Motorola Moto G51 5G vs Motorola Moto G23 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date December 16, 2021 January 24, 2023
Release Year 2021 2023

Physical

Volume 118.69 cm³ 99.66 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.27 "/g 3.53 "/g
Weight 208 g 184.3 g
Height 170.5 mm 162.7 mm
Width 76.5 mm 74.7 mm
Thickness 9.1 mm 8.2 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Indigo Blue
  • Bright Silver
  • Aqua Blue
  • Pearl White
  • Steel Blue
  • Matte Charcoal

Display

Screen Size 6.8 " 6.5 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.6 % 83.9 %
Pixel Density 387 PPI 270 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A 400 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 108.13 mAh/in² 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 42.13 mAh/cm³ 50.17 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 619 Mali-G52 MC2

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 13
Maximum OS Version 12

Comparison Summary

Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Moto G51 5G and the Moto G23. I'll break down their specs, highlight key differences, and offer some practical recommendations to help you decide which one fits your needs.

1. Specifications Breakdown

Here’s a detailed look at how the Moto G51 5G and Moto G23 stack up, with an emphasis on real-world implications:

FeatureMotorola Moto G51 5GMotorola Moto G23Real-World Implications
Design
Dimensions170.5 × 76.5 × 9.1 mm162.7 × 74.7 × 8.2 mmG23 is more compact and pocketable. G51 5G is noticeably larger.
Weight208g184.3gG23 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use.
Display
Size6.8"6.5"G51 5G has a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing.
Resolution1080x2400720x1600G51 5G offers sharper visuals and text due to its much higher resolution.
Pixel Density (PPI)387270G51 5G has a noticeably crisper screen.
TechnologyIPS LCDIPS LCDSimilar display tech, expect similar color reproduction and viewing angles.
Refresh Rate120Hz90HzG51 5G provides smoother scrolling and animations.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm)Helio G85 (12 nm)G51 5G's chipset is more powerful, for smoother performance.
AnTuTu Score381,000225,154G51 5G has a 69% higher score, indicating noticeably faster app loading and performance.
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G52 MC2G51 5G has the edge in graphics performance, better for gaming and graphics-intensive apps.
Camera
Standard Camera50MP (f/1.8, 1/2.76")50MP (f/1.8)Similar main camera specs, but G51 5G's sensor is a known, well-regarded unit.
Selfie Camera13MP (f/2.2)16MP (f/2.5)G23 takes slightly higher resolution selfies, but with a narrower aperture.
Wide-Angle Lens8MP5MP (f/2.2)G51 5G offers higher resolution for wider shots.
Macro Lens2MP2MP (f/2.4)Similar macro camera performance.
Video Recording1080p@30/60/240fps1080p@30fpsG51 5G has higher frame rate options for smoother video or slow motion.
Camera FeaturesLAF, Continuous shootingDigital Image StabilizationG51 5G has laser autofocus and continuous shooting. G23 has image stabilization.
Battery Life
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhSimilar battery size, both should offer all-day battery for typical usage.
Charging10W30WG23 charges much faster, reducing downtime.
Software
OSAndroid 11 (upgradeable to 12)Android 13G23 has a more modern OS out of the box and likely to be supported for longer.
Connectivity
WiFiDual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi DisplayDual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi DirectBoth phones offer similar WiFi capabilities.
Bluetooth5.1 LE, A2DP5.1 LE, A2DP, EDR, HIDG23 offers more features.
Storage
Internal Storage64GB or 128GB64GB or 128GBBoth have same storage options and neither support expandable storage.
RAM4GB or 8GB4GB or 8GBBoth offer same options for RAM
Audio
Audio QualityDolby Atmos, 2 microphonesDolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphonesG23 offers better audio with dedicated stereo speakers.

2. Key Insights

Motorola Moto G51 5G Strengths:

  • Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 480+ 5G chipset significantly outperforms the Helio G85, making the G51 5G a better choice for demanding apps, multitasking, and gaming.
  • Sharper Display: The higher resolution and pixel density on the G51 5G provide a much clearer and more detailed viewing experience, which is noticeable during regular use.
  • Smoother Visuals: The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel much more fluid compared to the 90Hz display on the G23.
  • Better Camera Features: Laser auto focus and continuous shooting offer greater options.

Motorola Moto G23 Strengths:

  • Faster Charging: The 30W fast charging significantly reduces the time spent plugged into a charger.
  • More Compact and Lighter: It's easier to handle and more pocket-friendly due to its smaller size and reduced weight.
  • Modern OS: Ships with the latest Android version out of the box.
  • Better Audio: With stereo speakers, audio output and immersion is vastly improved.

Trade-offs:

  • Display Clarity: The G23's lower resolution display might look less sharp, particularly for those accustomed to higher pixel densities.
  • Performance: The G23's chipset is noticeably less powerful, which might result in slower app loading and some lag in multitasking or gaming.
  • Size vs Weight: The G51 5G’s larger display and performance come at the cost of being bulkier and heavier.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

Motorola Moto G51 5G is Best for:

  • Power Users: Individuals who prioritize performance for gaming, demanding apps, or heavy multitasking.
  • Media Consumers: People who watch a lot of videos or browse content on their phone and want a crisp, smooth display experience.
  • Tech Enthusiasts: Users who appreciate higher refresh rates and a more capable overall performance.

Motorola Moto G23 is Best for:

  • Casual Users: Those who prioritize ease of use, portability, and quick charging times.
  • Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users who are looking for good value and a reliable daily device.
  • Audio Lovers: Users who watch a lot of video on the go and enjoy listening to their phone speakers.

4. Buying Decision Framework

Here are three questions to ask yourself to decide which phone better suits you:

  1. How important is performance for you? If you are a gamer or regularly use demanding apps, the Moto G51 5G is the clear choice.
  2. How much do you value a crisp display? The higher resolution of the Moto G51 5G significantly enhances the viewing experience.
  3. Do you prefer a more portable phone, or a large display? The Moto G23 is more compact and lighter, while the G51 5G has a larger screen.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Heavy Mobile Gaming:
    • Recommendation: Moto G51 5G. The superior chipset and GPU will deliver a better gaming experience.
  • Scenario 2: Daily Commuting and Social Media Use:
    • Recommendation: Moto G23. The lighter design, quick charging, and good battery life are ideal for on-the-go usage.
  • Scenario 3: Video Streaming and Content Consumption:
    • Recommendation: This could be a close call. G51 5G has a better display, but G23 has better audio, and both have similar battery.

My Choice

If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the Motorola Moto G51 5G. Although the G23 is a solid all rounder, as a tech enthusiast, I prefer the overall performance and higher resolution display on the G51 5G. The smoother 120Hz display also makes a tangible difference in the user experience, and the better chipset will likely make the phone feel snappier for longer. The slightly larger footprint and weight are a trade-off that I would happily accept for the performance boost and better display. The G51 5G provides a slightly better experience for my daily tech use, which involves demanding apps and content consumption.

Alex Griffin
Alex Griffin

Technology analyst specializing in mobile devices and consumer electronics.

Core Expertise

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Consumer electronics evaluation
  • Technical specification interpretation
  • User experience insights

Professional Mission Empowering readers to make informed technology decisions by transforming intricate specifications into understandable, practical guidance.

Demystifying technology, one device at a time.