Motorola One 5G Ace vs Samsung Galaxy A15 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date January 14, 2021 December 16, 2023
Release Year 2021 2023

Physical

Volume 125.14 cm³ 103.28 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.16 "/g 3.25 "/g
Weight 212 g 200 g
Height 166.1 mm 160.1 mm
Width 76.1 mm 76.8 mm
Thickness 9.9 mm 8.4 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Frosted Silver
  • Volcanic Gray
  • Brave Black
  • Optimistic Blue
  • Magical Blue
  • Personality Yellow

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.5 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2340
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.7 % 84.3 %
Pixel Density 393 PPI 396 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A 800 nits
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 111.38 mAh/in² 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 39.96 mAh/cm³ 48.41 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 619 Mali-G57 MC2

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 14
Maximum OS Version 17

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureMotorola One 5G AceSamsung Galaxy A15Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm160.1 × 76.8 × 8.4 mmMotorola is taller and thicker, potentially feeling bulkier in hand.
Weight212g200gSamsung is lighter, which may be more comfortable for prolonged use.
Display
Size6.7"6.5"Motorola offers a slightly larger screen, good for media consumption.
Resolution1080x24001080x2340Similar sharpness; negligible real-world difference.
PPI393396Very similar pixel density; both screens should appear equally sharp.
TechnologyIPS LCDAMOLEDSamsung's AMOLED offers richer colors, deeper blacks, better contrast and improved energy efficiency, especially with dark themes.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzSamsung's 90Hz refresh rate leads to a smoother scrolling and animation experience.
Brightness0 nits800 nitsSamsung's higher brightness will make it significantly easier to view the display in bright, outdoor conditions.
Performance
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm)Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm)Samsung's chipset is more powerful, leading to snappier app loading and smoother multitasking.
AnTuTu Score330,000442,500Samsung's benchmark score suggests noticeably better general performance, including gaming.
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G57 MC2Different GPUs; Samsung is expected to offer better graphics performance for gaming and other GPU intensive tasks.
Camera
Rear Main Camera48MP f/1.750MP f/1.8Samsung offers slightly higher resolution, but Motorola has a wider aperture which could allow more light.
Front Camera16MP f/2.213MP f/2.0Motorola has a higher resolution for selfies; Samsung has a wider aperture.
Wide Angle Lens8MP f/2.25MP f/2.2Motorola has a higher resolution for wider shots.
Macro Lens2MP f/2.42MP f/2.4Comparable macro lenses.
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps (with EIS)1080p@30fpsMotorola offers higher resolution and faster frame rate options for video recording.
Slow-motionYes, 60 fpsYes, 240 fpsSamsung offers higher frame rate for slow-motion video.
FeaturesPDAF, LAF, RAW, Night ModeManual focusDifferent feature sets; Motorola offers more advanced focusing capabilities, RAW image capture, and night mode while Samsung offers manual focus controls.
Battery
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhBoth have the same battery capacity; expect similar battery life under similar usage.
Charging15W fast charging25W fast chargingSamsung offers significantly faster charging, reducing downtime.
Battery TechLi-IonLi-PolymerLi-Polymer is considered safer and has slightly better longevity.
In-box Charger10W Rapid chargerNot specifiedMotorola includes a charger in the box; Samsung's status is unknown from provided data
Software
OSAndroid 10Android 14 (Upgradable to 17)Samsung offers a much newer Android version with potential for more updates and newer features.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi802.11a/b/g/n/ac802.11a/b/g/n/acSimilar Wi-Fi capabilities.
Bluetooth5.1 LE (with EDR)5.2 LESamsung has a newer version of Bluetooth for possibly better connections.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoSamsung supports Beidou offering more satellite options for better location accuracy.
SIMSingle SIMDual SIM Dual StandbySamsung has dual SIM capabilities, allowing for two SIM cards to be used at once.
Storage
Internal Storage64GB or 128GB128GB or 256GBSamsung offers higher maximum storage option.
RAM4GB or 6GB4GB, 6GB or 8GBSamsung has 8GB option, likely resulting in smoother multitasking experience.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither supports expandable storage; internal storage is the only option.
Audio
Microphones2 microphones2 microphonesBoth devices have the same microphone setup.
Security
Fingerprint SensorRear-mountedSide-mountedSide-mounted is considered more convenient for many users.
Sensors
SensorsFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, GyroscopeFingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtualBoth feature fingerprint reader, accelerometer and gyroscope. The Motorola offers a compass, while the Samsung uses an ultrasonic proximity sensor.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:

  • Larger Display: The 6.7" screen offers more real estate for content consumption and multitasking, although it is an IPS LCD.
  • Wider Main Camera Aperture: The f/1.7 aperture could allow more light and potentially result in better low-light photos (although the sensor data is not provided).
  • Higher Resolution Front Camera: 16MP front camera will produce more detailed selfies.
  • 4K Video Recording: Offers higher video recording resolution (4K), compared to 1080p on Samsung.
  • Wider Angle Lens Resolution: Better detail in the wide-angle camera.
  • Phase Detection and Laser Autofocus: Features could lead to faster and more accurate focusing.
  • RAW and Night Mode: Adds to the Camera feature capabilities.

Samsung Galaxy A15 Advantages:

  • Newer Device: Launched almost two years later, meaning newer hardware, potentially longer software support and enhanced features.
  • Superior AMOLED Display: Vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and higher contrast, enhanced by 90Hz refresh rate and greater brightness. This provides a dramatically superior viewing experience.
  • More Powerful Chipset: Faster and more efficient performance across all tasks, including better gaming capabilities.
  • Higher AnTuTu Score: Significantly higher benchmark score indicates smoother performance.
  • Faster Charging: 25W fast charging reduces downtime.
  • Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.2 may have slightly better connection speeds and stability.
  • Dual SIM Support: Ability to use two SIM cards at the same time.
  • Higher Storage Options: 256GB internal storage for users who need more space.
  • More RAM Option: 8GB option for intensive tasks, such as games.
  • Newer Operating System: Android 14 with potential for upgrades to Android 17, offering the newest features, longer security updates, and better optimization.
  • Slow Motion Video Recording: High FPS recording (240 FPS) for good slow motion results.

Trade-offs:

  • The Motorola has a potentially better main camera for low light due to a wider aperture, but it lacks the other advantages of the Samsung.
  • Motorola has potentially better front and wide camera resolution, but it is an older phone with many disadvantages.
  • Motorola offers 4K video recording while Samsung only has 1080p, but Motorola's camera is overall inferior.
  • The Motorola includes a charger in the box.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Motorola One 5G Ace:

  • Ideal User: Budget-conscious users primarily interested in a large display for media consumption. Users who occasionally take photos and videos but don't require the latest technology or best performance.
  • Use Cases:
    • Watching movies/TV shows on a large screen.
    • Casual web browsing and social media use.
    • Basic photography and video recording.

Samsung Galaxy A15:

  • Ideal User: Users who prioritize a premium display, good performance, and a modern software experience. Those who want a balanced phone for daily tasks and occasional gaming, and those who might benefit from a dual-SIM feature.
  • Use Cases:
    • Enjoying vivid, high-quality content on the go.
    • Playing mobile games smoothly.
    • Daily tasks (browsing, apps, social media).
    • Taking photos and videos in varied conditions, especially when a fast-charging solution is needed.
    • Those who need dual-SIM functionality.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • The Samsung Galaxy A15 offers significantly better performance, display, and a modern operating system for what will likely be a higher cost.
  • The Motorola One 5G Ace's value is in the larger screen size and 4k recording, with a focus on affordability.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. How important is display quality? If a vibrant display with high brightness is a priority, the Samsung is the better choice.
  2. How crucial is performance and software updates? If you want a smooth experience and the latest features, the Samsung is the way to go.
  3. What is your budget and what features are essential? If you have a tight budget and prioritize a large screen, the Motorola might work. Otherwise the Samsung is a better choice overall.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1 (Budget-Conscious): If budget is the primary concern, and large screen and 4K video are desired features, the Motorola One 5G Ace might fit.

  • Scenario 2 (All-Around Performance): For users seeking the best overall experience and are happy to pay more, the Samsung Galaxy A15 is the better choice because of its display, performance, and battery charging speed.

  • Scenario 3 (Photography Focused): While the Motorola has a wider aperture and better resolution for some lenses, the overall experience, better software, and the versatility of the Samsung makes it a better overall choice.

My Choice

Given the specifications and use cases, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A15.

Reasoning:

The Samsung Galaxy A15 provides a far superior user experience with its AMOLED display, which is a significant upgrade over the Motorola's IPS LCD. The 90Hz refresh rate and higher brightness levels make a substantial difference in day-to-day usability and viewing pleasure. The significantly improved performance due to the newer chipset and higher AnTuTu score leads to noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and an overall more responsive device. While the Motorola has a slightly larger display and does offer higher resolution recording, the overall benefits of the Samsung, including superior software, make it a more well-rounded and future-proof choice. Moreover, the faster charging and dual SIM capabilities are added bonuses. The Samsung simply offers a much more modern experience that is worth the additional investment for most users.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.