Smartphone Comparison: Motorola One 5G Ace vs. Sony Xperia 1 VI
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Sony Xperia 1 VI | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-14 | 2024-06-03 | Sony Xperia 1 VI is significantly newer, offering more modern features and support. |
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm | 162 x 74 x 8.2 mm | The Sony is more compact and slimmer, likely more comfortable to hold and carry. |
| Weight | 212g | 192g | The Sony is noticeably lighter, making it easier for extended use and less bulky in pockets. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | Motorola has a slightly larger display, which can be better for media consumption; the difference is not very significant. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both have very similar resolutions, so sharpness will be comparable. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 393 | 396 | Virtually identical sharpness. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | OLED provides superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to IPS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Sony's 120Hz display provides smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is identical, but with the OLED panel the Sony will be much better. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Sony's chip is significantly more powerful, leading to much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 2,110,000 | The Sony has far superior performance, indicating better speed and responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 750 | Sony has a more powerful GPU that allows for better graphic performance in gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80µm | 48MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4", 1.17µm, IMX888 | Sony's larger sensor size and pixel size will capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance. Sony's f/1.9 is also not a big deal compared to the Motorola f/1.7. |
| Selfie | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 12MP, f/2.0, 1/2.93", 1.22µm, IMX663 | Sony's larger pixel size should provide better low-light selfies, despite lower resolution. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/2.3, 1/3.5", 1.00µm, IMX650 | Sony has a dedicated telephoto lens allowing for optical zoom, which Motorola lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm, IMX563 | Sony's wider sensor and larger pixels, along with a higher resolution, are expected to provide better quality ultrawide photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | N/A | Motorola has a dedicated macro camera, while Sony does not. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS | 4K@120fps, HDR, OIS, EIS | Sony offers much more advanced video recording capabilities, with higher frame rates and stabilization features. |
| Camera Features | LAF | Noise reduction, Time-Lapse, OIS, Ultra stable video, CDAF, Manual focus, Optical zoom | Sony has more advanced camera features, offering superior image processing and stabilization. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, but real world results might vary a little due to different chipset. |
| Charging | 15W | 30W | Sony charges significantly faster, allowing for quicker power-ups. |
| Battery Features | 10W charger in-box | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Reverse wireless charging | Sony offers a more versatile charging experience, and the bypass charging could be very useful to gamers. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | Sony has a much newer OS, providing the latest features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11be (WiFi 7) | Sony supports newer Wi-Fi standards, offering faster speeds and better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.4 LE | Sony has newer version, offering better performance. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5) | Sony supports more satellite systems, providing more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Sony offers more flexibility with dual SIM support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 256/512 GB | Sony offers much more storage, beneficial for storing media files and applications. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 12 GB | Sony has significantly more RAM, improving performance in multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Sony provides a more immersive audio experience due to the quality of it's sound system. |
| Security | |||
| Features | rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side mounted sensors are more advanced and more convenient. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Sony offers superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Pedometer | Sony includes additional sensors for more advanced features and accuracy. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Lower Price Point: The Motorola One 5G Ace is considerably more affordable than the Sony, making it a budget-friendly option.
- Macro Lens: For those that enjoy taking close up pictures, this might be a deciding feature.
- Slightly larger screen: This could be a better option for those who use their phones primarily for consuming media.
Sony Xperia 1 VI Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 provides significantly better performance, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming.
- High Quality Display: OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate offers a much better visual experience with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth animations.
- Advanced Camera System: Better camera sensors and additional features for photos and videos, including a telephoto lens, significantly improved low-light performance, and optical image stabilization.
- Faster Charging and More Features: 30W fast charging, bypass charging, and reverse charging/wireless charging add significant convenience.
- Newer Software: Android 14 provides the latest features and security updates, with promise of more updates.
- Better Connectivity: Newer WiFi and Bluetooth versions provide better speeds and reliability.
- Dual SIM Support: Dual SIM plus eSIM provides increased flexibility for managing multiple carriers.
- More RAM and Storage: The Sony has significantly more RAM and storage for better performance and the ability to store more content.
- Better Build Quality and Durability: Improved screen protection and side mounted fingerprint sensor.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers.
Trade-offs:
- Motorola: Trade-offs include significantly weaker performance, a lower quality display, and an older operating system for a lower cost.
- Sony: Trade-offs include a higher price tag.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious consumers who need a large screen for media consumption and basic smartphone functions.
- Use Cases:
- Casual browsing and social media.
- Streaming videos and movies.
- Basic photography and everyday use.
- Price-to-Value: Good value for users who prioritize a large screen and affordability over performance and advanced features.
Sony Xperia 1 VI:
- Ideal User: Users who want top-tier performance, premium camera features, and a high-quality display for media consumption, gaming, and photography.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and demanding apps.
- Professional-quality photography and videography.
- High-end media consumption and entertainment.
- Users who need the latest technology and features.
- Price-to-Value: High value for users willing to invest in a premium smartphone experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget?
- If budget is a primary concern, the Motorola One 5G Ace is the more affordable choice, but sacrifices performance and advanced features.
- How important are performance and camera quality to you?
- If high performance, advanced photography, and a high-quality display are a priority, the Sony Xperia 1 VI is the better option.
- What are your main use cases?
- If your use case is basic browsing, media consumption, and day to day usage, the Motorola is a decent choice. If your use case includes high performance, advanced photography, and gaming, then the Sony is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User: If you are on a tight budget and need a basic smartphone, the Motorola One 5G Ace is an acceptable option.
- Scenario 2: Performance Seeker: If you want the best performance, camera, and display, and don't mind the premium price, the Sony Xperia 1 VI is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you are a photography enthusiast who needs better low-light capabilities and video quality, then the Sony Xperia 1 VI's superior camera system is well worth the price.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Sony Xperia 1 VI.
Reasoning:
While the Motorola One 5G Ace is more affordable, the performance gap between the two phones is huge. The Sony has a much more powerful processor, more RAM, more storage, and a better display that will make for a more enjoyable experience. I also value the greatly improved camera quality and advanced features, which include a telephoto lens, 4k 120fps video, and OIS. The updated software and faster charging are also important factors for me. The additional sensors and improved build quality make it more worth the investment. I need my smartphone to be a reliable performer and able to handle a lot of different use cases. The Sony Xperia 1 VI excels in all of these areas.
