Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A02s vs. Motorola Moto G31
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Motorola Moto G31 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-04 | 2021-12-06 | Moto G31 is newer, potentially with better software support. |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm, 196g | 161.9 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm, 181g | Moto G31 is more compact and significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.4" | Both offer similar screen size; negligible difference for daily use. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | Moto G31 has a much sharper and detailed display; noticeable difference when viewing text or high-resolution images/videos. |
| PPI | 270 | 411 | Moto G31's higher pixel density results in a clearer, crisper display. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Moto G31 has a superior display with deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors, especially beneficial for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both offer a standard 60Hz refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 450 (14nm) | Helio G85 (12nm) | Moto G31's chipset is more powerful, offering better app performance, multitasking, and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 74,800 | 225,154 | Moto G31 has significantly better performance; feels much faster and smoother overall. |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Moto G31 offers superior graphics performance which is beneficial for gaming and graphically intense apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life, likely lasting a full day with moderate usage. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging, Li-Ion | 10W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Samsung A02s charges faster. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 13MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor, 0.64µm | Moto G31 captures significantly more detailed photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Moto G31 has a much better selfie camera, capturing higher-resolution images. |
| Wide Angle | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Moto G31 can take wide-angle shots. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung A02s offers a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | Both have basic macro lenses for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, No slow-motion | 1080p@30fps, Yes slow-motion (120fps) | Moto G31 offers slow-motion video capture. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, ISO settings, Scene mode, Self-timer | Digital zoom, Optical 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 | Moto G31 offers more features like optical zoom, digital image stabilization and laser autofocus. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 12) | Android 11 | Moto G31 has a more up-to-date OS and will likely receive software support for a longer period of time. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (Dual-band) | Moto G31 supports newer Wi-Fi standards for potentially faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 LE | 5.0 LE | Moto G31 has a newer version of Bluetooth for better power efficiency and improved connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Both offer similar GPS functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32 GB or 64 GB | 64 GB or 128 GB | Moto G31 offers more storage space, which is crucial for storing photos, videos and apps. |
| RAM | 3 GB or 4 GB | 4 GB | Both have sufficient ram for basic usage. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage; this is a significant limitation for users with large media libraries. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | Moto G31 offers enhanced audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Moto G31 offers more convenient biometric security. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Moto G31 offers a more complete set of sensors, enhancing functionality for advanced features and gaming. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones use similar screen protection technology. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G31 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED display with higher resolution and pixel density provides a much sharper, more vibrant viewing experience.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Helio G85 chipset and better GPU offer much smoother performance, faster app loading, and better gaming capabilities.
- Improved Cameras: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras capture more detailed images. Includes a wide-angle lens, which the Samsung A02s lacks.
- More Storage Options: Offers 64GB or 128GB storage compared to the 32GB/64GB options on the A02s.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and dual microphones enhance audio quality for media consumption and calls.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor provides more convenient and secure unlocking.
- Advanced Sensors: Includes compass and gyroscope, which enables more advanced features.
- Better Connectivity: Offers newer Wi-Fi standards and Bluetooth versions.
- More Camera Features: More camera features like laser autofocus and digital image stabilization offer better quality photos and video
Samsung Galaxy A02s Advantages:
- Faster Charging: Offers 15W fast charging compared to Moto G31's 10W, however both are not very fast.
- Dedicated Depth Camera: Provides a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photography
- Upgradable OS: Although it comes with Android 10, the OS is upgradable to Android 12
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy A02s: Trade-off between performance, display, camera capabilities and a better price.
- Motorola Moto G31: Trade-off between the faster charging speed in the A02s and all the upgrades in the G31.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy A02s:
- Budget-conscious buyers: Users who are primarily concerned with price and need a basic smartphone for calls, texting, and light web browsing.
- Users who prioritize battery and charging over other features: While both devices have similar battery capacity, the faster charging on the A02s might be preferred by those needing quick top-ups.
Ideal Users for Motorola Moto G31:
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who watch videos, browse photos, and play mobile games will appreciate the superior display and performance.
- Social Media Users: The enhanced camera features, higher resolution images and video make it a better choice for social media content creation.
- Users who value overall performance: Users who want a smoother, more responsive phone for everyday tasks and multitasking.
Specific Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy A02s: Best suited for basic tasks, such as making calls, sending messages, and browsing the internet on a tight budget.
- Motorola Moto G31: Better for users who want to consume content, take pictures, play games, and multitask without lag.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Motorola Moto G31 offers superior value due to its better display, performance, and camera capabilities. The Moto G31 justifies the potentially higher cost for users who would benefit from those advantages. The A02s is only a good value if you are on a tight budget and just want a basic phone.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? If the budget is extremely tight, the A02s is a more affordable option, but if it's not a strict limitation, the Moto G31 offers greater overall value.
- What are my primary use cases? If your use case is mostly basic, the A02s will be sufficient. For those who want to consume multimedia, play games, and create social media content, the Moto G31 will be much better.
- How important are display quality and performance? If these are important, the Moto G31 with its AMOLED screen and faster processor is the superior choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Basic User): If you need a basic phone for calls, text messages, and simple web browsing, the Samsung Galaxy A02s is adequate.
- Scenario 2 (Multimedia User): If you watch videos, play games, and take pictures on your phone, then the Moto G31 is the best choice due to its superior display, performance, and cameras.
- Scenario 3 (Balanced User): If you want a good balance of features, performance, and a good screen at a low price, the Moto G31 is highly recommended.
Final Recommendation
I would choose the Motorola Moto G31.
While the Samsung Galaxy A02s is a more budget-friendly option, the Motorola Moto G31 offers a vastly superior user experience. The AMOLED display provides significantly better image quality, the performance is much smoother, and the camera capabilities are considerably more advanced, resulting in more detailed photos and videos. The Moto G31 has a more modern design, better connectivity, and a much better overall feature set. It provides far better value for its price and a much better user experience compared to the A02s. The trade-off of slightly slower charging is negligible compared to the benefits offered by the Motorola phone.
