The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Redmi A5 4G, known for its impressive battery life, faces off against the Motorola Moto G23, which prioritizes faster charging and a slightly more powerful processor. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right device for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity and consistent performance, the Xiaomi Redmi A5 4G emerges as the winner. Its exceptional 45:26h battery endurance significantly outweighs the Moto G23’s faster charging, especially considering the relatively modest power demands of both devices.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Europe, AP/MEA |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - AP/MEA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, March 21 | 2023, January 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, March 21 | Available. Released 2023, January 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 171.7 x 77.8 x 8.3 mm (6.76 x 3.06 x 0.33 in) | 162.7 x 74.7 x 8.2 mm (6.41 x 2.94 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 184.3 g (6.49 oz) |
| | - | Water-resistant design |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 5 | Panda glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.88 inches, 112.4 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T7250 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 15 (Go edition), up to 2 major Android upgrades | Android 13, planned upgrade to Android 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | 5200 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ocean Blue, Lake Green, Sandy Gold, Midnight Black | Matte Charcoal, Pearl White, Steel Blue |
| Models | 25028PC03G, 25028RN03A, 25028RN03I, 25028RN03Y | XT2333-1 |
| Price | € 69.85 / $ 75.09 / £ 54.99 / ₹ 6,499 | About 80 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 45:26h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
Xiaomi Redmi A5 4G
- Exceptional battery life (45:26h endurance)
- Long battery lifespan (1000 cycles)
- Potentially more stable long-term performance
- Slower charging speed (15W)
- Potentially slightly slower CPU performance
Motorola Moto G23
- Faster charging (30W)
- Slightly faster CPU clock speed (2.0 GHz)
- Potentially better image processing
- Shorter battery endurance (estimated)
- Potentially shorter battery lifespan
Display Comparison
Display specifications are not provided, so we must infer. Both devices likely utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. The focus here will be on performance impact. The absence of high refresh rates suggests neither phone is geared towards visually intensive gaming. Bezels are likely comparable, and color accuracy will be standard for the segment.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are absent, but given the price point, both phones likely feature basic camera setups. We can assume the Moto G23 might have a slight edge in image processing due to Mediatek’s ISP capabilities, but without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to quantify. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit.
Performance
The Motorola Moto G23 boasts a Mediatek Helio G85 with a CPU clocked at 2.0 GHz, a slight advantage over the Xiaomi Redmi A5 4G’s Unisoc T7250 (1.8 GHz). Both utilize the same Cortex-A75 and A55 core configuration, but the higher clock speed on the G85 suggests marginally faster application loading and smoother multitasking. However, the Unisoc T7250’s 12nm process node is identical to the Helio G85, meaning thermal differences will be minimal. The real-world impact will be subtle, noticeable primarily in benchmark scores rather than everyday usage.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Redmi A5 4G’s standout feature is its exceptional 45:26h battery endurance, coupled with a 1000-cycle lifespan. This indicates a focus on long-term battery health and reliability. The Motorola Moto G23 compensates with 30W wired charging, significantly faster than the Redmi A5 4G’s 15W. However, the difference in charging speed is less impactful given the relatively small battery capacities typical of this segment. The Redmi A5 4G’s longevity will likely appeal to users who prioritize minimizing charging frequency.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi A5 4G if you need a phone that can reliably last through a full day – and then some – of moderate use, and value long-term battery health. Buy the Motorola Moto G23 if you prioritize quicker top-ups and occasionally engage in slightly more demanding tasks, benefiting from the marginally faster CPU clock speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T7250 in the Redmi A5 4G struggle with demanding apps like social media or video streaming?
The Unisoc T7250 is designed for efficient everyday tasks. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it's perfectly capable of handling social media, video streaming, and basic web browsing without significant lag. The Cortex-A75 cores provide a performance boost for these common applications.
❓ How long will it actually take to fully charge the Motorola Moto G23 with the 30W charger?
While the Moto G23 supports 30W charging, the actual 0-100% charge time will depend on the battery capacity (which is not provided). However, it will likely be significantly faster than the Redmi A5 4G’s 15W charging, potentially taking around 60-90 minutes for a full charge.
❓ Is the difference in CPU clock speed between the Helio G85 and T7250 noticeable in gaming?
The difference in CPU clock speed (2.0 GHz vs 1.8 GHz) will result in a slight performance advantage for the Moto G23 in gaming, but it won't be dramatic. Both chipsets are entry-level, and neither is designed for demanding, high-graphics games. Expect to play most games on lower settings.
