Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Moto G51 5G and the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. This is a classic David vs. Goliath matchup, pitting a budget-friendly option against a powerhouse gaming smartphone. We'll dissect their specs and see what it means for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-12-16 | 2024-01-18 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro is much newer, benefiting from advancements in technology |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard non-folding smartphones |
| Dimensions | 170.5 x 76.5 x 9.1 mm | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm | The Moto G51 is taller, while the ROG Phone 8 Pro is slightly thicker. The Moto G51 has a larger overall volume, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is heavier. |
| Weight | 208g | 225g | The Moto G51 is notably lighter, making it more comfortable for longer use. The ROG Phone 8 Pro is noticeably heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.78" | Very similar screen sizes, a negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer a crisp FHD+ display |
| PPI | 387 | 388 | Nearly identical pixel density, meaning comparable sharpness. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's AMOLED provides deeper blacks, vibrant colors, and better power efficiency, especially with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | The ROG Phone 8 Pro provides smoother animations and a more fluid visual experience thanks to its higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers dramatically better outdoor visibility under sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 480+ 5G | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's chipset is a huge leap, providing far superior performance in all aspects: app loading, multitasking, and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 381,000 | 2,020,000 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro achieves over five times the benchmark score, representing a massive performance advantage for resource-intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 750 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's GPU provides much better graphical performance for gaming and graphics-intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life. |
| Charging | 10W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | The ROG Phone 8 Pro charges significantly faster, meaning less time tethered to an outlet. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Li-Polymer batteries generally offer better longevity and are safer than Li-Ion batteries. |
| Features | Non-Removable | Non-Removable | Both have non-removable batteries. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP (f/1.8) | 50MP (f/1.9) | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a larger sensor, capturing more light and resulting in better image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP (f/2.2) | 32MP | The ROG Phone 8 Pro’s front camera offers more detail and better image quality. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP (f/2.4) | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens, allowing for optical zoom, which the Moto G51 lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP | None | The Moto G51 has a dedicated wide angle camera |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | None | The Moto G51 has a dedicated macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP (f/2.2) | The ROG Phone 8 Pro can capture wide angle and macro with its lens. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60/240fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720@480fps | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers far superior video recording capabilities, including higher resolution and frame rates, along with HDR and EIS. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro uses EIS, enhancing the video recording capabilities with digital image stabilization. |
| Slow Motion | 240fps | 480fps | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers better slow motion video recording at 480fps |
| Camera Features | PDAF, LAF, RAW | OIS, Gimbal, LAF, Night Mode | The ROG Phone 8 Pro boasts advanced features like optical image stabilization and gimbal support, which the Moto G51 doesn't. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 14 (upgradable to 16) | The ROG Phone 8 Pro runs on a much newer version of Android and will likely receive more software updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 7 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro supports the latest Wi-Fi standards, leading to faster speeds and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's Bluetooth version is more recent and supports advanced codecs like aptX, LDAC. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, NavIC | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has better and more accurate satellite navigation systems for better location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB or 128 GB | 512GB or 1024GB | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers significantly more internal storage capacity. |
| RAM | 4GB or 8GB | 16GB or 24 GB | The ROG Phone 8 Pro comes with more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and more intense gaming sessions. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports microSD cards, making the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s larger internal storage a major advantage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 mics | DTS/DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers an enhanced surround sound experience through its stereo speakers and DTS/DTS X support, along with better voice capture with 3 mics. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | Moto G51 has side-mounted fingerprint sensor, while Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro uses a basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for superior durability and scratch resistance. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers additional sensors (Compass) for enhanced functionality (e.g., AR applications) |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G51 5G:
- Strengths: Its main advantage is its affordability and lighter design. It offers a decent display, 5G connectivity, a large battery, and a capable main camera for everyday photography. The Moto G51 includes a wide angle and a macro lens for flexibility in your photography. It also has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.
- Competitive Advantages: Very budget-friendly, offers basic functionality without breaking the bank.
- Trade-offs: It lacks high-end performance, has slower charging, and a much less capable camera system. The screen isn't the brightest or most vibrant.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro:
- Strengths: This is a powerhouse for gaming and demanding tasks. It boasts a top-tier display, blazing-fast performance, a great camera system, fast charging, and a larger battery. Its screen is significantly brighter, and has a much higher refresh rate. The ROG Phone 8 Pro features a telephoto lens, and has features like OIS and Gimbal support. It also has a much more modern Android experience.
- Competitive Advantages: Top-of-the-line performance, best-in-class display, an excellent camera system, and robust build quality.
- Trade-offs: It’s significantly more expensive, heavier, and larger. It lacks dedicated macro lens or wide angle lens.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Moto G51 5G:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who need a reliable smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, social media, and light browsing. It's great for those who prioritize battery life, affordability, and a lightweight device for daily use.
- Use Cases: Everyday tasks, casual media consumption, and light mobile gaming.
- Value: Offers a decent experience at a very low price point.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro:
- Ideal User: Gamers, content creators, power users who demand top-tier performance and cutting-edge features. This phone is for anyone who wants the best of the best.
- Use Cases: High-end mobile gaming, video editing, demanding applications, photography, and video content creation.
- Value: Premium experience, justified by superior performance, display, and camera.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you choose:
- What is your budget? If you're on a strict budget, the Moto G51 is the obvious choice. If you can spend more, the ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a much better all-around experience.
- What are your primary use cases? If your phone is for basic everyday use, the Moto G51 may be enough. If you’re a gamer or a power user, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is the clear winner.
- How important is the camera and display quality to you? If you require excellent image and video quality, as well as an immersive display, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is the one to pick. If you can tolerate a less capable camera and display, then Moto G51 may be acceptable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Student on a budget: Motorola Moto G51 5G, it is an affordable device capable of managing everyday tasks without breaking the bank.
- Mobile gamer: Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro, providing a smooth and high-performance experience in demanding games.
- Content creator: Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro, the phone provides the best image and video quality, which are essential for content creators.
- Everyday user: Motorola Moto G51 5G, it provides a good all around functionality for daily use.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I'd go with the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro, without question. While the Moto G51 is a perfectly serviceable budget phone, my focus is on pushing technology to its limits. The ROG Phone 8 Pro represents the pinnacle of what a smartphone can do right now, and I want to experience that first hand. I'm drawn to its exceptional display for media consumption, its camera system, and especially the blazing-fast performance that would make a difference in my daily workflow, gaming and content creation. I would always choose performance and camera capabilities over budget options. Although it is heavier and bulkier, those are trade-offs that I am willing to make.
