The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Umidigi G5A and Motorola Moto G14 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily diverging in their chipset choices and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G14 is the better choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset, featuring a mix of Cortex-A75 and A55 cores, provides a significantly more responsive experience than the Umidigi G5A’s older Helio A22. The faster 15W (or 20W in India) charging also reduces downtime, making the G14 a more practical daily driver.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2023, August 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023 | Available. Released 2023, August 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Panda glass), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.7 x 8.8 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 161.5 x 73.8 x 8 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio A22 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 13, planned upgrade to Android 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass (market/region dependent) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired
20W wired (India) |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Black, Jade Green, Lavender Purple, Pearl White, Space Gray | Steel Gray, Sky Blue, Butter Cream, Pale Lilac |
| Models | - | PAYF0010IN |
| Price | About 100 EUR | $ 190.00 / £ 89.99 / € 149.90 |
Umidigi G5A
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Adequate for basic communication tasks
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the Moto G14
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Motorola Moto G14
- More powerful Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset
- Faster 15W/20W charging
- Improved multitasking and app responsiveness
- Slightly higher price than the Umidigi G5A
- May still exhibit some lag with very demanding apps
- Camera performance likely similar to other budget options
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. While specific details like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are unavailable, the focus here is on the internal hardware. Display quality will likely be similar, prioritizing functionality over visual fidelity. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups. The focus will likely be on the main sensor, with any additional lenses (often 2MP macro or depth sensors) offering limited utility. Image processing will be crucial; Motorola’s software typically aims for balanced, realistic images, while Umidigi’s processing may prioritize vibrancy. The G14’s more powerful chipset could potentially enable slightly better image processing capabilities.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Umidigi G5A’s MediaTek Helio A22, a quad-core Cortex-A53 processor built on a 12nm process, is an entry-level chip designed for basic tasks. The Motorola Moto G14’s Unisoc Tiger T616, also 12nm, is a significant step up. Its octa-core configuration – pairing two Cortex-A75 cores for performance with six Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency – delivers substantially better multitasking and app launch speeds. The A75 cores provide a noticeable boost in CPU-intensive tasks, making the G14 more suitable for gaming and demanding applications. The G14 will exhibit less lag and stuttering during everyday use.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but both likely fall in the 4000-5000mAh range, typical for this segment. The key differentiator is charging speed. The Umidigi G5A supports only 10W wired charging, resulting in a significantly longer charge time. The Motorola Moto G14 offers 15W charging (20W in India), reducing the time to fully charge the battery. This faster charging is a practical advantage, especially for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi G5A if your primary need is a very basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and you prioritize absolute minimal cost. Buy the Motorola Moto G14 if you want a more fluid user experience, better multitasking capabilities, and faster charging, even if it means spending a little more. The G14 is ideal for users who occasionally play mobile games or use more demanding apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T616 in the Moto G14 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Unisoc Tiger T616 can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at lower graphics settings (Balanced or Low) to maintain a stable frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it's significantly more capable than the Helio A22 in the Umidigi G5A for gaming.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Umidigi G5A really that slow compared to the Moto G14's 15W/20W?
Yes, the difference is substantial. 10W charging can take upwards of 3-4 hours to fully charge the battery from 0%, while the Moto G14’s 15W/20W charging can reduce that time to around 2-2.5 hours. This is a significant convenience factor for daily use.
❓ Does the Motorola Moto G14 have any software bloatware?
Motorola has significantly reduced bloatware in recent years. The Moto G14 runs a near-stock version of Android with a few Motorola-specific apps, but these are generally useful and can be uninstalled if desired. It's a much cleaner experience than many other budget Android phones.
