The sub-$100 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Cubot J20 and Motorola Moto E5 Play Go aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly low price point. This comparison dissects their core components – the Mediatek MT6739WA and Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 – to determine which device offers the best experience for the price-conscious user.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing slightly smoother everyday performance and a more established brand reputation, the Motorola Moto E5 Play Go is the better choice. While the Cubot J20 offers a comparable feature set, the Snapdragon 425’s marginally higher clock speed and Qualcomm’s optimization provide a more responsive user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 40 | 2, 4, 5, 13 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | CDMA 800 / 1900 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2018, July. Released 2018, August |
| Status | Available. Released 2022 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 126.3 x 60.6 x 12.7 mm (4.97 x 2.39 x 0.5 in) | 7.6 mm thickness |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 143 g (5.04 oz) | 150.3 g (5.29 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~206 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~57.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 69.8 cm2 |
| Type | TN TFT | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739WA (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | Adreno 308 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 8.0 Oreo (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, (wide), AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1.12 µm, AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | Yes | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | 2350 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2800 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black, Green | Black, Dark lake, Flash gray |
| Models | - | XT1921, MOTXT19218PP |
| Price | - | About 70 EUR |
Cubot J20
- Potentially larger display size.
- Aggressive pricing may offer better value.
- May include features not found on the Moto E5 Play Go (dependent on specific model).
- Mediatek MT6739WA chipset offers slightly lower performance.
- Less established brand reputation.
- Potential for less frequent software updates.
Motorola Moto E5 Play Go
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 provides slightly smoother performance.
- More recognizable brand with a history of software support.
- Potentially better optimized software experience.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Cubot J20.
- Potentially smaller display size.
- Basic camera performance.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The focus isn't on resolution or color accuracy, but rather basic visibility. Without specific resolution data, it's difficult to declare a winner, but the Moto E5 Play Go’s smaller screen size (typically around 5.7 inches) may result in a slightly higher pixel density, potentially offering marginally sharper images. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be basic. Without sensor size or aperture information, a detailed comparison is difficult. Both likely feature a primary camera around 8-13MP, and a secondary depth sensor. Image quality will be acceptable in good lighting conditions, but expect significant noise and lack of detail in low light. The Moto E5 Play Go’s image processing algorithms may offer slightly more refined results, but neither device will challenge mid-range or flagship cameras. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick, offering minimal practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto E5 Play Go’s Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425, with its quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, holds a slight advantage over the Cubot J20’s Mediatek MT6739WA (quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53). While both are based on the Cortex-A53 architecture and manufactured on a 28nm process, the 100MHz clock speed difference, coupled with Qualcomm’s generally more efficient CPU design, translates to snappier app loading and smoother multitasking. Both will struggle with demanding games, but the Snapdragon 425 is likely to offer a marginally better experience. RAM configurations are crucial here, but absent from the provided data; however, both likely feature 2GB or 3GB, limiting overall performance.
Battery Life
Battery life will be a key strength of both devices. While specific mAh capacities are missing, both likely feature batteries in the 3000-4000 mAh range. The more efficient Snapdragon 425 in the Moto E5 Play Go may contribute to slightly longer battery life under similar usage conditions. Charging speeds are expected to be slow, likely utilizing Micro-USB with 5W or 10W charging. Expect a full charge to take several hours.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot J20 if you need a phone with a larger display and are comfortable with a less-known brand, potentially benefiting from aggressive pricing. Buy the Motorola Moto E5 Play Go if you prefer a more recognizable brand with a history of software support, and value a slightly more refined, albeit still basic, user experience. Both are ideal for first-time smartphone users or as a reliable backup device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Motorola Moto E5 Play Go handle popular social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 425 is sufficient for running basic social media applications like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. However, expect some lag when switching between multiple apps or loading image-heavy content. The Moto E5 Play Go’s Android Go edition further optimizes performance for low-RAM devices.
❓ Can the Cubot J20 play basic games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers?
The Cubot J20 can handle casual games like Candy Crush and Subway Surfers, but don't expect high frame rates or detailed graphics. More demanding games will likely experience significant lag and may be unplayable. The Mediatek MT6739WA is not designed for gaming.
❓ Does the Motorola Moto E5 Play Go receive regular software updates?
Motorola’s software update schedule for the Moto E5 Play Go was limited. While it initially launched with Android 8.0 Oreo (Go Edition), updates were infrequent. Expect security patches to be delayed or unavailable. This is a common limitation of budget smartphones.
❓ What type of charging port do both phones use?
Both the Cubot J20 and Motorola Moto E5 Play Go utilize a Micro-USB port for charging and data transfer. Charging speeds are expected to be slow, typically around 5W or 10W, requiring several hours for a full charge.
