Smartphone Comparison: Motorola One 5G Ace vs. Samsung Galaxy A23
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications for the Motorola One 5G Ace and the Samsung Galaxy A23:
Design
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy A23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 165.4 × 76.9 × 8.4 mm | The Motorola One 5G Ace is slightly taller and thicker making it feel bulkier in hand, while the Samsung Galaxy A23 is thinner. |
| Weight | 212g | 195g | The Samsung Galaxy A23 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended one-handed use. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both phones feature standard smartphone designs without foldable capabilities. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy A23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | The Motorola One 5G Ace has a slightly larger display, providing more screen real estate for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2408 | Both have very similar resolutions; the practical visual difference is negligible. |
| PPI | 393 | 400 | Pixel densities are nearly identical, so both screens will look sharp. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | PLS LCD | IPS LCD on the Motorola offers slightly better viewing angles and color accuracy than PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Samsung Galaxy A23 provides a smoother visual experience during scrolling and animations due to its higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones share identical peak brightness, which is unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy A23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | The Snapdragon 750G in the Motorola offers 5G support, but the Snapdragon 680 in the Samsung, while 4G, is slightly more efficient and benchmarks slightly higher. |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 401,000 | The Samsung Galaxy A23 demonstrates better overall performance for everyday tasks, app loading, and multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 610 | The Adreno 619 in the Motorola offers slightly better graphics capabilities for gaming compared to the Adreno 610 in the Samsung. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy A23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Samsung has a higher resolution sensor and potentially captures more detail; Motorola has a wider aperture, potentially better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.2 | The Motorola has a higher resolution selfie camera for more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 5MP, f/2.2 | Motorola's wide-angle lens should capture more detail compared to Samsung. |
| Portrait Mode | No | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung offers depth sensing for portrait mode, which the Motorola lacks. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both cameras have the same resolution and aperture for macro photography. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, EIS | 1080p@30fps | Motorola offers higher resolution video recording, with EIS, while Samsung video features OIS, and better slow motion at 120fps. |
| Features | Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Laser autofocus, RAW, Night Mode | Quadruple camera, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) | The Motorola offers advanced features like laser autofocus and RAW capture, while Samsung offers OIS and a dedicated depth sensor. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy A23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have large batteries for all-day usage. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 25W fast charging | Samsung offers much faster charging, reducing the amount of time spent tethered to an outlet. |
| Features | 10W rapid charger in-box | Bypass Charging | The Samsung has Bypass Charging, which powers the phone directly from the charger without charging the battery, potentially reducing battery wear. |
Other Features
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy A23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 10 | Android 12 (Upgradable to 14) | Samsung offers a more recent operating system and promised upgrades, resulting in a longer software lifespan. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (Dual band, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Hotspot) | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (Wi-Fi Direct, Hotspot) | Both have similar Wi-Fi, but Motorola has Dual Band and Wi-Fi Display. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 (A2DP, EDR, LE) | 5.1 (A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, LE, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, HOGP, APT-x) | Samsung has a more comprehensive suite of Bluetooth profiles, which might be important for some users and accessories. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Samsung supports more satellite systems for improved location accuracy, especially in urban canyons. |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Samsung provides the option to use two SIM cards simultaneously, convenient for travelers or managing two numbers. |
| Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 64 GB or 128 GB | Both offer the same storage options, neither is expandable. |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB | 4 GB or 6 GB | Both offer similar multitasking capabilities |
| Audio | 2 microphones | Basic Audio Features | Motorola might offer slightly better voice capture. |
| Security | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The side mounted sensor on the Samsung is generally seen as more convenient. |
| Build Quality | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Samsung has superior screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass 5. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Samsung includes additional sensors useful for specific applications like weather tracking. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- 5G Connectivity: Supports 5G networks, leading to faster download and upload speeds where available.
- Larger Display: Offers a slightly bigger screen for a more immersive viewing experience.
- Better Front Camera: 16MP selfie camera for more detailed images.
- Better Wide Angle Lens: Offers a higher resolution wide angle lens.
- 4K Video Recording: Can record higher-resolution videos than the Samsung.
- Advanced Camera Features: Offers laser autofocus, RAW image capture, and Night Mode.
Practical Implications: Great for users who need higher internet speeds, enjoy immersive content consumption, care about front-facing camera quality, and require more advanced video/photography options.
Samsung Galaxy A23 Advantages:
- Newer Phone: Launched over a year later, which usually means improvements across components
- Lighter and Thinner: More comfortable to handle for extended periods.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother scrolling and animations make the phone feel more responsive.
- Faster Charging: Significantly quicker charging compared to the Motorola.
- Better Performance: Higher AnTuTu benchmark score for faster app loading and overall performance.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Helps capture sharper photos and videos, especially in low light.
- Dual SIM Support: Allows simultaneous use of two SIM cards for increased convenience.
- More Bluetooth Profiles: Wider support of Bluetooth features, might be useful for accessory connections.
- Corning Gorilla Glass 5: Superior protection to the screen
- Latest OS and Updates: Runs Android 12 with an upgrade to 14, providing more software features and security updates.
- Depth Sensor: Provides support for a more advanced Portrait mode
- Additional Sensors: Includes Barometer, Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual.
Practical Implications: A better choice for users who want better handling, a smoother visual experience, faster charging times, and a more modern operating system and features.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Motorola: Loses out on faster charging, OIS, newer OS, and overall performance.
- Samsung: Lacks 5G, a higher resolution front camera, 4k video recording, and some advanced camera features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace Ideal User:
- Users in areas with 5G coverage: Who want to take advantage of faster download and upload speeds.
- Media consumers: Who prioritize a larger display for watching videos and playing games.
- Selfie enthusiasts: Who want more detailed selfies.
- Casual photographers: Who might need RAW or advanced features like laser autofocus and night mode.
- Budget-conscious: Those who need a 5G capable phone on a budget.
Use Cases:
- Streaming 4K video content on the go
- Playing graphic-intensive games
- Capturing high-quality selfies
- Using advanced camera features in various conditions
Samsung Galaxy A23 Ideal User:
- Users who value comfort: The phone's lighter and thinner design offers better ergonomics.
- Users wanting a smooth experience: The 90Hz refresh rate enhances visual smoothness.
- Frequent travelers or dual-number users: Dual SIM is handy for managing multiple lines.
- Users needing a reliable camera: OIS ensures stable and sharp photos/videos.
- Users seeking long-term software support: Benefits from more recent software and upgrades.
- Users who want faster charging: The 25W charging significantly reduces downtime.
- Users seeking specific features: More BT features with multiple profiles, Barometer, Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual
Use Cases:
- Daily commute or travel with dual SIM capability
- Capturing stable, clear photos and videos in various conditions
- Long hours of phone use with faster charging to avoid downtime
- Using advanced connectivity features with bluetooth accessories.
- Users who want a more modern and up-to-date experience.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The price of each model will need to be compared at the time of sale but typically newer devices (Samsung) tend to be more expensive at launch.
- Motorola: Offers better raw specs for 5G connectivity, but older overall technology and software
- Samsung: Provides better handling, user experience, features, newer OS, and battery management.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you need 5G connectivity, or will 4G be enough? This will be a primary decider as Motorola is the only option here with 5G support
- Do you prioritize display smoothness or a larger display? Samsung has a smoother refresh rate, while Motorola has the slightly larger screen
- Is camera quality or comfort in the hand a bigger priority? Motorola has better camera specs for some cases, while the Samsung is lighter and offers OIS.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Constant traveler needing two SIMs & all day phone usage - The Samsung Galaxy A23 is better.
- Scenario 2: Video content creator needing higher resolution video & better front camera - The Motorola One 5G Ace is better.
- Scenario 3: Gamer with a preference for smoother graphics and all day battery - The Samsung Galaxy A23 is better.
- Scenario 4: Budget-conscious user who needs 5G network capability - The Motorola One 5G Ace is better.
My Choice:
Based on this analysis, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A23. While the Motorola One 5G Ace has a larger display, 5G and a better front camera, the Samsung A23 is a more modern phone with the better overall user experience due to the smoother display, faster charging, lighter body, more versatile software features, and added extras such as OIS for the camera. The Samsung is also newer and will benefit from longer software support. Ultimately, the combination of improved handling, a better display experience, and faster charging makes the Samsung Galaxy A23 more appealing to me as a daily driver and for general usage. The lack of 5G is a trade off, but I think it is a fair one given the other improvements.
