1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Xiaomi Poco C65 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm | 168 x 78 x 8.1 mm | Poco C65 is slightly taller and wider but thinner. The Ace is thicker and has a larger overall volume. |
| Weight | 212g | 192g | Poco C65 is noticeably lighter (20g), making it more comfortable for extended use and one-handed operation. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Xiaomi Poco C65 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.74" | Very similar screen sizes, negligible difference in real-world usage. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | Ace has much sharper text and images due to its higher resolution. The difference will be noticeable to most users. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 393 | 260 | Ace's higher PPI means crisper visuals, a better experience for reading, watching videos, and viewing photos. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Similar viewing angles and color reproduction. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Poco C65 offers a slightly smoother scrolling and animations due to its higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | No peak brightness provided. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Xiaomi Poco C65 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Ace is faster, handles more demanding tasks, and is more efficient due to its more advanced and smaller fabrication size chipset. |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 237,768 | Ace has superior performance in daily use and gaming; apps load faster, and multitasking is smoother. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 (Qualcomm Adreno 619) | Mali-G52 MC2 (Arm Mali-G52 MC2) | Ace's GPU is generally more powerful, leading to better gaming performance and smoother graphics rendering. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Xiaomi Poco C65 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP f/1.7, 0.80 µm pixel size | 50MP f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor size, Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64 µm pixel size | Poco C65 has slightly higher resolution, but the Ace has a wider aperture and larger pixel size, meaning potentially better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | 8MP f/2.2 | Ace takes higher-resolution selfies with better detail and potentially better low-light capability. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | N/A | Ace can capture wide-angle photos, more suited for landscape or group shots. |
| Portrait Lens | N/A | 2MP f/2.4 | Poco C65 has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode effects. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4, 1.75 µm pixel size | 2MP f/2.4 | Both phones have a dedicated macro lens for close up photography. The Ace's slightly larger pixel size could help with low light shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS; Slow-motion: Yes, 60 fps | 1080p@30fps; Slow-motion: Yes, 120 fps | Ace records higher-resolution videos, also having the possibility to record in 1080p@60fps; the Poco C65 has higher fps for slow-motion capture. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, 4K Video | Ace has PDAF, LAF and Panorama while Poco C65 has 4K video. Ace has Night Mode while the Poco C65 does not. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Xiaomi Poco C65 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life for typical usage patterns. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging, Li-Ion | 18W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Poco C65 charges slightly faster. Li-Polymer batteries generally have a higher cycle life than Li-ion batteries. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable, 10W rapid charger in-box | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Ace has a charger in the box, whereas the Poco C65 has reverse charging for other devices. |
Other
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Xiaomi Poco C65 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10 | Android 13 | Poco C65 offers a more up-to-date user interface, better performance optimization, and newer security features. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | Similar Wi-Fi performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, A2DP, EDR | 5.3 LE, A2DP, APT-x | Poco C65 has newer, faster Bluetooth and APT-x support for higher-quality audio output with compatible devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Poco C65 has better satellite navigation systems for more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Poco C65 allows the use of two SIM cards simultaneously, good for users who need separate phone numbers. |
| Internal Storage | 64GB or 128 GB | 128GB or 256 GB | Poco C65 offers much more internal storage capacity, while the Ace has a 64GB version which may not be enough for some users. |
| RAM | 4GB or 6 GB | 4GB or 6GB or 8GB | Poco C65 comes in an 8GB RAM option which allows for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No expandable storage | No expandable storage | Neither supports microSD cards, storage capacity is limited. |
| Audio | 2 microphones | Basic audio features | Ace may have better voice clarity due to the dual microphones. |
| Security | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Poco C65 side mounted fingerprint sensor is more modern and easier to access. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have similar screen protection technology |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Ace has a physical Proximity sensor. Poco C65 uses an ultrasonic virtual sensor, which can be less reliable. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and PPI provide a noticeably clearer and crisper viewing experience, making text and images look more defined.
- Better Performance: Superior chipset and GPU deliver a faster and smoother experience for daily tasks, gaming, and multitasking.
- Better Camera Setup: Offers wide-angle lens, potentially better low-light images with standard camera, and better selfie quality for varied shooting scenarios.
- Video Recording: Offers 4K recording, which is crucial for better and more versatile videos.
- Dual Microphones: Possibly better voice clarity when on calls and recording videos.
- Proximity Sensor: The dedicated physical proximity sensor is generally considered to be more reliable than a virtual sensor.
Xiaomi Poco C65 Advantages:
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 13, providing a modern UI, better security and updated features.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the perceived fluidity of the interface.
- Faster Charging: 18W charging is slightly faster than the 15W on the Ace, reducing charging times.
- Dual SIM Support: Users can use two SIM cards simultaneously for managing work and personal numbers or having two lines.
- More Internal Storage: Comes with an option of 256GB of storage, which is crucial for some users that require lots of storage.
- Bluetooth 5.3: Newer Bluetooth provides potentially faster data transfer and better energy efficiency.
- Reverse Charging: The reverse charging option allows the phone to act as a power bank for other devices, which is an added convenience.
- Depth Camera: Dedicated depth sensor allows for more accurate portraits with a natural looking blur.
- More RAM: Comes with an option of 8GB RAM for better multitasking.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: The side mounted fingerprint scanner is more modern and easier to access.
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola One 5G Ace sacrifices a higher refresh rate, a newer OS, and expandable storage for better overall performance, a sharper screen, and a more versatile camera.
- The Xiaomi Poco C65 offers a more modern experience with a smoother display, newer OS, and dual SIM capability, but it gives up some processing power, a better main camera, a wide-angle lens, and 4K video recording capability.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace is Ideal for:
- Users Prioritizing Performance: Those who need a smoother phone experience for everyday use and some gaming, without spending too much.
- Photography Enthusiasts: People who want versatile camera options, including wide-angle and 4K video recording capability.
- Visual Experience Focused Users: Individuals who prefer sharp and clear displays over a higher refresh rate screen.
- Users who need reliable proximity sensor.
Xiaomi Poco C65 is Ideal for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who seek a cost-effective device with good basic features and a more up to date system.
- Users Prioritizing Smoothness: Those who prefer a higher refresh rate for smoother UI navigation, scrolling, and animations.
- Dual SIM Users: People who need to use two SIM cards simultaneously for personal and work needs.
- Users needing larger storage capacity.
- Users needing Reverse Charging.
Specific Use Cases:
- Motorola One 5G Ace: Mobile gamers, frequent travelers needing a good camera, power users who multitask a lot, content creators.
- Xiaomi Poco C65: Social media enthusiasts, users needing long battery life, users who value a modern system and dual sim capability, basic users who mostly use their phones for daily tasks, media consumption and calls.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Ask:
- Is a high-resolution, sharper screen a must, or is a smoother scrolling experience a priority? (Ace has a better resolution, C65 has a higher refresh rate.)
- Do you need the best possible performance and a more versatile camera, or is battery life, dual SIM functionality, and a modern system more important? (Ace has a better camera and performance, C65 has better battery, dual SIM, and newer OS.)
- How important are internal storage and reverse charging capabilities? (C65 has a much larger internal storage and reverse charging.)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Power User If you need a phone for gaming, content creation, and overall performance, choose the Motorola One 5G Ace. The 4K video capability, better GPU and more versatile camera will be useful to you.
- Scenario 2: Casual User If your phone usage is mostly limited to social media, messaging, web browsing, and watching videos, the Xiaomi Poco C65 offers a smooth experience with longer battery life and a more modern system.
- Scenario 3: Multi-SIM User If you need dual SIM functionality, the Xiaomi Poco C65 is the clear choice.
- Scenario 4: Storage User If you need more storage, the Xiaomi Poco C65 is the clear choice.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola One 5G Ace.
While the Xiaomi Poco C65 offers some appealing features such as a 90Hz display and a newer OS, the Motorola One 5G Ace offers a significantly better overall package in areas that I prioritize more. The higher resolution display is significantly better for viewing content, and the chipset performs much better. The more versatile camera setup (particularly the wide-angle lens and better main lens) make the Ace a better choice for my personal use case. While the Poco C65 offers reverse charging, the Motorola's dual microphones are more valuable to me for voice clarity. The lack of 4K video on the Xiaomi is also an important factor. I would always prefer a physical proximity sensor.
For me, the enhanced performance, superior display, and more versatile camera system on the Ace outweigh the benefits of the Poco C65's slightly smoother screen and newer software.
