The vivo Z5x (2020) and Motorola Moto G 5G represent different approaches to affordable 5G connectivity. The Z5x, released earlier, aims for value, while the Moto G 5G leverages a newer chipset for improved performance. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best experience for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset, built on an 8nm process, offers a noticeable performance uplift over the Z5x’s Snapdragon 712, and the 20W charging is a slight advantage. While both phones share an identical endurance rating, the Moto G 5G’s newer architecture provides a more future-proof experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 09. Released 2020, June 09 | 2020, November 05. Released 2020, December 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.4 x 77.3 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm (6.54 x 3.00 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204.1 g (7.20 oz) | 212 g (7.48 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Funtouch 10 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm, AF
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | 48 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 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 20W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White, Dark Blue | Volcanic Gray, Frosted Silver |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 131h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1419:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.1 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 312461 (v8)
GeekBench: 1980 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Z5x (2020)
- Potentially lower price point
- May offer slightly longer battery life due to potentially larger capacity (unconfirmed)
- Simple and straightforward software experience
- Older Snapdragon 712 chipset offers less performance
- 10nm process is less efficient than 8nm
- Slower 18W charging
Motorola Moto G 5G
- More powerful Snapdragon 750G chipset
- 8nm process for better efficiency and thermal management
- Faster 20W charging
- Integrated 5G modem
- Generally higher price than the vivo Z5x
- Software experience can be bloated with Motorola apps
- May not have significantly longer battery life despite efficiency gains
Display Comparison
Both the vivo Z5x (2020) and Motorola Moto G 5G feature displays with a 1419:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Moto G 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 484 nits, which is crucial for outdoor visibility. While neither manufacturer specifies panel technology, the Moto G 5G’s higher brightness gives it an edge in real-world usability, especially under direct sunlight. The lack of high refresh rate support on both devices is a notable omission in this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given Motorola’s recent focus on computational photography, the Moto G 5G likely benefits from more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The absence of details suggests neither phone will excel in low-light conditions. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and unlikely to deliver significant photographic value.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto G 5G’s Snapdragon 750G (8nm) is a significant upgrade over the vivo Z5x’s Snapdragon 712 (10nm). The 8nm process inherently offers better power efficiency and thermal management. The 750G’s Kryo 570 cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, provide a modest clock speed increase over the Z5x’s 2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold cores, but the architectural improvements in the 750G are more impactful. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved gaming performance on the Moto G 5G. The 750G also includes an integrated 5G modem, while the Z5x relies on an external modem, potentially impacting efficiency.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both phones achieve an endurance rating of 131 hours, despite the differing chipsets and charging speeds. The vivo Z5x offers 18W wired charging, while the Moto G 5G steps it up to 20W. While the difference isn’t massive, the 20W charging on the Moto G 5G will result in slightly faster top-up times. The similar endurance ratings suggest the Snapdragon 750G’s efficiency offsets the Z5x’s potentially larger battery capacity (which isn't specified).
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Z5x (2020) if you prioritize finding the absolute lowest price for 5G access and are willing to compromise on processing power. Buy the Motorola Moto G 5G if you value a smoother user experience, better gaming performance, and a slightly faster charging solution, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 750G in the Moto G 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 750G is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't match the performance of flagship chipsets, it provides a significantly better gaming experience than the Snapdragon 712 in the vivo Z5x, thanks to its improved GPU and thermal management.
❓ Does the Motorola Moto G 5G support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds?
The Snapdragon 750G does support carrier aggregation, allowing it to combine multiple 5G channels for potentially faster download and upload speeds. However, actual speeds will depend on your carrier's network infrastructure and plan.
❓ Is the software on the Motorola Moto G 5G heavily customized?
Motorola's software is relatively close to stock Android, but it does include some pre-installed apps (bloatware) and Motorola-specific features. While not overly intrusive, these additions may not appeal to users who prefer a completely clean Android experience.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Motorola Moto G 5G with the 20W charger?
While Motorola doesn't provide an exact figure, expect a full charge from 0% to 100% to take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours with the included 20W charger. This is slightly faster than the vivo Z5x's 18W charging.
