The Moto G series has been a staple in the budget-friendly smartphone market for years, offering a perfect blend of affordability and performance. Motorola, the pioneer behind the Moto brand, has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation, and the Moto G7 series is no exception. Among the various models in the series, the Moto G7 and Moto G7 Play have garnered significant attention, leaving many potential buyers wondering: what’s the difference between these two devices?
Design and Display: A Tale of Two Form Factors
At first glance, the Moto G7 and Moto G7 Play may seem identical, but upon closer inspection, subtle differences emerge. The Moto G7 boasts a more premium design, with a slightly larger 6.2-inch Full HD+ display, adorned with a dewdrop notch at the top. This clever design choice allows for a higher screen-to-body ratio, providing an immersive viewing experience.
In contrast, the Moto G7 Play sports a smaller 5.7-inch HD+ display, with a more pronounced notch and a slightly lower screen-to-body ratio. While the display resolution is lower, it’s still vibrant and suitable for casual gaming and media consumption.
Build Quality: A Matter of Materials
The Moto G7’s body is crafted from a durable, scratch-resistant glass, which adds a touch of sophistication to its overall design. The device feels solid in the hand, with a comfortable grip that’s easy to hold and maneuver.
On the other hand, the Moto G7 Play settles for a more affordable polycarbonate body, which, although sturdy, doesn’t quite match the premium feel of its sibling. This cost-cutting measure helps keep the price tag of the Moto G7 Play lower, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.
Performance: Powering Your Mobile Experience
Under the hood, the Moto G7 is powered by a more capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 processor, paired with 3GB or 4GB of RAM, depending on the region. This setup provides a silky-smooth performance, effortlessly handling demanding tasks, multitasking, and running resource-intensive apps.
The Moto G7 Play, on the other hand, is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 processor, but with 2GB or 3GB of RAM, respectively. While still capable of handling everyday tasks, the Moto G7 Play may struggle with more demanding tasks, such as gaming or heavy multitasking.
Storage Options: Room for Expansion
Both devices come with 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, depending on the region and variant. However, they differ in terms of expansion options. The Moto G7 has a dedicated microSD card slot, allowing users to expand their storage capacity up to 512GB.
The Moto G7 Play, unfortunately, has a hybrid SIM tray, which means users must choose between using a second SIM card or a microSD card. This might be a drawback for those who need more storage capacity.
Camera Capabilities: Capturing Life’s Moments
The Moto G7 boasts a dual-camera setup, featuring a 12-megapixel primary sensor and a 5-megapixel depth sensor. This configuration enables features like portrait mode, bokeh effect, and advanced low-light performance.
The Moto G7 Play, in contrast, settles for a single 13-megapixel rear camera, which, although capable, lacks the advanced features of its sibling’s dual-camera setup. However, the Moto G7 Play’s camera still manages to deliver decent results in well-lit conditions.
Selfie Game Strong: Front Camera Comparison
The Moto G7 features an 8-megapixel front camera, perfect for selfies and video calls. The Moto G7 Play, on the other hand, has a 5-megapixel front camera, which, although sufficient for casual selfies, may not match the quality of its sibling’s camera.
Battery Life: Powering Your Day
The Moto G7 packs a 3000mAh battery, which, paired with the power-efficient Snapdragon 632 processor, provides all-day battery life. Motorola’s clever software optimizations also help extend battery life.
The Moto G7 Play, despite having a slightly smaller 2820mAh battery, still manages to deliver respectable battery life, thanks to the same power-efficient processor and software optimizations.
Software Experience: Near-Stock Android Goodness
Both devices run near-stock Android 9.0 (Pie) out of the box, with Motorola’s signature tweaks and enhancements. The Moto G7 series is known for its timely software updates, which ensures users receive the latest security patches and feature additions.
Moto Exclusives: Additional Features and Functions
The Moto G7 series comes with a range of exclusive features, including Moto Actions, which enable users to perform specific tasks with simple gestures. Moto Display and Moto Assist are also present, offering enhanced lock screen functionality and automated tasks, respectively.
Verdict: Choosing the Right Device for You
The Moto G7 and Moto G7 Play cater to different segments of the budget-friendly smartphone market. The Moto G7 is ideal for those seeking a more premium device with advanced features, a larger display, and a more capable processor. It’s perfect for users who want a device that can handle demanding tasks and multitasking with ease.
The Moto G7 Play, on the other hand, is geared towards budget-conscious buyers who want a reliable, easy-to-use device for casual tasks, such as social media, messaging, and media consumption. It’s an excellent option for those who prioritize affordability and simplicity.
| Feature | Moto G7 | Moto G7 Play |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.2-inch Full HD+ | 5.7-inch HD+ |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 |
| RAM | 3GB or 4GB | 2GB or 3GB |
| Storage | 32GB or 64GB (expandable up to 512GB) | 32GB or 64GB (expandable up to 512GB, but with hybrid SIM tray) |
| Camera | Dual 12MP + 5MP | Single 13MP |
| Battery | 3000mAh | 2820mAh |
| Software | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
When choosing between the Moto G7 and Moto G7 Play, consider your budget, usage patterns, and feature priorities. If you’re willing to spend a bit more for a more premium device with advanced features, the Moto G7 is the way to go. However, if you’re on a tighter budget and want a reliable, easy-to-use device for casual tasks, the Moto G7 Play is an excellent option.
What are the key differences between Moto G7 and Moto G7 Play?
The Moto G7 and Moto G7 Play are both budget-friendly smartphones from Motorola, but they have distinct differences in terms of performance, camera, and battery life. The Moto G7 is a more premium device with a larger 6.2-inch display, faster processor, and dual rear cameras. On the other hand, the Moto G7 Play is a more affordable option with a smaller 5.7-inch display, slower processor, and single rear camera.
When it comes to performance, the Moto G7 is powered by a 1.8GHz octa-core processor, while the Moto G7 Play has a 1.8GHz quad-core processor. The Moto G7 also has more RAM and internal storage, making it a better option for multitasking and storing more files. In terms of camera, the Moto G7 has a dual 13MP + 5MP rear camera setup, while the Moto G7 Play has a single 13MP rear camera.
Which phone has a better display?
The Moto G7 has a better display compared to the Moto G7 Play. It features a larger 6.2-inch full HD+ display with a resolution of 2270 x 1080 pixels, giving it a higher pixel density and sharper images. The Moto G7 also has a higher screen-to-body ratio, thanks to its narrower notch and slimmer bezels. This makes for a more immersive viewing experience, especially when watching videos or playing games.
The Moto G7 Play, on the other hand, has a smaller 5.7-inch HD+ display with a resolution of 1512 x 720 pixels. While it’s still a decent display, it’s not as sharp or vibrant as the Moto G7’s display. However, the Moto G7 Play’s display is still suitable for casual use, such as browsing the web, checking social media, and watching videos.
How do the cameras compare between the two phones?
The Moto G7 has a dual rear camera setup, consisting of a 13MP primary sensor and a 5MP depth sensor. This allows for better bokeh effects, portrait mode, and more detailed photos. The Moto G7 also has an 8MP front camera with a f/2.2 aperture, which takes decent selfies. Additionally, the Moto G7 can record 4K videos at 30fps, making it a great option for those who want high-quality video recording.
The Moto G7 Play, on the other hand, has a single 13MP rear camera with a f/2.0 aperture. While it takes decent photos, it lacks the features and capabilities of the Moto G7’s dual camera setup. The Moto G7 Play also has a 5MP front camera with a f/2.2 aperture, which takes average selfies. Video recording is limited to 1080p at 30fps, which is not as impressive as the Moto G7’s 4K video recording capability.
What are the battery life expectations for both phones?
The Moto G7 has a larger 3000mAh battery compared to the Moto G7 Play’s 2820mAh battery. However, the Moto G7’s larger display and more powerful processor mean that it doesn’t necessarily last longer than the Moto G7 Play. In fact, Motorola claims that both phones can last a full day on a single charge, with moderate use.
In terms of charging, the Moto G7 supports faster charging up to 15W, while the Moto G7 Play supports up to 10W charging. This means that the Moto G7 can charge faster, making it a better option for those who need to top up their battery quickly. However, both phones still use micro-USB ports, which is a bit outdated compared to newer USB-C ports.
Do both phones have the same software features?
Yes, both the Moto G7 and Moto G7 Play run on Android 9.0 Pie out of the box, with a near-stock Android experience. Motorola’s signature features, such as Moto Actions and Moto Display, are also present on both phones. Moto Actions allow users to perform gestures to perform certain tasks, such as twisting the phone to open the camera or chopping it twice to turn on the flashlight.
However, the Moto G7 has some exclusive software features, such as a more advanced camera app with manual mode and more editing options. The Moto G7 also has more advanced gesture controls, such as the ability to swipe left to go back or swipe up to go home. While these features are nice, they may not be essential for casual users.
Is the Moto G7 worth the extra cost compared to the Moto G7 Play?
The Moto G7 is worth the extra cost compared to the Moto G7 Play if you want a more premium device with better performance, camera, and display. The Moto G7’s larger display, faster processor, and dual rear cameras make it a more versatile device that can handle more demanding tasks. Additionally, the Moto G7’s faster charging and more advanced software features make it a better option for power users.
However, if you’re on a tight budget and just need a basic smartphone for casual use, the Moto G7 Play may be a better option. It’s significantly cheaper than the Moto G7 and still offers a decent display, camera, and performance. Ultimately, it depends on your needs and priorities.
Will both phones receive timely software updates?
Motorola has a good track record of providing timely software updates to its devices, including the Moto G series. Both the Moto G7 and Moto G7 Play are expected to receive Android 10 and future security updates in a timely manner. However, the exact timeline may vary depending on your region and carrier.
It’s worth noting that Motorola has a streamlined software update process, which means that updates are typically rolled out quickly and efficiently. Additionally, Motorola’s near-stock Android experience means that there’s less bloatware and customization, making it easier for the company to push updates to its devices.