ZTE Axon 11 SE 5G vs Motorola Moto G 5G: Which 5G Phone Wins?

The ZTE Axon 11 SE 5G and Motorola Moto G 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded mid-range 5G smartphone market. Both aim to deliver 5G connectivity without breaking the bank, but they achieve this with different chipsets and design philosophies. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly faster charging experience, the ZTE Axon 11 SE 5G emerges as the winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 800 chipset, built on a 7nm process, provides a performance edge over the Motorola Moto G 5G’s Snapdragon 750G, despite the Motorola’s slightly faster 20W charging.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE Axon 11 SE 5G Motorola Moto G 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 -
Launch
Announced2020, June 01. Released 2020, June 222020, November 05. Released 2020, December 07
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions162.7 x 76.3 x 8.8 mm (6.41 x 3.00 x 0.35 in)166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm (6.54 x 3.00 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight184 g (6.49 oz)212 g (7.48 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 800 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G57MP4Adreno 619
OSAndroid 10, MiFavor 10.1Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Triple-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
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio, RDS
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
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, proximityFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, 50% in 30 min20W wired
TypeLi-Ion 4000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsAurora Glamour, Aurora GlacierVolcanic Gray, Frosted Silver
PriceAbout 250 EURAbout 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)

ZTE Axon 11 SE 5G

  • More efficient Dimensity 800 chipset
  • Potentially better sustained performance
  • Faster CPU architecture (Cortex-A76)

  • Slower charging speed (18W)
  • Display specifications largely unknown

Motorola Moto G 5G

  • Brighter display (484 nits)
  • Faster charging (20W)
  • Excellent battery endurance (131h)

  • Less efficient Snapdragon 750G chipset
  • Potentially more thermal throttling

Display Comparison

Both phones share a contrast ratio of 1419:1, indicating similar levels of black depth and color vibrancy. However, the Motorola Moto G 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 484 nits, offering better visibility in direct sunlight. While the ZTE Axon 11 SE 5G’s display specifications are not provided, the Moto G 5G’s brightness advantage is a tangible benefit for outdoor users. Neither manufacturer details panel technology (OLED vs LCD) or refresh rates, suggesting both likely utilize standard 60Hz LCD panels common in this price bracket.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the prevalence of larger sensors in ZTE’s higher-end devices suggests the Axon 11 SE 5G *may* have a slight edge in low-light photography. The absence of details regarding image processing algorithms further complicates the assessment. It’s safe to assume both phones will offer acceptable image quality for social media sharing, but neither is likely to compete with flagship camera systems.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the ZTE Axon 11 SE 5G utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 800 (7nm) while the Motorola Moto G 5G features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm). The Dimensity 800’s 7nm fabrication process generally translates to better power efficiency and thermal performance compared to the 8nm Snapdragon 750G. The CPU architecture also differs; the Dimensity 800 employs Cortex-A76 cores for its performance cluster, known for their strong single-core performance, while the Snapdragon 750G uses Kryo 570 cores. The Snapdragon 750G’s CPU clock speeds (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) are slightly higher on paper, but the Dimensity 800’s architecture and process node likely provide a more sustained performance advantage in demanding tasks.

Battery Life

Both the ZTE Axon 11 SE 5G and Motorola Moto G 5G achieve an endurance rating of 131 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, charging speeds differ: the Motorola Moto G 5G supports 20W wired charging, while the ZTE Axon 11 SE 5G is limited to 18W. This means the Moto G 5G can replenish its battery slightly faster, reaching 50% charge in a shorter timeframe. The ZTE Axon 11 SE 5G is advertised to reach 50% in 30 minutes, but the Moto G 5G should be quicker.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE Axon 11 SE 5G if you need a phone that handles demanding applications and multitasking with greater ease, and if you value a more efficient processor. Buy the Motorola Moto G 5G if you prioritize long battery endurance and a slightly brighter display, and are less concerned with pushing the phone to its performance limits with graphically intensive games or apps.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 800 in the Axon 11 SE 5G struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Dimensity 800 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty, but you may need to lower graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. The 7nm process and Cortex-A76 cores provide a solid foundation, but it's not a flagship-level chipset. Expect medium to high settings at 30-60fps.
❓ Does the Motorola Moto G 5G support VoLTE and 5G on all carriers?
5G and VoLTE support varies by carrier and region. It's crucial to check compatibility with your specific carrier before purchasing. Motorola typically provides a compatibility list on their website, but it's always best to confirm directly with your provider.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between 18W and 20W?
While a 2W difference may seem small, it can translate to a noticeable time saving, especially for topping up the battery quickly. The Moto G 5G’s 20W charging will likely shave off 10-15 minutes from a full charge compared to the Axon 11 SE 5G’s 18W charging.