Motorola One 5G UW Ace vs Google Pixel 5a 5G: The Ultimate Showdown

The mid-range 5G smartphone market is heating up, and two contenders are vying for your attention: the Motorola One 5G UW Ace and the Google Pixel 5a 5G. Both offer 5G connectivity and a compelling set of features, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Pixel 5a 5G edges out the Motorola One 5G UW Ace thanks to its superior camera, cleaner software experience, and brighter display. While the Motorola offers a slightly faster chipset, the Pixel's strengths in key areas make it the more well-rounded choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola one 5G UW ace Google Pixel 5a 5G
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, 20, 48, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands2, 5, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Verizon, USA1, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, July 082021, August 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, July 08Available. Released 2021, August 26
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back
Dimensions166.1 x 76 x 9.9 mm (6.54 x 2.99 x 0.39 in)156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight213.5 g (7.51 oz)183 g (6.46 oz)
 Water-repellent coatingIP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, HDR10OLED, HDR
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 620
OSAndroid 11Android 11, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal64GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual-12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Triple48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 2 MP (macro), AF-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCUnspecifiedYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1
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, compass, barometerFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging20W wired18W wired, PD2.0
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4680 mAh
Misc
ColorsVolcanic GrayMostly Black
Models-G1F8F, G4S1M
PriceAbout 250 EUR$ 189.00 / C$ 249.99
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 122h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Performance- AnTuTu: 291303 (v8) GeekBench: 1337 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola one 5G UW ace

  • Slightly faster chipset
  • Potentially lower price
  • Faster charging (20W)

  • Less impressive camera
  • Less bright display
  • Less polished software

Google Pixel 5a 5G

  • Excellent camera quality
  • Clean and smooth Android experience
  • Brighter display
  • Guaranteed software updates

  • Slower charging (18W)
  • Potentially higher price

Display Comparison

The Pixel 5a 5G boasts a significantly brighter display at 861 nits peak brightness, making it easier to see outdoors. Its infinite contrast ratio (nominal) suggests excellent black levels. The Motorola's display is likely adequate but lacks the Pixel's vibrancy and outdoor visibility. Resolution is likely FHD+ on both, but the Pixel's brightness is a clear advantage.

Camera Comparison

Google's Pixel phones are renowned for their exceptional camera performance, and the 5a 5G is no exception. Its computational photography capabilities deliver stunning images in various conditions. The Motorola's camera is decent, but it won't match the Pixel's image quality, dynamic range, or low-light performance. Pixel's software processing is a key differentiator.

Performance

The Motorola One 5G UW Ace has a Snapdragon 750G, while the Pixel 5a 5G uses a Snapdragon 765G. While both are capable mid-range chipsets, the 765G generally offers slightly better performance, particularly in GPU-intensive tasks. However, real-world differences are likely minimal for everyday use. Motorola's 8nm process might offer slightly better efficiency.

Battery Life

Both phones boast an impressive endurance rating of 122h, suggesting excellent battery life. However, charging speeds differ; the Motorola offers 20W wired charging, while the Pixel 5a 5G supports 18W wired charging and PD2.0. The Motorola's slightly faster charging could be a minor advantage.

Buying Guide

The Motorola One 5G UW Ace is a good option for users prioritizing raw processing power and potentially a lower price point. The Google Pixel 5a 5G is ideal for those who value a fantastic camera, guaranteed software updates, and a smooth, intuitive Android experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Google Pixel 5a 5G has a significant advantage with guaranteed software updates and a cleaner Android experience directly from Google.
❓ Is the Motorola One 5G UW Ace worth the price if I'm on a budget?
Yes, the Motorola One 5G UW Ace can be a good value option if you prioritize performance and are willing to compromise on camera quality and software experience.