Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs Apple iPhone 13 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date January 14, 2021 September 24, 2021
Release Year 2021 2021

Physical

Volume 119.19 cm³ 80.77 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.2 "/g 3.51 "/g
Weight 206.5 g 174 g
Height 165.3 mm 146.7 mm
Width 75.9 mm 71.5 mm
Thickness 9.5 mm 7.7 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Polar Silver
  • Flash Gray
  • Red
  • Blue
  • Green
  • Pink
  • Starlight
  • Midnight

Display

Screen Size 6.6 " 6.1 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1170 x 2532
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 83.8 % 87.1 %
Pixel Density 266 PPI 460 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A N/A
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A 800 nits
Peak Brightness N/A 1200 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 114.78 mAh/in² 87.07 mAh/in²
Battery Density 41.95 mAh/cm³ 40.12 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 3240 mAh
NFC Support No Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) Hexa-core (2x3.23 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard)
GPU Adreno 610 Apple GPU (4-core graphics)

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 Lightning 2.0

Software

Operating System Android iOS
Initial OS Version 10 15
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureMotorola Moto G Power (2021)Apple iPhone 13Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7 mmMoto G Power is larger and bulkier, less pocketable and harder to use one-handed.
Weight206.5g174giPhone 13 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for long-term use.
Display
Size6.6"6.1"Moto G Power offers more screen real estate, better for media consumption, while iPhone 13 is more compact.
Resolution720 x 16001170 x 2532iPhone 13's higher resolution means sharper images and text, better for detail-oriented tasks.
Pixel Density (PPI)266460iPhone 13's higher PPI translates to crisper images and text, less pixelation.
TechnologyIPS LCDOLEDiPhone 13's OLED offers deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, better viewing angles and contrast.
Refresh Rate60Hz60HzBoth have standard refresh rates, smooth scrolling is similar.
Brightness0 nits1200 nitsiPhone 13 screen is much brighter in direct sunlight, improving outdoor visibility significantly.
Performance
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 662Apple A15 BioniciPhone 13 has a much faster chipset, resulting in significantly smoother and snappier overall performance, better for gaming and demanding tasks.
AnTuTu Score178,2201,256,049iPhone 13 is dramatically faster in real-world performance.
GPUAdreno 610Apple GPU (4-core)iPhone 13's GPU offers significantly better graphics performance, crucial for gaming and video editing.
Battery
Capacity5000mAh3240mAhMoto G Power has a larger battery, potentially resulting in much longer battery life.
Charging15W Fast Charging20W Fast ChargingiPhone 13 charges slightly faster at a higher wattage
Battery Features10W charger in-boxMagSafe & Qi wireless chargingiPhone 13 offers more versatile charging options and wireless charging
Camera
Standard Camera Resolution48MP12MPMoto G Power offers high-resolution shots, but the quality of the iPhone sensor is better
Standard Camera Aperturef/1.7f/1.6iPhone 13 has a wider aperture, allowing more light for better low-light photos.
Standard Camera Pixel Size0.80 µm1.70 µmiPhone 13 has larger pixels, resulting in better low-light sensitivity and image quality
Selfie Camera Resolution8MP12MPiPhone 13 has a higher resolution selfie camera.
Selfie Camera Aperturef/2.0f/2.2Moto G Power has a slightly wider aperture.
Wide Angle LensNo12MP f/2.4iPhone 13 offers a wide angle lens for capturing broader landscapes.
Depth Camera2MPNoMoto G Power has a dedicated depth camera for portrait mode.
Macro Lens2MPNoMoto G Power offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots.
Video Recording1080p@60fps4K@60fpsiPhone 13 can record higher-quality, more detailed video.
Video StabilizationEISOISiPhone 13 has better video stabilization with OIS.
Camera FeaturesLAFNight Mode, RAWiPhone 13 has additional features that provide professional quality pictures
Software
OSAndroid 10iOS 15Different OS ecosystems and user experiences.
OS Max Version-iOS 18iPhone 13 will have more years of software upgrades.
Connectivity
WiFi802.11acWiFi 6 (802.11ax)iPhone 13 has faster and more efficient WiFi performance.
Bluetooth5.05.0Both have similar Bluetooth performance
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, GalileoiPhone 13 supports more satellite systems, offering better location accuracy.
SIMSingle SIM (Nano)Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM)iPhone 13 offers Dual SIM, allowing for simultaneous use of multiple phone numbers.
Storage
Internal Storage32GB/64GB128GB/256GB/512GBiPhone 13 provides much more internal storage space.
RAM3GB/4GB4GBBoth have sufficient RAM for standard use.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone supports expandable storage.
Audio
Audio QualityBasic audio featuresDolby Atmos, Stereo SpeakersiPhone 13 has superior audio quality with more advanced features.
Security
Security Featuresside-mounted fingerprint sensorBasic Security FeaturesMoto G Power has a fingerprint reader, while iPhone 13 relies on other security mechanisms.
Sensors
SensorsFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, GyroscopeProximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, BarometerBoth have a range of sensors to enhance functionality.
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionUnknownUnknownScreen protection unknown for both phones.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:

  • Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery is significantly larger, likely providing longer battery life.
    • Practical Impact: Great for users who need their phone to last all day (or multiple days) without needing a recharge, beneficial for travel or outdoor activities.
  • Lower Price: Generally much more affordable than the iPhone 13.
    • Practical Impact: Appeals to budget-conscious users who prioritize affordability over top-tier performance.
  • Fingerprint sensor: The Moto G power offers biometric security with a fingerprint sensor
    • Practical Impact: Easy and fast way to unlock your device

Apple iPhone 13 Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The A15 Bionic chip is much faster, leading to a smoother overall user experience.
    • Practical Impact: Enables faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. Ideal for power users.
  • Significantly Better Display: OLED technology, higher resolution, and greater brightness make for a much better viewing experience.
    • Practical Impact: Vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and excellent clarity, particularly in bright sunlight.
  • Much Higher Quality Camera System: Offers superior image quality, video capabilities (including 4K), and advanced features such as OIS and Night Mode.
    • Practical Impact: Captures higher-quality photos and videos in a variety of situations, including low-light. Ideal for content creation.
  • Better Audio: Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers and noise cancellation microphone.
    • Practical Impact: Better and more immersive audio experience
  • More Storage: Offers significantly more internal storage, especially for media.
    • Practical Impact: Ideal for users with large media libraries, apps and games.
  • Dual SIM support: Allows the user to use two phone numbers at once.
    • Practical Impact: Great for travel, work and personal phones
  • Future-Proof: The A15 chip and iOS mean longer software support and better overall longevity.
    • Practical Impact: Long term device performance and feature support

Significant Trade-offs:

  • The Moto G Power sacrifices performance, display quality, and camera capabilities for battery life and affordability.
  • The iPhone 13 prioritizes performance, display, and camera, but it's more expensive and may not have the same battery endurance as the Moto G Power.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Motorola Moto G Power (2021) - Ideal For:

  • Budget-Conscious Users: Prioritizing affordability and a reliable phone for basic tasks.
  • Heavy Battery Users: Users who need their phone to last a very long time without frequent charging.
  • Users Who Value Simplicity: Those who prefer a basic smartphone for communication and media consumption, without complex features.

    • Specific Use Cases:
      • Long outdoor trips or camping, when charging is not easily accessible.
      • Primary phone for basic communication (calls, texts, light browsing)
      • Users who often forget to charge their phone.
      • Secondary or backup phone

Apple iPhone 13 - Ideal For:

  • Power Users: Users who demand top-tier performance for gaming, media editing, and multitasking.
  • Photography/Videography Enthusiasts: Users who want excellent image and video quality.
  • Apple Ecosystem Users: Those already heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem and value its seamless integration.
  • Users Who Value Display Quality: Users who enjoy consuming high-quality videos and media content.
  • Users who prioritize quality and a long-lasting phone

    • Specific Use Cases:
      • Content creation (photos and videos).
      • Heavy mobile gaming.
      • Working professionals who need a fast and reliable phone.
      • Anyone who prioritizes a top-notch user experience and future-proofing.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your primary need: battery life or performance and camera quality?
    • Do you need your phone to last several days on a single charge, or do you need high-end features for intensive use and content creation?
  2. What is your budget?
    • Are you looking for the most affordable option, or are you willing to spend more for premium features?
  3. Are you invested in an ecosystem?
    • Do you prefer Android or iOS, and do you have other devices within one of these ecosystems?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Limited Budget, Primary Need is Battery Life: If you have a limited budget and need a phone that will reliably last a day or more on a single charge, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is the better choice.
  • Scenario 2: High Performance and Camera Quality is a Priority: If you want the best possible performance, a great display, a top-tier camera, and you are comfortable spending more, the Apple iPhone 13 is the clear winner.
  • Scenario 3: Balancing Affordability with Some Performance: If you are looking for something in the middle, you need to decide which phone’s performance and camera benefits are the most important to you.

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Apple iPhone 13. While the Moto G Power has a much larger battery and a more budget-friendly price tag, the iPhone 13 offers a significantly better user experience overall. The superior display quality, vastly superior processing power and excellent camera quality make it a more compelling choice for my daily use. I would prefer the consistent performance and polished user experience of iOS along with the future software updates. I am willing to spend a little more money for the better overall quality and longevity it would provide.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.