1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | 2021-01-14 | 2023-10-05 | The S23 FE is significantly newer, likely offering better long-term software support and newer technology. |
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm | The Motorola is taller and thicker, making the S23 FE more pocketable and potentially comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 212g | 209g | Both have similar weight, so a negligible difference. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.4" | The Motorola has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption but makes the phone larger and heavier. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Similar resolution; both displays will appear sharp. The practical difference is negligible. |
| PPI | 393 | 403 | Both phones will appear similarly sharp to the naked eye |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The S23 FE’s AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors making it better for media and visually immersive experiences. The display also is more power efficient when using dark themes |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The S23 FE's 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations, making the user experience more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is identical (0 nits). Note: This seems incorrect, as peak brightness should never be 0 nits. We lack this specific information for comparison. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - International | The S23 FE's newer chip offers significantly higher performance and power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 1,188,176 | The S23 FE's benchmark score is significantly higher, indicating much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Xclipse 920 (AMD) | The S23 FE’s GPU provides better graphics performance, which is beneficial for gaming and other graphics intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", 1.00µm pixel size | S23 FE has slightly more megapixels and a slightly larger sensor, resulting in better light gathering and detail, especially in low light. The aperture is slightly wider on the Motorola which will gather more light in low light scenarios. |
| Telephoto | Not Available | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.00µm pixel size | The S23 FE has a telephoto lens for optical zoom, offering more versatility for photography. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel size | Not Available | The Motorola offers a dedicated Wide Angle lens for capturing more of a scene in one shot. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixel size | Not Available | The Motorola has a dedicated macro lens for close up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not Available | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm pixel size | S23 FE has a wide angle + macro lens, offering more versatility for photography. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel size | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", 1.22µm pixel size | The Motorola has higher MP on paper for the selfie cam. The S23 FE, however, has a larger pixel size and is a larger sensor, leading to better light sensitivity and potentially better quality. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | The S23 FE offers significantly higher video recording capabilities including higher resolution at 8K as well as frame rates, with improved stabilization, better video quality. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, PDAF, LAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, etc. | 4K & 8K Video, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital and Optical image stabilization, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, PDAF, etc. | The S23 FE offers Optical zoom and Optical Image Stabilization, significantly improving photo and video quality. It also offers additional autofocus features. |
| DxOMark Score | Not Available | Overall: 127, Photo: 124, Video: 131 | The S23 FE has a significantly higher score, with specific ratings for photos and video quality, indicating its better camera performance. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | The Motorola's larger battery will likely offer better battery endurance. |
| Charging | 15W | 25W | The S23 FE charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable, 10W rapid charger in-box | Non-removable, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.4W, No charger in-box | The S23 FE offers more versatile charging options, while the Motorola includes a charger in-box. |
Other
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10 | Android 13 | The S23 FE has a newer Android version, resulting in more features, better performance, and extended software support. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | The S23 FE supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | S23 FE has the newer bluetooth version which is more energy efficient and offers a higher bandwidth, as well as more codec options. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | The S23 FE is Dual SIM, allowing users to use two phone numbers on the same device. |
| Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | S23 FE has double the storage option, good for large apps and media storage. |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB | 8GB | S23 FE has 8GB of RAM, meaning more fluid multitasking, and better support for larger apps. |
| Audio | 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | S23 FE offers an improved audio experience with stereo speakers, dolby atmos and noise cancelling mic for calls. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The S23 FE offers better screen protection against scratches and breakage. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | S23 FE has the additional Geomagnetic sensor for added functionality with apps and location services. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000 mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life compared to the S23 FE.
- Included Charger: Motorola includes a 10W rapid charger in the box.
- Dedicated Wide Angle and Macro Lenses: The Motorola has a dedicated wide angle and macro lens that might appeal to some users.
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2200 chip offers significantly better performance, smoother multitasking, and enhanced gaming capabilities.
- Better Display: The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate provides superior image quality and smoother animations.
- Advanced Camera System: Telephoto lens, better video recording capabilities (including 8K), OIS, and a higher DXOMARK score contribute to significantly better image quality and versatility.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging enables quicker battery refills.
- Wireless and Reverse Wireless Charging: Adds convenience of not needing to plug in to charge.
- Newer Software: The S23 FE comes with a newer Android version, providing access to the latest features and security updates.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards, offering faster speeds and better compatibility.
- Dual SIM Support: Allows for usage of two phone numbers simultaneously.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers, dolby atmos and a noise cancelling mic improves media consumption.
- Improved Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass 5 provides better durability.
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola offers a larger battery and included charger, but it compromises in performance, display quality and overall camera performance.
- The S23 FE has a smaller battery, but in return, you get faster charging, wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious individuals, those who prioritize battery life and those who like having a wide angle and macro lens on the back of the camera.
- Use Cases:
- Longer general daily use away from a charger
- Casual photography with wide angle and macro lenses for variety.
- Users who prefer a larger display size.
- Price-to-Value: Better for users on a budget with a primary focus on battery life.
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, display quality, photography, and future-proofing.
- Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos.
- Smooth and fluid user interface.
- Multimedia consumption with vivid colors and immersive audio
- Users who want wireless charging capability.
- Price-to-Value: Significantly higher price tag but offers much more advanced features and superior performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? Is it battery life, performance, camera quality, or general media consumption?
- What is your budget? How much are you willing to spend for specific features like a high refresh rate display or advanced camera capabilities?
- How important are software updates and long term support to you? The older Motorola will likely receive fewer updates and may be considered outdated faster.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Budget-Conscious User: If you primarily need a phone with long battery life and are on a tight budget, the Motorola One 5G Ace is a viable option, but it comes with sacrifices in other areas.
Performance Enthusiast: If you prioritize performance for gaming or multitasking and want the best possible camera quality, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is a much better choice.
Balanced User: If you need a balance of performance and battery life and dont mind paying more, the S23 FE is the better option. However, if you are on a budget and prefer a larger battery at the expense of a less performant device, the Motorola may be for you.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE.
While the Motorola One 5G Ace has a larger battery and a included charger, the advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE in performance, display, camera quality, and software updates significantly outweigh these benefits for my needs. As someone who uses a smartphone for a lot of different things (multimedia, gaming, photography), the S23 FE would be much more future-proof, and provide a much more enjoyable user experience than the Motorola. Although it has a smaller battery, its 25W charging and wireless charging capabilities offset this inconvenience and overall make it a more well-rounded device for my usage.
