Motorola One Fusion+ vs. Google Pixel 5a 5G: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range 5G Contenders

The Motorola One Fusion+ and Google Pixel 5a 5G represent compelling options in the mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a smooth experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches to achieving this goal. The Fusion+ prioritizes battery endurance and a high-contrast display, while the Pixel 5a 5G focuses on Google’s renowned camera software and a brighter screen. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a vibrant display, the Motorola One Fusion+ emerges as the winner. Its significantly longer endurance rating (136h vs 122h) and higher contrast ratio (1423:1) provide a tangible advantage. However, the Pixel 5a 5G’s superior chipset and camera software make it a strong contender for photography enthusiasts.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola One Fusion+ Google Pixel 5a 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 InternationalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 38, 40, 41 - Europe, India1, 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 bands-1, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - APEMCDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2020, June 08. Released 2020, June 082021, August 17
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, August 26
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back
Dimensions162.9 x 76.4 x 9.6 mm (6.41 x 3.01 x 0.38 in)156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight210 g (7.41 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 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~83.3% 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 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730 (8 nm) - EuropeQualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) - IndiaQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 618Adreno 620
OSAndroid 10Android 11, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
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, panorama, HDRLED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Quad64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 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
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS
RadioFM radio (market/region dependent)No
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB 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, proximityFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging15W wired18W wired, PD2.0
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4680 mAh
Misc
ColorsMoonlight White, Twilight BlueMostly Black
ModelsPAKF0002ING1F8F, G4S1M
PriceAbout 300 EUR$ 189.00 / C$ 249.99
SAR0.52 W/kg (head)     1.43 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 136h Endurance rating 122h
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1423:1 (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -27.9 LUFS (Good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 267980 (v8) GeekBench: 1705 (v5.1) GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 291303 (v8) GeekBench: 1337 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola One Fusion+

  • Exceptional battery life (136h endurance)
  • High contrast display (1423:1 ratio)
  • Generally more affordable price point

  • Less powerful chipset compared to the Pixel 5a 5G
  • Camera performance lags behind the Pixel 5a 5G

Google Pixel 5a 5G

  • Superior chipset (Snapdragon 765G)
  • Excellent camera software and image processing
  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility

  • Shorter battery life (122h endurance)
  • Higher price compared to the Motorola One Fusion+

Display Comparison

The Pixel 5a 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 861 nits compared to the Fusion+'s 562 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. However, the Fusion+ counters with a 1423:1 contrast ratio, offering deeper blacks and a more immersive viewing experience, especially for video content. While the Pixel 5a 5G is listed with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, this is typical marketing language and doesn't necessarily indicate superior black levels. Both displays lack high refresh rates, focusing instead on power efficiency.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer capable camera systems, the Pixel 5a 5G leverages Google’s renowned computational photography algorithms. Although sensor sizes aren't specified, the Pixel’s image processing excels in dynamic range and low-light performance. The Fusion+ offers a standard photo/video experience, but lacks the Pixel’s software optimizations. The absence of detailed camera specs for both devices makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Pixel’s reputation for camera quality gives it a significant advantage. We can assume both phones will have similar quality 2MP macro/depth sensors, which are often of limited practical use.

Performance

The Google Pixel 5a 5G’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm) holds a clear architectural advantage over the Motorola One Fusion+’s Snapdragon 730 (8nm). The 7nm process allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency. The Pixel 5a 5G’s CPU configuration, featuring a Kryo 475 Prime core, further enhances single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launching and general navigation. While both phones utilize 6x1.8 GHz Kryo cores, the 765G’s overall architecture provides a noticeable performance edge, particularly in graphically demanding tasks. The Fusion+ has a variant with the 730G, which offers a slight performance boost over the standard 730.

Battery Life

The Motorola One Fusion+’s endurance rating of 136 hours significantly surpasses the Pixel 5a 5G’s 122 hours. This difference is primarily attributable to the Fusion+'s more efficient chipset and display. While the Pixel 5a 5G supports 18W charging with PD2.0, offering faster charging speeds, the Fusion+’s 15W charging is adequate given its larger battery life buffer. The Pixel’s faster charging is beneficial for quick top-ups, but the Fusion+ will likely last longer between charges in real-world usage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola One Fusion+ if you need exceptional battery life for extended use, value a high-contrast display for media consumption, and are comfortable with a more generalized camera experience. Buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G if you prioritize camera quality and Google’s computational photography prowess, demand a brighter screen for outdoor visibility, and appreciate faster charging speeds with PD2.0 support.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 730 in the Motorola One Fusion+ struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 730 is a capable chipset, it may require reduced graphics settings for a smooth experience in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact. The Snapdragon 765G in the Pixel 5a 5G offers a more comfortable gaming experience at higher settings due to its more efficient architecture and slightly faster GPU.
❓ How does the camera processing differ between the Pixel 5a 5G and the Motorola One Fusion+ in low-light conditions?
The Pixel 5a 5G excels in low-light photography thanks to Google’s Night Sight mode, which utilizes computational photography to brighten images and reduce noise. The Motorola One Fusion+ will produce acceptable low-light photos, but will likely exhibit more noise and less dynamic range compared to the Pixel 5a 5G.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Motorola One Fusion+ noticeably slower than the 18W PD2.0 charging on the Pixel 5a 5G?
Yes, the Pixel 5a 5G’s 18W PD2.0 charging will charge the device faster than the Fusion+'s 15W charging. However, given the Fusion+'s longer battery life, the slower charging speed is less of a concern, as you’ll likely need to charge it less frequently.