Motorola Moto G23 vs Moto G53: The Ultimate Budget Showdown

Motorola consistently delivers excellent value in the budget phone market. The Moto G23 and Moto G53 are two of their latest contenders, offering compelling features at affordable prices. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Moto G53 edges out the G23 thanks to its superior display brightness, more efficient Snapdragon chipset, and 5G connectivity. While the G23 boasts faster charging, the G53’s overall performance and display quality make it the better choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G23 Motorola Moto G53
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Europe, AP/MEAHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EMEA & AP, China
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42 - EMEA & AP
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - EMEA & AP
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - AP/MEA1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2023, January 242022, December 15
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, January 24Available. Released 2022, December 15
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions162.7 x 74.7 x 8.2 mm (6.41 x 2.94 x 0.32 in)162.7 x 74.7 x 8.2 mm (6.41 x 2.94 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight184.3 g (6.49 oz)183 g (6.46 oz)
 Water-resistant designWater-resistant design
Display
ProtectionPanda glass-
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak)IPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
ChipsetMediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Adreno 619
OSAndroid 13, planned upgrade to Android 14Android 13, planned upgrade to Android 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro)
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1.0µm8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm or 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio (market/region dependent)
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximityFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired18W wired (China, LATAM) 10W wired (International) Reverse wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMatte Charcoal, Pearl White, Steel BlueInk Blue, Arctic Silver, Pale Pink
ModelsXT2333-1XT2335-2
PriceAbout 80 EUR$ 295.00 / £ 143.15
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 123h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1746:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.0 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 314195 (v9) GeekBench: 1594 (v5.1), 1797 (v6.0) GFXBench: 29fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola Moto G23

  • Faster 30W Charging
  • Larger Display (potentially)
  • Generally more affordable

  • Less efficient chipset
  • Lower display brightness
  • No 5G

Motorola Moto G53

  • Brighter Display
  • More Efficient Snapdragon 480+ 5G Chipset
  • Excellent Battery Life
  • 5G Connectivity
  • Reverse Wired Charging

  • Slower Charging (18W in many regions)
  • Potentially slightly higher price

Display Comparison

The Moto G53 takes a clear lead in the display department. Its measured 599 nits peak brightness significantly outperforms what we'd expect from the G23, offering better visibility in sunlight. Both boast a high 1746:1 contrast ratio, ensuring deep blacks and vibrant colors. The G53's display also likely benefits from the Snapdragon 480+’s better GPU, potentially leading to smoother scrolling and gaming.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is likely comparable between the two, though detailed camera samples would be needed for a definitive judgment. Both phones feature standard camera setups for their price range. Expect decent image quality in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light. The G53 might have a slight edge due to the Snapdragon's image processing capabilities.

Performance

The Snapdragon 480+ in the Moto G53 is generally more efficient and offers better performance than the Helio G85 in the G23. The 8nm process of the Snapdragon chip contributes to improved power efficiency and potentially better thermal management. While both have octa-core CPUs, the Kryo cores in the Snapdragon 480+ are generally considered more powerful per core.

Battery Life

The Moto G53 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 123h, suggesting exceptional battery life. While the G23's battery capacity is similar, the G53's more efficient chipset likely contributes to its superior longevity. The G23 does offer faster 30W wired charging, which can be a significant advantage for some users.

Buying Guide

The Motorola Moto G23 is ideal for users prioritizing fast charging and a slightly larger screen, who don't need 5G. The Motorola Moto G53 is a better fit for those seeking a brighter, smoother display, improved performance, and future-proof 5G connectivity, even with slightly slower charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Moto G53 likely offers better gaming performance due to its more efficient Snapdragon 480+ chipset and potentially better GPU.
❓ Is the Moto G53's charging speed slow?
Yes, the Moto G53's charging speed is slower (18W in many regions) compared to the G23's 30W charging. However, the G53's superior battery life may offset this for some users.