Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm | 161.7 x 78 x 8.2 mm | Motorola is taller and thicker, Samsung is wider. Samsung may feel slightly more comfortable in hand, less bulky, while Motorola will feel larger. |
| Weight | 212g | 209g | Negligible difference in weight. Both will feel similarly hefty. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | Motorola has a slightly larger screen, offering a bit more screen real estate for content. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Practically identical sharpness, the minor difference is negligible. |
| PPI | 393 | 390 | Negligible difference in pixel density. Both displays are similarly sharp. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | AMOLED offers significantly better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency, especially with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Samsung offers smoother scrolling, animations, and a more responsive feel. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | The peak brightness specification is not available and marked as 0 nits |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | Samsung's chip is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading, better multitasking, and a superior gaming experience. |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 578,500 | Samsung has vastly superior performance based on benchmarks, suitable for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MP5 | Samsung's GPU is more powerful, supporting better graphics rendering in games and apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Samsung has a slightly higher resolution, while Motorola has a wider aperture. Samsung's camera will generally capture better detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Motorola has a slightly higher resolution selfie camera |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Both are comparable |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4 | Samsung has a higher resolution macro lens for slightly more detailed close-up shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS | 4K@30fps, EIS | Both record in 4K, Samsung has optical image stabilization (OIS) and a slower slow-motion frame rate. |
| DXOMARK | Not Tested | 104 (Mobile), 107 (Photo), 110 (Video) | Samsung has an established DXOMARK score, showcasing capable camera performance. |
| Camera Features | PDAF, LAF, RAW | 2x2 OCL, OIS, Ultra Stable, AutoFraming, All Pixel Omni-Directional PDAF, NPU AI Engine, RAW 12 bits, DOL HDR | Samsung offers more advanced features like OIS, better autofocus, and more advanced HDR capabilities. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same capacity, offering similar battery life. |
| Charging | 15W | 25W | Samsung charges significantly faster than Motorola, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | 10W Charger In-Box | Non-Removable Battery | Motorola comes with a 10W charger in the box. Neither have removable batteries |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | Samsung has a much newer OS, with more features, and longer update support, offering a modern experience. |
| Max OS Version | Android 18 | Samsung is guaranteed a newer version of android, ensuring consistent updates. | |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Samsung has a faster, more efficient WiFi, and MiMO Support. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.3 | Samsung has a newer version, supporting more profiles, better performance and modern codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Samsung has more satellite support, improving location accuracy. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | Samsung allows dual-SIM for greater flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Samsung offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 6GB/8GB | Samsung offers more RAM, leading to better multitasking performance |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Samsung offers better audio quality, with stereo speakers and features like Dolby Atmos, while Motorola only offers 2 microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | rear-mounted fingerprint | basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer similar fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Samsung is significantly more durable, with better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Samsung has a more advanced sensor suite, including Hall and geomagnetic sensors. |
Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Screen: The 6.7" display offers slightly more viewing area.
- Wider Aperture Standard Camera: The f/1.7 aperture could result in marginally better low-light performance in the main camera.
- Slightly Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: The 16MP front facing camera provides slightly more details.
- Lower Price: Historically, older phones may come at a lower price.
Practical Implications for Motorola:
- The larger screen is better for media consumption.
- Wider aperture of the main camera can capture slightly more light, resulting in marginally better performance under low-light conditions.
- The lower price point can be more budget-friendly for users.
Samsung Galaxy A35 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology with 120Hz refresh offers a vastly better viewing experience with vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and smoother animations.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Exynos 1380 chipset provides significantly faster performance for all tasks, especially gaming and multitasking.
- Faster Charging: The 25W charging is faster, reducing the time spent charging.
- More Advanced Camera Features: Includes OIS, better autofocus, and advanced HDR video recording.
- More Modern OS: Runs on Android 14, with updates and the latest features.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and Hi-Res Audio offer a superior audio experience.
- Dual-SIM Support: Allows users to use two SIM cards simultaneously.
- Significantly more durable screen Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides a much higher level of protection against drops and scratches.
- Higher Memory: Both internal storage and RAM are higher in the A35
Practical Implications for Samsung:
- The AMOLED display provides a superior visual experience for all types of content.
- The powerful chipset makes the phone perform smoothly and is much better suited for demanding games and multitasking.
- Faster charging reduces time spent tethered to an outlet.
- More advanced camera capabilities result in better photos and videos.
- Newer OS offers a better user experience and longer software support.
- Dual-SIM support gives users more flexibility in managing connections.
- More durable screen helps in accidental drops and scratches.
- More RAM allows for smooth multitasking, while the higher storage allows for more files and media on the device.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Motorola: sacrifices a better overall performance for the price, with less advanced camera features, display, and outdated OS.
- Samsung: sacrifices slightly screen size and has a potentially higher price point.
User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize a larger screen, and are not heavy gamers.
- Use Cases:
- Casual media consumption.
- Basic tasks and web browsing.
- Users who need basic photography features.
Samsung Galaxy A35:
- Ideal User: Users seeking a premium display, fast performance, advanced camera features, and longer software support.
- Use Cases:
- Heavy social media users, content creators.
- Mobile gamers.
- Users who consume high amounts of content.
- Users who value a high-quality camera.
- Users who want the best possible software and performance
- Users who need better audio.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Motorola One 5G Ace has a lower price but it is an older model, and users must accept the tradeoffs in features and overall performance.
- The Samsung Galaxy A35 justifies its higher price with a vastly superior display, performance, camera, and features. The value is higher overall due to its better user experience.
Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (e.g., gaming, media, social media, photography).
- How important is screen quality to you? (e.g., vibrant colors, smooth scrolling).
- What is your budget? (Are you willing to pay more for premium features?).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic Use, Tight Budget: If you prioritize cost and don't require heavy performance, the Motorola One 5G Ace will suffice.
- Scenario 2: Mid-Range User, Good Display: If you want to experience high quality display with smoother scrolling and better audio, the Samsung Galaxy A35 is the better option.
- Scenario 3: Performance User, Demanding Tasks: If you plan to game or multitask heavily, the Samsung Galaxy A35 is the clear choice for significantly better performance.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A35.
Reasoning:
While the Motorola One 5G Ace has a slightly larger screen, the Samsung Galaxy A35 offers a vastly superior overall user experience due to its:
- AMOLED Display: The vibrant colors, deep blacks, and 120Hz refresh rate make a noticeable difference in daily use, especially for media consumption and general interaction.
- Performance: The Exynos 1380 chipset provides a significant performance boost, making the phone feel much faster and smoother. This is critical for multitasking, gaming, and overall responsiveness.
- Camera: The camera system on the A35, with its superior OIS, HDR, and feature set, allows for better photo and video capture, which is an important consideration for me.
- Modern OS and Features: The A35 runs on a more modern OS, offers better audio, dual SIM functionality, and more advanced features, making the overall package far more complete and future-proof.
- Better Build Quality: The screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus significantly increases durability and longevity.
In summary, while the Motorola One 5G Ace is cheaper, the Samsung Galaxy A35 provides a much more polished and capable experience, justifying its higher price point. The improved performance, significantly better display, camera, and modern features make it the clear winner for my needs.
