Motorola consistently delivers solid budget smartphones, and the Moto G23 and G72 are prime examples. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features, performance, and overall experience to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Moto G72 edges out the G23 thanks to its brighter display, more efficient chipset, and slightly faster charging. While the G23 is a capable device, the G72’s improvements in key areas make it the better overall choice for most users seeking a budget-friendly Motorola.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Europe, AP/MEA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - AP/MEA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 24 | 2022, September 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 24 | Available. Released 2022, October 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.7 x 74.7 x 8.2 mm (6.41 x 2.94 x 0.32 in) | 160.5 x 74.4 x 7.9 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 184.3 g (6.49 oz) | 166 g (5.86 oz) |
| | Water-resistant design | Water-repellent design |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak) | P-OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, planned upgrade to Android 14 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | 108 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Matte Charcoal, Pearl White, Steel Blue | Meteorite Gray, Polar Blue, Mineral White |
| Models | XT2333-1 | XT2255-1 |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 121h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.5 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 383317 (v9)
GeekBench: 1842 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Motorola Moto G23
- Larger Display
- More Affordable
- Decent Battery Life
- Clean Android Experience
- Dimmer Display
- Less Powerful Processor
- Slower Performance
- Older Chipset
Motorola Moto G72
- Brighter Display
- More Efficient Processor
- Smoother Performance
- Excellent Battery Life
- Slightly Faster Charging
- Slightly More Expensive
- Contrast Ratio Claim is Nominal
- Camera Performance Not Exceptional
Display Comparison
The Moto G72 boasts a significant advantage with its 1015 nits peak brightness, making it far more usable outdoors and in bright environments. The G23's display is adequate, but noticeably dimmer. The G72's 'infinite' contrast ratio (likely a marketing term, but suggests excellent blacks) further enhances its visual appeal. Both phones likely use IPS LCD panels, offering good color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems, but the G72 likely has a slight edge in image quality due to the more powerful processor assisting with image processing. Expect decent photos in good lighting conditions from both, but low-light performance may be a weak point. Video recording capabilities are likely similar, offering 1080p recording at various frame rates.
Performance
The Moto G72's Mediatek Helio G99, built on a 6nm process, is more efficient and powerful than the G23's Helio G85 (12nm). This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance. While both phones offer adequate performance for everyday tasks, the G72 provides a more responsive experience. The Cortex-A76 cores in the G72 also contribute to improved performance compared to the G23's Cortex-A75 cores.
Battery Life
The Moto G72's endurance rating of 121h is impressive, suggesting excellent battery life. While the G23's battery capacity is likely similar, the G72's more efficient chipset contributes to longer usage times. Both phones support 30W/33W fast charging, allowing for relatively quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Motorola Moto G23 is ideal for users prioritizing a large display and a more affordable price point. It's a good option for basic tasks and media consumption. The Motorola Moto G72 is better suited for users who value a brighter, more vibrant display, smoother performance, and slightly longer battery life, even at a slightly higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Moto G23 worth buying if I'm on a tight budget?
The Moto G23 is a decent option if budget is your absolute top priority. However, spending a little extra for the Moto G72 will provide a significantly better overall experience.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Moto G72's Helio G99 chipset offers noticeably better gaming performance than the Moto G23's Helio G85. Expect smoother frame rates and less lag on the G72.
