The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Honor X5 and the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, subtle differences in their chipsets and features can significantly impact the user experience. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Helio G37 chipset, with higher clocked Cortex-A53 cores, provides a noticeable performance edge in everyday tasks and light gaming, offsetting the lack of fast charging. The Honor X5 remains a viable option for those prioritizing a potentially lower price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | CDMA 800 / 1900 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 24 | 2022, December 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 14 | Available. Released 2022, December 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 167.2 x 76.5 x 9.4 mm (6.58 x 3.01 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 203 g (7.20 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~79.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio G25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | - |
| Triple | - | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sunrise Orange, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black | Deep Indigo |
| Models | VNA-LX2, VNA-LX3 | XT2271-1, XT2271-3, XT2271-5, XT2271-4 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | $ 54.00 / C$ 129.00 |
Honor X5
- Potentially lower price point
- Likely similar battery capacity to Moto G Play
- Standard Android experience (depending on Honor's UI)
- Slower processor (Helio G25)
- Potentially slower charging speeds
- Less responsive user experience
Motorola Moto G Play (2023)
- Faster processor (Helio G37)
- 10W wired charging for quicker top-ups
- Slightly better gaming performance
- May be slightly more expensive than Honor X5
- Motorola's software can include bloatware
- No significant camera advantages
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. Detailed display specs (resolution, brightness) are unavailable, but the focus here is on performance, not visual fidelity. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a budget. Color accuracy will likely be standard for the segment, prioritizing power efficiency over color calibration.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is expected to be similar, with both devices likely employing basic image sensors. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume image quality will be adequate for social media sharing in good lighting conditions. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution. Image processing will likely be minimal, relying on software algorithms to enhance photos. The G37’s slightly better processing power *may* result in marginally faster image processing times.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto G Play (2023) features the Mediatek Helio G37, with a CPU configuration of 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Honor X5 uses the Helio G25, clocked at 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53. While both are 12nm chips, the higher clock speeds on the G37 translate to faster processing, particularly noticeable when multitasking or launching apps. The G37’s slightly more powerful GPU will also offer a marginally better gaming experience. Both devices will likely be paired with 3GB or 4GB of RAM, further limiting performance headroom.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but both likely house around a 5000mAh battery, standard for this price range. However, the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) includes 10W wired charging, while the Honor X5’s charging speed is unknown but likely similar or slower. This means the Moto G Play will achieve a full charge slightly faster, a convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery. The efficiency of the Helio G37 may also contribute to slightly better battery life under moderate usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X5 if you prioritize absolute affordability and are primarily using the phone for basic communication – calls, texts, and light social media. Its Helio G25 is sufficient for these tasks. Buy the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) if you want a smoother experience with slightly more demanding apps, occasional gaming, and appreciate the benefit of a more responsive processor, even if it means sacrificing faster charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) struggle with popular apps like Facebook and WhatsApp?
No, the Helio G37 chipset is capable of handling everyday apps like Facebook, WhatsApp, and web browsing without significant lag. While it won't offer a flagship-level experience, it provides a smooth and responsive experience for typical smartphone usage.
❓ Is the Honor X5 a good choice for someone who primarily makes phone calls and sends texts?
Yes, the Honor X5 is a perfectly adequate choice for basic communication. The Helio G25 chipset is sufficient for making calls, sending texts, and using simple messaging apps. If your smartphone needs are limited to these functions, the X5 offers a cost-effective solution.
❓ Can either of these phones run PUBG Mobile?
Both phones *can* run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at the lowest graphics settings and potentially experience frame rate drops. The Moto G Play (2023) will offer a slightly more stable experience due to its more powerful processor, but neither device is optimized for gaming.
❓ How much storage do these phones typically come with?
Both the Honor X5 and Motorola Moto G Play (2023) typically come with 32GB or 64GB of internal storage. Given the limited storage, we recommend using a microSD card to expand storage capacity for photos, videos, and apps.
