Motorola has long been known for making affordable, quality smartphones. Two of their popular budget offerings are the Motorola One 5G Ace and Moto G Power.
These two phones have some similarities but also key differences that may make one a better fit depending on your needs and preferences.
This comprehensive guide will compare the Motorola One 5G Ace and Moto G Power across several factors to help you decide which phone is the better choice.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Specs | Motorola One 5G Ace | Moto G Power |
| Release Date | January 2021 | April 2020 |
| Display | 6.7″ LCD, 1080p | 6.4″ LCD, 1080p |
| Processor | Snapdragon 750G | Snapdragon 665 |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 128GB | 64GB |
| Rear Cameras | 48MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro | 16MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 8MP macro, 2MP depth |
| Front Camera | 16MP | 16MP |
| Battery | 5000mAh | 5000mAh |
| Battery Life | 1.5-2 days | 2-3 days |
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Biometrics | Rear fingerprint | Rear fingerprint |
| 5G Support | Yes | No |
| Android Version | Android 11 | Android 11 |
| Price | $300 | $200 |
Overview And Specs
The Motorola One 5G Ace was released in January 2021 as a lower-cost option for accessing 5G networks. It has a large 6.7-inch LCD display with 1080p resolution. Under the hood is a Snapdragon 750G processor, 128GB of storage, 4GB RAM, and a 5000mAh battery. It also features a 48MP main rear camera, 8MP ultrawide angle camera, and 2MP macro camera.
The Moto G Power was released in April 2020 focused on long battery life. It has a 6.4-inch LCD display with 2300 x 1080 resolution. Internal specs include a Snapdragon 665 processor, 64GB storage, 4GB RAM, and a massive 5000mAh battery. The rear camera setup consists of a 16MP main lens, 8MP ultrawide angle lens, 8MP macro lens, and 2MP depth sensor.
Design And Display
In terms of design, both phones have plastic bodies and rear fingerprint sensors. The One 5G Ace has a hole-punch front facing camera while the Moto G Power has a teardrop notch. The One 5G Ace is slightly taller and heavier, measuring 166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm and weighing 212g compared to the Moto G Power at 159.85 x 75.8 x 9.6mm and 199g.
The displays are fairly similar – both 6.7″ LCD with 1080p resolution. The One 5G Ace display is flat while the Moto G Power is slightly curved at the edges. Both screens are decent quality for the price range with reasonably good color reproduction and brightness. The One 5G Ace screen is sharper with a density of 394 pixels per inch versus the Moto G Power at 399 PPI.
Performance And Battery Life
Performance-wise, the One 5G Ace has an edge with its newer Snapdragon 750G chip compared to the Snapdragon 665 in the Moto G Power. Benchmark tests show it scoring about 50% higher in measures like Geekbench and AnTuTu. This results in snaPPIer app loading times and smoother gameplay. Both phones come with 4GB RAM which is adequate for moderate multitasking and gaming.
The Moto G Power shines when it comes to battery life, living up to its name with an enormous 5000mAh battery capacity. Motorola claims it can last up to 3 days of normal usage. The One 5G Ace with the same 5000mAh battery sees slightly shorter life of around 1.5-2 days due to the more powerful processor. Both phones support 15W rapid charging via USB-C.
Cameras
For cameras, the Motorola One 5G Ace offers a more versatile setup with wide, ultrawide and macro lenses. Its 48MP main sensor captures good detail and color in daylight conditions. The 8MP 118-degree ultrawide lens is handy for landscapes or large group shots. The macro lens enables close-up photos. Low light photos are just average with some noise and blurriness.
The Moto G Power has similar rear cameras – 16MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 8MP macro and a depth sensor. Photo quality is decent but a bit underwhelming for the class with muted colors and middling dynamic range. The macro lens can take fine closeups. Night mode helps in low light situations. The 16MP selfie camera takes decent social media-ready shots.
For video, both phones can shoot up to 4K at 30fps. Footage is stabilized but quality in terms of color and detail is just average. For this price range, they work fine for casual video but are not suitable for serious content creation.
Software And Special Features
The Motorola One 5G Ace runs a clean build of Android 10 out of the box with a promised update to Android 11 coming soon. Moto G Power comes with Android 10 and has already received an update to Android 11. Both feature Motorola’s useful additions like twisting to launch the camera and choPPIng to turn on the flashlight.
Special features include the huge batteries with multi-day life, headphone jacks with loud stereo speakers, and water repellent designs. The One 5G Ace additionally has 5G connectivity on supported networks. This provides much faster speeds when available but 5G coverage remains limited in many areas.
Also Read: Is Motorola Edge Plus Better Than Motorola Edge?
Pricing And Value
The Motorola One 5G Ace launched at $400 but can now be found for around $300. The Moto G Power debuted at $250 and now sells for approximately $200.
At current prices, the Moto G Power represents a better value if you simply want an affordable smartphone with long battery life. But if you need better performance for gaming or multitasking and want to take advantage of 5G networks, the One 5G Ace is likely worth the extra cost.
Which Should You Buy?
For most budget-focused users, the Moto G Power is the better overall choice. You get superb 2-3 day battery life, decent performance for everyday tasks, solid build quality and a very affordable price. Camera quality and display resolution are just average but usable for the cost.
The Motorola One 5G Ace makes most sense for people wanting lag-free performance for gaming or streaming, 5G connectivity for faster speeds, and a more versatile camera setup. It costs about $100 more but delivers a smoother user experience. Battery life is still excellent at 1.5 days.
Pros And Cons Of Motorola One 5G Ace And Moto G Power
Here is a brief final comparison of the key pros and cons:
Motorola One 5g Ace
Pros:
- Faster performance
- 5G connectivity
- Better rear cameras
- Sharper display
Cons:
- Shorter battery life
- More expensive
Moto G Power
Pros:
- Exceptional 3-day battery life
- Extremely affordable pricing
- Clean Android software
Cons:
- Slower processor
- Average camera quality
- No 5G support
No matter which model you select, both deliver good value and a quality user experience that exceeds their budget-friendly price points. Motorola fans looking for long battery life or 5G speeds at a reasonable cost can be happy with either phone.
Also Read: Choose Between Motorola G Power And Motorola G Stylus.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Moto G 5G is better in terms of performance and connectivity while the Moto G Power prioritizes battery life. The Moto G 5G has a faster Snapdragon 750 processor, 6GB RAM, 128GB storage and 5G support. But it has a smaller 4000mAh battery.
The Moto G Power has a slower Snapdragon 665 chip, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and no 5G, but packs a huge 5000mAh battery. Overall the Moto G Power is a better value for budget-focused users wanting extreme longevity while the Moto G 5G is great if you care most about speed and future-proofing.
No, the Motorola One 5G Ace is not at end of life as of late 2022. Motorola has stated they plan to support the phone with major Android OS updates for at least two years after its release date, which was January 2021. So the One 5G Ace is on track to receive Android 12 and likely Android 13 as well.
It should continue receiving regular security patches during this period too. Only after its two years of major OS updates end in early 2023 would the One 5G Ace be considered end of life.
The Motorola One 5G Ace was released in January 2021, so as of late 2022 it is about 1 year and 9 months old. Motorola phones generally get 2 years of major Android OS updates, so the One 5G Ace is middle-aged and has at least several months of supported life left.
It launched with Android 10 and has been updated to Android 11. It is expected to also receive Android 12 before reaching end of life sometime in 2023.
There are several potential reasons for rapid battery drain on the Motorola One 5G Ace:
Installing new apps, especially resource-intensive games or video streaming services
Allowing too many apps to run or sync data in the background
Using 5G connectivity, which uses more battery than 4G LTE
Keeping screen brightness at maximum level
Extreme cold or hot temperatures outside
A recent Android OS update with bugs affecting battery life
The battery is reaching end of lifespan after 1-2 years of use
To improve battery life try closing background apps, disabling unnecessary syncing, lowering screen brightness, uninstalling unused apps, turning off 5G when not needed, and disabling location services. Also check for any software updates. If battery still drains too quickly, the battery may need to be replaced due to old age.
Also Read: Comparison Between Lenovo Tab M10 And Lenovo Tab P11.
Conclusion
The Motorola One 5G Ace and Moto G Power are both great budget smartphone options, each with their own strengths. The One 5G Ace stands out for its 5G connectivity and fast Snapdragon 750G processor, making it a good choice for those who want better performance and access to next-gen networks.
However, its lower resolution HD display and cheaper build materials keep the price low.
On the other hand, the Moto G Power packs a crisp Full HD+ display and a massive 5,000mAh battery that can last days on a single charge. While it lacks 5G and has a slower processor, it excels at longevity and entertainment with its big screen. The Moto G Power is ideal for users who don’t need maximum speeds but want long battery life.
Ultimately, the Motorola One 5G Ace is the way to go if you want a future-proof 5G device with smooth performance, while the Moto G Power is a better option if you care most about an immersive display and multi-day battery life.
Both deliver solid value and a clean software experience. For most budgets, one of these Moto phones should fit the bill nicely.