Poco C50 vs. Moto G13: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Performance

The Xiaomi Poco C50 and Motorola Moto G13 represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Poco C50 prioritizes a basic, reliable experience, while the Moto G13 attempts to offer a more modern chipset for improved performance.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Motorola Moto G13 is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G85 chipset, featuring a combination of Cortex-A75 and A55 cores, provides a substantial performance uplift over the Poco C50’s Helio A22. While the Poco C50 is cheaper, the G13’s faster processor justifies the price difference for anyone beyond the most basic usage.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Poco C50 Motorola Moto G13
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 411, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2023, January 032023, January 24
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, January 10Available. Released 2023, January 24
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.9 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.49 x 3.02 x 0.36 in)162.7 x 74.7 x 8.2 mm (6.41 x 2.94 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight192 g (6.77 oz)183.5 g (6.49 oz)
 Dust & splash resistantWater-resistant design
Display
Protection-Panda glass
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 400 nitsIPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUQuad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G52 MC2
OSAndroid 12 (Go edition)Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
Dual8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) 0.08 MP (depth)-
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) Auxiliary lens-
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single5 MP, f/2.08 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radio, recordingUnspecified
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging10W wired20W or 10W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsCountry Green, Royal BlueMatte Charcoal, Blue Lavender, Rose Gold
ModelsMZB0D3DIN, 220733SPI, 220733SPH-
PriceAbout 80 EURAbout 160 EUR
SAR0.87 W/kg (head)     0.84 W/kg (body)-

Xiaomi Poco C50

  • Lowest possible price point
  • Simple and easy-to-use interface
  • Reliable for basic communication

  • Significantly slower performance
  • Limited multitasking capabilities
  • Slow 10W charging

Motorola Moto G13

  • Faster and more responsive performance
  • Improved multitasking capabilities
  • Faster 20W charging (potentially)

  • Slightly higher price
  • Camera quality likely similar to Poco C50
  • May still struggle with demanding games

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting a focus on cost reduction over display technology. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are not provided, the market segment suggests both will feature basic LCD panels. The lack of information prevents a detailed comparison of color accuracy or viewing angles, but it’s safe to assume both prioritize functionality over visual fidelity.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. Given the price point, expect a primary sensor accompanied by auxiliary lenses of limited utility (often 2MP macro or depth sensors). Image processing will likely be minimal on both devices. The G13 *may* benefit from slightly better image signal processing capabilities due to its more modern chipset, but this is speculative.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco C50’s Mediatek Helio A22, a quad-core Cortex-A53 processor, is designed for extremely basic tasks. The Motorola Moto G13’s Helio G85 is a significant upgrade, featuring an octa-core configuration with two Cortex-A75 performance cores and six Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. This architectural difference translates to a much smoother experience when multitasking, launching apps, and playing games. The G85’s GPU will also provide a noticeable improvement in graphics performance. The G13 is the clear winner for users who value responsiveness.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but both likely house batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range, typical for this price segment. The key difference is charging speed. The Poco C50 is limited to 10W charging, while the Moto G13 supports 20W or 10W charging (depending on the included charger). This faster charging capability on the G13 significantly reduces the time required to replenish the battery, offering a more convenient user experience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Poco C50 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and your smartphone usage is limited to calls, texts, and very light app usage. It’s a functional device for first-time smartphone owners or as a backup phone. Buy the Motorola Moto G13 if you want a smoother, more responsive experience for everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and occasional gaming. The G13’s more powerful processor and faster charging make it a more versatile device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Moto G13 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty?
The Helio G85 in the Moto G13 is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty, but you’ll likely need to use low to medium graphics settings for a smooth experience. The Poco C50’s Helio A22 will struggle significantly with these titles, offering a choppy and frustrating gaming experience.
❓ Is the 20W charging on the Moto G13 a significant advantage?
Yes, the 20W charging on the Moto G13 is a noticeable improvement over the Poco C50’s 10W charging. While a full 0-100% charge time isn’t specified, 20W charging will substantially reduce the time spent plugged into the wall, making it more convenient for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ How much RAM do these phones have, and will that impact performance?
While not specified, both phones likely come with 2GB or 3GB of RAM. The Moto G13’s more powerful processor will be able to manage RAM more efficiently, resulting in better multitasking and app retention even with a similar RAM configuration to the Poco C50.