making outdoor usage much easier. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G85 (12nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) | The S23+ offers a MUCH faster chipset, resulting in smoother multitasking, quicker app loading, and better gaming capabilities. The G31 is more of a budget-friendly option and won't be as snappy. |
| AnTuTu Score | 225,154 | 1,508,732 | The S23+ benchmarks over 570% higher, indicating vastly superior overall performance. This is a HUGE difference. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 740 | The S23+'s GPU offers much better graphics performance. This means significantly better gaming experiences. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4700mAh | The G31 has slightly larger battery but this won't always translate to better battery life since the S23+ uses more efficient components |
| Charging | 10W | 45W | S23+ charges much faster. The G31 might feel very slow when it comes to charging times. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable, 10W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless | S23+ has wireless charging, reverse charging, and bypass charging for gaming while plugged in. The G31 is very basic here. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" | S23+'s larger sensor and more modern sensor tech should lead to better low-light and image quality. |
| Selfie Lens | 13MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.2 | Slight differences in resolution, quality depends on a lot of factors |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9" | S23+ offers a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed-in shots, the G31 doesn't offer any. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.0 | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | S23+ offers a higher resolution wide-angle camera with a larger sensor, resulting in higher-quality ultrawide photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The G31 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. The S23+ does not offer a dedicated macro lens. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps; No; Slow-motion: Yes, 120 fps | Up to 8K@24/30fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound, 1080p/960fps. Yes; Slow-motion: Yes, 240 fps | S23+ offers MUCH higher quality videos with better stabilization. |
| DxOMark | N/A | 133 (Mobile) | Only the S23+ has been tested at DxOMark and it does great. |
| 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/8K video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | The S23+ has more features like OIS, Night Mode, 4K/8K recording and continuous autofocus making it a more versatile camera system. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 (Upgrade to 17) | S23+ is on the latest Android OS and will get many more updates. G31 is a bit dated and may not get many more OS updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Up to 802.11ac | Up to WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | S23+ has a newer Wi-Fi standard offering better speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.3 LE | S23+ has a newer Bluetooth version with more features including higher quality codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1 + L5) | S23+ has more accurate and reliable GPS with support for more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Both offer Dual SIM functionality; The S23+ provides the option of an eSIM while the G31 uses 2 physical nano SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB or 128GB | 256GB or 512GB | S23+ offers significantly more storage, useful if you store a lot of photos/videos/games. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB | S23+ has more RAM which results in better multitasking performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | S23+ offers superior audio quality, with stereo speakers, making the audio experience richer. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | The G31's side-mounted fingerprint sensor is generally faster and more convenient. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | S23+ offers better screen protection, and is more durable. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensor Suite | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | S23+ has a barometer sensor which the G31 does not. This makes the S23+ more suitable for use cases that utilize this functionality. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G31 Strengths:
- Lightweight and Ergonomic: It's lighter than the S23+, which is good for those who find heavier phones cumbersome.
- Macro Lens: If close-up photography is a must, the G31 has a dedicated macro lens.
- Lower Cost: It's positioned at a much lower price point, appealing to budget-conscious buyers.
Samsung Galaxy S23+ Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset offers top-tier performance, handling demanding apps and games effortlessly.
- Incredible Display: The brighter 120Hz display makes the screen more vibrant and much smoother, particularly outdoors.
- Advanced Camera System: It features a higher quality camera system with a bigger main sensor, a telephoto lens, OIS, and 4K/8K video recording making it a more versatile option for most situations.
- Premium Build Quality: With Gorilla Glass Victus 2, the S23+ provides better protection against scratches and drops.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Charging and usage is more convenient.
- Future-Proof Software: With a newer Android OS and better update support, you can expect this phone to stay current for longer.
- Better Audio System: Stereo speakers and hi-res audio will provide a superior audio experience.
Trade-offs:
- G31: The G31 trades performance and camera quality for a lower price. The performance is very much entry level in today's standards.
- S23+: The S23+ is significantly more expensive and heavier and lacks a dedicated macro lens.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola Moto G31:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Ideal for those who need a capable smartphone for basic tasks without spending much.
- Light Users: Perfect for browsing, calls, texts, social media, and light app use.
- Macro Photography Enthusiasts: If taking close-up photos is a frequent use case, the dedicated macro lens might be attractive.
- Samsung Galaxy S23+:
- Power Users: Great for anyone who needs top-tier performance for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Offers a high-quality camera system for various photography needs with many features.
- Media Consumers: The larger, brighter display with a 120Hz refresh rate makes it ideal for watching videos, browsing, and playing games.
- Users Wanting Durability: Gorilla Glass Victus 2 provides enhanced screen protection.
- Users who want a feature-rich experience: The S23+ is packed with many features like better GPS, better audio, wireless charging, and reverse charging.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What is your budget? The G31 is much more affordable, while the S23+ is a premium device.
- How important is performance? For intensive tasks, gaming, and multitasking, the S23+ is the clear winner. For lighter use cases the G31 will suffice.
- How important is the camera? If photography is important to you, the S23+ will provide a vastly superior experience.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you just need a basic phone for calls, texts, and browsing on a budget: The Motorola Moto G31 will do the job adequately.
- If you want the best possible performance, screen quality, and an advanced camera system: The Samsung Galaxy S23+ is the superior choice if you have the budget.
- If you are an avid gamer or someone who does a lot of video editing/multitasking: The Samsung Galaxy S23+ is the more suitable choice.
- If taking macro shots is important to you: The Moto G31 has a dedicated macro lens that the S23+ lacks.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would unequivocally choose the Samsung Galaxy S23+. As a tech journalist and someone who uses their phone extensively for work and leisure, here's why:
- Performance is King: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers a level of responsiveness and speed that I heavily rely on. I often multitask, edit photos/videos, and play games, so a powerful processor is a must.
- Display is Crucial: The 120Hz AMOLED display with its high brightness makes a massive difference in daily usage, especially when working outdoors or during travel. The smoothness of the UI is also something that is invaluable.
- Camera Versatility: The flexibility and quality of the S23+’s camera system, including the telephoto lens, is essential for me for documenting events and daily life.
- Future Proofing: The S23+ will receive many more OS and security updates than the G31 making it a more future-proof purchase.
- Feature-Rich Ecosystem: Features like wireless charging, reverse charging, and better connectivity options further enhance the overall experience for me.
Yes, the S23+ is significantly more expensive, but for me, the performance, display, and overall feature set make it a much better long-term investment. The Moto G31 is a good budget phone, but it would not be suitable for my use case. It simply does not have the performance and features that I'd need.
While budget is always a consideration, for me, the benefits of the S23+ far outweigh its price and small weight penalty.
