Smartphone Comparison: Motorola One 5G Ace vs. Huawei nova 9 SE
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Huawei nova 9 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm, 212g | 164.6 x 75.6 x 7.9 mm, 191g | Huawei is thinner and lighter, more comfortable for extended use. Motorola is bulkier, possibly less pocketable. |
| Build | Unknown Screen Protection | Unknown Screen Protection | Screen protection is an important factor for longevity but both are unknown. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Virtually identical screen size, negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2388 | Similar sharpness, good for general use and media consumption. |
| PPI | 393 | 387 | Similar pixel density, no visible difference in sharpness under normal use. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Identical panel technology, similar color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Huawei will have slightly smoother scrolling and animations, a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is identical, this could affect visibility in bright sunlight, but we are missing the actual brightness values. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Motorola offers faster CPU and GPU performance, better for gaming and demanding apps. Huawei is more energy efficient but less powerful. |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 248,000 | Motorola benchmarks higher, translates to smoother overall performance, app loading speed and better gaming capabilities. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 610 | Motorola offers better graphics performance for gaming and graphic intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80µm | 108MP, f/1.9, 0.70µm, 1/1.52" | Huawei has higher resolution main camera, potentially more detail in images. Motorola has wider aperture for better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 16MP, f/2.2 | Identical specs, similar selfie quality. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | N/A | Motorola has a dedicated wide angle camera to capture more in a single frame. |
| Portrait(depth) | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei has a depth sensor, better background blur in portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar macro lenses for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle+Macro | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2 | Huawei combines Wide angle and Macro camera for better flexibility. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, EIS | 1080p@30fps, EIS | Motorola records higher resolution videos. |
| Slow-Motion | 60 fps | 960 fps | Huawei's slow-motion recording is much more powerful than Motorola's. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4000mAh | Motorola's larger battery likely provides significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 15W | 66W | Huawei's faster charging allows much quicker replenishment, better for quick top-ups. |
| Features | 10W rapid charger in-box | Reverse charging | Motorola offers an included charger, while Huawei allows you to charge other devices using reverse charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 | Huawei has a newer OS version, which may have some extra features compared to Android 10. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Huawei has newer Wi-Fi for faster speeds, better range, and more stable connection. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | Motorola has a newer Bluetooth version for more energy efficiency, and better range. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Huawei has support for more satellite systems, more accurate and reliable positioning. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Huawei supports two SIM cards, better for users with two phone numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Huawei offers double the maximum storage for users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 6GB/8GB | Huawei offers more RAM for better multitasking and smoother app performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, storage capacity is fixed. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Basic Audio Features | Motorola has better voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Huawei has a more modern and convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor, easier access than a rear mounted sensor. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Comprehensive sensor suites on both devices. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Better Performance: Superior Snapdragon 750G chipset offers higher CPU and GPU performance, resulting in smoother overall experience, and better gaming.
- Longer Battery Life: Larger 5000mAh battery provides potentially longer usage between charges.
- 4K Video Recording: Supports 4K video recording, enabling users to record high resolution videos.
- Wider Aperture Camera: Main camera with f/1.7 aperture captures more light, good for low light situations.
- Wide-Angle Lens: Dedicated wide-angle camera gives more flexible photo compositions.
- Better Audio Quality: Dual microphones are better for voice capture.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Provides slightly better battery life when using wireless headphones.
- Slightly Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.1 vs 5.0.
Huawei nova 9 SE Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 66W charging dramatically reduces charging times, a big advantage for users always on the go.
- Higher Resolution Camera: 108MP main camera captures more detail.
- More Storage: Up to 256GB storage vs Motorola’s 128GB.
- More RAM: Up to 8GB of RAM vs Motorola's 6GB, better for multitasking.
- Dual SIM Support: Dual SIM functionality is great for users needing two phone numbers.
- Newer Operating System: Ships with Android 11 out of the box vs Android 10 on Motorola.
- Newer Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 provides faster and more reliable connections.
- Better Slow-motion: Much better slow-motion support: 960fps compared to 60fps.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices.
Trade-offs:
- Motorola: Offers better performance and battery life but slower charging, less storage and RAM
- Huawei: Offers faster charging, better camera and more storage/RAM but has lower performance and less battery capacity.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace:
Ideal User:
- Gamers who want smooth performance at a reasonable price.
- Users who need a long-lasting battery throughout the day.
- Users who prefer a good wide-angle camera for general use.
- Users who often make video calls or record voice notes.
Use Cases:
- Playing mobile games that require high frame rates and quick responsiveness.
- Streaming media and browsing the web for extended periods on a single charge.
- Capturing landscape photos and group shots with a wide angle perspective.
- Making clear and easy to understand voice calls or recording.
Huawei nova 9 SE:
Ideal User:
- Photographers who appreciate high-resolution images and versatility.
- Users who need a fast-charging phone for quick top-ups.
- Users who need more storage for photos, videos, and other media.
- Users who require Dual SIM functionality.
- Users who need fast and reliable Wi-Fi connections.
- Users who frequently shoot slow-motion videos.
Use Cases:
- Capturing high-detail photos for social media or printing.
- Quickly topping up the battery during a busy day.
- Storing a lot of media without worrying about running out of space.
- Managing two phone numbers on one device.
- Connecting to modern Wi-Fi networks for high-speed internet.
- Creating slow-motion videos for fun or for professional use.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Motorola One 5G Ace typically offers more bang for the buck if performance and battery life are the priorities.
- The Huawei nova 9 SE provides good value if the user values faster charging, high-resolution camera capabilities, storage and RAM. The dual sim functionality can also be a huge bonus.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance or Battery? Do you prioritize gaming and app performance (Motorola) or long battery life (Motorola) or fast charging (Huawei)?
- Camera needs? Do you need a versatile camera with great detail and a focus on image capture (Huawei) or a simpler camera with low light capabilities and wide-angle option (Motorola)?
- Storage Needs Do you have a lot of media, large apps and many files? Do you need dual SIM functionality? If yes, then the Huawei is preferable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You are a gamer who plays demanding mobile games daily. Recommendation: Motorola One 5G Ace offers a much more powerful chip that would better suit your needs.
- Scenario 2: You travel frequently and need a phone that charges quickly. Recommendation: Huawei nova 9 SE is the better option with its 66W fast charging and great camera for travel pictures.
- Scenario 3: You are a content creator who needs a lot of storage and a versatile camera. Recommendation: Huawei nova 9 SE offers higher resolution images, more storage and RAM.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola One 5G Ace. While the Huawei Nova 9 SE has a lot of great features like the faster charging, better camera resolution and more storage, these are all secondary for me. The reason I would choose the Motorola One 5G Ace is because of its better performance and the superior battery life, both of which are very important for me when using a smartphone. I am a gamer and having a better CPU and GPU is a must, since I often play graphically intensive games and also enjoy using many apps that can sometimes take up a lot of processing power.
