Choosing a budget smartphone can be tough. The Motorola Moto G5S Plus and Moto E4 Plus were popular contenders, but which one truly delivers the best experience? This comprehensive comparison breaks down their key features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Moto G5S Plus is the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster processor, better camera, and superior display. While the Moto E4 Plus offers a larger battery, the G5S Plus's overall performance and features justify its slight price premium.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 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 | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 38, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | Class 10 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat7 300/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | CDMA 800 / 1900 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, August. Released 2017, August | 2017, June. Released 2017, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 153.5 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.04 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 155 x 77.5 x 9.6 mm (6.10 x 3.05 x 0.38 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 168 g (5.93 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~69.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8920 Snapdragon 427 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | Adreno 308 |
| OS | Android 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 8.1 (Oreo) | Android 7.1 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls | - |
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Phonebook | 2000 entries | - |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF
13 MP, (depth) | 13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP, f/2.2, 1/4.0", 1.4µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 480p@120fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE, EDR, aptX | 4.1, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | Yes (market dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML | - |
| Games | Yes | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, IM | - |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 300 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lunar Gray, Fine Gold | Iron Gray, Fine Gold |
| Models | XT1803, XT1805, XT1806, XT1804, Moto G5S Plus (XT1804) | XT1760 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | 0.10 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) | 0.89 W/kg (head) 1.40 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.38 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) | 0.44 W/kg (head) 1.04 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -34.8dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 81h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1354:1 (nominal), 2.736 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 91dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 86dB
| - |
| Performance |
GeekBench: 4331 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 3.8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Motorola Moto G5S Plus
- Faster Processor
- Better Camera
- Vibrant Display
- Good Performance
- Smaller Battery than E4 Plus
- Older Model
Motorola Moto E4 Plus (USA)
- Excellent Battery Life
- Budget-Friendly
- Larger Screen (same size but lower resolution)
- Slower Performance
- Lower Quality Display
- Less Capable Camera
Display Comparison
The Moto G5S Plus features a 5.5-inch Full HD display with a contrast ratio of 1354:1 (nominal) and an impressive 2.736 in sunlight, offering excellent visibility even outdoors. The Moto E4 Plus has a 5.5-inch HD display, which is adequate but noticeably less sharp and vibrant. The G5S Plus's higher resolution and better contrast provide a more enjoyable viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Moto G5S Plus has a 13MP rear camera with phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and a 5MP front camera. The Moto E4 Plus features an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. While both offer decent image quality in good lighting, the G5S Plus's PDAF allows for faster and more accurate focusing, resulting in sharper photos. Low-light performance is also better on the G5S Plus.
Performance
Here's where the G5S Plus shines. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset and Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU significantly outperform the Moto E4 Plus's Snapdragon 427 and Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user interface on the G5S Plus.
Battery Life
The Moto E4 Plus boasts a larger 5000mAh battery, providing exceptional battery life. The Moto G5S Plus has a 3000mAh battery, which still offers respectable endurance, but not to the same extent as the E4 Plus. If battery life is your absolute top priority, the E4 Plus has the edge.
Buying Guide
The Moto G5S Plus is ideal for users who prioritize performance, camera quality, and a vibrant display. The Moto E4 Plus is a good choice for those primarily seeking long battery life and a very budget-friendly option, willing to compromise on speed and features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Moto G5S Plus still worth buying?
While an older model, the Moto G5S Plus still offers good value, especially if you can find it at a discounted price. Its performance and camera are a step up from many current budget phones.
❓ Which phone has better battery life: G5S Plus or E4 Plus?
The Moto E4 Plus has significantly better battery life due to its larger 5000mAh battery.
