Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Moto G71 5G and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. This isn't just about specs on paper; it's about how these phones fit into your life. Let's break it down.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at the technical specifications of each phone, and what those specs mean for you day to day:
| Feature | Motorola Moto G71 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-01-19 | 2024-01-24 | The S24 Ultra is significantly newer, indicating more up-to-date technology and potentially longer software support. |
| Size | 161.2 × 73.9 × 8.5 mm | 162.3 × 79 × 8.6 mm | The S24 Ultra is slightly taller and wider, making it less pocketable but also offering a larger screen. Both have similar thickness. |
| Weight | 179g | 232g | The G71 5G is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. The S24 Ultra is noticeably heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.8" | The S24 Ultra has a larger display, offering more screen real estate for media consumption and productivity. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3120 | The S24 Ultra’s significantly higher resolution will result in sharper, clearer visuals, especially noticeable with text and detailed images. |
| PPI | 411 | 505 | Higher PPI on the S24 Ultra means text and images will look crisper and more detailed. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | The AMOLED on the G71 5G provides deeper blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors compared to a non-AMOLED display (type unknown on the S24U). |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The 120Hz refresh rate on the S24 Ultra will provide much smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2600 nits | The S24 Ultra has significantly higher brightness, ensuring better visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The S24 Ultra’s chipset is significantly more powerful, offering faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better performance in games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 396,564 | 1,814,869 | The S24 Ultra’s AnTuTu score is dramatically higher, indicating a much faster device overall and a device that will remain relevant longer in the future. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 750 | The S24 Ultra’s GPU is more powerful, providing better graphics performance, especially crucial for gaming and other demanding tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both devices have the same battery capacity which suggest similar battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | The S24 Ultra supports slightly faster charging, which will get the battery to full faster. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable, 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging | The S24 Ultra has additional battery features, including bypass charging (powering the phone directly from the charger, avoiding battery wear), wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging, making it more versatile. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor | 200MP, f/1.7, 1/1.3" sensor | The S24 Ultra has a significantly higher resolution, wider aperture and larger sensor for better image quality, especially in low light. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | None | 50MP, f/2.4, 1/1.56" sensor | The S24 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens, offering a dedicated camera for portraits with natural background blur and better zoom capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.00 µm pixels | 12MP, f/2.2 | The G71 5G has a slightly higher resolution front-facing camera while the S24 has a unknown pixel size. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/3.4, 1/3.52" sensor | The S24 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for long-distance shots, which is absent from the G71 5G. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor | The S24 Ultra offers a slightly higher resolution, wider sensor for better wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The G71 5G has a dedicated macro lens for very close-up shots, while S24 Ultra does not. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 1080p@60fps | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps | The S24 Ultra supports significantly higher video resolutions and frame rates, offering much more versatility for high-quality video recording. |
| DXOMark | None | Main Score: 144, Photo: 144, Video: 137 | The S24 Ultra's camera performance has been independently tested by DXOMark with excellent results. The Motorola has not been tested by DXOMark. |
| Camera Features | Many similar features | Many similar features including additional features like Night Mode 2.0, 4K Video, 8K Video and OIS | The S24 Ultra offers more advanced camera features, such as Night Mode 2.0, 4K, 8K video recording, and optical stabilization. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Android 14 (upgradeable to 21) | The S24 Ultra has a much newer version of Android and is likely to receive more software updates in the future. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Up to Wi-Fi 5 | Up to Wi-Fi 6E | The S24 Ultra supports newer WiFi standards, offering faster speeds and better performance on compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | The S24 Ultra has a newer Bluetooth version with wider compatibility to bluetooth products, and will have a better wireless experience. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1 + L5) | The S24 Ultra supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy in more parts of the world. |
| SIM | Dual Nano-SIM | Dual Nano-SIM or eSIM | The S24 Ultra offers eSIM support for digital carrier switching, while both phones support dual nano-SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB or 1024 GB | The S24 Ultra offers significantly more storage options, which is important for storing high-resolution photos and videos. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 12 GB | The S24 Ultra has more RAM, which will result in better multitasking and smoother operation with more apps open at once. |
| Expandable Storage | None | None | Neither phone has expandable storage, so choosing the right internal storage option is important. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Both phones have unique features. The Dolby Atmos and dual microphone on the G71 5G are great while the noise-cancelling mic and stereo speakers on the S24 Ultra are superior overall. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones have basic biometric fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Armor | The S24 Ultra has significantly better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | The S24 Ultra offers more sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G71 5G Strengths
- Lightweight and Comfortable: The G71 5G's lighter design makes it more comfortable for daily use, particularly for extended periods.
- Vibrant AMOLED Display: The AMOLED screen offers excellent contrast and colors, making content look vivid.
- Affordability: The G71 5G is considerably more affordable than the S24 Ultra, making it a solid budget-friendly option for users who don't need the most premium experience.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens is great for closeup photography.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Strengths
- Cutting-Edge Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset ensures top-tier performance in every application.
- Superior Display: The larger, higher-resolution, brighter, 120Hz display offers the most immersive visual experience.
- Exceptional Camera System: The advanced 200MP main camera, multiple telephoto lenses, and 8K video capabilities provide unparalleled photography and videography features.
- Advanced Battery Features: The wireless charging, bypass charging, and reverse charging make it more flexible and convenient.
- Better Connectivity: Newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards give the S24 Ultra significantly faster and more reliable connections.
- Future-Proof Software: The S24 Ultra's newer Android version and its potential upgrade path mean it will be supported longer.
Significant Trade-offs
- G71 5G: Lacks the high-end performance, camera capabilities, and future-proof features of the S24 Ultra.
- S24 Ultra: Higher cost, heavier, and larger form factor which may not be appealing to everyone.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Moto G71 5G
- Budget-conscious users: Those who need a reliable smartphone for everyday tasks without breaking the bank.
- Casual users: People who primarily browse the web, use social media, and watch videos.
- Those who prioritize comfort: Users who prefer a lighter phone that is easier to hold and carry for long periods.
Use Cases: Daily browsing, social media, calls, light gaming, occasional photography.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Power users: Professionals and enthusiasts who need a device that excels in productivity, media consumption, and gaming.
- Photography lovers: Users who want the highest-quality camera capabilities for professional and creative photography.
- Tech enthusiasts: Those who want cutting-edge performance and the latest features.
Use Cases: High-end gaming, professional photography and videography, intensive multitasking, mobile productivity, content creation.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions that can help you decide:
- What is your budget? The G71 5G is much more affordable, while the S24 Ultra sits at the premium end.
- What do you value most in a smartphone? Performance and the highest quality display and camera? The S24 Ultra is the clear winner. Basic everyday tasks and comfort? The G71 5G is more suitable.
- How important are camera quality and advanced features? If these are essential, the S24 Ultra is the only choice. The G71 5G camera is okay but is noticeably lacking when compared to the S24 Ultra.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Budget Conscious: If your budget is the primary concern, the Moto G71 5G will serve you well for basic tasks with a vibrant screen and comfortable form factor.
- Power User: If you need cutting-edge performance, a top-tier camera, and future-proof features, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the way to go.
- Photography Enthusiast: If you want the best mobile photography capabilities, the S24 Ultra's advanced camera system is unmatched.
My Choice:
If I had to choose, I would go with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. While the Motorola Moto G71 5G is a perfectly capable device for its price point, the S24 Ultra represents a leap forward in performance, display technology, and camera capabilities that I would not be able to ignore. As a tech journalist and someone who uses their phone for many hours each day, I value the latest and greatest that technology has to offer, and the S24 Ultra delivers in spades.
The larger, higher-resolution 120Hz display is a game changer for media consumption and productivity, while the significantly more powerful processor means that everything will run smoothly, no matter the task. I also enjoy photography and video, and having the best possible quality means I will be happy with the results. The build quality is also excellent with an emphasis on advanced screen protection, which means I wouldn't need to worry about scratches during daily use.
While the S24 Ultra is certainly more expensive, for me, the investment is well worth it. It is an investment in a device that will be my workhorse and companion for years to come.
