Motorola Moto X40 vs HTC Desire 816G: A Generational Leap?

The smartphone landscape is constantly evolving. Today, we pit a modern powerhouse, the Motorola Moto X40, against a significantly older device, the HTC Desire 816G. This comparison highlights the incredible advancements in mobile technology over the years, offering insights for budget-conscious buyers and tech enthusiasts alike.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Motorola Moto X40 utterly dominates this comparison. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, blazing-fast charging, and modern features leave the HTC Desire 816G in the dust. The X40 is for performance seekers; the 816G is a nostalgic option for those needing a basic, affordable phone.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto X40 HTC Desire 816G dual sim
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66-
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA
 CDMA 800 -
Launch
Announced2022, December 152014, September. Released 2014, October
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, December 22Discontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame-
Dimensions161.2 x 74 x 8.6 mm (6.35 x 2.91 x 0.34 in)156.6 x 78.7 x 8 mm (6.17 x 3.10 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)158 g (5.57 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)-
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~67.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+Super LCD2
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 - India modelOcta-core 1.7 GHz - SEA model
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Mediatek MT6582 - India model
GPUAdreno 740Mali-400MP2 - India model
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 14, MYUI 6.0Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), Sense UI 6
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM8GB (IN), 16GB (SEA), 1GB RAM
 UFS 3.1 - 128GB UFS 4.0 - 256GB/512GB-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR
Single-13 MP, f/2.2, AF
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/1.6, (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF-
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, 720p@60fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm5 MP
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive4.0, A2DP, aptX
NFCYesNo
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS, GLONASS
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C, OTGmicroUSB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassAccelerometer, proximity, compass
 Ready For 3.5 support-
Battery
Charging125W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 50% in 7 min 15W wireless 5W reverse wired-
Stand-by-Up to 460 h (3G)
Talk time-Up to 10 h (3G)
TypeLi-Po 4600 mAhLi-Po 2600 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, BlueBlack, White
ModelsXT2301-5Desire 816G dual sim, Desire 816, Desire_816G_dual_sim, D816h
PriceAbout 540 EURAbout 260 EUR
SAR-0.33 W/kg (head)     0.24 W/kg (body)

Motorola Moto X40

  • Flagship Performance
  • Excellent Display
  • Fast Charging (125W)
  • Modern Features (5G)
  • High-Resolution Camera

  • Potentially Higher Price
  • May be Overkill for Basic Users

HTC Desire 816G dual sim

  • Affordable
  • Dual SIM Support
  • Compact Size

  • Outdated Processor
  • Low-Resolution Display
  • Slow Performance
  • Limited Camera Capabilities
  • Poor Battery Life Compared to Modern Phones

Display Comparison

The Moto X40 boasts a vibrant, high-resolution OLED display with a high refresh rate, offering a smooth and immersive viewing experience. The HTC Desire 816G features a smaller, lower-resolution LCD display, which is adequate for basic tasks but lacks the visual fidelity and responsiveness of the X40.

Camera Comparison

The Moto X40's camera system is significantly more advanced, offering higher resolution sensors, improved image processing, and features like optical image stabilization. The HTC Desire 816G's camera is adequate for casual snapshots but lacks the detail and dynamic range of the X40.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Moto X40 delivers flagship-level performance, effortlessly handling demanding games and applications. The HTC Desire 816G's quad/octa-core processor struggles with modern apps and multitasking, resulting in noticeable lag and slowdowns.

Battery Life

The Moto X40 likely has a larger battery capacity and benefits from more efficient power management, providing all-day battery life. The HTC Desire 816G's battery life is decent for its age, but it will require more frequent charging.

Buying Guide

The Motorola Moto X40 is ideal for users who prioritize performance, a high-quality display, and modern features like 5G connectivity and fast charging. The HTC Desire 816G is best suited for users on an extremely tight budget who need a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light usage, and are comfortable with older technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the HTC Desire 816G still usable in 2024?
Yes, it can still make calls and send texts, but its performance will be significantly limited by its outdated hardware. Don't expect it to run modern apps smoothly.
❓ Why is the Motorola Moto X40 so much better?
The Moto X40 utilizes a modern chipset, a high-resolution display, and advanced camera technology, representing a significant leap forward in smartphone technology compared to the HTC Desire 816G.