new and improved
The Moto G 5G 2024 sports a gorgeous vegan leather back panel that belies its modest price tag. The smartphone supports dual-SIM and 5G connectivity and even has NFC for contactless payments.
for
- Stunning design with vegan leather back panel
- Works with Android 15
- NFC for contactless payments
be opposed to
- Still comes with 4GB RAM
- Useless 2MP macro camera
value for money
It may be outdated, but the Moto G 5G 2023 still has everything you want in a budget Android phone. It includes 5G support, Dolby Atmos stereo speakers, and more, and the price is irresistible.
for
- More affordable than ever
- All-day battery life
- Stereo speakers sound great
be opposed to
- Android 14 won’t get any OS updates after
- Does not support eSIM
Motorola’s Moto G series of smartphones are (always) known for offering incredible value for money, and the new Moto G 5G 2024 is no exception. From a minimalist software experience to amazing battery life, the latest Motorola phone packs a lot of punch. It even includes some features typically found on more expensive smartphones, all for just $200.
Despite its high price, the previous-generation Moto G 5G 2023 is still available for purchase now for less than $150. So, the question is, should you buy the latest and greatest in town, or just go for the previous generation model and save more money? Let’s compare Moto G 5G 2024 vs Moto G 5G 2023 and find out.
Moto G 5G 2024 vs Moto G 5G 2023: Design and presentation
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The physical footprint and overall design of the Moto G 5G 2024 and Moto G 5G 2023 are nearly identical, although the newer model is slightly heavier. Both also feature fully plastic frames, as well as similarly positioned ports and buttons. However, the biggest visual difference between them is immediately apparent the moment you flip the two phones over.
The Moto G 5G 2024 has a vegan leather back, which is a huge improvement over the plastic back of the previous model. Of course, vegan leather is technically a form of plastic, but it looks and feels more premium while also protecting against dust and fingerprints. As Android Central’s Nicholas Sutrich points out in his review, this design choice makes the Moto G 5G 2024 stand out among sub-$200 Android phones, at least in terms of looks.
The newer model’s 6.6-inch display is slightly larger than the 6.5-inch display on the Moto G 5G 2023, but that’s the only difference between them. They’re both IPS LCD panels (if you like the deep blacks and rich colors that AMOLED screens offer, we recommend checking out the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G), which are great for everyday use, although the display resolution is a bit low (720p) you do get 120Hz refresh rate for a better experience.
Moto G 5G 2024 vs Moto G 5G 2023: Hardware and cameras
| category | Motorola G 5G 2024 | Motorola G 5G 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| aspect | 164.3 x 74.9 x 8.2mm | 163.9 x 74.9 x 8.3 mm |
| weight | 194 grams | 189 grams |
| Durability and materials | Waterproof design, vegan leather | Waterproof design, PMMA |
| exhibit | 6.6-inch IPS LCD (720×1612 pixel resolution), 120Hz refresh rate | 6.5-inch IPS LCD (720×1600 pixel resolution), 120Hz refresh rate |
| Chipset/SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 first generation | Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G |
| memory and storage | 4GB/128GB, supports microSD expansion (up to 1TB) | 4GB/128GB, supports microSD expansion (up to 1TB) |
| sensor | Side fingerprint sensor, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, accelerometer, electronic compass, gyroscope and barometer | Side fingerprint sensor, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, accelerometer, electronic compass and gyroscope |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11ac, 5G, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, GPS and USB-C 2.0 | Wi-Fi 802.11ac, 5G, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS and USB-C 2.0 |
| Other features | Dual SIM, 3.5mm audio and stereo speakers | Single SIM, 3.5mm audio and stereo speakers |
| Charging batteries | 5,000mAh, 18W wired charging | 5,000mAh, 15W wired charging |
| Camera (rear) | 50MP wide angle, 2MP macro, 1080p video recording (30fps) | 48MP wide angle, 2MP macro, 1080p video recording (30fps) |
| Camera (front) | 8MP wide angle, 1080p video recording (30fps) | 8MP wide angle, 1080p video recording (30fps) |
| Operating system and update policy | Android 14 (pre-installed), one operating system and three years of security updates | Android 13 (preinstalled), one operating system and three years of security updates |
| Color options | sage green | Ink blue, Hong Kong gray |
The Moto G 5G 2024 is powered by the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, which is a newer and slightly better SoC than the Snapdragon 480+ 5G used by its predecessor. But disappointingly, RAM is still limited to 4GB. While these chipsets are capable of handling day-to-day usage tasks like web browsing and light gaming, the paltry RAM means you won’t be able to multitask or run resource-intensive apps very well on either phone. That said, both devices come with 128GB of internal storage and support microSD cards up to 1TB.
Like its predecessor, the Moto G 5G 2024 comes with all the basic features like Wi-Fi, multi-band 5G, stereo speakers, and 3.5mm audio port. However, there is one extra feature that gives the new model an edge over the Moto G 5G 2023, and that’s NFC. Yes, you are not mistaken! With Moto G 5G 2024, you can easily make contactless payments and leave your wallet at home.
Moto G 5G 2024 comes with a dual-lens rear camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor. In comparison, the Moto G 5G 2023 comes with a 48MP primary sensor. The 50MP main lens is the only one you should care about anyway, because like the previous model, the secondary sensor is a useless 2MP macro unit that doesn’t do much.
As expected, camera quality is just average, but you do get features like dual shooting, auto HDR, and more. Video recording is limited to 1080p (30fps), and the 8MP front-facing camera (same as the previous model) is great for selfies and video calls.
Moto G 5G 2024 vs. Moto G 5G 2023: Software and battery life
Budget phones often don’t offer much in the way of software support, and the same goes for the Moto G 5G 2024 and Moto G 5G 2023, which only get one major OS update and a three-year warranty. Security updates. That said, since the Moto G 5G 2024 is a newer phone, it already comes with Android 14 and will eventually get Android 15. The Moto G 5G 2023, on the other hand, will retain Android 14 as it was launched with Android 13. If you like to use your device for long periods of time, this is definitely worth considering.
The software itself is fairly similar to stock, though it comes with a bunch of Motorola-exclusive improvements (like quick gestures) that we’ve come to love over the past few years.
Like the previous model, the Moto G 5G 2024 comes with a large 5,000mAh battery. However, the charging speed has been increased to 18W (compared to 15W on the Moto G 5G 2023), which makes charging faster. Combined with power-efficient hardware, this phone should easily last you a full day with moderate use.
Moto G 5G 2024 vs Moto G 5G 2023: Should you upgrade?
Motorola hits another home run with the Moto G 5G 2024. Not only does it have all the essentials (like 5G connectivity, great battery life), but it also comes with features like NFC (for contactless payments through Google Wallet), while still costing less than the Moto G 5G 2023. its launch.
Speaking of the Moto G 5G 2023, the previous-gen model is now available for just $150, and the price is likely to drop further during the holiday sales. There’s no doubt it’s still a good phone, but now that a successor has arrived, is it really worth considering?
We believe this is not the case. Newer models come with a more premium design, NFC, faster wired charging, dual SIM (and eSIM) support, and an extra year of OS and security updates, all for just a few dollars more. So unless you really need these extra savings and don’t care about contactless payments, fancy back panels, etc., there’s almost no point in buying the Moto G 5G 2023.
Thoughtful addition
Moto G 5G 2024 improves on the previous model, adding useful features such as NFC, dual SIM (with eSIM) support, and 18W fast charging. It runs the latest version of Android and will get three years of security updates.
All necessities
The Moto G 5G 2023 may not have all the features its successor offers, but it gets the basics right. The phone features a 120Hz display, stereo speakers, and a battery that can easily last all day on a single charge.