Smartphone Comparison: Motorola One 5G Ace vs. Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 165.4 × 76.9 × 8.4 mm | Motorola is thicker and slightly larger overall, Samsung feels slimmer and may be easier to handle for some. |
| Weight | 212g | 197g | Samsung is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and pocketability. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | Motorola offers slightly more screen real estate for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2408 | Both are very similar, resulting in comparable image sharpness. |
| PPI | 393 | 400 | Virtually identical pixel density; no noticeable difference in clarity. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | PLS LCD | Motorola's IPS LCD typically offers slightly better viewing angles and color accuracy compared to PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Samsung provides much smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience, especially for gaming and fast-paced apps. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Unable to compare brightness, both values seem invalid. (Likely a data entry error). |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Samsung’s newer chipset offers better power efficiency and slightly improved performance based on Antutu scores. |
| Antutu Score | 330,000 | 418,000 | Samsung’s significantly higher benchmark score suggests faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better overall system responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 | Both phones offer the same graphics performance, good for casual games but not demanding graphics. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life for daily use, expected to last a full day. |
| Charging | 15W | 25W | Samsung recharges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Charging Features | 10W rapid charger in-box | Bypass Charging | Motorola offers a charger out of the box; Samsung supports bypass charging which allows for gaming or media consumption while plugged in without overcharging the battery. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80 µm pixels | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor, 0.64 µm pixels | Samsung has slightly higher resolution, Motorola has a slightly wider aperture, they will perform similarly for day to day pictures. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixels | 8MP, f/2.0 | Motorola has much higher resolution for selfies. Samsung has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixels | 5MP, f/2.2 | Motorola provides higher-resolution wide-angle images for better details, but both have similar aperture performance. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung provides depth data and a portrait effect where the background is blurred and the subject is clear. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm pixels | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both offer the same resolution for macro shots, making them comparable. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | Motorola can record 4K videos, resulting in higher quality for more detailed videos. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | OIS | Samsung's OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) provides superior video and image stabilization compared to Motorola's EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization). |
| Slow-motion | 60 fps | 120 fps | Samsung captures slow-motion videos with higher frame rate, enabling more detailed and smoother slow-motion footage. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, Digital stabilization, Laser autofocus (LAF), RAW, Night Mode | Quadruple camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS) | Both share common features but have different specialization. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | Samsung offers a newer OS with more recent features, also gets Android upgrades making it more future proof. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, Dual band, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display | 802.11ac, Wi-Fi Direct | Motorola includes additional Wi-Fi features. Both support Wi-Fi ac and Wi-Fi Direct. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, A2DP, EDR | 5.1 LE, A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, LE, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, HOGP, APT-x | Samsung offers more Bluetooth profiles for better compatibility with various accessories and audio devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Samsung supports more satellite systems for precise location, offering better navigation in some regions. |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano) | Single SIM (Nano) | Both support the same SIM card format. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | N/A | Motorola offers more storage options, but the A23 spec data is missing so we are not able to compare. |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB | N/A | Motorola offers more RAM options, but the A23 spec data is missing so we are not able to compare. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 Microphones | Basic audio features | Motorola has better audio for clear voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Samsung has a more convenient and slightly more modern fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Samsung is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 while the Motorola lacks details on it's screen protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Samsung includes a barometer for more advanced environmental data. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Larger Display: A slightly larger 6.7" screen for a more immersive viewing experience.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 16MP front camera for more detailed self-portraits.
- 4K Video Recording: Capability to shoot higher quality videos, useful for vlogging or capturing detailed memories.
- Wider Aperture on Main Camera: f/1.7 aperture for better low-light pictures, resulting in higher image quality in dim conditions.
- Laser Autofocus: Provides more precise autofocus for quicker image capture.
- More Storage Options: 64GB or 128GB internal storage options
- More RAM options: 4GB or 6GB ram options
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Advantages:
- Newer OS and Upgrades: Ships with Android 12 and has confirmed upgrades to Android 14, offering more recent features and future proofing.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate for significantly smoother scrolling and animations.
- Faster Performance: Higher benchmark score indicates better app loading and multitasking.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging allows quicker battery refills.
- Better Video Stabilization: OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) for smoother videos.
- Portrait Mode (Depth) Camera: For better quality and accurate portrait shots.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 is a more scratch resistant material.
- More Bluetooth Profiles: Better compatibility with a wider range of audio accessories.
- Better GPS: Supports a wider array of satellite systems for accurate location.
- More Sensors: Barometer and geomagnetic sensors for more comprehensive data.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Motorola: Loses out on a smoother display and future-proof software. It is heavier and has inferior video stabilization.
- Samsung: Has a lower resolution selfie camera, slightly smaller screen and doesn't support 4k video recording.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a large screen and a good front-facing camera for video calls or selfies, as well as higher quality video recording.
- Use Cases:
- Frequent video callers and selfie takers.
- Content creators on a budget who need high-quality video recording.
- Users who prefer a larger screen for media consumption.
- Users who want a slightly cheaper phone.
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who want a smoother, more responsive phone with up-to-date software, and those that value camera stabilization.
- Use Cases:
- Gamers or heavy social media users who prefer a smoother display.
- Users who need a reliable phone for day-to-day use with future proof software.
- Users who take a lot of pictures and videos and want better stabilization.
- Users that want a better and more durable screen.
- Users that need a phone that recharges quickly.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize a smooth display experience and the latest OS? If yes, Samsung is the better choice.
- Do you need a high-resolution front camera and 4K video? If yes, the Motorola is the better choice.
- Are you looking for the best possible video quality or stabilization, or do you need more storage and ram options? If you value stabilization, the Samsung is the better option. If you value more storage and ram options the Motorola is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious Media Consumer: If you're on a strict budget and prefer a larger screen, and are ok with a slightly older OS, the Motorola is an acceptable choice.
- Smooth Experience and Future-Proof Software: If you want a smooth, responsive phone with the latest OS, and also value camera stabilization, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is recommended.
- Camera Focused User: If you are focused on higher resolution selfies, 4K video recording and wider main aperture then the Motorola is the better choice.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G.
Here's why:
- Smoother Experience: The 120Hz display provides a significantly more enjoyable user experience for scrolling, gaming and navigating apps. This alone makes a big difference in the day-to-day feeling of the device.
- Faster Charging and Better Performance: The 25W charging and better chipset make a tangible difference in how quickly the phone recharges, loads apps, and runs demanding applications.
- Up-to-Date Software: The newer operating system and confirmation of upgrades to Android 14 ensure the device will have the latest features and security updates, making it a more future-proofed purchase.
- Camera Stabilization: The presence of OIS is a big plus for video recording quality and general image clarity.
- Better Build Quality: The Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and side mounted fingerprint sensor makes the phone feel more modern and premium than the Motorola One 5G Ace.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: The addition of a Barometer and geomagnetics allows for better sensor data for applications and environmental information.
While the Motorola has some merits, such as the higher resolution selfie camera, and 4K video recording, I feel the superior screen, smoother performance, better software and better build quality of the Samsung A23 5G outweighs the Motorola in my personal use. It is a more well-rounded phone for my daily usage, and these improvements are more important to me than the higher resolution selfie camera that the Motorola offers.
