Motorola Moto G50 5G vs. Moto G50: A Head-to-Head Comparison

Motorola's G-series consistently delivers excellent value, and the Moto G50 and Moto G50 5G are no exception. Both offer compelling features for budget-conscious buyers, but the '5G' suffix hints at a key difference. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you choose the right one for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Moto G50 5G edges out the standard G50 thanks to its faster chipset and 5G connectivity. However, the G50 might offer slightly better display brightness. Ultimately, the choice depends on whether 5G is a priority for you and your budget.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G50 5G Motorola Moto G50
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - AustraliaHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66 - Australia1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Australia1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, August 252021, March 25
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 25Available. Released 2021, April 26
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions167 x 76.4 x 9.3 mm (6.57 x 3.01 x 0.37 in)164.9 x 74.9 x 9 mm (6.49 x 2.95 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight206 g (7.27 oz)192 g (6.77 oz)
 Water-repellent designWater-repellent design
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11Android 11, upgradable to Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioUnspecifiedFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximityFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer (market dependant)
Battery
Charging15W wired15W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMeteorite GreySteel Gray, Aqua Green
ModelsXT2149-1XT2137-1, XT2137-2
PriceAbout 170 EURAbout 190 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 133h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1819:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -28.0 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 286916 (v9) GeekBench: 1620 (v5.1) GFXBench: 27fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola Moto G50 5G

  • Faster chipset (Dimensity 700)
  • 5G connectivity
  • Potentially better camera processing
  • Good battery life

  • Slightly dimmer display (potentially)
  • 15W charging is slow

Motorola Moto G50

  • Slightly brighter display (measured)
  • Good battery life
  • Potentially lower price

  • Slower chipset (Snapdragon 480 5G)
  • No 5G connectivity
  • Potentially inferior camera processing

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a 720 x 1600 resolution and a 20:9 aspect ratio. While both boast a 1819:1 contrast ratio (though the G50's is nominal), the Moto G50 is reported to have a slightly higher measured peak brightness of 362 nits, potentially offering better visibility in direct sunlight. The G50 5G's display is likely comparable but may be a touch dimmer.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are sparse in the provided data, but both phones are described as having a 'Photo / Video' camera setup. Given the chipset differences, the G50 5G's image processing capabilities are likely superior, potentially resulting in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. However, without specific megapixel counts or feature lists, a definitive comparison is difficult.

Performance

Here's where the biggest difference lies. The Moto G50 5G is powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 700, a 7nm chipset offering significantly better performance than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm) in the standard Moto G50. Expect smoother app loading, faster multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the G50 5G. The Dimensity 700's octa-core CPU also provides a noticeable speed boost.

Battery Life

Both phones share the same 15W wired charging. The provided data indicates an impressive endurance rating of 133 hours for both devices, suggesting excellent battery life for both the Moto G50 and Moto G50 5G. Real-world usage will vary, but both should easily last a full day on a single charge.

Buying Guide

The Motorola Moto G50 5G is ideal for users who want 5G connectivity and a smoother overall experience for multitasking and gaming. The Moto G50 is a great choice for those prioritizing a slightly brighter display and are comfortable with 4G speeds, especially if it's available at a lower price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Moto G50 5G worth the extra money?
If 5G connectivity and improved performance are important to you, then yes. The Dimensity 700 chipset offers a noticeable upgrade over the Snapdragon 480 5G.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both phones have an endurance rating of 133 hours, suggesting comparable battery life. Real-world usage will vary.