Choosing a new budget smartphone can be overwhelming. The Motorola Moto G31 and G52 are both solid contenders, but cater to slightly different needs. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which one deserves your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Moto G52 is the clear winner thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 680 chipset, brighter AMOLED display, and much quicker 30W charging. While the G31 offers a larger battery, the G52's overall improvements make it the better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat7 300/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 18 | 2022, April 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 06 | Available. Released 2022, April 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm (6.37 x 2.91 x 0.34 in) | 160.1 x 74.5 x 8 mm (6.30 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 181 g (6.38 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| | Water-repellent design | Water-repellent design |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~86.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12 | Android 12, planned upgrade to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| 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 Direct | 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, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mineral Grey, Baby Blue | Charcoal Gray, Porcelain White |
| Models | XT2173-3 | XT2221-1, XT2221-2 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 470 EUR |
Motorola Moto G31
- Larger screen
- Good battery life
- Affordable
- Slower performance
- Less vibrant display
- Slow charging
Motorola Moto G52
- Faster performance
- Vibrant AMOLED display
- Fast charging
- Better camera
- Slightly smaller battery
- Potentially more expensive
Display Comparison
The Moto G52 boasts a 6.6-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth scrolling. The G31 has a 6.8-inch IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, but the color accuracy and contrast are noticeably inferior. The G52's display is a significant upgrade.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 50MP main camera, but the G52's image processing is generally better, resulting in more detailed and vibrant photos. The G52 also benefits from a better ultrawide lens. Low-light performance is slightly improved on the G52 as well. While both are decent for the price, the G52 edges out the G31.
Performance
The Snapdragon 680 in the Moto G52 provides a substantial performance boost over the Helio G85 in the G31. Apps launch faster, multitasking is smoother, and gaming is more enjoyable on the G52. The G31 can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
The Moto G31 has a larger 5000mAh battery compared to the G52's 5000mAh battery. However, the G52's more efficient chipset and faster charging (30W vs 10W) mean it often delivers comparable or even better real-world battery life due to quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Motorola Moto G31? Users prioritizing maximum battery life and a slightly larger screen on a very tight budget. Who should buy the Motorola Moto G52? Those seeking a smoother performance, a vibrant display, and faster charging speeds, even if it means a slightly smaller battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Moto G52 worth the extra money?
Yes, the Moto G52's improved performance, display, and charging make it a worthwhile upgrade over the G31, especially if you value a smoother user experience.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
While the G31 has a slightly larger battery, the G52's efficiency and faster charging often result in comparable or better real-world battery performance.
