Smartphone Comparison: Motorola One 5G Ace vs. Realme C61
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Realme C61 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-14 | 2024-07-25 | Realme C61 is significantly newer, likely with more up-to-date software and potentially better long-term support. |
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm | 167.3 x 76.7 x 7.8 mm | Realme C61 is slightly taller but noticeably thinner, potentially more comfortable to hold and carry. Motorola is slightly more bulky. |
| Weight | 212g | 188g | Realme C61 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.74" | Negligible difference in screen size, both offer a large viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | Motorola One 5G Ace has a significantly sharper display, better for reading text and viewing detailed images/videos. |
| PPI | 393 | 260 | Motorola One 5G Ace has a much crisper display, noticeably better text clarity and image details. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use the same LCD technology, expect similar color reproduction and viewing angles, no specific display advantage for either phone here. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Realme C61 offers smoother scrolling and animations, a more fluid user experience in everyday use. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical peak brightness, visibility in bright sunlight will be comparable (though likely not great). Note: Zero nits is unlikely and suggests missing data |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G (8 nm) | Unisoc T612 (12 nm) | Motorola One 5G Ace has a more powerful chipset, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better overall performance and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 252,597 | Motorola One 5G Ace will feel snappier in daily use with faster app launches and better multitasking capabilities. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G57 | Motorola One 5G Ace has better graphics performance, giving it an edge in gaming and graphically intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer the same battery capacity, expect comparable battery life for typical usage scenarios. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging (Li-Ion) | 45W fast charging (Li-Polymer) | Realme C61 offers significantly faster charging, reducing time spent plugged in. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 32MP, f/1.8 | Motorola One 5G Ace captures more detailed photos with its higher resolution sensor and wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.0 | Motorola One 5G Ace produces much higher resolution selfies, while the Realme C61 offers better low-light performance in selfies with the wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2 | N/A | Motorola One 5G Ace can capture wider shots for landscapes and group photos. |
| Portrait | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Realme C61 has a dedicated depth sensor to capture portrait photos, which will add a software-generated background blur for a more professional look. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Motorola One 5G Ace offers an additional macro camera for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps | 1080p@30fps | Motorola One 5G Ace can record higher quality videos with 4K resolution and smoother videos at 60fps, while the Realme is limited to 1080p @ 30fps. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | Realme C61 has a much more modern operating system, likely with more up-to-date features, security, and better long-term support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Both phones support similar Wi-Fi standards, expect comparable performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.0 LE | Motorola One 5G Ace has a slightly newer version of Bluetooth for slightly improved connectivity and performance. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | Both offer similar location capabilities. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Realme C61 supports two SIM cards, enabling use of two phone numbers simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 64/128/256GB | Realme C61 offers up to 256GB of storage for storing more photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 4/6/8 GB | Realme C61 offers up to 8GB of RAM for better multitasking and performance for demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage; users should choose storage options based on their needs. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Stereo Speakers | Realme C61 delivers richer audio with stereo speakers, while the Motorola features 2 microphones for clearer voice recording (audio quality was not stated beyond this) |
| Security | |||
| Features | rear-mounted fingerprint | side-mounted fingerprint | Both provide basic biometric security; side-mounted sensor generally is faster and more convenient. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Accelerometer, Proximity | Motorola One 5G Ace includes more sensors, which may be useful for advanced applications and games (gyroscope for more immersive gaming experience). |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for clearer visuals.
- More Powerful Performance: Superior chipset and GPU for smoother everyday use and better gaming.
- Better Cameras: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras, plus a wide-angle and macro lens offering more versatility.
- Better Video Recording: 4K recording and 60fps at 1080p for higher-quality video content.
- Comprehensive Sensors: Includes gyroscope and compass sensors for advanced features and gaming
Realme C61 Advantages:
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14 compared to the much older Android 10 on the Motorola.
- Faster Charging: 45W fast charging is significantly faster than the Motorola's 15W.
- Lighter and Thinner: More comfortable to hold and carry due to its slimmer design and lighter weight.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate provides smoother animations and a more fluid user interface.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage available.
- Stereo Speakers: Improves audio quality, making it slightly better for video and music consumption.
- Dual SIM Support: Allows using two SIM cards simultaneously.
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola has a significantly older operating system, meaning it might not receive security patches or new Android features for much longer.
- The Realme has a lower resolution display and less powerful performance, which might not suit demanding users.
- The Motorola has a thicker build that could feel bulkier to some users
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Motorola One 5G Ace:
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize sharp and detailed content viewing due to its better display and video recording.
- Mobile Gamers: Users who need a decent gaming performance and smooth gameplay.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who like to experiment with different camera setups.
- Users who prefer to save files and content directly on their phone: No expandable storage means having higher internal storage is helpful.
Ideal User for Realme C61:
- Everyday Users: Those who prioritize a smooth user experience with a modern OS and don't require top-tier gaming or camera capabilities.
- Busy Individuals: Who need fast charging for quick battery top-ups.
- Travelers: Who prefer a light and compact phone.
- Users who need Dual SIM: This phone is well suited to users who have two numbers or use a number for work and another for personal.
- Users who want a newer phone: The Realme C61 has a much more modern OS.
Use Cases:
- Motorola One 5G Ace: Watching videos, playing games, capturing photos and videos.
- Realme C61: Daily communication, social media browsing, light gaming, or basic productivity tasks.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Motorola One 5G Ace, despite having better core specs, is an older phone which may be available at a lower price point on the used market, depending on your region and retailer. The value of it in terms of price may be better, even if the value from a performance point is not as high.
- The Realme C61, while offering newer features and software, may be a more expensive option compared to the older Motorola. It may have a better price-to-value ratio due to its overall software, modern features and charging capabilities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is long-term software support? If having a modern OS and updates is crucial, the Realme C61 is the clear choice.
- How important is display clarity and sharpness? If sharper text and visuals are important, the Motorola One 5G Ace is superior.
- How important is performance and gaming? If gaming is a key usage, the Motorola's more powerful chipset will perform better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: User wants a smooth experience for everyday use. Recommendation: Realme C61. Offers a newer OS, smoother display, and fast charging for a better day-to-day experience.
- Scenario 2: User wants the best possible camera for photography/videography. Recommendation: Motorola One 5G Ace. Its superior sensors, wide-angle, and video recording options make it better for this.
- Scenario 3: User wants to play demanding games. Recommendation: Motorola One 5G Ace. Superior chipset and GPU provide a better gaming experience.
- Scenario 4: User wants the best value for their money (assuming equal price). Recommendation: Realme C61. It offers more modern features (OS, fast charging, Dual Sim Support) for an overall better experience, despite the performance and display deficiencies.
- Scenario 5: User wants a cheaper option and doesn't mind an older OS. Recommendation: Motorola One 5G Ace if it can be found at a significantly lower price and they are ok with the deficiencies in software
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would go with the Realme C61.
While the Motorola One 5G Ace has a better display, camera system, and core performance (chipset and GPU), the overall experience of the Realme C61 is better. The combination of the newer Android 14 operating system, 90Hz refresh rate, faster charging, Dual Sim support, and lighter design is much more appealing in daily use. The Motorola's old software, along with a thicker and heavier build make it difficult to recommend it over the Realme. The Motorola's deficiencies outweigh its advantages, making the Realme C61 the clear choice for me.
