Motorola Moto X40 vs Realme GT Neo5 SE: A Head-to-Head Performance and Value Showdown

The Motorola Moto X40 and Realme GT Neo5 SE represent distinct approaches to the Android smartphone market. The Moto X40 aims for near-flagship performance without the premium price tag, leveraging the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The GT Neo5 SE, meanwhile, focuses on delivering a compelling experience through the efficient Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2, prioritizing value and fast charging. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the Motorola Moto X40 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers a significant leap in processing power and graphics capabilities. However, the Realme GT Neo5 SE provides an excellent balance of performance and affordability, making it ideal for budget-conscious gamers and everyday users.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto X40 Realme GT Neo5 SE
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 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, 661, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2022, December 152023, April 03
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, December 22Available. Released 2023, April 11
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)163.9 x 75.8 x 9 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)193.1 g (6.81 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)-
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1240 x 2772 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~451 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.74 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 1400 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x2.91 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.49 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM7475-AB Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 725
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 14, MYUI 6.0Android 13, Realme UI 4.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1 - 128GB UFS 4.0 - 256GB/512GBUFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
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, AF64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/3.3, (microscope)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Ready For 3.5 support-
Battery
Charging125W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 50% in 7 min 15W wireless 5W reverse wired100W wired
TypeLi-Po 4600 mAh5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, BlueBlack, Gradient
ModelsXT2301-5RMX3700, RMX3701
PriceAbout 540 EURAbout 270 EUR

Motorola Moto X40

  • Significantly faster processor with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Ultra-fast 125W wired charging
  • Wireless and reverse wired charging support

  • Potentially higher price point
  • Larger chipset die may lead to more thermal throttling under extreme load

Realme GT Neo5 SE

  • Excellent value for money
  • Efficient Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 processor
  • Very fast 100W wired charging

  • Less powerful processor compared to the Moto X40
  • Lacks wireless and reverse charging

Display Comparison

While both devices likely feature high refresh rate AMOLED displays (data not provided), the core difference lies in the processing power driving them. The Moto X40’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 will handle graphically intensive games and UI animations with greater ease. The GT Neo5 SE’s Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2, while capable, will exhibit slightly lower frame rates in demanding scenarios. The absence of display specs like peak brightness and resolution makes a direct comparison difficult, but the chipset difference will be noticeable in visual fluidity.

Camera Comparison

Without camera specifications, a detailed comparison is limited. However, the chipset’s image signal processor (ISP) plays a crucial role. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Moto X40 features a more advanced ISP, enabling faster image processing, better low-light performance, and improved video recording capabilities. The GT Neo5 SE’s ISP is still capable, but will likely fall short in challenging conditions. The absence of OIS or sensor size data prevents a definitive judgment, but the Moto X40’s superior processing power gives it an edge.

Performance

The Motorola Moto X40’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is the star here, boasting a prime Cortex-X3 core clocked at 3.2 GHz. This contrasts with the Realme GT Neo5 SE’s Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4nm) and its Cortex-X2 core at 2.91 GHz. The 8 Gen 2’s superior core configuration and higher clock speeds translate to approximately 20-30% faster CPU performance in benchmarks. The GPU difference is also significant, making the Moto X40 the better choice for mobile gamers. Both utilize 4nm fabrication, offering good thermal efficiency, but the 8 Gen 2’s larger die size may require more aggressive cooling under sustained load. The GT Neo5 SE’s more efficient chipset will likely result in longer sustained performance before throttling.

Battery Life

The Moto X40’s 125W wired charging is a standout feature, promising a 50% charge in just 7 minutes. This is significantly faster than the GT Neo5 SE’s 100W charging. The Moto X40 also includes 15W wireless and 5W reverse wired charging, features absent on the GT Neo5 SE. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speeds of the Moto X40 mitigate the impact of a potentially smaller battery. The GT Neo5 SE’s 100W charging is still incredibly fast, but the Moto X40 offers greater flexibility with wireless and reverse charging options.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto X40 if you need uncompromising performance for demanding tasks like video editing, high-end gaming, or running resource-intensive applications. You'll also benefit from the faster 125W charging and wireless charging capabilities. Buy the Realme GT Neo5 SE if you prefer a more balanced experience, prioritizing value, efficient performance for everyday use and gaming, and incredibly fast 100W wired charging, all at a more accessible price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 in the Realme GT Neo5 SE handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 is capable of running Genshin Impact, but you may need to compromise on graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. Expect playable performance at medium settings, but don't anticipate consistently hitting 60fps on the highest settings. The Moto X40 will provide a smoother experience at higher settings.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Motorola Moto X40 with the 125W charger?
While Motorola claims 50% charge in 7 minutes, a full 0-100% charge with the 125W charger is expected to take around 20-25 minutes. This is significantly faster than most smartphones on the market, offering a substantial convenience factor.
❓ Does the Realme GT Neo5 SE experience significant throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 is a relatively efficient chipset, and the GT Neo5 SE is likely to exhibit less throttling than devices with more power-hungry processors. However, some throttling is inevitable during prolonged, demanding gaming. Expect a gradual decrease in performance over time, but it shouldn't render the phone unusable.