Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Moto G51 5G and the Asus ROG Phone 7. These two phones represent very different ends of the smartphone spectrum, and it's crucial to understand their strengths and weaknesses to determine which one fits your needs. Let’s get started.
Specifications Breakdown
First, let’s lay out the technical specifications side-by-side, emphasizing what they mean in practical terms.
| Feature | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Asus ROG Phone 7 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-12-16 | 2023-05-01 | The ROG Phone 7 is significantly newer, meaning newer technology and potentially better software support. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones; no folding or unique design changes here. |
| Dimensions | 170.5 x 76.5 x 9.1 mm | 173 x 77 x 10.3 mm | The ROG Phone 7 is slightly larger and thicker, which impacts pocketability and one-handed use. |
| Weight | 208g | 239g | The Moto G51 5G is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. The ROG Phone 7 is noticeably heavier due to the large battery and cooling system. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.78" | Both phones have large screens, but the G51 5G is marginally bigger. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2448 | Both offer sharp displays; differences in pixel density are negligible in real-world use. |
| PPI | 387 | 395 | Pixel densities are very similar; visual sharpness is comparable on both displays. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The ROG Phone 7's AMOLED display offers better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colours, and superior power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | The ROG Phone 7 has a noticeably smoother refresh rate, better for fast-paced games and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1500 nits | The ROG Phone 7 is dramatically brighter, offering much better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) | The ROG Phone 7 has a significantly more powerful, modern processor, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 381,000 | 1,603,292 | The ROG Phone 7 offers vastly superior performance, indicated by a significantly higher benchmark score, resulting in better performance overall |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 740 | The ROG Phone 7 has a much faster GPU, capable of handling demanding games and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | The ROG Phone 7 has a larger battery, which should mean longer battery life, though actual endurance depends on usage patterns. |
| Charging | 10W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | The ROG Phone 7 charges much faster, minimizing downtime. The G51 5G has slow charging by modern standards. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Bypass, Reverse, 65W Charger | The ROG Phone 7 offers more features such as bypass charging (for gaming while plugged in), and reverse charging to power other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" | The ROG Phone 7 has a larger sensor, which typically captures more light and better low-light photos. The G51 5G has a wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 32MP, f/2.5, 0.70µm | The ROG Phone 7 captures more detailed selfies with a higher-resolution sensor. The G51 5G has a slightly wider aperture for better low light selfies |
| Wide Angle Camera | 8MP, 1.12 µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | The ROG Phone 7 has a higher resolution for wide angle photos. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP, 1.75 µm | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | The ROG Phone 7 has a higher resolution for macro photography. |
| Video | Up to 1080p@240fps | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS | The ROG Phone 7 is capable of recording much higher resolution video for professional-grade content creation, with HDR and EIS |
| Camera Features | LAF, PDAF | 4K/8K Video, EIS, PDAF, Manual Focus | The ROG Phone 7 offers 4K and 8K recording, EIS for stabilization, and manual focus. The G51 5G has Laser AF. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Up to 12 | Android 13, Up to 15 | The ROG Phone 7 has the latest version of Android and is expected to receive more updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 5 | WiFi 7 | The ROG Phone 7 has the most recent WiFi standard, resulting in faster speeds and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 LE | Bluetooth 5.3 | The ROG Phone 7 supports a newer Bluetooth version with broader device compatibility and lower latency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | The ROG Phone 7 supports more satellite systems resulting in better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones offer dual SIM functionality, allowing for two active lines. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | The ROG Phone 7 has significantly more storage for apps, photos, videos, and other files. |
| RAM | 4 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB, 12 GB, or 16 GB | The ROG Phone 7 provides more RAM for smoother multitasking and handling of demanding games and applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so users are limited to the built-in options. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 mics | DTS, Hi-Res, 3 mics, Stereo | The ROG Phone 7 offers a better audio experience with stereo speakers, better codecs, Hi-Res audio, and a better microphone setup. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | The Moto G51 5G features a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor. The ROG Phone 7 provides basic biometric security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The ROG Phone 7 has much better screen protection from scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The ROG Phone 7 has more sensors for advanced features like AR, and more responsive compass. |
Key Insights
Motorola Moto G51 5G
- Strengths: This phone is budget-friendly and offers a large display, decent battery life, and 5G connectivity. It is also lightweight, making it comfortable for extended use.
- Advantages: The Moto G51 5G is ideal for users who need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks without breaking the bank. It has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor which is better than a basic one, but still not the best on the market.
- Limitations: Its lower-end chipset struggles with demanding games, the display is not the best for media consumption, the camera lacks high-end features, and its charging speed is quite slow.
Asus ROG Phone 7
- Strengths: The ROG Phone 7 is a powerhouse designed for gaming and high-performance tasks. It boasts a cutting-edge processor, a high refresh-rate AMOLED display, a large battery, fast charging, and excellent audio quality.
- Advantages: This phone is perfect for gamers, content creators, and users who want the best possible performance. Its display is bright and offers excellent visuals. It also offers many extra features such as bypass charging for a better gaming experience.
- Limitations: The ROG Phone 7 is heavy, bulky, and significantly more expensive than the Moto G51 5G. Its design might also be too aggressive for some users.
User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Moto G51 5G
- Best for: Budget-conscious users who primarily use their phone for communication, social media, and basic web browsing.
- Use Cases: Everyday tasks, light gaming, and users who prioritize battery life.
- Recommendation: This is a great option if you want a reliable, affordable 5G smartphone.
Asus ROG Phone 7
- Best for: Gamers, power users, and content creators.
- Use Cases: Demanding mobile games, video editing, heavy multitasking, and high-quality media consumption.
- Recommendation: If you need top-tier performance and don't mind the price, this phone is the best option.
Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- What is your primary use case? If it's basic daily tasks and light use, the Moto G51 5G is sufficient. If it is mobile gaming, video editing, and demanding apps, then the ROG Phone 7 is superior.
- How important is display quality? If you care about vibrant colours and outdoor brightness, the ROG Phone 7's AMOLED screen is the way to go. The Moto G51's LCD is decent, but not as high quality.
- What is your budget? The Moto G51 5G is a budget option, while the ROG Phone 7 is significantly more expensive.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Casual User You primarily use your phone for calls, texts, social media, and browsing. The Moto G51 5G is a cost-effective option.
- Scenario 2: The Mobile Gamer You play demanding mobile games often. The ROG Phone 7 provides the best gaming experience.
- Scenario 3: The On-the-Go Professional You need a device that can handle multitasking, media consumption, and occasional gaming. The ROG Phone 7 is the superior device, with the right software updates and support it will last you years.
Final Thoughts
The Motorola Moto G51 5G and Asus ROG Phone 7 are aimed at different users and cater to vastly different needs. The G51 is a great option if you just need a budget smartphone. While the Asus ROG Phone 7 is the top tier, if you don't want to pay more then the G51 is a great phone at a cheaper price.
My Choice
If I were to choose one of these devices, I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 7. While it is more expensive, the performance gains are massive, the display is significantly better, and the camera system is a massive upgrade as well. I am not a gamer, but I appreciate having a phone that can handle pretty much anything I throw at it with ease. The faster charging also means that I am not tethered to a charger for too long. While the ROG Phone 7 is heavy and bulky, I am willing to make those trade offs for the overall experience.
