Motorola Moto G6 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro comparison: How the legend compares to the king of the ring

Back in 2014, the Moto G was the budget smartphone to buy. It came with buttery smooth stock Android at a time when every other manufacturer was busy skinning their smartphones with custom operating systems (read slow custom operating systems).[caption id="attachment_4495703" align="alignleft" width="380"] The Motorola Moto G6 vs the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro. Image: tech2/Sheldon Pinto[/caption]In short, back in 2014, Motorola not only won the ‘budget smartphone’ game, it probably coined the term. It was priced right at Rs 12,499 for the 8 GB storage variant with the 16 GB version priced slightly higher at Rs 13,999. And India among other countries loved it.But then came Xiaomi with its cutthroat pricing strategy and in just three years, seems to have not just flooded the budget smartphone segment with impressive smartphone options, but dominated the market in India itself.The Redmi series of budget to mid-range smartphone was their weapon of choice. And name ‘Redmi’ itself is probably as popular as the word ‘Nokia’ today.With that said, I reviewed the Redmi Note 5 Pro a couple of months ago and it was a stunning device for the price tag that it currently retails at; one that is impossible to beat, unless you cut a few corners.[caption id="attachment_4495709" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Motorola Moto G6 vs the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro. Image: tech2/Sheldon Pinto[/caption]This year however, Motorola seems confident and recently launched the Moto G6 and other smartphones in Brazil. While the smartphone seemed underpowered on paper, our review of the Moto G6 tells slightly different story.So, let’s go ahead and see how the two compare going purely by their hardware specifications.

Smartphone	Moto G6	Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro
Display Size (inch)	5.7	5.99
Resolution (pixels)	2160 x1080	2,160 x 1,080
Pixel Density (PPI)	424	403
Display Type	IPS LCD	IPS LCD
Dimensions(mm)	153.8 x 72.3 x 8.3	158.6 x 75.4 x 8.05
Weight (gm)	167	181
Dual SIM	Yes	Yes
SIM Type	Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM
Connectivity Types	GSM / WCDMA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / VoLTE
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 450	Qualcomm Snapdragon 636
CPU Cores	Octa-core	Octa-core
CPU Clock Speed (GHz)	8x Cortex-A53 @ 1.8 Ghz	8x Kryo 260 @ up to 1.8 GHz
GPU	Adreno 506	Adreno 509
RAM	3 GB, 4 GB	4,6 GB
On-Board Memory	32,64 GB	64, 128 GB
Expandable Memory	Yes, upto 256 GB	Yes, up to 256 GB
Sensors	Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Compass	Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Compass
Primary Camera	12 MP f/1.8 + 5 MP	12 MP, f/2.2 and 5 MP, f/2.0
Autofocus System	Phase detection autofocus	Dual Camera
Secondary Camera	8 MP	Phase detection
Video Capture	1080p	20 MP
Flash	Dual-LED	1080p
OS Version	Android 8.0 Oreo	Dual-LED
AI (Smart Assistant)	Google Assistant	Android 7.1.1 Nougat-based MIUI 9.2
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, WiFi Direct, hotspot	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Hotspot
Bluetooth	4.2, A2DP, LE, EDR	v4.2, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	No
Fingerprint Scanner	Yes, front	Yes, Rear button
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
Radio	Yes	Yes, FM Radio
USB Type	micro USB 2.0	microUSB 2.0
USB Standard	Type-C	Micro B
Battery (mAh)	3,000	4,000
Quick Charge	Yes	No
Colors	Indigo, Silver, Rose Gold, Black	Black, Gold, Rose Gold, Blue
Prices in India	Rs 13,999	Starting at Rs 14,999

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro has been at the very top of budget smartphone game ever since its launch in India, but the competition always catches up and Motorola this year with its G6 has something rather interesting on offer.[caption id="attachment_4495711" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Motorola Moto G6 vs the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro. Image: tech2/Sheldon Pinto[/caption]It may not be as powerful as the Redmi Note 5 Pro, but it comes close and for some customers and this may be just about enough to convince them to buy one.With that said, power and performance may not be enough for some buyers these days as design also matters. It’s clear that Motorola Moto G6 is the better looking smartphone between the two when placed side by side. Its glass and metal design looks very attractive and gives off that premium look and feel.[caption id="attachment_4495715" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Motorola Moto G6 vs the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro. Image: tech2/Sheldon Pinto[/caption][caption id="attachment_4495707" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Motorola Moto G6 vs the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro. Image: tech2/Sheldon Pinto[/caption]Add to this some bonus bits like a USB Type C port at the bottom, splash resistant coating and an almost stock version of Android, and I do see some buyers reaching out for this beauty instead of the Redmi Note 5 Pro.[caption id="attachment_4495717" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Motorola Moto G6 vs the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro. Image: tech2/Sheldon Pinto[/caption]Indeed, it’s all about compromises (there are no miracles here). With the Motorola you get a balanced performance with great design while the Xiaomi smartphone gets you raw power (for gaming possibly) along with a much better camera. In short, it all boils down to whether you want a good looking smartphone, or an understated one that works better in every way.