Motorola One 5G Ace vs Asus ROG Phone 5 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date January 14, 2021 April 26, 2021
Release Year 2021 2021

Physical

Volume 125.14 cm³ 137.58 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.16 "/g 2.85 "/g
Weight 212 g 238 g
Height 166.1 mm 172.8 mm
Width 76.1 mm 77.3 mm
Thickness 9.9 mm 10.3 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Frosted Silver
  • Volcanic Gray
  • Phantom Black
  • Storm White

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.78 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2448
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.7 % 82 %
Pixel Density 393 PPI 395 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 144 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A 800 nits
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A 1200 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 111.38 mAh/in² 130.52 mAh/in²
Battery Density 39.96 mAh/cm³ 43.61 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 6000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 619 Adreno 660

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.1
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, Accessory Connector

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 11
Maximum OS Version 12

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureMotorola One 5G AceAsus ROG Phone 5Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm172.8 × 77.3 × 10.3 mmAsus ROG Phone 5 is larger and bulkier, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use.
Weight212g238gMotorola One 5G Ace is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around.
Display
Size6.7"6.78"Negligible difference in screen size, both offer large viewing areas.
Resolution1080x24001080x2448Very similar sharpness. Both are considered FHD+ displays.
PPI393395Visually indistinguishable pixel density, both look sharp.
TechnologyIPS LCDAMOLEDAsus ROG Phone 5 offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, better for media consumption.
Refresh Rate60Hz144HzAsus ROG Phone 5 provides much smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in gaming and fast-paced apps.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsPeak brightness data is missing, hindering comparison in outdoor visibility.
Performance
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 750GQualcomm Snapdragon 888Asus ROG Phone 5 has a significantly more powerful processor, enabling smoother and faster operation for all tasks, including demanding games and applications.
AnTuTu Score330,000883,000Asus ROG Phone 5 has vastly superior performance (168% higher), offering a noticeably snappier experience.
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 660Asus ROG Phone 5 has a much more powerful GPU, providing significantly better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps.
Battery
Capacity5000mAh6000mAhAsus ROG Phone 5 has a larger battery, potentially leading to longer battery life, especially under heavy usage.
Charging15W Fast Charging65W Fast ChargingAsus ROG Phone 5 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime.
Features10W charger in-boxBypass Charging, Reverse ChargingAsus ROG Phone 5 has additional charging features, like the ability to bypass the battery during use to reduce heat and allow for power sharing with other devices.
Camera
Standard Camera48MP, f/1.764MP, f/1.8, Sony IMX686Asus ROG Phone 5 has a higher resolution sensor, likely resulting in more detail in photos, though aperture is slightly narrower.
Selfie Camera16MP, f/2.224MP, f/2.45, Samsung S5K2X7Asus ROG Phone 5 offers higher resolution selfies.
Wide Angle Lens8MP, f/2.213MP, f/2.5Asus ROG Phone 5 has a higher resolution wide-angle lens allowing for more detail in shots.
Macro Lens2MP, f/2.45MP, f/2.0Asus ROG Phone 5 has a higher resolution macro lens, and a wider aperture, likely resulting in better close-up shots.
VideoUp to 4K@30fpsUp to 8K@30fps, 4K@120fpsAsus ROG Phone 5 offers superior video recording capabilities, including 8K and higher frame rates at 4K resolution.
Camera FeaturesLAF, RAW4K, 8K Video, Optical Zoom, Manual FocusAsus ROG Phone 5 has more advanced video features and offers an optical zoom and manual focus.
Software
OSAndroid 10Android 11, Upgradable to 12Asus ROG Phone 5 is newer and receives newer Android versions, having access to more features, security updates and app support.
Connectivity
WiFi802.11ac802.11ax (WiFi 6), 802.11adAsus ROG Phone 5 supports faster and more reliable WiFi standards.
Bluetooth5.15.2Asus ROG Phone 5 has a newer version with more features and possibly better connection stability.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5)Asus ROG Phone 5 offers more comprehensive GPS support for higher accuracy.
SIMSingle SIMDual SIM Dual StandbyAsus ROG Phone 5 can handle two SIM cards simultaneously, useful for managing two phone numbers.
Storage
Internal64 GB or 128 GB128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GBAsus ROG Phone 5 has significantly higher storage options, accommodating more files, media and apps.
RAM4 GB or 6 GB8 GB, 12 GB, 16GB, or 18 GBAsus ROG Phone 5 has much more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and gaming.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone offers expandable storage.
Audio
Quality2 microphonesDTS / DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 4 microphonesAsus ROG Phone 5 provides a significantly better audio experience with stereo speakers and noise-cancelling microphones.
Security
FeaturesRear-mounted fingerprintBasic fingerprint sensorBoth provide basic biometric security via a fingerprint sensor.
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionUnknownCorning Gorilla Glass 6Asus ROG Phone 5 has better scratch resistance.
Sensors
Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, GyroscopeFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, HallAsus ROG Phone 5 has a more comprehensive sensor suite for advanced functionality.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:

  • Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and carry due to its reduced weight (26g) and overall dimensions.
  • Wider Aperture on Main Camera: May perform slightly better in low-light photography, however, the sensor is not as advanced.
  • Slightly Lower Price: It's often more budget friendly than the ROG Phone 5.

Practical Implications of Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:

  • Better for users who value portability and comfortable one-handed use.
  • Possibly acceptable for casual photography in low-light conditions if the user does not need exceptional quality.
  • Appeals to users who prioritize affordability over top-tier performance.

Asus ROG Phone 5 Advantages:

  • Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 and Adreno 660 GPU provide significantly faster processing speeds and graphics performance.
  • Superior Display: AMOLED screen with 144Hz refresh rate offers a vastly better visual experience for gaming and media.
  • Much Larger Battery and Faster Charging: Longer battery life and reduced downtime.
  • Better Camera System: Higher resolution lenses for both main and selfie cameras, and significantly better video capabilities, alongside optical zoom and manual focus.
  • Dual SIM Support: Allows for use of two phone numbers simultaneously.
  • Advanced Audio: Features like stereo speakers, and noise cancellation offer a much better audio experience.
  • More Storage and RAM: Offers higher storage options and more RAM, enabling superior multitasking and gaming.
  • More Modern Software: Comes with a more recent Android version.

Practical Implications of Asus ROG Phone 5 Advantages:

  • Ideal for gamers and users who need the highest possible performance.
  • Much better for media consumption and enjoying content thanks to the display and audio.
  • Great for power users who need longer battery life and fast charging.
  • Offers more detailed and higher quality photos and videos.
  • Ideal for users who need to manage two phone numbers without carrying two phones.
  • Suitable for users who value future-proof technology and software.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • Asus ROG Phone 5: It is bigger, heavier, and more expensive than the Motorola One 5G Ace, potentially making it less attractive to users seeking a budget-friendly device.
  • Motorola One 5G Ace: It offers significantly inferior performance, display quality, and camera capabilities compared to the ROG Phone 5, making it less suitable for power users or gamers.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal User for Motorola One 5G Ace:

  • Budget-conscious consumers who need a reliable 5G smartphone for everyday tasks.
  • Users who prioritize battery life over top-tier performance and gaming capabilities.
  • Individuals who prefer a lightweight phone and prioritize comfort and portability.

Use Cases for Motorola One 5G Ace:

  • General browsing, social media, and basic app usage.
  • Casual photography and video recording.
  • Long-lasting battery for daily use.

Ideal User for Asus ROG Phone 5:

  • Hardcore gamers who need the best possible mobile gaming experience.
  • Power users who demand top-tier performance and multitasking capabilities.
  • Users who prioritize superior multimedia consumption (high-quality display, sound).
  • Users who need great camera capabilities, including video recording.

Use Cases for Asus ROG Phone 5:

  • Demanding mobile gaming, including high-graphic games.
  • High-resolution video and image editing.
  • Extensive media consumption.
  • Heavy multitasking across multiple apps.
  • Professional video recording and editing.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • The Motorola One 5G Ace offers a decent value proposition for users who want basic 5G functionality without breaking the bank.
  • The Asus ROG Phone 5 offers superior performance and features at a higher price point, making it excellent for users who need high-performance, even if it's not the most budget friendly option.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers to Consider:

  1. What is my primary use case? (Casual user vs gamer/power user)
  2. What is my budget? (Budget-conscious vs willing to invest for top-tier features)
  3. How important are display quality, performance, camera quality, and battery life to me?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious Casual User: If you need a reliable 5G phone for everyday tasks without breaking the bank, the Motorola One 5G Ace is the better option.
  • Scenario 2: Performance-Driven Gamer/Power User: If you need the best performance for gaming and heavy multitasking, with a focus on display and audio quality, the Asus ROG Phone 5 is the clear choice.
  • Scenario 3: User with heavy media consumption habits: If your primary use of your phone revolves around watching videos and movies, the Asus ROG Phone 5 is the better option.

What I would choose and why!

Given my experience as a smartphone analyst and the desire for a device that offers a premium user experience across multiple categories, I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 5.

Reasons:

  • Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 and Adreno 660 deliver unmatched speed, essential for smooth multitasking, demanding applications, and graphics-intensive gaming, which are important for my workflow and enjoyment.
  • High-Quality Display: The 144Hz AMOLED screen with its superior contrast, vibrant colors, and fast refresh rate provides a visually stunning experience that I would greatly appreciate.
  • Advanced Camera: The higher resolution lenses, 8k video recording capabilities, and included features like optical zoom, and manual focus ensure excellent photo and video quality.
  • Enhanced Battery and Charging: The larger 6000mAh battery with 65W fast charging means I would experience significantly less downtime, which is crucial for all-day usage.
  • Comprehensive Features: The additional features such as the Dual SIM support, better audio quality with stereo speakers and noise cancellation microphones and the enhanced GPS, make it a more versatile and future-proof device.

While the Motorola One 5G Ace is a very competent budget-friendly device, for my needs the ROG Phone 5's superior performance, display, camera, battery and overall feature set would make it the better long-term investment. Although the ROG Phone 5 is larger and heavier, the benefits it offers vastly outweigh the slight trade-off in portability and comfort for me.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.