1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Nothing Phone (1) | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 159.2 × 75.8 × 8.3 mm | Nothing Phone (1) is more compact and slimmer, making it more pocketable and comfortable to hold. Motorola is noticeably larger and bulkier. |
| Weight | 212g | 193.5g | Nothing Phone (1) is lighter, which enhances comfort during prolonged use and reduces hand fatigue. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard, non-folding smartphones. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Nothing Phone (1) | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.55" | Motorola One 5G Ace offers a slightly larger display, beneficial for media consumption. The difference is small and might not be noticeable for most. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same Full HD+ resolution, providing a sharp image. |
| PPI | 393 | 402 | The pixel density is very similar. The difference is negligible. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | OLED provides superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, resulting in a better viewing experience, especially for watching movies and playing games. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Nothing Phone (1)'s 120Hz refresh rate offers smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming, which is a very noticeable difference. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | Nothing Phone (1) is significantly brighter, ensuring excellent outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. The Motorola One 5G Ace brightness is unavailable. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Nothing Phone (1) | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ | The Snapdragon 778G+ in the Nothing Phone (1) offers a notable performance boost for smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and improved gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 624,253 | The Nothing Phone (1) is significantly faster and more responsive overall in real-world usage. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 642L | The Adreno 642L in the Nothing Phone (1) provides superior graphics performance, leading to better gaming experiences. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Nothing Phone (1) | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | Nothing Phone (1)'s main camera with larger sensor size and bigger pixel size should offer superior low-light performance. The slightly wider aperture of the Ace will be negligibly better in low light in comparison to the sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | Both have comparable selfie cameras, the difference is marginal. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | None | Motorola One 5G Ace has a dedicated wide-angle lens for group shots and landscape photography. Nothing Phone (1) relies on a combination camera that is still a dedicated wide angle camera with macro features. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | None | Motorola One 5G Ace has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography which Nothing Phone (1) integrates into it's wide angle sensor. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Nothing Phone (1) has a dedicated wide-angle lens with macro capabilities using a different dedicated sensor. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS; No Stabilization | 4K@30fps, HDR, EIS, OIS | Nothing Phone (1) offers more advanced video recording with HDR and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), resulting in superior video quality, particularly in low light, compared to digital only stabilization for video from Motorola One 5G Ace. |
| Camera Features | Triple Camera, Laser AF | Dual Camera, OIS | Nothing Phone (1) boasts OIS for enhanced stability when shooting. Motorola One 5G Ace relies solely on digital image stabilization. Both offer a range of features for photography enthusiasts but Nothing Phone (1)'s features are generally more advanced. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Nothing Phone (1) | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Motorola One 5G Ace has a larger battery, which may result in slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 15W | 33W | Nothing Phone (1) charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | 10W charger in-box | No charger in-box, 15W Wireless, Reverse Wireless | Nothing Phone (1) offers more versatile charging options, including wireless and reverse wireless charging, although a charger must be purchased separately. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery might offer slightly longer battery life for users who prioritize endurance.
- Dedicated Macro and Wide Angle Lens: Provides more creative options for those who enjoy photography.
- Charger in Box: One less thing to worry about, and is a convenience.
Nothing Phone (1) Advantages
- Superior Display: The OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness offers a significantly better visual experience.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 778G+ chipset provides much faster app loading and smoother multitasking, and a better experience for modern games.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging dramatically reduces charging time.
- Better Camera System: The primary camera's larger sensor and inclusion of OIS result in better low-light performance and more stable video. The inclusion of HDR video recording is also notable.
- Wireless Charging: Offers greater convenience.
- Reverse Charging: Offers the ability to charge other devices.
- Modern Software: Runs on a newer Android version with guaranteed updates through Android 15.
- More Advanced Wireless Connectivity: Support for newer WiFi and Bluetooth versions.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and better voice capture thanks to a third microphone.
- Better screen protection: Gorilla Glass 5 offers much more protection for the Nothing Phone (1).
Trade-offs
- Motorola One 5G Ace: Trades a lower performance, and lower visual experience for a larger battery and dedicated cameras, and the inclusion of a charger in the box.
- Nothing Phone (1): Trades a slightly smaller battery capacity and lacks a dedicated macro lens for more advanced display technology, better performance, a much better main camera system, and faster charging. Also no charger is included in the box, an expense that must be accounted for.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace Ideal Users
- Budget-conscious consumers: Prioritizing basic smartphone functionality and longer battery life over advanced features.
- Users who prefer having a charger in the box: Someone who would rather not have to purchase a separate charger.
- Users who value dedicated macro and wide-angle lenses: Someone who wants the extra flexibility of a dedicated wide angle and macro camera.
- Users who do not need high performance gaming or heavy multi-tasking: Suitable for everyday tasks, browsing, and social media.
Nothing Phone (1) Ideal Users
- Tech enthusiasts: Those who value cutting-edge technology, a high-quality display, and faster performance.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile and capable camera for everyday use.
- Multitaskers and gamers: Those who need a phone that can handle demanding tasks smoothly.
- Users who prioritize a modern Android experience: Benefiting from timely software updates and a clean UI.
- Users who appreciate wireless charging: People who prefer wireless charging over traditional wired charging.
- Users who want the latest connectivity standards: Those who want to take advantage of the newest WiFi and Bluetooth features.
- Users who prefer advanced audio: Those who value stereo speakers and improved voice capture.
Use Cases
- Motorola One 5G Ace: Excellent for basic social media, browsing, and calling. A reliable phone for everyday use without needing constant recharging. Suitable for capturing standard photos and has a dedicated macro and wide angle lens for creative shots.
- Nothing Phone (1): Ideal for graphically intense mobile games, high-resolution video recording, and consuming media with superior contrast and color. The camera is much better for everyday and low-light shots. Superior connectivity capabilities for faster internet and wireless peripherals. Much faster charging times and superior display.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- What is your budget? The Motorola One 5G Ace is generally cheaper and provides a more budget friendly option.
- How important is display quality and performance? The Nothing Phone (1) offers significantly better display quality and performance for games and multitasking.
- How much do you value advanced features like wireless charging and OIS? These features are only available on the Nothing Phone (1).
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Limited Budget, Basic Needs - If your priority is to save money and you mostly use your phone for browsing, calling, social media, and are happy with basic camera features, the Motorola One 5G Ace will be more suitable. The inclusion of a charger in the box is also a plus.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Display Priority - If you are willing to pay more for a phone with much better performance for gaming, a smooth and vibrant display for media consumption and a better camera system and fast charging, the Nothing Phone (1) is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Photography enthusiast with a budget - The Motorola One 5G Ace provides a dedicated macro and wide-angle lens. However, the image quality is noticeably lower than what the Nothing Phone (1) can provide. If quality and flexibility are preferred, the Nothing Phone (1) is still preferred despite the lack of a dedicated camera.
- Scenario 4: Modern Convenience and Wireless Features - If you prefer wireless and reverse wireless charging, or better audio, the Nothing Phone (1) is the only option here.
- Scenario 5: Extended Battery Life - The Motorola One 5G Ace will offer a larger battery, however the Nothing Phone (1) charges faster and has reverse charging capabilities if another device needs a boost.
Final Choice
I would choose the Nothing Phone (1).
Here's why:
While the Motorola One 5G Ace has a larger battery and a dedicated macro camera, the overall user experience offered by the Nothing Phone (1) is far superior. The OLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate makes every interaction feel smoother, and the better CPU and GPU will enhance gaming and multitasking significantly. The camera system in the Nothing Phone (1) is significantly better with OIS and HDR Video support. The faster charging, wireless charging capabilities, and modern connectivity standards are features I greatly appreciate. The promise of more timely software updates and the more modern operating system are also large considerations. The only downside to the Nothing Phone (1) is the lack of a charger in the box, but the overall experience far outweighs the trade off of needing to buy a charger.
