Motorola Moto G 5G Plus vs. Moto G 5G: The Ultimate Showdown

Motorola's G series consistently delivers excellent value, and the Moto G 5G Plus and Moto G 5G are no exception. Both offer 5G connectivity at an affordable price, but which one truly stands out? This comprehensive comparison will break down the key differences to help you make the right choice.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Moto G 5G edges out the Plus with significantly better battery life and a slightly improved display. While the Plus boasts a more powerful chipset, the G 5G's longer endurance and vibrant screen make it the more compelling option for most users seeking a budget 5G phone.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G 5G Plus Motorola Moto G 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 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, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43
5G bands1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66-
Launch
Announced2020, July 07. Released 2020, July 082020, November 05. Released 2020, December 07
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions168.3 x 74 x 9.7 mm (6.63 x 2.91 x 0.38 in)166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm (6.54 x 3.00 x 0.39 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight207 g (7.30 oz)212 g (7.48 oz)
 Water-repellent coating-
Display
Resolution1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, HDR10IPS LCD, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.3 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)
GPUAdreno 620Adreno 619
OSAndroid 10Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 5 MP (macro), AF Auxiliary lens-
Triple-48 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
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual16 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (normal), 1.0µm 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio, RDS
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging20W wired20W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSurfing Blue, Mystic LilacVolcanic Gray, Frosted Silver
ModelsXT2075, XT2075-2, XT2075-3-
PriceAbout 260 EURAbout 90 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 114h Endurance rating 131h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1269:1 Contrast ratio: 1419:1
Loudspeaker -28.4 LUFS (Average) -28.1 LUFS (Average)
Performance AnTuTu: 299926 (v8) GeekBench: 1898 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 312461 (v8) GeekBench: 1980 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola Moto G 5G Plus

  • More powerful chipset (Snapdragon 765G)
  • Slightly brighter display (543 nits)
  • Generally better for gaming

  • Shorter battery life (114h)
  • Potentially higher price
  • Performance gains may not be noticeable in everyday use

Motorola Moto G 5G

  • Exceptional battery life (131h)
  • Slightly better display brightness (484 nits)
  • Generally better value for money

  • Less powerful chipset (Snapdragon 750G)
  • May struggle with demanding games
  • Camera performance is comparable but not exceptional

Display Comparison

The Moto G 5G takes a slight lead in the display department. While both offer excellent contrast ratios (1269:1 vs 1419:1), the G 5G's peak brightness of 484 nits is marginally better than the Plus's 543 nits, resulting in a more vibrant viewing experience, especially outdoors. Both utilize similar screen technology (likely IPS LCD) and resolutions, ensuring sharp visuals.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is generally comparable between the two. Both phones feature a triple-camera system, but specific sensor details are often similar. Image quality in well-lit conditions should be quite similar, with both capable of capturing decent photos and videos. Low-light performance is likely to be a weak point on both devices, typical for this price range. Software processing plays a significant role here, and Motorola's approach is generally reliable.

Performance

The Moto G 5G Plus holds a performance advantage thanks to its Snapdragon 765G chipset. This chip is generally faster and more capable than the Snapdragon 750G in the G 5G, particularly for gaming and multitasking. However, in everyday use, the difference might not be immediately noticeable. The Plus also has a slightly more complex CPU configuration.

Battery Life

The Moto G 5G shines in battery life. Its endurance rating of 131 hours significantly surpasses the Plus's 114 hours. This translates to noticeably longer usage between charges, making the G 5G a more practical choice for users who prioritize longevity.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Motorola Moto G 5G Plus? Users prioritizing raw processing power for gaming or demanding apps might find the Plus appealing. Who should buy the Motorola Moto G 5G? Those prioritizing battery life, a slightly better display, and overall value will likely prefer the G 5G.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Moto G 5G Plus worth the extra money?
It depends on your priorities. If you're a heavy gamer or need the absolute best performance, the Plus might be worth it. Otherwise, the G 5G offers better value with its superior battery life.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Motorola is generally known for providing timely software updates and a near-stock Android experience. Both phones should receive similar levels of support, though specific timelines can vary.