1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 170.5 × 76.5 × 9.1 mm | G51 is taller and thinner, Ace is slightly more compact but thicker. Minor difference in hand feel. |
| Weight | 212g | 208g | Virtually identical weight, both feel similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Negligible difference in screen size, both offer immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness and detail. |
| PPI | 393 | 387 | Virtually identical pixel density, both appear very sharp. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Similar color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | G51 offers noticeably smoother scrolling and animations, better for gaming and general fluidity. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is unknown, making outdoor visibility comparison impossible. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G | 750G is a mid-range chip, while 480+ is an entry-level. While the G51 scores higher in benchmarks, in practice, the 750G likely offers better day-to-day performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 381,000 | G51 scores higher in benchmarks but real world performance may vary. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 | Identical graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP (f/1.7) | 50MP (f/1.8) | G51 has slightly higher resolution but Ace has a wider aperture for better low light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor | Unknown | Samsung S5KJN1 (1/2.76", 0.64µm) | G51 has a known sensor, allowing better assessment of its image quality potential. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP (f/2.2, 1.12µm) | 13MP (f/2.2, 1.12µm) | Ace offers slightly more detail in selfies, due to higher resolution. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP | 8MP | Similar wide-angle capabilities. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | 2MP | Similar macro capabilities, often limited in detail on both. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 1080p@240fps | Ace records 4K video, G51 has slow-motion at 240 fps, the choice depends on video use case. |
| Camera Features | Digital image stabilization, Night Mode, PDAF, LAF | PDAF, LAF | Ace has additional features including digital image stabilization and Night Mode. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life potential, lasting a full day for most users. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 10W Fast Charging | Ace recharges faster. |
| Charger | 10W rapid charger in-box | No charger mentioned | Ace includes a charger in the box. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, upgradable to 12 | G51 comes with newer software and one guaranteed OS upgrade, likely with better feature set. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, Dual-band | 802.11ac, Dual-band | Both provide similar Wi-Fi performance |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, A2DP, EDR | 5.1 LE, A2DP | Ace additionally supports EDR |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | G51 has a better GPS suite. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | G51 supports two SIMs, useful for separate work/personal use. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB | Similar storage options, sufficient for average users. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 4GB/8GB | G51 offers up to 8GB RAM for better multitasking, especially when running resource-intensive apps and games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | G51 offers spatial audio with Dolby Atmos for more immersive listening experiences. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Rear-mounted | Side-mounted | Side-mounted is generally more convenient, allowing faster unlocking from different angles. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Unable to compare, no clear information provided. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Ace includes compass for added navigation features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Potentially Better Main Camera in Low Light: Wider f/1.7 aperture might result in better low-light performance.
- 4K Video Recording: Offers 4K video recording for higher resolution videos.
- Faster Charging: 15W charging is faster than the G51's 10W.
- Included Charger: Comes with a 10W rapid charger in-box.
- Compass Sensor: The inclusion of a compass is useful for navigation and location-based apps.
Practical Implications: The Ace is better suited for capturing higher-quality videos and could be preferable for people who take a lot of photos in low light situations, it also has a slight edge in charging speed and also includes the charger in the box.
Motorola Moto G51 5G Advantages:
- 120Hz Refresh Rate: Offers significantly smoother animations and scrolling for a more pleasant user experience.
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 11 and an upgrade to 12, providing more recent features and security updates.
- Better RAM Options: Comes with an 8GB RAM option for better multitasking.
- Dual SIM Support: Enables the use of two SIM cards simultaneously.
- Dolby Atmos Audio: Delivers enhanced audio experiences.
- Better GPS suite: The G51 supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
- Potentially better performance: While the Snapdragon 480+ isn't a better chip on paper, the higher Antutu score points to better real-world performance.
Practical Implications: The G51 is better suited for gaming and general day-to-day usage thanks to its 120hz refresh rate, has newer software, has the benefit of Dual SIM and has better GPS capabilities.
Trade-offs:
- The Ace sacrifices refresh rate and newer software for a potentially better main camera in low light situations, faster charging and 4K video recording.
- The G51 gives up faster charging and 4K video for a higher refresh rate display, newer software and dual sim support.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace Ideal User:
- Casual Videographers: Users who occasionally record videos and want 4K resolution
- Budget Conscious Photographers: Individuals who prioritize low light photo quality and faster charging speeds.
- Navigation App Users: Users who use navigation apps often for commutes or other outdoor activities.
Use Cases:
- Social Media Content Creators: Someone who wants a 4K recording phone in a budget, this is a good choice.
- Occasional low-light photography Capturing pictures indoors, or in the evening.
- Daily Navigation: Using GPS navigation and taking advantage of the compass.
Motorola Moto G51 5G Ideal User:
- Gaming and multimedia enthusiasts: Users who play games, scroll social media or watch a lot of video content.
- Users who need dual SIM capabilities: Those who use one sim for personal and one for work.
- Users who want the latest software and longer support
Use Cases:
- Smooth Daily Usage: Enhanced user experience while scrolling, browsing social media, etc.
- Multitasking: Running multiple apps, playing graphics-intensive games.
- Work & Travel: Using two SIMs for personal and work use cases.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is a smooth display experience? If a higher refresh rate is important, G51 is the better choice.
- Do you need dual-SIM support? If you need to use two SIM cards, the G51 has dual SIM capabilities.
- Are you planning to shoot many videos in 4K or use GPS Navigation often? If you answered yes, the Ace would be better for those tasks.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Multimedia Consumption & Gaming: If you watch videos and play games on your phone frequently, go with the Motorola Moto G51 5G for the 120Hz display.
Scenario 2: Budget Photographer/Videographer: If you often find yourself in situations where you need to take photos or record videos in low-light and want to record 4k videos the Motorola One 5G Ace might be a slightly better option.
Scenario 3: Dual SIM User/Software Focused: If you need dual SIM capabilities, or you want a device with a longer software update cycle the Motorola Moto G51 5G is the better option.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Motorola Moto G51 5G. While the Motorola One 5G Ace has its strengths with 4K video, potentially better low light performance with a wider aperture, and faster charging speeds, the 120Hz refresh rate on the G51 makes a significant difference in daily usability, plus it has an updated software version, and support for dual sims which is something I value.
The smoother scrolling and animations on the G51 would enhance my experience more consistently than the features offered by the Ace. I also value the side-mounted fingerprint sensor on the G51 more. While the 4K recording on the Ace is a nice-to-have, the 120hz display offers a noticeable improvement to day-to-day experience. Ultimately, the G51's newer software, 120hz screen and dual sim capabilities makes it a better choice for me, even if the chip is slightly less powerful on paper than the Ace's.
