Motorola Moto G51 5G vs Samsung Galaxy M15 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date December 16, 2021 April 5, 2024
Release Year 2021 2024

Physical

Volume 118.69 cm³ 114.35 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.27 "/g 3 "/g
Weight 208 g 217 g
Height 170.5 mm 160.1 mm
Width 76.5 mm 76.8 mm
Thickness 9.1 mm 9.3 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Indigo Blue
  • Bright Silver
  • Aqua Blue
  • Gray
  • Light Blue
  • Dark Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.8 " 6.5 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2340
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.6 % 84.3 %
Pixel Density 387 PPI 396 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A 800 nits
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 108.13 mAh/in² 142.01 mAh/in²
Battery Density 42.13 mAh/cm³ 52.47 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 6000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 619 Mali-G57 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 14
Maximum OS Version 12

Comparison Summary

Alright, let's dive deep into the tech specs of the Motorola Moto G51 5G and the Samsung Galaxy M15, and see how these numbers translate into real-world user experiences. As always, I'm aiming to give you the full picture, not just the marketing spiel.

1. Specifications Breakdown

Here's a detailed comparison table focusing on how the technical specifications impact daily use:

FeatureMotorola Moto G51 5GSamsung Galaxy M15Real-World Implications
Design
Size170.5 × 76.5 × 9.1 mm160.1 × 76.8 × 9.3 mmMoto G51 is taller, M15 is a touch thicker. The Moto G51 might feel less pocketable due to the height, while the M15 may feel slightly bulkier.
Weight208g217gThe Moto G51 is lighter. The 9g difference will be noticeable in hand over prolonged use.
BuildStandardStandardBoth are standard slab phones, no surprises here.
Display
Size6.8"6.5"Moto G51 offers a larger display which is great for media consumption. The M15 will be easier to handle for one-handed use.
Resolution1080x24001080x2340Both provide sharp visuals. The subtle difference won't be noticeable.
PPI387396Very similar pixel density for both. Expect crisp text and images.
TechnologyIPS LCDAMOLEDM15’s AMOLED means deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better efficiency for dark themes. Superior viewing experience.
Refresh Rate120Hz90HzMoto G51 offers smoother scrolling and animations, especially in gaming or fast-paced UI navigation.
Brightness0 nits800 nitsM15 offers much better outdoor visibility and readability in bright sunlight, crucial for usability in real life scenarios. Moto G51's brightness info is not available from the provided data and might need further investigation.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 480+Dimensity 6100+M15’s Mediatek chip is slightly faster (16% higher Antutu), which results in snappier app launches, and slightly smoother gameplay.
Antutu Score381,000442,500The M15 will feel more responsive during demanding tasks and gaming.
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G57 MC2Both are mid range GPU’s, good enough for most use cases but gaming experience varies per game and optimisation
Battery Life
Capacity5000mAh6000mAhM15's larger battery should provide significantly longer battery life. Potentially going into a second day on a single charge for light to moderate users.
Charging10W25WM15 charges much faster, reducing the time you're tethered to a power outlet.
Camera
Standard Camera50MP, f/1.850MP, f/1.8Comparable main camera image quality, detailed daylight shots.
Selfie Camera13MP, f/2.213MP, f/2.0M15's wider aperture should perform better in low-light conditions for selfies.
Wide Angle8MP5MP, f/2.2Moto G51 captures higher resolution wide angle shots.
Macro Lens2MP2MP, f/2.4Both offer similar macro photography capabilities.
Video1080p@30/60/240fps1080p@30fpsMoto G51 has more options for frame rates and should feel more fluid on video recordings.
Camera FeaturesPDAF, LAF, RAWDIS, Manual FocusMoto G51 offers more autofocus capabilities and flexibility with RAW. M15 has image stabilization and manual focus.
Software & Connectivity
OSAndroid 11Android 14M15 will have the latest OS and access to new features for longer. Moto G51 is older and may have limited software updates.
Wi-Fi802.11ac Dual Band802.11ac Dual BandBoth have the same standard
Bluetooth5.1 LE5.2 LEM15 has a slightly newer Bluetooth standard for better connections.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GalileoM15 has better location accuracy for more satellite connections, the Moto G51 has SUPL support.
SIMDual SIMDual SIMBoth support dual SIM cards.
Storage & Audio
Internal Storage64GB/128GB128GBM15 has a base of 128GB.
RAM4GB/8GB4GB/6GBMoto G51 has a slightly higher max of 8 GB RAM for multitasking and gaming.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone supports expandable storage, which may be a limitation for some.
Audio QualityDolby Atmos2 microphonesMoto G51 offers an enhanced audio experience via Dolby Atmos, useful for consuming media.
Other Features
SecuritySide-mounted FPSide-mounted FPBoth offer a convenient and secure fingerprint sensor for unlocking the device.
SensorsFingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, ProximityFingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic ProximitySimilar sensor setup in terms of daily usage.

2. Key Insights

  • Motorola Moto G51 5G Strengths:

    • Larger Display & Higher Refresh Rate: Ideal for immersive media consumption, especially for fast-paced gaming and browsing.
    • Potentially More RAM: 8GB option allows for better multitasking, but may not be the standard spec.
    • Better Audio: Enhanced audio with Dolby Atmos.
  • Samsung Galaxy M15 Strengths:

    • Superior AMOLED Display: More vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and better energy efficiency. This is a big deal for visual quality.
    • Better Brightness: Much better outdoor visibility under direct sunlight.
    • Superior Performance: Faster processor and better benchmark scores means better everyday performance.
    • Bigger Battery & Faster Charging: Longer battery life and less downtime when charging.
    • Up-to-date OS: Newer Android version ensures long-term software updates and access to new features.
  • Trade-offs and Limitations:

    • Moto G51: Older software, IPS LCD screen, no expandable storage. Smaller battery and slower charging.
    • M15: No expandable storage, 90hz vs the higher 120hz refresh rate.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

  • Motorola Moto G51 5G:

    • Best for: Users who prioritize a large display and a smoother visual experience with a 120Hz refresh rate, with slightly better RAM capabilities. Good option for casual gamers and media consumers.
    • Use Cases: Watching videos, gaming, social media browsing.
    • Value: Older phone, check for price drops.
  • Samsung Galaxy M15:

    • Best for: Users who want a long-lasting battery, a great screen for outdoor use and a well balanced device with great value and performance.
    • Use Cases: Everyday use, photography, navigating outdoors, and overall experience.
    • Value: Newer phone with great specs for the price.

4. Buying Decision Framework

Here are three questions to guide your decision:

  1. Display Quality: Do you prioritize a vibrant screen with great outdoor visibility (Galaxy M15) or a larger screen with higher refresh rate (Moto G51)?
  2. Battery Life & Charging: Do you want the longest battery life and fastest charging (Galaxy M15) or are you ok with a smaller battery and slower charge times (Moto G51)?
  3. Performance and OS Updates: Do you prefer a slightly faster phone with the latest software and future updates (Galaxy M15) or a slightly older device with 8 GB of RAM (depending on the model) and an older software (Moto G51)?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Frequent Traveler/Outdoor Enthusiast: Samsung Galaxy M15. It has the better battery, faster charging, and dramatically better screen brightness for outdoor use.
  • Media Consumption Lover: Samsung Galaxy M15 for the vibrant AMOLED display, but Moto G51 could be considered with its larger display and Dolby Atmos, but the M15’s screen brightness is also a key feature.
  • Casual Gamer: Samsung Galaxy M15 due to its higher performance. Moto G51’s higher refresh rate can also be considered for some users.
  • Budget Conscious Buyer: Compare the current prices, as the older G51 may have dropped significantly, however consider the newer features and better performance of the Galaxy M15.

My Choice and Why

Personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy M15. While the Moto G51 has its strengths, the M15 offers a more compelling package for me. The AMOLED display is a big win for media consumption, and the brighter screen makes a huge difference outdoors. The significantly better battery life and faster charging mean less battery anxiety. The newer chipset gives a snappier feel, and the newer software means it will get more updates for a longer period of time, making it a more future proof option. Although the refresh rate of 90hz is less than the 120hz of the Moto G51, the AMOLED screen is more of a deal maker to me. Overall, the M15 seems like a more balanced phone that fits my needs, providing better value and a more premium experience.

That's my take on it! Let me know if you have any other questions.

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.