1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Motorola One 5G Ace and the Motorola ThinkPhone, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 158.8 × 74.4 × 8.3 mm | ThinkPhone is more compact and easier to handle, especially for smaller hands. Ace is bulkier and less pocketable. |
| Weight | 212g | 188.5g | ThinkPhone is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard phones, no difference in form factor. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | Ace has a slightly larger screen, providing slightly more viewing area, though negligible. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have the same sharpness, no difference in clarity. |
| PPI | 393 | 399 | Both have similar pixel density; the human eye wouldn't notice a difference. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | P-OLED | ThinkPhone offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the Ace's LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | ThinkPhone provides much smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experience. Ace will feel less fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | ThinkPhone is significantly brighter, providing excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. Ace's brightness is unknown, making outdoor visibility a potential issue. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | ThinkPhone is significantly faster and more responsive. The 8+ Gen 1 chipset is a flagship-level processor providing much better performance for demanding tasks and future-proofing. The 750G is a mid-range chipset. |
| Antutu Score | 330,000 | 1,232,700 | ThinkPhone has roughly 4x higher benchmark score, indicating drastically better overall performance, smoother experience, and faster app loading. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 730 | ThinkPhone has a much more powerful GPU, leading to smoother and more detailed graphics in games and demanding applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80 µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.00 µm, Omnivision OV50A | ThinkPhone has better sensor size and larger pixel size, leading to potentially improved image quality in low light. Ace has slightly wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm | 32MP, f/2.45, pixel size unknown | ThinkPhone has a higher resolution selfie camera, but its pixel size is unknown. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm | None | Ace provides wide-angle shots, useful for capturing landscapes and group photos. The ThinkPhone lacks dedicated wide-angle lens. |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, pixel size unknown | ThinkPhone provides a dedicated depth sensor, improving the quality of portrait mode photos by creating a better bokeh effect. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm | None | Ace has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photos. ThinkPhone lacks dedicated macro camera. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.4, pixel size unknown | ThinkPhone offers a combined wide-angle and macro lens, offering versatility and potentially higher resolution macro/wide shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p@30/60fps (EIS); Slow-motion: Yes, 60 fps | 8K@30fps (HDR, EIS), 4K@30/60fps (HDR, EIS), 1080p up to 960fps (HDR, EIS); Slow-motion: Yes, 120 fps | ThinkPhone supports much higher video resolutions and frame rates, as well as HDR capture, offering better quality and more creative options for videographers. ThinkPhone offers better slow-motion capabilities. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | ThinkPhone has optical zoom and optical stabilization(OIS), leading to better quality zoom and less blurry videos. Ace has laser autofocus and night mode, which may be beneficial for low-light photography. |
| DxOMark | Not Available | Not Available | Both do not have a DxOMark score. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, expected to last for about the same amount of time with typical use, but usage will vary. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging, Li-Ion | 68W fast charging, Li-Polymer | ThinkPhone charges much faster, allowing for quick top-ups. |
| Features | 10W rapid charger in-box | 15W wireless charging | Ace includes a charger. ThinkPhone offers wireless charging convenience. |
Other
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10 | Android 13 | ThinkPhone has a more recent version of Android and will receive longer software support. |
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) | ThinkPhone supports a newer WiFi standard, for better speed and stability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE | ThinkPhone supports newer bluetooth for more power efficient connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | ThinkPhone supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | ThinkPhone offers the option to use two SIMs at once, useful for travel or work. |
| Internal Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 256GB | ThinkPhone has more storage for apps and data. |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB | 8GB | ThinkPhone has more RAM, better for multi-tasking and handling demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage expansion. |
| Audio | 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | ThinkPhone offers better sound quality and immersion with Dolby Atmos and Stereo Speakers. |
| Security | rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both have basic fingerprint sensor capabilities, no significant differences in the feature. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | ThinkPhone offers superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Ace has more sensor options including compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Wider Aperture on Main Camera: The f/1.7 aperture might offer slightly better performance in certain low-light scenarios, though this advantage is marginal compared to ThinkPhone’s larger sensor and larger pixel sizes.
- Dedicated Macro Camera Lens: Useful for close-up photography
- Dedicated Wide Angle Lens: Useful for landscape and group photos
- Laser Autofocus (LAF): May provide faster and more accurate focusing in some situations, though it is less reliable in difficult situations than phase-detection.
- Compass: For users who need a physical compass, this phone has one
Motorola ThinkPhone Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset provides a flagship-level experience, vastly outperforming the Snapdragon 750G in all areas.
- Superior Display: The P-OLED display offers much better contrast, vibrant colors, and a significantly higher refresh rate (144Hz vs. 60Hz), making for a smoother and more immersive visual experience. It is also much brighter for outdoor use.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: This will enable more detailed selfies with improved clarity.
- Better Main Camera Sensor: Larger sensor size and larger pixel size lead to better low light performance.
- More Versatile Video Recording: With 8K recording, higher frame rates, HDR, and better stabilization, the ThinkPhone is much better for video.
- Much Faster Charging: 68W charging allows for much quicker charging, minimizing downtime.
- Wireless Charging: Provides convenient charging options without cables.
- Larger RAM and Storage: 8GB RAM and 256GB storage provide more space and better multi-tasking capabilities.
- Stereo Speakers and Dolby Atmos: Provides much better audio quality for media consumption and video calls
- More Advanced Connectivity: Supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards.
- Dual SIM Support: Allows use of two SIM cards at the same time.
- Better Screen Protection: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for increased durability.
- More Modern Software: Ships with Android 13, providing newer features and longer software support.
- Combined Wide Angle + Macro Lens: Offers an all in one flexible lens solution, while also providing better quality than the Ace's separate macro/wide lenses.
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola One 5G Ace offers a dedicated macro lens, and a dedicated wide-angle lens, where the ThinkPhone combined these into one. Also, the ThinkPhone does not have a laser autofocus like the Ace does.
- The Motorola One 5G Ace is a larger phone overall, which may be desirable for some.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who need a basic 5G smartphone, may have larger hands, or desire a dedicated macro/wide camera.
- Use Cases:
- Casual social media browsing
- Basic photography, occasionally capturing macro and wide-angle shots
- Web browsing and email
- Streaming videos and light gaming
- Users who need the compass sensor
Motorola ThinkPhone:
- Ideal User: Professionals, power users, and those who want a premium smartphone experience with top-tier performance, better screen, camera, and build.
- Use Cases:
- Demanding gaming and multitasking
- Professional photography and videography
- Business use, needing dual SIM support
- Media consumption and high-quality audio experience
- Users who need fast charging and wireless charging
- Users who desire an enhanced visual experience
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The ThinkPhone is likely much more expensive than the Ace. If budget is a major concern, the Ace might be sufficient.
- How important is performance? If you need smooth multitasking, high-end gaming capabilities, or future-proofing, the ThinkPhone is a better choice.
- What are your priorities in display and camera? If you value vivid visuals, smooth scrolling, better outdoor visibility, better quality photos and high-quality video, the ThinkPhone's P-OLED display and advanced camera system are superior.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Basic User: If you are primarily using your phone for calls, social media, and browsing, the Motorola One 5G Ace is adequate and much cheaper.
- Power User/Professional: If you need the best performance, want an excellent display for media consumption, and require advanced camera features and professional-grade video, the Motorola ThinkPhone is the clear choice.
- Camera Enthusiast: If you desire high-quality photos and versatile video options with a robust set of features, the Motorola ThinkPhone is superior. If you are looking specifically for macro/wide cameras, the Ace offers those as separate lenses, but at a much lower quality.
- On-the-go professional: If you need a phone that is reliable for work, travel, video calls, and productivity, the ThinkPhone provides better features with its dual SIM support, modern connectivity, and fast charging.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Motorola ThinkPhone.
Here's why:
- Superior Performance: As someone who uses their phone for a variety of tasks, including some mobile gaming, the vast performance difference is a key factor. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset provides a noticeably better experience.
- Much Better Display: The OLED panel with a 144Hz refresh rate would significantly enhance my daily usage with its beautiful visuals and smooth animations. The brightness also means better readability in sunlight.
- Advanced Camera and Video: While I am not a professional photographer, the versatility and higher video quality offered by the ThinkPhone would be very useful. Having OIS is a major plus for video.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: The convenience of much faster charging and wireless charging would be a huge time-saver.
- Better Future-Proofing: The modern specs and newer software version of the ThinkPhone will extend the usable life of the phone and provide a smoother experience in the long run.
The Motorola One 5G Ace is a decent budget option, but the ThinkPhone's combination of performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and other premium features make it a worthwhile upgrade. The enhanced user experience and future-proofing are worth the extra cost for my usage scenarios.
