1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.7 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 170.5 × 76.5 × 9.1 mm | OnePlus 8T is more pocketable and easier to handle with one hand. Motorola is noticeably larger. |
| Weight | 188g | 208g | OnePlus 8T is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard phones, no special form factor considerations. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 8T has proven scratch and impact resistance. Protection of the Motorola is unknown, potentially more susceptible to damage. |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | Side-mounted is usually faster and more ergonomic, especially for larger phones. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.8" | Motorola offers a slightly larger viewing area for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both provide a sharp image at their respective sizes. |
| PPI | 402 | 387 | Negligible difference in sharpness to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, enhancing the viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 8T is much more visible outdoors in direct sunlight. Motorola's brightness is unknown, potentially problematic under bright conditions. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | OnePlus 8T offers significantly faster processing and graphics, leading to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 744,900 | 381,000 | Benchmarks confirm OnePlus 8T's superior performance, almost double the score. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 619 | Adreno 650 offers superior graphics rendering, resulting in better gaming and video editing performance. |
| RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 4 GB or 8 GB | OnePlus 8T can handle more apps running simultaneously and more demanding tasks without slowdowns. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2", Sony IMX586 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1 | OnePlus 8T's larger sensor and wider aperture likely result in better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.00 µm pixel size | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | Moto G51 5G has a slightly wider aperture and larger pixel size, so likely better low light photos. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 16MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, 1.12 µm pixel size | OnePlus 8T captures more detail in wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, 1.75 µm pixel size | OnePlus 8T captures more detailed macro shots. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 8T offers a dedicated black and white mode for artistic shots. |
| Video | 4K@60fps, EIS, HDR | 1080p@60fps | OnePlus 8T captures significantly higher quality videos with stabilization and HDR. |
| Features | OIS, Laser AF, Night Mode, RAW | LAF, Panorama | OnePlus 8T offers optical image stabilization for smoother videos and better low-light photos, plus advanced features. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 107 | N/A | OnePlus 8T's selfie camera performance is rated much higher. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Motorola likely offers longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 10W Fast Charging | OnePlus 8T charges much faster, reducing downtime significantly. |
| Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer is generally safer and has a longer lifespan. |
Storage
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 64 GB or 128 GB | OnePlus 8T offers more storage space for apps, photos, and videos. |
| Expandable | No | No | No option to increase storage on either phone. |
Connectivity
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | OnePlus 8T offers faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, aptX, LDAC, AAC | 5.1 LE | OnePlus 8T supports higher-quality audio codecs for wireless headphones. |
| GPS | More systems | SUPL | OnePlus 8T potentially provides more accurate and faster GPS lock-on. |
Software
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 14 | Android 11, Upgradeable to 12 | OnePlus 8T is guaranteed one more major Android update. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 8T Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Snapdragon 865 offers significantly faster processing and graphics. Practical Impact: Smoother multitasking, better gaming, and faster app loading.
- Better Display: AMOLED technology provides superior contrast, color accuracy, and outdoor visibility. Practical Impact: More enjoyable media consumption and better usability in sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging significantly reduces charging time. Practical Impact: Quick power-ups and less time tethered to a charger.
- Better Camera System: Offers a more versatile camera system with OIS, 4K video recording, and higher quality sensors. Practical Impact: Higher quality photos and videos, especially in low light.
- More RAM/Storage: Higher RAM and storage options provide better multitasking capabilities and space for files. Practical Impact: Run more apps simultaneously and store more media.
- Software Updates: Guaranteed updates to android 14 while the Motorola will only receive updates to 12.
Motorola Moto G51 5G Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Offers potentially longer battery life. Practical Impact: Can last longer on a single charge.
- Newer: Slightly newer release date (2 months)
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 8T: Older phone, no expandable storage.
- Motorola Moto G51 5G: Significantly lower performance, inferior display and camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 8T:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
- Use Cases: Gaming, photography, videography, demanding apps, multitasking, media consumption.
Motorola Moto G51 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize battery life and basic smartphone functionality.
- Use Cases: Basic communication, light social media use, simple tasks.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance to you? (Gaming, multitasking, app loading)
- How important is display quality? (Vibrant colors, outdoor visibility)
- How important is fast charging and the camera to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you need a high-performance phone for gaming and demanding tasks: Choose the OnePlus 8T.
- If you want the best possible display quality and camera: Choose the OnePlus 8T.
- If battery life is your absolute top priority and you only use your phone for basic tasks: Choose the Motorola Moto G51 5G.
- If you care most about price: Compare current pricing for both and consider the features you are willing to compromise on. However, keep in mind that the 8T provides much better value for money.
My Choice
I would choose the OnePlus 8T.
Why?
The OnePlus 8T offers a superior overall experience due to its significantly better performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. While the Motorola G51 5G has a larger battery, the faster charging on the OnePlus 8T mitigates this advantage. Additionally, I value a vibrant and accurate display for media consumption, and the AMOLED screen on the OnePlus 8T is far superior to the IPS LCD on the Motorola. The camera is also very important, because I love to take pictures of my family, friends, and pets.
I am willing to deal with the older age of the OnePlus 8T because it can still provide a good experience.
