1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 159.2 × 73.5 × 7.9 mm | The OnePlus Nord CE 5G is noticeably more compact and thinner, making it easier to handle and pocket. The Motorola One 5G Ace is larger and bulkier, which might feel less comfortable for smaller hands or extended use. |
| Weight | 212g | 170g | The OnePlus Nord CE 5G is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less tiring to hold. The Motorola One 5G Ace, at 212g, will feel heavier and less comfortable for prolonged use. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.43" | The Motorola One 5G Ace has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G is more compact which some users might prefer. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have the same resolution, so sharpness is virtually identical. |
| PPI | 393 | 410 | The OnePlus Nord CE 5G has a slightly higher pixel density, resulting in slightly sharper text and images, but the difference is likely not very noticeable in daily use. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The OnePlus Nord CE 5G's AMOLED display offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency, especially when using dark mode. The Motorola's IPS LCD panel is fine, but will have less vibrant colors and less impressive contrast compared to an AMOLED panel. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The OnePlus Nord CE 5G's 90Hz refresh rate results in smoother animations and scrolling, leading to a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 700 nits | The OnePlus Nord CE 5G has significantly higher brightness, making it much easier to view outdoors under bright sunlight. The Motorola's brightness is not specified, implying that it will be noticeably dimmer. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Both phones use the same chipset, meaning similar performance for everyday tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 385,000 | The OnePlus Nord CE 5G scores higher in benchmarks, indicating slightly better performance. While the chipset is the same, OnePlus seems to be optimized more. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 | Both phones have identical graphics processing capabilities. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 64MP, f/1.79 | The OnePlus Nord CE 5G has a higher resolution sensor, potentially capturing more detail. The Motorola's wider aperture (f/1.7 vs f/1.79) can allow in slightly more light in low light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.45 | The Motorola One 5G Ace has a slightly wider aperture, potentially performing slightly better in low-light selfies. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.25 | The Motorola One 5G Ace has a slightly wider aperture, potentially allowing slightly more light in low light conditions. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Motorola One 5G Ace includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Black & White | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The OnePlus Nord CE 5G includes a dedicated black and white sensor to assist with black and white photos |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, EIS; Slow-motion 60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 1080p@120fps, EIS; Slow-motion 240fps | Both can record in 4K but the OnePlus Nord CE 5G can also record in 1080p at 120fps, as well as 240 fps slow motion video. |
| DxOMark Score | Not Available | Mobile: 84 | The OnePlus Nord CE 5G camera has been tested by DxOMark, and receives an 84 score. The Motorola One 5G Ace camera has not been tested. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | The Motorola One 5G Ace has a larger battery capacity, likely providing longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 15W | 30W | The OnePlus Nord CE 5G charges much faster, meaning less time spent plugged into an outlet. |
| Features | 10W charger included | None | Motorola includes a 10W charger in the box, the OnePlus does not mention including a charger. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery provides longer battery life.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- 10W Charger: Comes with a 10W charger included in the box
- Wider Aperture (Standard Camera): Slightly better in low light performance with the standard camera with a wider aperture.
- Wider Aperture (Selfie Camera): Slightly better in low light selfies with a wider aperture.
- Wider Aperture (Wide Angle Lens): Slightly better in low light with the wide angle lens due to a wider aperture.
- Laser Auto Focus (LAF): The inclusion of Laser Autofocus may allow for better focusing in challenging scenarios.
- RAW Support: Offers RAW photo capture for greater editing flexibility.
OnePlus Nord CE 5G Advantages
- Lighter & More Compact: More comfortable to hold and carry due to a lighter and smaller form factor.
- Superior Display: AMOLED display with higher brightness, better contrast, deeper blacks and vibrant colors
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster 30W charging speed.
- Higher Benchmark Scores: Achieves higher benchmark scores, indicating slightly better performance and optimisation.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 64MP main camera can potentially capture more details in good lighting.
- Black & White Camera: Includes a dedicated black and white sensor for black and white photography.
- More Advanced Bluetooth: Supports advanced bluetooth codecs such as aptX, LDAC, SBC, and AAC.
- More Location Systems: Supports more global positioning systems, resulting in improved location accuracy.
- Dual SIM: Supports Dual SIM, allowing users to have two phone numbers on one device.
- More RAM options: Options for 6GB, 8GB, and 12GB of RAM, versus Motorola's 4GB/6GB.
- Later Android OS: Ships with Android 11 and upgradeable to 13 versus Motorola's Android 10.
- Noise Cancelling Microphone: Offers noise cancellation on the mic, improving voice quality.
- DxOMark Tested Camera: Has been tested by DxOMark, allowing for a reference of the camera's quality.
- More video recording options: 1080p@120fps video recording and 240 fps slow motion recording
Trade-offs
- The Motorola One 5G Ace trades a slightly lower quality display, faster charging and superior ergonomics for slightly better battery life, a dedicated macro lens and potentially better low light performance due to a wider aperture.
- The OnePlus Nord CE 5G sacrifices battery capacity and a dedicated macro lens for a superior display, faster charging, a more ergonomic design and enhanced camera software.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize battery life, a large display, and a dedicated macro lens will be best suited for this device.
- Use Cases:
- Long workdays without easy access to charging.
- Users who enjoy macro photography.
- Users who do not need a high refresh rate display or are not sensitive to it.
- Price-to-Value: Offers good value for those looking for a large screen and long battery life, and a more robust photography experience.
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
- Ideal User: Users who value a premium display, fast charging, a lighter build and better performance will be best suited for this device.
- Use Cases:
- Users who consume media and gaming and want an experience with a high quality display.
- Users who appreciate fast charging for quick top-ups.
- Those who prefer a lighter and more comfortable phone.
- Users who want dual-sim functionality.
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent value for users who want a well-rounded mid-range phone with a high quality display and good performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Battery Life vs. Charging Speed?
- Do you prioritize longer battery life or faster charging times? The Motorola has a larger battery, the OnePlus has faster charging.
- Display Quality vs. Screen Size?
- Do you value a superior AMOLED display with vibrant colors and a 90hz refresh rate or a larger IPS LCD panel? The OnePlus excels at display quality, but the Motorola has a larger screen.
- Camera Capabilities?
- Do you prioritize specific camera features, such as dedicated macro, or black and white lens, as well as video recording capabilities? The Motorola One 5G Ace has a macro lens, and may have superior low light performance due to wider apertures on its cameras. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G has a higher resolution sensor, a black and white sensor, and more video recording options.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Traveler/On-The-Go User: If you spend long hours away from a charger, the Motorola One 5G Ace's larger battery might be better. However, if you can top up occasionally, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G's faster charging is much better.
- Media Consumer: The OnePlus Nord CE 5G’s AMOLED display and 90Hz refresh rate provide a much more immersive experience.
- Photography Enthusiast: If you enjoy macro photography, the Motorola's dedicated macro lens is beneficial. For a more complete suite of features and testing, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G may be more suitable.
- Value-Oriented User: The OnePlus Nord CE 5G offers a better balance of performance, display, and usability, offering better value for the money.
- Ergonomic Preference: The OnePlus Nord CE 5G is significantly lighter and thinner making it a more comfortable device to hold.
Final Recommendation
I would choose the OnePlus Nord CE 5G.
Here’s why:
While the Motorola One 5G Ace offers a larger battery and a dedicated macro lens, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G presents a more balanced package with key advantages in areas that significantly impact the overall user experience. The AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate provides a far superior visual experience for media consumption, browsing, and daily use. The significantly faster charging speed is a huge practical benefit, allowing me to quickly top up the phone and not worry as much about battery life.
Additionally, the lighter and more compact design of the OnePlus is more comfortable for prolonged use. While the difference in chipset performance is marginal, the benchmark scores indicate the OnePlus is better optimised. Furthermore, I value the inclusion of more advanced Bluetooth codecs and dual-SIM support, as well as the later OS with a higher maximum version. The camera, while having a smaller aperture, has been tested by DxOMark giving a good reference point. The inclusion of a black and white sensor, as well as a higher recording fps and a dedicated 120 fps recording mode is also more useful.
While the Motorola's battery is larger, the advantages of a better display, faster charging, superior ergonomics and superior performance of the OnePlus outweigh the benefits of a longer battery life in my daily usage.
