Huawei P Smart S vs. Motorola Moto G 5G: Which Budget 5G Phone Reigns Supreme?

Both the Huawei P Smart S and Motorola Moto G 5G target the budget-conscious consumer seeking 5G connectivity. However, they approach this goal with significantly different hardware. The P Smart S relies on Huawei’s Kirin 710F, while the Moto G 5G leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 750G. This comparison dissects these key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user, the Motorola Moto G 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Huawei P Smart S’s 12nm Kirin 710F. While both offer similar battery endurance ratings, the Moto G 5G’s 20W charging is a significant convenience advantage.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei P Smart S Motorola Moto G 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 26, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, June 09. Released 2020, June 092020, November 05. Released 2020, December 07
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions157.4 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm (6.20 x 2.88 x 0.31 in)166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm (6.54 x 3.00 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight163 g (5.75 oz)212 g (7.48 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~418 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.3 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLEDIPS LCD, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570)
ChipsetKirin 710F (12 nm)Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G51 MP4Adreno 619
OSAndroid 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 10
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 2 MP (macro), AF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.016 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio, RDS
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging10W wired20W wired
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBreathing Crystal, Midnight BlackVolcanic Gray, Frosted Silver
PriceAbout 260 EURAbout 90 EUR
Tests
Battery life-Endurance rating 131h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1419:1
Loudspeaker- -28.1 LUFS (Average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 312461 (v8) GeekBench: 1980 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei P Smart S

  • Potentially lower price point (depending on market)
  • Functional smartphone for basic tasks
  • Acceptable battery endurance

  • Older Kirin 710F chipset offers limited performance
  • Slow 10W charging
  • Huawei ecosystem limitations

Motorola Moto G 5G

  • Faster Snapdragon 750G chipset for improved performance
  • 20W fast charging for quicker top-ups
  • More open Android experience

  • May be slightly more expensive than the P Smart S
  • Similar battery endurance to the P Smart S
  • Design may not appeal to all users

Display Comparison

Both devices share a contrast ratio of 1419:1, indicating similar panel quality in terms of black levels. However, the Motorola Moto G 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 484 nits, which will translate to better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the P Smart S (brightness data unavailable). The lack of high refresh rate support on either device is typical for this price segment, but the G 5G’s higher brightness is a clear advantage for outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed sensor information is missing. Without specifics, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 750G generally provides superior image processing capabilities, particularly in low-light conditions. The Moto G 5G is likely to deliver more consistent and detailed photos and videos. The absence of details on the P Smart S’s camera system makes it difficult to assess its capabilities beyond basic functionality.

Performance

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm) in the Moto G 5G represents a significant architectural leap over the Kirin 710F (12nm) found in the P Smart S. The 750G’s Kryo 570 cores, with a 2x2.2 GHz + 6x1.8 GHz configuration, offer superior single-core and multi-core performance. The 8nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. While both CPUs feature octa-core designs, the Snapdragon’s architecture is demonstrably more efficient and powerful.

Battery Life

Both the Huawei P Smart S and Motorola Moto G 5G achieve an endurance rating of 131 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Moto G 5G’s 20W wired charging is double the speed of the P Smart S’s 10W charging. This translates to significantly faster top-ups, reducing downtime and offering greater convenience. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed gives the Moto G 5G a practical advantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei P Smart S if your primary need is a functional smartphone with basic capabilities and you are comfortable with the limitations of the Huawei ecosystem. Buy the Motorola Moto G 5G if you prioritize performance for gaming or multitasking, faster charging, and a more open Android experience. The Moto G 5G is the better option for users who want a phone that feels responsive and future-proofed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 710F struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Kirin 710F is likely to exhibit noticeable frame drops and stuttering in graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile, even at medium settings. The Snapdragon 750G in the Moto G 5G offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between 10W and 20W?
The difference is substantial. 20W charging on the Moto G 5G will significantly reduce the time it takes to fully charge the device, potentially cutting charging times in half compared to the P Smart S’s 10W charging. This is a major convenience factor.
❓ Will I notice a difference in app loading times between the two phones?
Yes, you will. The Snapdragon 750G’s more powerful CPU and faster memory interface will result in noticeably quicker app loading times and smoother multitasking compared to the Kirin 710F.
❓ What are the implications of the Huawei P Smart S lacking Google Mobile Services (GMS)?
The P Smart S relies on Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) instead of GMS. This means you won't have direct access to Google apps like the Play Store, Gmail, or YouTube without workarounds. While Huawei offers alternatives, the experience isn't always seamless.