Moto G Play (2026) vs Samsung Galaxy A15 5G: Which Budget 5G Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and a brighter display, the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is the better choice. Its 14:31 hour active use score and 786 nits of brightness provide a more robust and enjoyable experience. However, the Moto G Play (2026) offers a slight CPU performance advantage with its Dimensity 6300.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola Moto G Play (2026) | Samsung Galaxy A15 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 2, 5, 7, 12, 14, 25, 26, 29, 30, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 26, 28, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, November 05 | 2023, December 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, November 13 | Available. Released 2023, December 16 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), silicone polymer (eco leather) back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 167.2 x 76.4 x 8.5 mm (6.58 x 3.01 x 0.33 in) | 160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 202 g (7.13 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1604 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~262 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.2 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 16 | Android 14, upgradable to Android 16, One UI 8, up to 4 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF 5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos) | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5200 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Pantone Tapestry | Brave Black, Personality Yellow, Magical Blue, Optimistic Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A156B, SM-A156B/DS, SM-A156P, SM-A156P/DS, SM-A156U, SM-A156U1, SM-A156U1/DS, SM-A156W, SM-A156P/N, SM-A156P/DSN, SM-S156VL, SM-A156M, SM-A156E, SM-A156E/DSN |
| Price | $ 179.99 | € 167.00 / $ 79.97 / ₹ 17,490 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.80 W/kg (head) 1.46 W/kg (body) |
Motorola Moto G Play (2026)
- Slightly faster CPU performance with Dimensity 6300
- Potentially lower price point (depending on retailer)
- Motorola's clean Android experience
- Likely dimmer display
- Slower 18W charging
- Unknown battery capacity
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
- Excellent 14:31 hour battery life
- Bright 786 nit display
- Faster 25W charging
- Slightly slower CPU performance
- Samsung's One UI can be resource intensive
- Potential for more bloatware
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 786 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a common pain point in this price segment. While the Moto G Play (2026)'s display specifications are not provided, it's likely to be dimmer, potentially impacting usability in bright conditions. The A15's panel likely uses a standard 60Hz refresh rate, common for this price point, and the higher brightness will be more impactful than a higher refresh rate for most users. We expect both to utilize LCD panels, given the price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Moto G Play (2026), a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market segment, both phones likely feature a primary camera around 50MP. The Galaxy A15 5G will likely benefit from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more vibrant and detailed photos. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is unlikely on either device at this price point. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either phone is largely a marketing gimmick and offers limited practical benefit.
Performance
Both devices utilize Mediatek Dimensity chipsets fabricated on a 6nm process, indicating similar efficiency. However, the Motorola Moto G Play (2026) features the Dimensity 6300, with a slightly higher clocked Cortex-A76 core (2.4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz on the A15’s Dimensity 6100+). This suggests a small performance edge in CPU-intensive tasks. The GPU performance is likely comparable, making both suitable for casual gaming. The A15 5G's performance will be adequate for everyday tasks, but the G Play (2026) may offer a smoother experience with more demanding apps. Neither phone is expected to feature advanced cooling solutions, so sustained performance will be limited by thermal throttling.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G clearly wins in battery endurance, achieving an impressive 14:31 hours of active use. The Moto G Play (2026)'s battery capacity is unknown, but its 18W charging speed is slower than the A15 5G’s 25W charging. This means the A15 5G will recharge faster, minimizing downtime. While a larger battery capacity isn't always indicative of longer real-world usage, the A15's tested score demonstrates a significant advantage, making it ideal for users who heavily rely on their smartphones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto G Play (2026) if you prioritize a marginally faster processor for light gaming and multitasking, and are comfortable with potentially shorter battery life. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G if you value all-day battery life, a brighter and more visible display in sunlight, and the Samsung ecosystem. Both phones are excellent choices for first-time smartphone buyers or those seeking a reliable secondary device.