1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy M33 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 165.4 × 76.9 × 9.4 mm | Motorola is slightly thicker (0.5 mm) and taller (0.7mm), but both are similar in hand feel. Samsung is lighter by 14g which might be noticeable during extended use. |
| Weight | 212g | 198g | Samsung Galaxy M33 will feel lighter in the hand, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | Motorola has a slightly larger display, which might be preferred for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2408 | Both displays offer similar sharpness; differences are negligible in day-to-day use. |
| PPI | 393 | 400 | Both have similar pixel density, meaning similar image clarity. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | TFT LCD | Motorola’s IPS LCD will likely offer slightly better viewing angles and color accuracy compared to TFT LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Samsung’s 120Hz refresh rate will provide a smoother, more fluid visual experience, especially in scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have the same peak brightness, which implies similar visibility in varying lighting conditions. Note: peak brightness is missing, should be investigated in independent sources |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G (8nm) | Exynos 1280 (5nm) | Samsung's Exynos 1280, built on a smaller process, will be more power-efficient and potentially offer superior performance in CPU-intensive tasks and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 475,448 | Samsung Galaxy M33 offers noticeably faster performance; app loading and overall operations will be much smoother. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 | Samsung Galaxy M33’s Mali-G68 offers better gaming performance and more graphic-intensive application usage. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones should offer comparable battery life, easily lasting a full day with moderate use. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Samsung charges significantly faster, reducing downtime and getting the device ready sooner. |
| Features | 10W in-box charger | No charger included | Motorola includes a basic charger in the box, while Samsung requires you to buy a charger separately. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Samsung offers slightly higher resolution but with a slightly narrower aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Motorola's selfie camera will likely offer better image quality due to higher resolution. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Motorola’s wide-angle lens will capture more detail in wide shots. |
| Portrait (Depth) | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung has an additional depth sensor for portrait photos, offering better background blur effects. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both offer similar macro performance, suitable for close-up shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, Slow-motion 60fps | 4K@30fps, Slow-motion 240fps | Both offer 4K recording, but Samsung has better slow-motion capabilities; Motorola has EIS for smoother recording in 4K and 1080p |
| Camera Features | Triple Camera, EIS, LAF, RAW, Night Mode | Quad Camera, 4K Video | Motorola offers more shooting modes such as RAW and Night Mode. Samsung has more features such as 4K video recording and an additional depth sensor. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12 | Samsung has a newer version of Android, providing access to the latest features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Both have similar Wi-Fi standards, providing comparable Wi-Fi speeds and features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.0 LE | Motorola has a newer version of Bluetooth, potentially offering slightly better range and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Samsung offers more satellite systems, potentially providing more accurate location services. |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Samsung allows using two SIM cards simultaneously, which is useful for managing multiple phone numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB or 128GB | 128GB | Samsung offers a single storage option of 128GB while Motorola offers 64GB and 128GB options. |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB | 6GB or 8GB | Samsung’s higher RAM options will provide better multitasking and smoother overall performance, especially with multiple apps running simultaneously. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, which might be a limitation for users with extensive media files. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Basic audio | Motorola has a slight edge in audio due to its dual microphone setup, which should improve voice quality for calls and recordings |
| Security | |||
| Features | Rear-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Samsung's side-mounted fingerprint sensor is generally more convenient to reach, especially for right-handed users. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Samsung has a better screen protection against scratches and minor impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Motorola One 5G Ace has an additional light sensor while Samsung Galaxy M33 has an additional Geomagnetic sensor and Ultrasonic proximity virtual. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.7-inch screen is better for media consumption.
- Better Selfie Camera: The 16MP front camera will likely offer better quality selfies.
- Wider Aperture on Main Camera: f/1.7 aperture should perform slightly better in low-light situations.
- Better Wide Angle Lens: The 8MP wide angle will capture more details than the 5MP of the Samsung.
- Included Charger: Comes with a basic 10W charger in the box.
- Additional Camera Features: Motorola has a night mode and raw capture option for photography enthusiasts.
- Bluetooth 5.1: Newer Bluetooth version may provide better connectivity and power efficiency.
- Dual Microphone Setup: Offers better audio capture quality.
Samsung Galaxy M33 Advantages:
- 120Hz Refresh Rate: Significantly smoother display experience for scrolling and gaming.
- More Powerful Chipset: The Exynos 1280 provides noticeably better performance.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Higher AnTuTu Score: Indicates much faster app loading, smoother operation and better gaming performance.
- Better Slow Motion Recording: With up to 240fps slow-motion video capture.
- Better Main Camera: Higher 50MP resolution of the main camera.
- Depth Sensor: A dedicated depth sensor enables better portrait photos.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 12 out of the box.
- Dual SIM Support: Allows using two SIM cards simultaneously.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 adds additional durability.
- More satellite systems: Provides more accurate location services.
- Ultrasonic proximity virtual sensor: May provide better proximity sensing.
- More RAM: higher options (6GB/8GB) provide better multitasking and application use.
- More internal Storage: Has only one option of 128GB which will not give the option to chose a smaller storage with less cost.
Trade-offs:
- Motorola provides better selfie and wide-angle camera quality, a charger in the box, and a slightly larger display but is outperformed in terms of overall performance, display smoothness, and charging speed.
- Samsung provides a superior display, better processing power and faster charging, but sacrifices on selfie quality and includes no charger in the box.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Seeking a reliable phone with a large screen for media consumption, better quality selfies, and an included charger.
- Casual photographers: Who prioritize selfie quality and wide-angle shots.
- Users who do not demand high-end performance: and value battery life and media consumption.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos
- Casual social media browsing
- Taking group photos and selfies
- Daily calls and messaging
Samsung Galaxy M33 Ideal User:
- Performance-focused users: Prioritize smooth operation, gaming, and multitasking.
- Users who value a smoother display: Prioritize a high refresh rate experience.
- Users who need dual SIM support: And fast charging.
- Users who plan to buy their own charger: As it does not include one in the box.
Use Cases:
- Gaming and other performance intensive tasks.
- Fast multitasking with many applications.
- Frequent travelers needing dual SIM.
- Shooting portrait photos.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your primary usage scenario? (Media consumption, photography, gaming, everyday use, etc.)
- How important is smooth performance and fast charging for you?
- Are you okay with buying your own charger if it's not included in the box?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Media Consumption and Casual Use: If you prioritize a large screen for watching videos, prefer better selfie quality, and do not mind a slightly less powerful phone, the Motorola One 5G Ace is a decent choice.
- For Performance and Gaming: If you value smooth performance, fast charging, and a better display, the Samsung Galaxy M33 is the better option, even if it means buying a charger separately and sacrificing selfie camera quality.
- For a balanced user: If you value a smooth display with fast charging and a decent camera, but prioritize performance, then the Samsung Galaxy M33 is a better option.
What I would choose
Personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy M33. The 120Hz refresh rate and the significantly superior performance of the Exynos 1280 chipset, along with faster 25W charging, make a tangible difference in the daily user experience. While the Motorola has the advantage of the included charger and better selfie camera, the overall smoothness and responsiveness of the Samsung Galaxy M33 would provide a better experience. The lack of a charger can be mitigated, and the selfie camera of the Samsung is adequate for my daily use.
