Smartphone Comparison: Motorola One 5G Ace vs. Sony Xperia 5 III
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Sony Xperia 5 III | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 157 × 68 × 8.2 mm | Xperia 5 III is significantly more compact and pocketable; Ace is larger and might be less comfortable for one-handed use |
| Weight | 212g | 168g | Xperia 5 III is much lighter, enhancing comfort for extended use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.1" | Ace offers a larger screen for media consumption and easier reading; Xperia is more compact for portability |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2520 | Xperia 5 III has a slightly sharper image with slightly higher pixel density |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 393 | 449 | Xperia 5 III's screen appears noticeably sharper, with finer details |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | Xperia 5 III has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors; Ace's LCD is less impressive |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Xperia 5 III has much smoother scrolling and animations for a more fluid user experience |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical peak brightness (Value not usable) - Unable to compare screen visibility under sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) | Xperia 5 III offers significantly better performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 880,000 | Xperia 5 III shows much faster performance and can handle demanding tasks/gaming; Ace's score reflects more budget performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 660 | Xperia 5 III has a significantly more powerful GPU for better gaming and graphics performance |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Ace should offer slightly longer battery life, especially with less demanding tasks |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 30W fast charging | Xperia 5 III charges much faster, minimizing downtime |
| Features | 10W in-box charger | Bypass charging | Xperia 5 III can bypass the battery when plugged, good for gaming; Ace includes a basic charger in the box |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.8µm | 12MP, f/1.7, 1.8µm | Ace has higher resolution, while Xperia 5 III has larger pixel size for potentially better low light performance |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | Ace has higher resolution; Xperia 5 III has slightly wider aperture for better low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP, f/2.2 | Xperia 5 III has optical zoom capabilities, offering better close-up photos |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 12MP, f/2.3 | Xperia 5 III has higher resolution; Ace has slightly wider aperture for better low light |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | None | Ace offers dedicated macro lens for close-up photography |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps EIS | Up to 4K@120fps HDR OIS EIS | Xperia 5 III has much better quality and features for videography |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Xperia 5 III has a more up-to-date OS, ensuring better performance and features; Ace might lack the most recent security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Xperia 5 III supports faster and more efficient WiFi with the latest standard |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE | Xperia 5 III has more features and potentially better performance with newer version of Bluetooth |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Xperia 5 III has more satellite systems, improving accuracy in various locations |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Xperia 5 III supports two active SIMs simultaneously, convenient for managing multiple numbers |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Xperia 5 III offers larger storage options for users with lots of media |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 8GB | Xperia 5 III ensures smooth multitasking and app performance with significantly more RAM |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither support external storage, limiting flexibility for additional storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Xperia 5 III offers enhanced audio quality, ideal for media consumption |
| Security | |||
| Features | rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint is more natural for usage in some scenarios. Provides basic biometric security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Sony uses more durable screen glass, meaning more protection from scratches and impact |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Xperia 5 III includes more sensors for better capabilities |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Larger Display: 6.7" screen is better for media consumption, reading, and accessibility.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh offers potentially longer battery life for daily tasks.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Captures very close-up photos for creative photography.
Lower Price: Generally more affordable than the Sony Xperia 5 III.
- Practical Impact: Ideal for users who prioritize a large screen, long battery life, basic photography, and budget.
Sony Xperia 5 III Advantages:
- Superior Display: OLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate offers vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and smooth visuals.
- Significantly Better Performance: Snapdragon 888 chip offers a much better experience for gaming and resource-intensive tasks.
- Better Camera System: Telephoto lens for optical zoom, better video recording with OIS, and enhanced low-light performance.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging gets the battery topped up faster.
- More Modern Features: Includes WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and more advanced software features.
- More Premium Audio: Features Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers for enhanced sound.
- More Compact and Lighter: More portable and comfortable for everyday use.
Dual SIM Support: Useful for those who need to manage multiple numbers.
- Practical Impact: Best for users who prioritize top-tier performance, advanced photography/videography, a high-quality display, and better audio.
Trade-offs:
- Ace's: Larger size can be less comfortable for some; Performance is more basic.
- Xperia 5 III's: Smaller screen, can be more expensive, Battery capacity is smaller (but not drastically)
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious User: Those seeking a large screen experience without breaking the bank.
- Casual Media Consumer: Users who watch videos, browse the web, and use social media.
- Users who prioritize battery life: Those who need their phone to last the full day without needing to recharge.
Users who want a simple, practical phone: Those who don't need the most cutting-edge features or performance.
- Specific Use Cases: Watching videos, casual browsing, social media, making calls, everyday photography, and basic gaming.
Sony Xperia 5 III Ideal User:
- Enthusiast Photographers/Videographers: Those who want advanced camera features like optical zoom and high-quality video.
- Gamers: Users who want the best possible performance for mobile gaming.
- Media Enthusiasts: Those who value a high-quality screen for content consumption.
- Professionals: Users who need top performance, high speed transfer, dual-sim functionality and enhanced audio.
Users who want a premium, compact phone: Those who want a smaller phone with top-tier performance and features.
- Specific Use Cases: High-end gaming, professional-level photography/videography, media consumption, multitasking, and advanced productivity tasks.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Ace is significantly more affordable.
- How important is performance and screen quality? The Xperia 5 III has the edge in processing power, graphics and display.
- What are your primary use cases for the phone? (Media, Photography, Gaming, Work, etc.)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic User, Limited Budget: Choose the Motorola One 5G Ace for its larger screen, lower cost, and acceptable performance.
- Scenario 2: Gaming/Multimedia Enthusiast: Choose the Sony Xperia 5 III for its superior performance, display, and audio capabilities.
- Scenario 3: Photography Focused User: Choose the Sony Xperia 5 III for its better camera system with OIS, telephoto lens, and 4K video capabilities.
- Scenario 4: User needing the longest battery life: The Motorola One 5G Ace would be the better pick due to the larger battery.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Sony Xperia 5 III. Here's why:
While the Motorola One 5G Ace offers a larger display and longer battery life, the Sony Xperia 5 III offers a much more compelling overall package. The difference in performance between the Snapdragon 750G and the Snapdragon 888 is substantial, leading to a much smoother and more responsive user experience, especially in demanding tasks.
The OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is significantly better than the IPS LCD on the Ace, offering much more vibrant colors and smoother animations, and overall a much better visual experience. The camera system is much better on the Xperia 5 III, with superior video capabilities, optical zoom, and better low-light performance. The inclusion of features like Dual SIM, Dolby Atmos, faster charging, and the newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards make it a more well rounded smartphone. Although it's more expensive, the enhanced experience the Xperia provides outweighs the savings you'd get with the Ace.
The smaller and lighter design of the Xperia is also more appealing to me personally, as I prefer a phone that is easy to handle and pocketable. Although the battery is slightly smaller, the faster charging helps to minimize downtime and the performance benefits of the phone make it the better option for me.
Ultimately, if I had to pick a phone for my personal use, the superior performance, display, camera and overall feature set make the Sony Xperia 5 III the clear choice.
