Motorola Moto G 5G Plus vs. Moto G50: A Deep Dive Comparison

Motorola's G series consistently delivers compelling value in the mid-range and budget segments. The Moto G50 and Moto G 5G Plus both offer 5G connectivity, but cater to slightly different priorities. The G50 focuses on maximizing battery life and affordability, while the G 5G Plus aims for a more refined experience with a brighter display and more powerful processor. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Motorola Moto G 5G Plus is the better choice. While the G50 boasts impressive battery endurance, the G 5G Plus’s significantly brighter display (543 nits vs 362 nits) and more capable Snapdragon 765 chipset provide a smoother, more responsive experience that justifies the price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G50 Motorola Moto G 5G Plus
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66
Launch
Announced2021, March 252020, July 07. Released 2020, July 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 26Discontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions164.9 x 74.9 x 9 mm (6.49 x 2.95 x 0.35 in)168.3 x 74 x 9.7 mm (6.63 x 2.91 x 0.38 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight192 g (6.77 oz)207 g (7.30 oz)
 Water-repellent designWater-repellent coating
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD, 90Hz, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)Octa-core (1x2.3 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 620
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 12Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 5 MP (macro), AF Auxiliary lens
Triple48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30/60fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual-16 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (normal), 1.0µm 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm-
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer (market dependant)Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging15W wired20W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSteel Gray, Aqua GreenSurfing Blue, Mystic Lilac
ModelsXT2137-1, XT2137-2XT2075, XT2075-2, XT2075-3
PriceAbout 190 EURAbout 260 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 133h Endurance rating 114h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1819:1 (nominal) Contrast ratio: 1269:1
Loudspeaker -28.0 LUFS (Good) -28.4 LUFS (Average)
Performance AnTuTu: 286916 (v9) GeekBench: 1620 (v5.1) GFXBench: 27fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 299926 (v8) GeekBench: 1898 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola Moto G50

  • Exceptional battery life (133h endurance)
  • More affordable price point
  • 5G connectivity

  • Dimmer display (362 nits)
  • Less powerful Snapdragon 480 processor
  • Slower 15W charging

Motorola Moto G 5G Plus

  • Brighter display (543 nits)
  • More powerful Snapdragon 765 processor
  • Faster 20W charging

  • Shorter battery life (114h endurance)
  • Higher price compared to the G50
  • Potentially more thermal throttling under sustained load

Display Comparison

The Moto G 5G Plus boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 543 nits compared to the G50’s 362 nits. This makes the G 5G Plus far more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. While both displays have a contrast ratio around 1200:1 to 1800:1, the higher brightness of the G 5G Plus translates to a more vivid and engaging viewing experience. The G50's lower brightness may require users to increase brightness, impacting battery life. Neither phone specifies refresh rates, suggesting standard 60Hz panels.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specs are absent. Given the market positioning, it’s reasonable to assume the G 5G Plus has a more sophisticated camera system. The Snapdragon 765’s image signal processor (ISP) is more advanced than the 480’s, resulting in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. While both likely include a standard and ultrawide lens, the G 5G Plus is more likely to offer features like optical image stabilization (OIS) for sharper photos and smoother videos. The lack of detail makes a definitive comparison impossible, but the chipset advantage favors the G 5G Plus.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Moto G 5G Plus utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765 5G (7nm), featuring a Kryo 475 Prime core for peak performance, alongside Gold and Silver cores for efficiency. The Moto G50, on the other hand, is equipped with the Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm). While the 8nm process is more efficient, the 765’s superior core architecture and higher clock speeds (2.3 GHz vs 2.0 GHz) deliver noticeably faster performance in demanding tasks and gaming. The G 5G Plus will handle multitasking and graphically intensive apps with greater ease. The G50 is adequate for basic tasks, but may exhibit lag with heavier workloads.

Battery Life

The Moto G50 claims an impressive endurance rating of 133 hours, exceeding the G 5G Plus’s 114 hours. This suggests the G50’s Snapdragon 480 and potentially a larger battery (spec not provided) contribute to longer runtimes. However, the G 5G Plus compensates with faster 20W wired charging, compared to the G50’s 15W charging. While the G50 will last longer on a single charge, the G 5G Plus can replenish its battery more quickly, minimizing downtime. The difference in charging speed is significant, potentially saving users valuable time.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto G50 if you prioritize all-day battery life above all else and are on a very tight budget. It’s ideal for users who primarily browse, use social media, and make calls. Buy the Motorola Moto G 5G Plus if you value a brighter, more vibrant display for media consumption, smoother performance for multitasking and light gaming, and faster charging speeds. This phone is better suited for users who want a more versatile and enjoyable daily experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 480 in the Moto G50 struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 480 is an entry-level 5G chipset. While it can run PUBG, you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. More demanding titles like Call of Duty may experience significant lag or be unplayable. The Moto G 5G Plus, with its Snapdragon 765, will provide a much better gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 20W charging on the Moto G 5G Plus compared to the 15W charging on the Moto G50?
The 20W charging on the G 5G Plus can significantly reduce charging times. While exact 0-100% times aren't specified, expect the G 5G Plus to charge noticeably faster – potentially shaving off 30-60 minutes compared to the G50, depending on battery level and usage.
❓ Does either phone have any features to protect my eyes from blue light or screen flicker?
Neither phone's specifications mention specific blue light filters or PWM dimming rates. However, Motorola typically includes a 'Reading Mode' in their software, which reduces blue light emission. Users sensitive to screen flicker should research PWM dimming rates independently, as this information isn't provided.