1. Specifications Comparison
Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Design | |||
Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 172.8 × 77.3 × 10.3 mm | Asus ROG Phone 5 is larger and bulkier, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. |
Weight | 212g | 238g | Motorola One 5G Ace is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. |
Display | |||
Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Negligible difference in screen size, both offer large viewing areas. |
Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2448 | Very similar sharpness. Both are considered FHD+ displays. |
PPI | 393 | 395 | Visually indistinguishable pixel density, both look sharp. |
Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, better for media consumption. |
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Asus ROG Phone 5 provides much smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in gaming and fast-paced apps. |
Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness data is missing, hindering comparison in outdoor visibility. |
Performance | |||
Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a significantly more powerful processor, enabling smoother and faster operation for all tasks, including demanding games and applications. |
AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 883,000 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has vastly superior performance (168% higher), offering a noticeably snappier experience. |
GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 660 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a much more powerful GPU, providing significantly better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
Battery | |||
Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a larger battery, potentially leading to longer battery life, especially under heavy usage. |
Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Asus ROG Phone 5 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
Features | 10W charger in-box | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging | Asus 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 Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 64MP, f/1.8, Sony IMX686 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a higher resolution sensor, likely resulting in more detail in photos, though aperture is slightly narrower. |
Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2 | 24MP, f/2.45, Samsung S5K2X7 | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers higher resolution selfies. |
Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.5 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a higher resolution wide-angle lens allowing for more detail in shots. |
Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.0 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a higher resolution macro lens, and a wider aperture, likely resulting in better close-up shots. |
Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers superior video recording capabilities, including 8K and higher frame rates at 4K resolution. |
Camera Features | LAF, RAW | 4K, 8K Video, Optical Zoom, Manual Focus | Asus ROG Phone 5 has more advanced video features and offers an optical zoom and manual focus. |
Software | |||
OS | Android 10 | Android 11, Upgradable to 12 | Asus ROG Phone 5 is newer and receives newer Android versions, having access to more features, security updates and app support. |
Connectivity | |||
WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (WiFi 6), 802.11ad | Asus ROG Phone 5 supports faster and more reliable WiFi standards. |
Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a newer version with more features and possibly better connection stability. |
GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, 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. |
SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Asus ROG Phone 5 can handle two SIM cards simultaneously, useful for managing two phone numbers. |
Storage | |||
Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB | Asus ROG Phone 5 has significantly higher storage options, accommodating more files, media and apps. |
RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB | 8 GB, 12 GB, 16GB, or 18 GB | Asus ROG Phone 5 has much more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and gaming. |
Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
Audio | |||
Quality | 2 microphones | DTS / DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 4 microphones | Asus ROG Phone 5 provides a significantly better audio experience with stereo speakers and noise-cancelling microphones. |
Security | |||
Features | Rear-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both provide basic biometric security via a fingerprint sensor. |
Build Quality | |||
Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has better scratch resistance. |
Sensors | |||
Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | Asus 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:
- What is my primary use case? (Casual user vs gamer/power user)
- What is my budget? (Budget-conscious vs willing to invest for top-tier features)
- 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.