OnePlus 8 vs Motorola Moto G31 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
OnePlus 8
OnePlus 8
Oneplus

General

Launch Date April 21, 2020 December 6, 2021
Release Year 2020 2021

Physical

Volume 93.43 cm³ 102.89 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.64 "/g 3.54 "/g
Weight 180 g 181 g
Height 160.2 mm 161.9 mm
Width 72.9 mm 73.9 mm
Thickness 8 mm 8.6 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Glacial Green
  • Onyx Black
  • Interstellar Glow
  • Polar Silver
  • Mineral Grey
  • Baby Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.55 " 6.4 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 88.7 % 82.7 %
Pixel Density 402 PPI 411 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz N/A
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 100.23 mAh/in² 122.07 mAh/in²
Battery Density 46.02 mAh/cm³ 48.59 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4300 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 650 Mali-G52 MC2

Connectivity

USB Version 3.1 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.1, OTG USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 11
Maximum OS Version 13

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureOnePlus 8Motorola Moto G31Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions160.2 x 72.9 x 8 mm, 180g161.9 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm, 181gVirtually identical weight; Moto G31 slightly taller and thicker. Negligible difference in daily use.
Build QualityCorning Gorilla Glass 5Unknown screen protectionOnePlus 8 offers better screen protection against scratches and drops.
Display
Size6.55"6.4"OnePlus 8 has a marginally larger screen, providing slightly more viewing area.
Resolution1080 x 24001080 x 2400Identical resolution, resulting in similar sharpness on both devices.
Refresh Rate90Hz60HzOnePlus 8's 90Hz refresh rate delivers smoother scrolling and animations, leading to a more fluid user experience.
Brightness1100 nits0 nits (Data Missing)OnePlus 8's significantly higher brightness ensures excellent outdoor visibility. Missing data for Moto G31 prevents comparison but 0 nits is likely an error.
TechnologyAMOLEDAMOLEDBoth phones use AMOLED technology, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 865 5GHelio G85OnePlus 8's Snapdragon 865 significantly outperforms the Helio G85, resulting in much faster performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
RAM8GB/12GB4GBOnePlus 8 offers substantially more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and better handling of demanding applications.
Storage128GB/256GB64GB/128GBOnePlus 8 offers larger storage options for users with extensive media libraries or who install many apps.
Camera
Main Camera48MP, f/1.75, 1/2" sensor50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensorWhile the Moto G31 has slightly higher resolution, the OnePlus 8's larger sensor and wider aperture likely result in better low-light performance and overall image quality.
Video4K@60fps, EIS, OIS1080p@30fps, EISOnePlus 8 offers superior video recording capabilities with higher resolution, frame rates, and optical image stabilization.
Battery
Capacity4300 mAh5000 mAhMoto G31 has a larger battery capacity, potentially offering longer battery life.
Charging30W fast charging10W fast chargingOnePlus 8 supports significantly faster charging, reducing downtime.

2. Key Differences Analysis

OnePlus 8 Advantages:

  • Significantly faster performance: The Snapdragon 865 and higher RAM provide a vastly superior experience for demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking.
  • Smoother display: The 90Hz refresh rate results in a more fluid and responsive user experience.
  • Superior camera capabilities: Better low-light photography, higher resolution video recording with OIS, and more features.
  • Faster charging: Significantly reduces downtime with 30W fast charging.
  • Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility.

Motorola Moto G31 Advantages:

  • Larger battery capacity: Potentially longer battery life between charges.
  • Potentially Lower Price: Likely more budget-friendly (price not provided).

Trade-offs:

  • The OnePlus 8 prioritizes performance and premium features but might have a shorter battery life and higher price.
  • The Moto G31 focuses on battery life and affordability but sacrifices performance and some premium features.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

OnePlus 8: Users who prioritize performance, a smooth display, a high-quality camera, and faster charging. Ideal for power users, gamers, and content creators.

Motorola Moto G31: Users who prioritize battery life and affordability. Suitable for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. Good for budget-conscious buyers.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The OnePlus 8 is likely more expensive.
  2. What are your primary smartphone usage patterns? Demanding tasks and gaming vs. basic use.
  3. How important is battery life to you? Moto G31 likely has longer battery life, but OnePlus 8 charges much faster.

My Choice: OnePlus 8

While the Motorola Moto G31 offers a larger battery, the OnePlus 8's significantly superior performance, smoother display, faster charging, brighter screen, and better camera make it a much more compelling device for me. I prioritize a fluid and responsive user experience, and the OnePlus 8 delivers that in spades. The performance difference between the Snapdragon 865 and the Helio G85 is substantial and would impact my daily usage significantly. Even with the slightly smaller battery, the faster charging of the OnePlus 8 mitigates much of the concern about battery life. The lack of screen protection information on the Moto G31 and the significantly brighter display on the OnePlus 8 also pushes me towards the latter. I am willing to compromise slightly on battery life for a significantly better overall user experience.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.