Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Moto G71 5G and the newer Moto G34. As a tech journalist with an engineering background, I'm always keen to look beyond the marketing hype and uncover what these phones truly offer to the end-user. Let's break down the specs, identify strengths, and help you decide which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Moto G71 5G | Motorola Moto G34 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.2 x 73.9 x 8.5 mm | 162.7 x 74.6 x 8 mm | The G34 is slightly taller and a hair wider, but both are very similar in size. The G71 is marginally thicker. These differences are negligible in daily use. |
| Weight | 179g | 179g | Both phones are identical in weight, making them feel equally substantial in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.5" | Negligible difference in size. Both displays are large enough for comfortable media consumption and browsing. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 720 x 1600 | The G71's higher resolution means a significantly sharper picture, which is especially noticeable when reading text or viewing images. |
| PPI | 411 | 270 | G71 has a noticeably sharper display due to the higher pixel density. Text will appear clearer and images will be crisper. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors than LCD. The G71's screen is generally superior for media consumption and dark-mode experiences. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The G34’s higher refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations. This makes the phone feel more responsive in everyday use, particularly during gaming and browsing. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is not specified for both phones. This would impact outdoor visibility and HDR capabilities. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 695 5G | Snapdragon 695 5G | Both phones utilize the same processor, meaning similar performance in most everyday tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 396,564 | 424,100 | The G34 has a slightly better benchmark score, suggesting marginally better performance. It may load apps faster and have fewer stutters in some demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 | Both phones use the same graphics chip. Gaming performance will be comparable, although neither is optimized for top-tier mobile gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP f/1.8 (0.64µm) | 50MP f/1.8 (1.0µm) | Both share the same resolution and aperture. The G34's larger pixel size will generally mean better low-light performance and image clarity. The G71 has a known sensor model. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.2 (1.0µm) | 16MP | Both devices have comparable selfie cameras. Sensor models and pixel size is not provided for the G34. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP f/2.2 (1.12µm) | None | The G71 includes a wide-angle lens, which offers versatility when shooting landscapes and group photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both phones offer a macro lens, which can be used for capturing close-up photos, though this usually provides limited value compared to the other cameras. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps | The G71 offers more video recording framerate options. Both devices will record decent standard social media videos. |
| Video Stabilization | Yes | Yes | Both phones feature video stabilization to provide smoother recordings |
| Slow-motion | Yes (60fps) | No (30fps) | The G71 allows for higher frame rate slow motion capture |
| Camera Features | Optical Zoom, Triple | Dual Camera | G71 has extra camera features like optical zoom which allows a user to get better detailed photos, the G34 doesn't offer optical zoom but does have a dual camera setup. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Identical battery capacity. Expect similar battery life from both devices based on capacity. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 20W fast charging | The G71 charges noticeably faster, getting you back to full power more quickly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 12) | Android 13 | The G34 comes with a newer version of Android, which offers the latest features and security updates. The G71 may no longer get further OS upgrades. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | The G34 supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard which provides faster speed, better range and more efficient bandwidth use, providing faster network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE | The G34's slightly newer Bluetooth version might offer slightly improved range, connection stability and lower power consumption. |
| GPS | Yes (includes Galileo) | Yes | The G71 has more satellite tracking systems, possibly providing more accurate location data in specific situations. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB | 64/128/256GB | The G34 has more storage options than the G71 allowing users to have more data on their device. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 4/8GB | Both devices come in similar RAM configurations. This should allow for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, this means you must pick a storage option that will fulfil your needs. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 Mics | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 Mics | The G34 features stereo speakers, which offer an enhanced audio experience, and are more immersive for video watching. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Rear Mounted | Side Mounted | The G34's side-mounted fingerprint sensor tends to be faster, more convenient, and natural to access compared to the G71's rear placement. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | G71 supports a Gyroscope sensor, while the G34 doesn't, the Gyroscope sensor can be utilized for gaming or VR/AR applications |
2. Key Insights
- Motorola Moto G71 5G: The G71 stands out with its vibrant AMOLED display offering richer colours, deeper blacks, and higher pixel density making it ideal for media consumption and general viewing. It also features a superior camera setup with an additional wide-angle lens. Additionally, it offers faster 33W charging, which could be convenient for many users, and includes more satellite tracking systems for GPS.
- Motorola Moto G34: The G34 is the newer phone that features a smoother 120Hz refresh rate which makes browsing and general use more responsive and it has a superior audio system with stereo speakers for better video and media consumption experience. The phone is running a more recent Android 13 OS, it also offers more storage options to suit a wider variety of user needs and has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola Moto G71 5G: This phone is best for users who prioritize a superior display experience. The AMOLED screen and the wide-angle lens make it a great device for photographers, media consumers, and anyone who enjoys vivid visual quality.
- Motorola Moto G34: The G34 is more suitable for users who prefer a smoother user experience with its 120Hz display. The Stereo speakers will also appeal to users who use their phones for media consumption, the side fingerprint sensor provides a better user experience, and the newer Android OS and more storage options provide a better long term experience.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you decide between these two, consider the following questions:
- Do you prioritize display quality, or responsiveness? If image quality and colour accuracy are most important, the G71's AMOLED is the way to go. If you would prefer a smoother user experience then the 120hz display on the G34 is more suited to you.
- Do you value the camera setup, or prefer a better audio experience? If having a wide-angle lens is a must, the G71 is the only option. If you listen to a lot of audio via your phone speakers then the stereo speakers of the G34 offer a better experience.
- Do you prefer the latest software and security, or faster charging? If you want the most up-to-date version of Android with more security, the G34 is the better option. If faster charging is a priority, the G71 will appeal to you.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Media Enthusiast: If you watch a lot of videos, movies, and shows the G71 offers a great display but the G34 has better speakers. So depending on your use case either could work.
- For the Casual User: The G34 is slightly better with its smoother screen and more convenient finger print sensor. However, if you prefer a better display, the G71 is a worthy option.
- For the Photographer: The Moto G71 offers better options with its inclusion of an additional wide angle lens and optical zoom.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Motorola Moto G34. While I appreciate the vibrant AMOLED display of the G71, I believe that the 120Hz refresh rate, superior audio experience, and updated Android OS of the G34 provide a better overall user experience. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and extra storage option are also nice to have.
As a tech journalist, I prioritize an experience that feels modern and responsive, and the G34 edges out the G71 in this area. The slightly better benchmark performance and newer software, make it the better choice for the future.
