Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Moto G31 and the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro. I'll be breaking down the specs, offering my insights, and helping you figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a comprehensive comparison table, focusing on how each specification translates into real-world user experiences:
| Feature | Motorola Moto G31 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm | 163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm | Nubia is slightly taller and wider but thinner; G31 more compact, Z50S Pro might feel more substantial |
| Weight | 181g | 228g | G31 is significantly lighter, easier for one-handed use and carrying; Z50S Pro heavier, may feel more premium in hand |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.8" | Nubia has a larger screen; Better for media consumption and multitasking; G31 is more compact |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2800 | Nubia's higher resolution leads to sharper, more detailed images; G31 more pixelated |
| PPI | 411 | 452 | Nubia has slightly sharper display |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors and deep blacks thanks to AMOLED |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Nubia's 120Hz display offers smoother scrolling and animations; G31 might feel laggy in comparison |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1500 nits | Nubia's much brighter screen provides superior outdoor visibility; G31 unusable in sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G85 (12nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4nm) | Nubia is significantly faster, capable of handling demanding apps and games; G31 struggles with heavy tasks |
| AnTuTu Score | 225,154 | 1,579,720 | Nubia's score demonstrates significantly better overall performance; G31 is meant for light apps |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 740 | Nubia's GPU delivers much better graphics performance, crucial for gaming; G31 not suited for heavy gaming |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5100 mAh | Both should provide solid battery life, though Nubia's power-hungry chipset will likely use more energy; |
| Charging | 10W | 80W | Nubia charges much faster, greatly reducing downtime; G31 can take several hours to charge |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Standard non-removable design on both |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49", 1.00µm | Nubia has a better main sensor: larger size captures more light; Better low-light and details; G31 will struggle |
| Telephoto+Portrait | N/A | 8MP, f/2.4, 1.00µm | Nubia offers telephoto capabilities for zoom and portraits; G31 has no telephoto lens |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 16MP, f/2.5, 1/3.06", 1.00µm | Nubia has slightly higher res. while G31 has slightly wider aperture; Both ok for selfies, but Nubia should be better |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.88", 0.61µm | Nubia's ultrawide lens will provide better quality photos and more details, making it much more capable, G31 is lacking in quality |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | N/A | G31 has a dedicated macro lens, very low-res; Nubia has no macro lens but has much better main, wide and telephoto lenses |
| Video | 1080p@30fps; No EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps, EIS | Nubia records higher-quality videos with stabilization; G31 videos are basic; |
| Features | LAF | OIS, 8K, Gimbal | Nubia's video features are significantly superior, it is designed for professional quality videos; G31 is very basic and lacking |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Nubia has a newer OS version with more features and security |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 7 | Nubia has newer standards: faster speeds, lower latency and improved performance, more future proof |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Nubia has a newer version with improved efficiency and connection quality |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Nubia has more robust location services, G31 is more basic |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both have dual SIM support; Standard for most users |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128 GB | 256GB/1024 GB | Nubia has much more storage space for apps, media, and files |
| RAM | 4GB | 12GB/16 GB | Nubia offers much more RAM for better multitasking performance and overall smoothness; G31 will often be slow |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards; plan accordingly |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 mics | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | Nubia provides better surround sound and more immersive audio with stereo speakers; G31 will be more limited |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | Motorola's side mounted fingerprint is generally faster and more reliable |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Limited information about durability |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Nubia has more proximity sensor technology; Both comprehensive sensor suites |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G31 Strengths:
- Lightweight and Compact: Easier to handle and carry, making it comfortable for everyday use.
- Decent AMOLED Screen: The display offers vibrant colors and deep blacks, even though it lacks high refresh rates and brightness.
- Affordable Option: It's likely to be more budget-friendly, appealing to price-sensitive consumers.
- Macro Lens: Inclusion of a dedicated macro lens although low-res
- Laser Autofocus
Motorola Moto G31 Weaknesses:
- Underpowered Performance: The Helio G85 struggles with demanding tasks, leading to lag and slow loading times.
- Basic Camera System: The camera is limited by its sensor size, low video capabilities, and lacking a telephoto option.
- Slow Charging: 10W charging is woefully inadequate, requiring lengthy charging times.
- Older Android Version: Ships with Android 11.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Strengths:
- High-End Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 chipset delivers exceptional speed and responsiveness.
- Premium Camera System: Features a significantly larger sensor, telephoto and a high-quality wide angle lens and advanced video capabilities.
- Excellent Display: A larger, higher-resolution screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and high brightness.
- Fast Charging: 80W charging ensures you spend less time plugged in.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 13.
- Premium Audio Experience
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Weaknesses:
- Heavier and Larger: Can be less comfortable for some users due to its size and weight.
- No Macro Lens: Lacks a dedicated macro lens.
- Basic Fingerprint Reader
Key Trade-Offs:
- Price: The Moto G31 is budget-friendly, while the nubia Z50S Pro is a premium device with a higher price tag.
- Performance vs. Portability: The G31 is more portable but less powerful, the Z50S Pro offers top performance but is larger and heavier.
- Display Quality vs. Affordability: The nubia has a premium display, while the G31's display is fine but limited.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Moto G31 is best suited for:
- Budget-conscious users: Those who prioritize affordability over top-tier performance.
- Casual users: People who primarily browse the web, use social media, and make calls, with only occasional gaming.
- Those who prefer compact phones: If you find large phones unwieldy, the G31 is a better choice.
Use Cases:
- Basic daily tasks
- Casual social media use
- Reading and light web browsing
- Users who prefer a lightweight, easy-to-handle phone
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is best suited for:
- Power users: Those who need the fastest performance for heavy multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who want a high-quality camera system with advanced features.
- Media lovers: Those who prioritize a great display for watching videos and playing games.
- Users who prefer the best of the best: Those who want to experience the best hardware available in a smartphone.
Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming
- Professional photography and videography
- Demanding productivity apps
- Intensive media consumption (streaming, editing)
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What is your budget? If budget is the primary concern, the Moto G31 is the better choice, despite its limitations.
- How important is performance? If you need a phone that can handle heavy tasks and gaming, the nubia Z50S Pro is the clear winner.
- What do you prioritize in a camera? If you care about taking professional photos and videos, the nubia's advanced setup is essential, and vice-versa the Motorola can be used if one only needs basic shots.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you are a student on a tight budget who needs a reliable phone for communication and basic apps, and likes lightweight phones, the Motorola Moto G31 would be the better choice.
- Scenario 2: If you are a gamer or a content creator looking for a powerful phone with an amazing camera and display, the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is the superior choice.
- Scenario 3: If you want a mix of portability and good daily use and only use the camera occasionally, the Motorola Moto G31 is a decent choice.
Which One I Would Choose And Why
Personally, given my preference for high performance and cutting-edge camera technology, I would absolutely choose the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro. Here’s why:
- Power & Performance: As a tech journalist, I often need to multitask between different apps, edit photos and videos, and test the performance of new apps. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 chipset on the nubia ensures that I’m never waiting for my phone to catch up. This is not only important for efficiency, but for also future-proofing. The 16 GB ram is very important for multitasking as well.
- Superior Camera Capabilities: I frequently use my phone to capture photos and videos for my work. The nubia’s advanced camera system with its larger sensor, wide angle lens, telephoto lens and 8K video capabilities is invaluable. This is important in low-light conditions which usually tend to be problematic on other phones.
- Premium Display: The 120Hz display with higher brightness and resolution is a must for both work and leisure. I often read articles and watch videos on my phone, and the sharp, vibrant display on the nubia is simply a better experience. The 120Hz refresh rate is also important for smoothness of animations.
- Future-Proofing: The nubia Z50S Pro’s newer OS version, and newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards make it a far more future-proof phone than the G31. Also having 1024GB storage is extremely important to me since I work with video a lot.
While I appreciate the compact design and lower price point of the Motorola Moto G31, it simply doesn't meet my specific needs. The Nubia Z50S Pro represents a significant upgrade across all of the areas that I care about. Yes, it's larger and heavier, but the power, camera, and display benefits make it an easy choice.
In short, the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is the clear choice for anyone who needs top performance and a top-notch camera system, while the Motorola Moto G31 is a solid choice for very budget-conscious users who only need basic features. The right choice ultimately depends on your budget and specific needs.
