Motorola G96 vs Samsung Galaxy A33 5G: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Contenders

The Motorola G96 and Samsung Galaxy A33 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a feature-rich experience, they diverge significantly in their core hardware. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and battery life to determine which device offers the best value.

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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and future-proofing, the Motorola G96 is the better choice. Its newer Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, built on a 4nm process, offers a noticeable advantage in efficiency and gaming compared to the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G’s 5nm Exynos 1280. However, the A33’s display brightness is a strong point.

PHONES
Phone Names	Motorola G96	Samsung Galaxy A33 5G

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G

Launch
Announced	2025, July 09	2022, March 17
Status	Available. Released 2025, July 16	Available. Released 2022, April 20

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), silicone polymer back (eco leather), plastic frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	161.9 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm (6.37 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)	159.7 x 74 x 8.1 mm (6.29 x 2.91 x 0.32 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	178 g (6.28 oz)	186 g (6.56 oz)
	-	IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 5	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)
Size	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.5% screen-to-body ratio)	6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	P-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 1600 nits (peak)	Super AMOLED, 90Hz

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm)	Exynos 1280 (5 nm)
GPU	Adreno 710	Mali-G68
OS	Android 15, up to 1 major Android upgrade	Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8

Memory
Card slot	No	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM	128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM

Main Camera
Dual	50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF	-
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad	-	48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single	-	13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS, OIS	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	-
Single	32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm	13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	-	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos)	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	5.2, A2DP, LE	5.1, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
	-	Virtual proximity sensing

Battery
Charging	30W wired	25W wired
Type	5500 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Pantone (Greener Pastures, Cattleya Orchid, Dresden Blue, Ashleigh Blue)	Black, White, Blue, Peach
Models	-	SM-A336E, SM-A336B, SM-A336B/DS, SM-A336B/DSN, SM-A336E/DS, SM-A336M, SM-A3360
Price	₹ 16,304	£ 174.99 / € 187.50 / ₹ 21,999
SAR	-	0.35 W/kg (head)
SAR EU	-	0.57 W/kg (head) 1.59 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 104h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-26.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 354420 (v8), 394918 (v9) GeekBench: 1900 (v5.1) GFXBench: 20fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola G96

More efficient Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset
Faster 30W wired charging
Potentially better sustained performance due to 4nm process

Display brightness likely lower than A33
Camera details are limited

Samsung Galaxy A33 5G

Brighter 728 nit display
Samsung’s One UI software experience
Likely includes OIS for improved image stabilization

Less efficient Exynos 1280 chipset
Slower 25W wired charging
Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 728 nits, a significant advantage for outdoor use compared to the G96 (brightness data unavailable, but typically lower in this price bracket). While the G96’s display specifics are less defined, both likely utilize AMOLED panels for vibrant colors. Samsung’s claim of an ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio is typical marketing hyperbole for AMOLED technology. The lack of LTPO on either device suggests standard 60Hz or 90Hz refresh rates, impacting smoothness during scrolling and gaming. The A33’s higher brightness is a clear win for users frequently exposed to sunlight.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. The A33 likely benefits from Samsung’s established image processing algorithms. Without specific sensor size or aperture data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, the inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A33 (assumed based on Samsung’s typical implementation) would provide a significant advantage in low-light photography and video recording. The G96’s camera performance will likely rely more heavily on software optimization. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola G96’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) utilizes a more efficient manufacturing process than the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G’s Exynos 1280 (5nm). While both are octa-core CPUs with a similar core configuration (2x Cortex-A78, 6x Cortex-A55), the Snapdragon benefits from the newer architecture and smaller node size, resulting in improved power efficiency and sustained performance. The G96’s CPU clocks slightly higher (2.40 GHz vs 2.4 GHz), but the real advantage is in thermal management. The 4nm process allows the G96 to maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods, reducing throttling during intensive tasks. Both devices likely feature similar RAM configurations, but the G96’s chipset is the clear performance leader.

Battery Life

Both the Motorola G96 and Samsung Galaxy A33 5G achieve an endurance rating of 104 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the G96’s 30W wired charging is faster than the A33’s 25W charging, translating to quicker top-ups. While the A33’s battery capacity is unknown, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2’s efficiency could offset a potentially larger battery on the A33, resulting in similar real-world usage times. The faster charging on the G96 is a convenience advantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola G96 if you need a phone capable of handling demanding applications and games without significant throttling, and if you value a more modern chipset architecture. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G if you prioritize a brighter display for outdoor visibility and prefer Samsung’s One UI software experience, and are less concerned with peak performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A33 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?

The Exynos 1280, while capable, is known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained load. The 5nm process helps, but it's not as efficient as the 4nm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 in the G96. Expect frame rate drops in demanding games after extended playtimes on the A33.

❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using for detailed close-up shots?

Generally, no. 2MP macro cameras on budget and mid-range phones typically lack the resolution and image quality to produce truly detailed close-up photos. They often result in soft, noisy images. The standard main camera with digital zoom will likely yield better results.

❓ Can the Motorola G96 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at 60fps with high graphics settings?

The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 should be capable of running PUBG Mobile at 60fps with high graphics settings, but sustained performance will depend on thermal management. The 4nm process should help mitigate throttling, but extended gaming sessions may still result in some frame rate drops. Expect a smoother experience than on the A33.

❓ How does Samsung's One UI compare to Motorola's software experience on the G96?

Samsung's One UI is a feature-rich and heavily customized Android skin, offering a wide range of options and pre-installed apps. Motorola's software is closer to stock Android, providing a cleaner and more streamlined experience with fewer bloatware apps. Preference is subjective, but Motorola's approach is generally favored by users who prefer a minimalist interface.