1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Motorola One 5G Ace and the Nokia G100, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Nokia G100 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 166.6 × 76.7 × 8.9 mm | The Motorola is slightly thicker but has a negligibly smaller footprint, which may or may not be noticeable in hand. |
| Weight | 212g | 195.1g | The Nokia G100 is noticeably lighter (16.9g difference), which could improve comfort during extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Nokia G100 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.52" | The Motorola offers a marginally larger screen, potentially better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | The Motorola's higher resolution provides sharper images and text, making it better for detailed viewing. |
| PPI | 393 | 269 | Motorola's significantly higher pixel density results in a clearer and less pixelated display. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both screens are expected to have similar color and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both displays have standard 60Hz refresh rate, meaning smooth scrolling will be similar. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness not specified; no practical difference. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Nokia G100 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | The Motorola's chip is newer and more powerful, which results in smoother performance, faster app loading, and better gaming capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 201,615 | Motorola offers significantly better performance, suitable for gaming and demanding apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 610 | Motorola has a better GPU for graphics-intensive tasks like gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Nokia G100 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP f/1.7 | 13MP f/2.0 | The Motorola's main camera captures more detailed photos and performs better in low light due to the wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.2 | 8MP f/2.4 | The Motorola's selfie camera captures sharper photos. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP f/2.2 | 5MP f/2.2 | Motorola's wide angle lens captures slightly higher resolution photos. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | N/A | 2MP f/2.4 | Only the Nokia has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | N/A | Only the Motorola has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (EIS) | 1080p@30fps (EIS) | The Motorola can record higher resolution video, offering better quality. Both offer image stabilization. |
| Slow Motion | 60fps | 120fps | The Nokia G100 can record slow-motion at a higher frame rate, allowing for more detailed slow-motion captures. |
| Additional Camera Features | PDAF, LAF, RAW | None | The Motorola's Phase Detection and Laser AutoFocus (PDAF, LAF) give faster focusing; RAW format allows for more editing flexibility. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Nokia G100 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Both phones have 15W fast charging; expect similar charging times. |
| Included Charger | 10W Rapid Charger | Not specified | Only Motorola includes charger in the box. |
Other
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Nokia G100 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 10 | Android 12 | Nokia G100 ships with a more recent version of Android. |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Similar Wi-Fi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.0 LE, A2DP, LE | Motorola has slightly more recent version Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | Motorola supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | The Nokia G100 supports dual SIM cards, useful for separating personal and work numbers or for international travel. |
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 32GB/128GB | Both phones offer 128 GB, but the Nokia's base storage is lower. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 3GB/4GB | Motorola offers more RAM option, improving multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones lack expandable storage. |
| Audio | 2 Microphones | 2 Microphones | Similar audio recording performance. |
| Security | Rear Fingerprint Sensor | Side Fingerprint Sensor | Side fingerprint sensors are generally considered easier to access. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | The Nokia has a more robust screen protection. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer, Fingerprint | Nokia offers a barometer, which is useful for tracking altitude. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 750G and Adreno 619 offer noticeably faster performance than the Snapdragon 662 and Adreno 610 of the G100, resulting in smoother multitasking and gaming.
- Superior Display: The 1080x2400 resolution and higher pixel density (393ppi) of the Motorola result in a sharper and clearer viewing experience.
- Better Main Camera: The 48MP f/1.7 camera captures much more detail and performs better in low light than the 13MP f/2.0 of the G100.
- Better Selfie Camera: The 16MP front facing camera will take much sharper selfies than the 8MP of the Nokia.
- More Camera Features: The Motorola’s PDAF, LAF, and RAW features provide more advanced control and faster focus for the camera, and more editing flexibility.
- More RAM Option: The Motorola offers a 6GB of RAM option that is better for intensive multitasking than the 4GB option of the Nokia.
- Slightly Faster Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 offers slightly faster connection and data transfer speeds than Bluetooth 5.0.
Nokia G100 Advantages:
- Lighter Build: The G100 weighs 16.9 grams less, making it more comfortable for extended use and pocketability.
- Newer OS: The G100 comes with Android 12 out of the box, providing the latest software features and potentially better security.
- Dual SIM Support: The G100 offers dual SIM capabilities, allowing for the simultaneous use of two phone numbers, making it useful for managing work and personal numbers.
- Dedicated Portrait Camera: G100's dedicated portrait (depth) camera, can create a bokeh effect that is missing from the Motorola.
- Better screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides better resistance against scratches than the unspecified glass of the Motorola.
- Barometer sensor: Useful for more accurate altitude tracking.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Many users find side-mounted fingerprint sensors more convenient than rear-mounted ones.
- Better Slow-Motion: Ability to record slow-motion at 120fps vs 60fps of the Motorola is a practical difference.
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola sacrifices some portability and ergonomics due to its slightly larger size and weight for the sake of higher performance and better camera.
- The Nokia G100 loses out on overall performance and picture quality for the sake of more modern Android OS and some additional camera features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace Ideal User:
- Performance-focused users: Gamers, multitaskers, and anyone who needs smooth performance in demanding apps.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize good camera quality for everyday photos, as well as the ability to capture high-resolution videos and photos with fine grain control.
- Media Consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos and browsing on a large, high-resolution screen.
- Users looking for better bluetooth connectivity.
Use Cases:
- Gaming: Runs graphically intensive games smoothly due to superior CPU/GPU combination.
- Photography/Videography: Captures more detailed photos and videos, especially in low light with wider aperture lens.
- Multitasking: Handles multiple apps running simultaneously without noticeable lag due to superior processor and higher RAM option.
- Media Consumption: Better screen for watching videos, browsing, and reading, especially those who need text that is very crisp.
Nokia G100 Ideal User:
- Users that prefer a more recent Android OS: User that would like the latest version of Android that was available at the time of release.
- Users that prefer a lightweight phone: Those who prioritize portability and comfort.
- Users who use dual SIM cards: Those who need to manage multiple phone numbers for work, travel, or personal reasons.
- Budget-conscious buyers: Those looking for an affordable device that still gets the job done well for basic tasks.
- Users who prefer better slow-motion video: Those that may want to record action videos.
Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks: Handles basic smartphone tasks (calling, browsing, messaging) well.
- Dual SIM Usage: Ideal for those who need two phone numbers for work and personal use.
- Longer sessions: Lighter device will be more comfortable to hold for a long period.
- Outdoor use: The Barometer sensor can be useful for tracking altitude for those that are hikers or enjoy being in the outdoors.
- Taking portrait photography: the portrait camera on the G100 will be more useful than the lacking portait mode on the Motorola.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Ask:
- How important is raw performance for my needs? (Gaming, multitasking, app loading). If performance is critical, the Motorola is the better choice.
- Do I prioritize camera quality or the latest software? If picture quality is a priority, then the Motorola is better. If a newer version of Android is more important, then the Nokia is better.
- How much do I care about weight and ergonomics? If comfort is a key concern, the Nokia, being noticeably lighter, is preferable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Performance & Camera Focused): If you plan to play games or capture detailed photos and videos regularly, and do not mind the older OS, then the Motorola One 5G Ace is the better choice.
- Scenario 2 (Budget and Practicality Focused): If you value a modern Android OS, dual-SIM capabilities, and prefer a lightweight device and are on a budget, the Nokia G100 will be the better choice.
- Scenario 3 (General use): If you use your phone for basic tasks, and value dual-SIM and do not mind the slightly older OS, then the Nokia G100 will be the better choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Motorola One 5G Ace.
While the Nokia G100 has a slightly more modern Android OS, I believe that the performance gains of the Motorola are much more important for my daily use. The sharper display, better camera, faster performance, and more RAM will lead to a much smoother experience in general use, and when playing games. Additionally, I prefer the inclusion of advanced camera features such as PDAF, LAF, and RAW support, which is more important to me than a portrait camera that the G100 provides. Finally, the inclusion of an in-box rapid charger is a plus, as most manufacturers do not include one anymore.
Although the Nokia is slightly lighter, has dual-SIM capabilities, and is running a more modern version of Android, I do not value these as much as the performance gains offered by the Motorola. Therefore, the Motorola One 5G Ace is a better choice for me, as it has better features that align more with my personal use case.
