Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Moto G51 5G and the Samsung Galaxy A23. I'm going to approach this as if we're chatting about these phones over coffee, breaking down the tech specs into real-world scenarios you'll actually care about.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a look at how these two phones stack up, broken down into key areas with a focus on practical implications:
| Feature | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Samsung Galaxy A23 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 170.5 × 76.5 × 9.1 mm | 165.4 × 76.9 × 8.4 mm | The G51 is taller and slightly thicker, making the A23 more pocketable and comfortable for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 208g | 195g | The A23 is noticeably lighter, which might make it more comfortable for long periods of use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.6" | The G51 has a slightly larger display, which is better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2408 | Both offer sharp, clear images, the differences here are so minimal you won't see it. |
| PPI | 387 | 400 | Both have excellent pixel densities that will give a clear image |
| Technology | IPS LCD | PLS LCD | IPS LCD on the G51 typically offers better viewing angles and color accuracy than the PLS LCD of A23. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The G51's 120Hz refresh rate will feel smoother during scrolling and animations, making the experience more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness, which means that neither is particularly good with outdoor viewing, especially in direct sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 480+ 5G | Snapdragon 680 4G | The A23's Snapdragon 680 is slightly more powerful based on benchmarks, leading to quicker app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 381,000 | 401,000 | The A23 is slightly faster in synthetic benchmarks, indicating better overall performance, but only a difference of 5% |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 610 | The Adreno 619 in the G51 will provide better graphical performance, so the G51 is better for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Both main cameras are quite similar. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | The G51 has a higher-resolution front camera, which means sharper selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP | 5MP, f/2.2 | The G51 has a higher-resolution ultrawide lens for better detail in wide shots. |
| Portrait Mode | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | The A23 has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait photos with more blurred backgrounds |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | 2MP, f/2.4 | The same macro lens means both phones will have similar results |
| Video Recording | Up to 1080p@240fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | The G51 can record slow motion videos at higher quality. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes (OIS) | The A23 includes OIS which results in much smoother videos |
| Features | LAF, RAW, Triple | OIS, Quadruple | The G51 has laser autofocus and RAW image capture, the A23 has a more versatile quad camera setup with OIS |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have a similar battery capacity, giving you similar daily battery life. |
| Charging | 10W | 25W | The A23 supports faster charging, meaning less time plugged into the wall. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 12) | Android 12 (up to 14) | The A23 is newer and gets more software updates, extending its usability over time. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Dual-band, Display | Basic | The G51 offers a better experience for Wi-Fi users |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.1 LE, Many | The A23 has more Bluetooth profiles for wider accessory support. |
| GPS | SUPL | QZSS | The A23 offers a wider range of satellite systems for more accurate location tracking |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 64/128 GB | Both phones offer the same options. |
| RAM | 4/8GB | 4/6GB | The G51 has more RAM, which is better for multitasking and running demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers the option to expand your storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos | Basic | The G51 offers superior audio quality thanks to Dolby Atmos. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass 5 | The A23 has a much better screen with Gorilla Glass 5. |
| Sensors | Proximity | Compass, Barometer, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | The A23 has a more complete array of sensors, offering broader functionality. The G51 only has a standard proximity sensor. |
2. Key Insights
- Motorola Moto G51 5G: This phone shines with its smooth 120Hz IPS LCD screen, better wide angle and selfie cameras, superior audio quality thanks to Dolby Atmos, and additional RAM. It's ideal for users who value a fluid display experience, enjoy media consumption, and need the extra processing headroom. The support for RAW images is also great for people that enjoy editing their photographs.
Samsung Galaxy A23: The A23 has a slightly more powerful chipset, faster charging, OIS on the main camera, a dedicated depth sensor, more modern OS with longer support, better Bluetooth and GPS, better display protection with Gorilla Glass 5, and more sensors. These features will appeal to users that need more powerful performance, better photography and video recording options, longer software support, and better overall build quality.
Trade-offs:
- The G51 boasts a better display in terms of refresh rate and technology, but the A23 offers a better overall screen with Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
- The G51 has more RAM, but the A23 has a slightly faster processor and more modern software support.
- The G51 has better cameras on the wide and selfie lens, but the A23 has better video stabilization and portrait mode options.
- The G51 has better audio quality, while the A23 has more satellite support for GPS.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola Moto G51 5G:
- Ideal for: Media enthusiasts, mobile gamers, and users who prioritize a smooth display experience and better audio quality. Great for people who are more interested in using the cameras, rather than recording videos.
- Use Cases: Watching videos, playing games, browsing social media, and general multitasking.
- Samsung Galaxy A23:
- Ideal for: People who want a more complete mobile experience. Ideal for users who want a better camera experience in terms of video, people that want more software updates, and those that prioritize build quality.
- Use Cases: Social media, photography, everyday app usage, navigation, and productivity.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How important is a smooth, high-refresh-rate display? If the fluid scrolling and gaming experience offered by 120Hz is important for you, choose the Moto G51 5G. Otherwise, the A23 will suit your needs just fine.
- Do you value fast charging and future software updates? If you want to get your phone charged quickly and want to keep your phone longer, the Samsung Galaxy A23 has you covered with faster 25W charging and better software support.
- Are you more interested in video quality or camera quality? If you value a better selfie and wide angle camera experience, the Moto G51 5G is the phone for you. Otherwise, the Samsung Galaxy A23 will cover your needs just fine.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Media Lover: If you spend hours watching videos or playing games, the Moto G51 5G with its bigger screen, 120Hz refresh rate, and Dolby Atmos is the better pick.
- The Everyday User: If you just want a solid phone that will last you and has a great camera system, the Samsung Galaxy A23's slightly more powerful chipset, better video stabilization, faster charging, and more modern OS make it a more complete package.
- The Photographer: If you want to get the most out of your pictures, the ability to shoot in RAW and a great selfie and wide angle lens is perfect for the Moto G51 5G. If you want to record videos the OIS on the A23 will serve you better.
My Choice
Personally, I would lean towards the Samsung Galaxy A23. While I appreciate the smoother display on the Moto G51 5G, the A23 offers a more complete package for my needs. The combination of faster charging, more modern software support, better build quality, and more comprehensive camera capabilities make it a more versatile and long-lasting device. As a tech journalist I'm always looking at newer technologies, which is why I'd prefer the A23 and its much longer software support. This way I can get more use out of the phone. The fact it also has a much better screen with Gorilla Glass 5 makes me lean towards it even more, since I'm clumsy and need a more durable phone.
