1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Honor X8a | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 162.9 × 74.5 × 7.5 mm | Motorola is larger, wider and thicker, might feel bulkier in hand, Honor is thinner and more pocketable. |
| Weight | 212g | 179g | Honor is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for long usage. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both offer the same screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2388 | Minimal difference, virtually identical sharpness. |
| PPI | 393 | 391 | Both have almost identical pixel density, meaning similar clarity. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use similar IPS LCD technology, which means the display quality will be similar |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Honor has a smoother scrolling and animation experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones will have similar visibility in direct sunlight, though peak brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) | Motorola has a more powerful chipset, resulting in faster overall performance and smoother app loading. |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 253,700 | Motorola generally provides a more responsive user interface and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Motorola's GPU is more powerful, which leads to better graphics in games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP f/1.7 | 100MP f/1.9 | Honor captures higher resolution photos. Motorola's slightly wider aperture may perform better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP f/2.2 | 16MP f/2.45 | Both take similar megapixel selfies, though Motorola's wider aperture may perform better in low light. |
| Wide Angle Resolution | 8MP f/2.2 | 5MP f/2.2 | Motorola takes wider, more detailed shots. |
| Macro Lens Resolution | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both have the same Macro lens resolution. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 1080p@30fps | Motorola can record higher resolution, better quality videos. |
| Slow Motion | 60 fps | 120 fps | Honor records smoother, better quality slow motion footage |
| Camera Features | LAF, RAW, Night Mode | CDAF | Motorola provides laser autofocus for faster focusing, RAW for editing, and night mode for better low-light photos, Honor has contrast detection autofocus which is generally less performant |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Motorola likely lasts longer on a single charge. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 22.5W fast charging | Honor recharges faster than Motorola. |
| Charging Features | 10W rapid charger in-box | None | Motorola provides a fast charger in-box |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12 | Honor has a more modern version of Android out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Both have similar Wi-Fi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.1 LE | Both have similar Bluetooth capabilities. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Honor provides wider GPS coverage. |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Honor can use two SIMs at the same time. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Honor offers more storage, particularly the 256 GB version. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 6GB/8GB | Honor has more RAM, better for multitasking and heavy apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports external memory cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | 2 Microphones | Basic Audio | Motorola has slightly better audio quality recording due to dual mics. |
| Security | |||
| Biometric Sensor | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor is more convenient and advanced. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Proximity, Fingerprint, Gravity | Motorola has a gyroscope sensor which is good for gaming and VR while Honor has Gravity sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Stronger Performance: The Snapdragon 750G offers noticeably better performance in day-to-day tasks and gaming, confirmed by higher benchmark scores (330,000 vs 253,700). This means smoother app loading and transitions, and a better gaming experience.
- Larger Battery: With a 5000mAh battery vs 4500mAh on the Honor, the Motorola likely offers longer battery life, which is beneficial for heavy users.
- Better Video Recording: 4K video recording capability (vs 1080p) allows for higher quality videos for those who prioritize video quality.
- Camera Features: The inclusion of laser autofocus (LAF), RAW image capture, and a Night Mode significantly expands its versatility in photography.
- Better Audio Quality: Inclusion of dual microphones provides slightly better voice capture.
- Gyroscope: More advanced motion sensor (gyroscope) is useful for gaming and VR
- In-box charger: 10W rapid charger included in the box.
Honor X8a Advantages:
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 12 out of the box, potentially offering newer features and security updates than the older Android 10 on the Motorola.
- Faster Charging: 22.5W charging allows for faster refills, especially convenient for users on the go.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 90Hz display results in smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience.
- Lighter and Thinner Design: The device is more comfortable to hold for extended periods and easier to carry around.
- Higher Main Camera Resolution: 100MP sensor allows for much higher resolution images and better detail.
- More RAM and Storage: 6/8GB RAM options for multitasking. 128/256GB storage options for more media storage.
- Dual SIM Support: Supports dual SIMs, great for those who use two different phone numbers.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: The side-mounted fingerprint scanner is generally considered more convenient and faster than the rear-mounted sensor.
- More GPS Satellites: Inclusion of Beidou leads to better location accuracy.
- Better Slow-Motion: Better slow motion video recording at 120fps
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola, despite having a larger battery, charges slower, a trade-off between endurance and convenience.
- The Honor excels in camera resolution and refresh rate, while the Motorola has better overall performance and video.
- The Motorola has a more powerful chipset, but runs on a two-year older Android version out of the box compared to the Honor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace:
Ideal User:
- Gamers who need a smoother experience and better graphics
- Users who prioritize battery life
- Users who need higher quality videos
- Users who need faster, more accurate autofocus
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming, running graphically demanding games
- All-day usage without frequent charging
- Recording high quality videos for social media
- Taking photos with better focus and detail
Honor X8a:
Ideal User:
- Users who want a fast charging smartphone
- Users who value a modern and smooth interface with Android 12
- Users who use Dual SIMs
- Users who capture lots of high resolution photos
- Users who need a thinner, lightweight and more compact phone
Use Cases:
- Frequent travellers with two sim cards
- Social media consumption and casual browsing with smoother visuals
- Taking detailed photos for social media
- Quick recharge in between busy days
- Carrying a phone in small pockets due to its thin and light design
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Performance Needs: Do you prioritize smooth app usage and gaming, or is faster charging and a more modern OS more important?
- Camera Requirements: Do you value higher-resolution photos and fast focusing capabilities, or do you need high-quality video recording and features like RAW?
- Physical Preference: Do you prefer a lighter and thinner phone, or are you okay with a bulkier device for longer battery life?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Heavy Gamer/Power User: If your main focus is gaming and you need consistent performance and can accept a slightly bulkier phone, choose the Motorola One 5G Ace.
- Casual User/Social Media Enthusiast: If you want a modern operating system, faster charging and higher resolution images for social media and you prioritize a sleek, lightweight device, the Honor X8a is a better fit.
- Traveler: If you need dual SIM, faster charging and prefer the convenience of a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, the Honor X8a is the clear winner.
- Budget-Conscious: Considering that prices can vary, check the current pricing of both devices and choose the one that fits your budget, keeping in mind the advantages and disadvantages of each.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Honor X8a. While the Motorola One 5G Ace offers better raw performance, my use case leans towards a more modern Android version, smoother UI experience, faster charging, and dual-sim support. The Honor X8a's higher refresh rate, higher main camera resolution and lighter design make it a more enjoyable daily driver for my specific needs. The slight trade-off in raw performance is acceptable for the benefits it offers in other areas that align more with my priorities, and it would be a better overall daily phone for me.
