Smartphone Comparison: Motorola One 5G Ace vs. Nokia G11
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Nokia G11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-14 | 2022-03-24 | Nokia G11 is a newer model by over a year, possibly with more up-to-date software. |
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 164.6 × 75.9 × 8.5 mm | Motorola One 5G Ace is slightly larger and thicker; Nokia G11 is more compact and potentially easier to handle. |
| Weight | 212g | 189g | Nokia G11 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | Motorola One 5G Ace provides a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | Motorola One 5G Ace offers much sharper visuals, making text and images appear clearer. |
| Pixel Density | 393 PPI | 270 PPI | Motorola One 5G Ace has a significantly sharper display, important for detailed graphics and text. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both have similar display tech, so image quality differences are primarily due to resolution and pixel density. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Nokia G11 offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm) | Unisoc T606 (12nm) | Motorola One 5G Ace offers much stronger performance, noticeably faster app loading and smoother operation. |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 253,300 | Motorola One 5G Ace is significantly faster, better for gaming and demanding apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Motorola One 5G Ace's GPU is better for graphics-intensive tasks, such as gaming and video editing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5050mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, expect comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 18W fast charging | Nokia G11 charges slightly faster. |
| Features | 10W rapid charger in-box | 10W charger in-box | Both have similar chargers in box. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP f/1.7 | 13MP f/1.8 | Motorola One 5G Ace captures more detailed images with higher resolution and wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.2 | 8MP f/2.0 | Motorola One 5G Ace takes higher resolution selfies, while Nokia G11 has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP f/2.2 | None | Motorola One 5G Ace offers a wider field of view, useful for group photos and landscapes. |
| Portrait (Depth) | None | 2MP f/2.4 | Nokia G11 provides better depth sensing for portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both phones offer similar macro capabilities. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps EIS | 1080p@30fps | Motorola One 5G Ace offers higher quality video recording, including 4K and 60fps recording. |
| Slow-motion | Yes, 60fps | No, 30fps | Motorola One 5G Ace supports slow motion with higher frame rate for better quality slow-mo. |
| Camera Features | PDAF, LAF, RAW, Night Mode | Front Flash | Motorola One 5G Ace has more advanced camera features like PDAF and night mode. Nokia has front flash. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 | Nokia G11 offers a newer version of Android out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi ac, Direct | Wi-Fi n, Display | Motorola One 5G Ace has a newer WiFi version and Wi-Fi direct. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE EDR | 5.0 LE | Motorola One 5G Ace has a newer version of Bluetooth with EDR. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Nokia G11 supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | Nokia G11 supports two SIM cards, useful for separating work and personal lines. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 32GB/64GB | Motorola One 5G Ace offers more internal storage options for storing more files. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 3GB/4GB | Motorola One 5G Ace offers more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Microphones | 2 | 2 | Both have identical audio capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Rear-mounted | Side-mounted | Nokia G11 features a more advanced side-mounted sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Accelerometer | Motorola One 5G Ace has more sensors, which can improve usability in some applications and games. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 750G chipset offers significantly better CPU and GPU performance, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density (1080x2400, 393 PPI) offer a noticeably crisper and more detailed viewing experience.
- Better Camera System: The 48MP main camera, 16MP selfie camera, and inclusion of an 8MP wide-angle lens provide more versatile shooting options and better image quality. 4k video recording, 60fps slow motion.
- More RAM and Internal Storage: Available in higher configurations (up to 6GB RAM and 128GB storage) allowing for more data, app multitasking and file storage.
- Newer WiFi: It has Wi-Fi ac.
- Newer Bluetooth: It has Bluetooth 5.1.
- More Sensors: It has a gyroscope and a compass.
Nokia G11 Advantages:
- Newer Device: Launched more than a year later, it may have more updated software.
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Slightly Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate results in slightly smoother scrolling and animations.
- Faster Charging: 18W charging allows for slightly quicker top-ups.
- Dual SIM Support: Ability to use two SIM cards simultaneously.
- Front Flash: The phone has front flash for better low-light selfies.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Scanner: More modern and convenient.
- More GPS Options: It has Beidou
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola One 5G Ace sacrifices some portability and has an older OS and the lack of a front flash.
- The Nokia G11 provides a smoother refresh rate and faster charging, but lacks the performance and screen quality of the Motorola One 5G Ace.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace Ideal User:
- Power Users: Those who frequently multitask, play mobile games, and use demanding apps.
- Media Consumers: People who watch videos, stream content, and want a sharper display.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who want better quality cameras with versatile shooting options, such as 4K video and a wide-angle lens.
- Users Seeking Performance: Users who are looking for the most performance in their price range.
Use Cases:
- Gaming: Smoother gameplay, faster loading times due to the better chipset and GPU.
- Multimedia: Enjoying movies and videos with a higher-resolution screen.
- Photography: Taking higher-quality photos and videos, including wide-angle shots.
- Productivity: Running multiple apps smoothly with ample RAM.
Nokia G11 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who prioritize cost savings and basic phone functionality.
- Casual Users: Individuals who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, social media, and basic browsing.
- Users Prioritizing Portability: People who prefer a lighter and more compact phone that is comfortable to hold.
- Users Needing Dual SIM: If you need two sim cards in the same phone this is a great choice.
- Users wanting front flash: If you care about having flash for your front facing camera.
Use Cases:
- Everyday communication: Making calls, sending texts, and using social media.
- Casual browsing: Reading articles and browsing the web.
- Long battery life: Getting through a full day on a single charge.
- Basic photography: Capturing quick snapshots.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Ask:
- Do you prioritize performance and display quality, or are you willing to sacrifice them for a lighter and more affordable phone?
- Do you use your phone for gaming, content creation, or photography regularly, or is it mainly for communication and casual use?
- Do you need dual SIM capability or want the best possible front facing camera picture in low-light conditions?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy User (Gaming/Multimedia/Photography): If you require high performance for gaming, better display quality for watching videos, and more versatile cameras, the Motorola One 5G Ace is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User (Everyday Use): If you prioritize portability, affordability, and basic functionality with dual SIM and a front flash, the Nokia G11 is suitable.
- Scenario 3: Balance (Performance and Portability): If you are looking for a balance of performance and a compact design, neither phone provides a perfect balance; but the Motorola One 5G Ace leans more into performance while still having a reasonable form factor.
Final Recommendation
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Motorola One 5G Ace. While the Nokia G11 has the benefit of a slightly newer OS out-of-the-box, a smoother screen, a lighter form factor, and a front-facing flash; the Motorola One 5G Ace simply provides much better performance in most areas. The performance difference, superior display quality, and significantly better camera system make it a more compelling option for the majority of users. Although it is a bigger and heavier device, the overall experience is going to be significantly better. The lack of expandable storage on both devices also pushes me to prefer more base storage which you can get in the Motorola One 5G Ace.
