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Monday, March 27, 2017

Moto G5 Plus vs iPhone SE: Pure Android or best of iOS - India Today


Until a week ago, there was no comparison between the iPhone SE and the Motorola Moto G5 Plus. This wasn't because the two phones can't be compared. Actually they can be. But the iPhone SE was just a much more expensive phone. It used to cost close to Rs 30,000 in the market. anyone hoping to buy a Rs 20,000 phone wouldn't consider it against something like the Moto G5 Plus, which sells for around Rs 15,000. But now the phones are comparable. The iPhone SE is selling a for Rs 19,999 now at most Apple-authorised stores. And that brings up the obvious question: if you are out shopping for a phone under Rs 20,000 should you pick the Moto G5 Plus or is the iPhone SE a better deal?

The answer is not easy one here. Both these phones are quite good, and they both have strengths and weaknesses. But in a bid to keep the answer short, and without going into the technicalities of how the two phones compare, let me quickly break it down here. Depending on what you want, I hope by the time you finish reading this piece you will have an idea of which of these two phones you will pick.

Reason to buy Moto G5 Plus over iPhone SE

Bigger screen: This is the primary reason why you should opt for the Moto G5 Plus over the iPhone SE. The iPhone SE has a 4-inch screen and that is just too small for anyone who doesn't have hawk eye vision. Although the quality of the iPhone SE is really good, there is just so much quality can compensate for the lack of the size. From reading news to seeing photos on Facebook, everything is better on the large screen of the Moto G5 Plus. When it comes to watching videos or playing games, the experience is better on the Moto G5 Plus because of the screen size.

Android Nougat: Although the iOS 10, which powers the iPhone SE, is pretty good, the Android Nougat is the world's best operating system. It its stock form - and Moto G5 Plus uses stock Android - it is slick, clean, versati le and feature-rich. It is easier to work with in almost every possible way. That old app problem - that iOS apps are better - is no longer there. In fact, nowadays apps like WhatsApp bring new features first to Android.

It's cheaper: The Moto G5 Plus, if you are going for the 16GB variant, will save you Rs 5,000. Sure, you should spend a bit more and get the iPhoen SE if that is what you want. But in case you just want a good phone, don't care much about the brand, the Moto G5 Plus is a better value for money.

More storage: The Moto G5 Plus is available with 32GB internal storage while the Rs 19,999 iPhone SE only has 16GB. This may not seem much of a difference on paper but is actually one of the biggest factors that affects user experience. 16GB nowadays is barely cutting it because of WhatsApp forwards and Facebook etc. These apps, and the data that they download on the phone, can fill a 16GB phone within a few months.

Also Read: Apple iPhone SE review: Old bottle, new wine

Dual SIM and microSD card: If you are dualSIM users - Jio in one slot, Airtel in other - the Moto G5 Plus is a better choice. The iPhone SE only has one SIM slot. Similarly, the Moto G5 Plus will let you add a microSD card. The iPhone SE won't. Better battery life: The Moto G5 Plus definitely has a better battery life compared to the iPhone SE. It lasts around 15 to 16 hours of use, which is a few hours more than what the iPhone SE can manage.

Reason to buy iPhone SE over Moto G5 Plus

Exquisite design and premium looks: If you want a phone that has premium looks, and finish, you can't go wrong with the iPhone SE. This is a phone that uses the timeless blocky design that made the iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 such a rage. And the materials it uses are down right exquisite. The feel and finishing of the iPhone SE is in a different class when compared to the Moto G5 Plus, which looks cheap in front of the Apple phone.

Top of the line hardware and performance: The iPhone SE is a more expensive phone. It's only that now it is selling for Rs 19,999. And just like other high-end phones, it has top of the line hardware. The quality - but not the size -- of the screen is fantastic. The A9 processor inside the phone is fast and ensures that the iPhone SE runs even the more demanding games with ease. And the same is true for almost all components in the phone.

Aftersales service: Apple has a lead here. Not only company will provide timely software updates for the iPhone SE for at least one or two more years, it also handles the customer complaints in case something goes wrong with the phone in a better way. Although, service is expensive for Apple products that are out of warranty period, if you don't mind sp ending some money it is prompt and consumers are treated with respect. Can't say the same for the service from most other brands in India.

Also Read: Moto G5 Plus review: Pure Android, good camera make it best phone under Rs 20,000

Slightly better camera: The iPhone SE has a 12-megapixel camera. The Moto G5 Plus too has a 12-megapixel camera. But the iPhone SE is just more reliable. This is a phone that shoots images fast, and usually gets them right in terms of their colours, white-balance and exposure. Although the Moto G5 Plus has a brighter lens with F1.7, the way iPhone SE treats images makes it a better shooter in low light. On the video part too the iPhone SE does a better job.

Summing it up

Personally, if I am spending Rs 20,000 I will get the 32GB vari ant for the Moto G5 Plus. It is a more utilitarian phone. Also, I need to do a lot of work on my phone so need a bigger screen. But the iPhone SE spells class. It has a better design, better camera and more reliable performance. It looks better in hands. For anyone who is not going to stare at the screen 10 hours a day, the iPhone SE is a more viable option.



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