Motorola Moto G100 vs. Asus ROG Phone 5s: A Deep Dive into Performance and Battery Life

The Motorola Moto G100 (2021) aimed to deliver flagship performance at a more accessible price point, while the Asus ROG Phone 5s doubled down on the gaming experience with top-tier specs and specialized features. This comparison dissects their key differences, focusing on how their hardware choices impact real-world usage, particularly for power users and mobile gamers.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a lower price, the Motorola Moto G100 is a solid choice. However, the Asus ROG Phone 5s is the clear winner for gamers and those demanding the absolute best performance, thanks to its superior chipset and significantly faster charging capabilities.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G100 (2021) Asus ROG Phone 5s
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - Version 1
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - Version 1
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 1
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 1400/150 Mbps, 5G 4 Gbps DL
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 4
Launch
Announced2021, March 252021, August 16
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 15Available. Released 2021, August 26
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions168.4 x 74 x 9.7 mm (6.63 x 2.91 x 0.38 in)172.8 x 77.3 x 9.9 mm (6.80 x 3.04 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight207 g (7.30 oz)238 g (8.40 oz)
 -RGB light panel (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, HDR10, 560 nits (HBM)AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 12Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, ROG UI
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, ring flash (macro mode), panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF 16 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm, PDAF TOF 3D Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm, 125˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video6K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm 8 MP, f/2.4, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm-
FeaturesHDRPanorama, HDR
Single-24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging20W wired65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 70% in 30 min, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsIridescent Sky, Iridescent Ocean, Slate GreyPhantom Black, Storm White
ModelsXT2125, XT2125-4ZS676KS
PriceAbout 210 EURAbout 1030 EUR

Motorola Moto G100 (2021)

  • Excellent battery endurance (100h rating)
  • More affordable price point
  • Respectable performance for everyday tasks

  • Slower charging speed (20W)
  • Less powerful chipset compared to the ROG Phone 5s

Asus ROG Phone 5s

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 888+
  • Ultra-fast 65W charging
  • Optimized for gaming with potential high refresh rate display

  • Likely shorter battery life compared to Moto G100
  • Higher price tag

Display Comparison

The Moto G100 boasts a display capable of 613 nits of peak brightness, providing adequate visibility outdoors, while the ROG Phone 5s’s display specifications are not provided, but Asus ROG phones are known for high refresh rate AMOLED panels. The Moto G100’s 1427:1 contrast ratio suggests a good level of black depth, but without knowing the panel technology of the ROG Phone 5s, a direct comparison is difficult. Gamers will likely benefit from the ROG Phone 5s’s expected higher refresh rate, reducing motion blur, but the Moto G100’s brightness is respectable for general use.

Camera Comparison

Context data provides limited camera details for both devices. However, given the ROG Phone 5s’s focus on gaming, its camera system is likely optimized for quick snapshots and social media sharing rather than professional-grade photography. The Moto G100, while not a camera-centric phone, may offer a more versatile camera experience. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, a detailed comparison is impossible, but the ROG Phone 5s likely prioritizes speed over image quality.

Performance

The Asus ROG Phone 5s’s Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5nm) represents a significant leap over the Moto G100’s Snapdragon 870 (7nm). The 888+ features the Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.99 GHz, offering a substantial performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks. The 5nm process node also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during extended gaming sessions. While the Moto G100’s octa-core CPU is capable, the ROG Phone 5s’s chipset delivers a more responsive and fluid experience, especially in demanding games. The ROG Phone 5s also benefits from potentially faster RAM (LPDDR5 vs LPDDR4x, assumed based on ROG phone history).

Battery Life

The Moto G100’s endurance rating of 100 hours suggests excellent battery life, but this is a lab test and real-world usage will vary. The ROG Phone 5s compensates for a potentially smaller battery (spec not provided) with its incredibly fast 65W wired charging, achieving 70% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 52 minutes. The Moto G100’s 20W charging is significantly slower. This difference is crucial for gamers who need to quickly top up their battery between matches. The ROG Phone 5s also offers 10W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Moto G100.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto G100 (2021) if you need a phone that can comfortably last a full day on a single charge and offers a good balance of performance for everyday tasks and light gaming. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 5s if you prioritize uncompromising gaming performance, rapid charging, and are willing to pay a premium for specialized gaming features and the latest Snapdragon silicon.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 888+ in the ROG Phone 5s overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 888+ is a powerful chip, it's known to generate heat. However, Asus ROG Phones typically employ advanced cooling solutions, such as vapor chambers and heat pipes, to mitigate thermal throttling and maintain stable performance during extended gaming. The 5nm process also helps with thermal efficiency compared to older nodes.
❓ How much faster is the 65W charging on the ROG Phone 5s compared to the 20W charging on the Moto G100 in real-world use?
The 65W charging on the ROG Phone 5s is dramatically faster. It can charge from 0 to 70% in just 30 minutes and reach 100% in approximately 52 minutes. The Moto G100’s 20W charging will take significantly longer – likely over 2 hours for a full charge – making the ROG Phone 5s a much more convenient option for users who need to quickly replenish their battery.
❓ Is the Moto G100 a good choice for playing demanding games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Moto G100 can handle these games, but you may need to lower graphics settings to maintain a smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 870 is capable, but the ROG Phone 5s’s Snapdragon 888+ offers a more consistent and higher-fidelity gaming experience without compromising on visual quality.