Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Apple iPhone 13 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7 mm | Moto G Power is larger and bulkier, less pocketable. iPhone 13 Pro is more compact and sleek |
| Weight | 206.5g | 204g | Both feel similarly weighted in hand |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.1" | Moto G Power has a larger screen for media consumption and better visibility for aging eyes, while iPhone 13 Pro is more compact |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1170 x 2532 | iPhone 13 Pro has significantly sharper visuals, making text and images much clearer |
| PPI | 266 | 460 | iPhone 13 Pro display appears much crisper and detailed |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | iPhone 13 Pro has more vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and superior contrast |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | iPhone 13 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the UI feel more fluid |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | iPhone 13 Pro is much easier to see in direct sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 | Apple A15 Bionic | iPhone 13 Pro is significantly faster, capable of handling demanding tasks and games more smoothly |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 1,325,768 | iPhone 13 Pro is much faster at app loading, multitasking, and gaming |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Apple GPU (5-core) | iPhone 13 Pro has much superior graphics for gaming and GPU intensive apps |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard Resolution | 48MP | 12MP | Moto G Power has higher megapixel count but the iPhone 13 Pro’s sensor and image processing is significantly more advanced |
| Rear Standard Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.5 | iPhone 13 Pro captures more light, especially in low-light conditions |
| Rear Standard Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.90 µm | iPhone 13 Pro has larger individual pixels, improving low-light performance |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 12MP f/2.8 | iPhone 13 Pro allows for optical zoom without losing detail, and is ideal for portraits |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 12MP f/1.8 | iPhone 13 Pro allows for ultrawide shots, capturing more of a scene |
| ToF 3D Sensor | N/A | 12MP 1/3.4" | iPhone 13 Pro has more advanced depth sensing, offering better portrait mode and augmented reality features |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 12MP | iPhone 13 Pro takes better and clearer selfie photos |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.2 | Moto G Power's selfie camera has a slightly wider aperture for slightly more light |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP f/2.4 | N/A | Moto G Power offers depth effects using its dedicated sensor |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | N/A | Moto G Power can take close-up pictures with its dedicated macro lens |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | Up to 4K@60fps | iPhone 13 Pro records significantly higher quality video, more detail, better stabilization |
| DxoMark | N/A | Mobile: 141, Selfie: 134 | iPhone 13 Pro has superior camera performance and video quality based on dxoMark data |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3125mAh | Moto G Power has a much larger battery, likely offering longer battery life. Actual battery life depends on usage |
| Charging | 15W | 20W | iPhone 13 Pro charges faster with 20W vs 15W charging |
| Charging Features | 10W charger in-box | MagSafe wireless charging 15W, Qi magnetic fast wireless charging 7.5W | iPhone 13 Pro has wireless charging options that the Moto G Power lacks |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | iOS 15 | iPhone 13 Pro gets regular updates and has a more polished software experience |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | iPhone 13 Pro has more advanced Wi-Fi, offering faster speeds and better performance |
| SIM | Single Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | iPhone 13 Pro supports two SIM cards for more flexibility and traveling |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64GB | 128/256/512/1024 GB | iPhone 13 Pro has much more storage, suitable for media and high-res photos/videos |
| RAM | 3/4GB | 6GB | iPhone 13 Pro can handle more apps in the background and is faster in multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone can expand storage with an SD card |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS / DTS X, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | iPhone 13 Pro provides superior audio quality with advanced features |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Moto G Power has a fingerprint sensor, providing biometric unlock, while the iPhone relies on Face ID or passcode |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer | Moto G Power includes compass, while the iPhone 13 Pro includes a barometer |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Significantly Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery should offer much longer battery life for users who need to go a full day or more on a single charge without easy access to power outlets, or just want to minimize battery anxiety.
- Lower Price Point: The Moto G Power is a budget-friendly option for users seeking a basic smartphone.
- Dedicated Depth and Macro Lenses: These offer more versatility for portrait and close-up photography without relying on software enhancements.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Provides convenient biometric security for fast unlocking.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: The OLED display with higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness provides a much better viewing experience for all uses.
- Much Faster Performance: The A15 Bionic chip offers a significantly smoother experience for multitasking, gaming, and app usage, making it much more future-proof.
- Advanced Camera System: The triple-lens setup with superior image processing, optical zoom, wide-angle lens, and superior low light performance, provides better photos and videos in all scenarios.
- Higher Video Quality: Capable of shooting up to 4K video, with much better stabilization and more features for better video creation.
- Premium Audio: Better audio quality, and features such as stereo speakers and noise canceling microphones.
- More Storage Options: Starting at 128 GB and options to 1TB. This provides plenty of space for all your apps, photos and videos.
- Better Wireless Connectivity: Offers newer, faster Wi-Fi standards, and dual SIM support with eSIM.
- Premium Build: Better materials and more refined design.
- Software Ecosystem: iOS offers a more polished and optimized software experience with continuous updates.
Trade-offs:
- Size and Bulk: The Moto G Power is larger and thicker.
- Display Quality: The Moto G Power's display is lower resolution, less bright, and has a lower refresh rate compared to the iPhone 13 Pro.
- Performance: The Moto G Power is much less powerful than the iPhone 13 Pro, which may result in slower loading and less smooth operation.
- Camera: The Moto G Power camera lacks the high-end capabilities of the iPhone 13 Pro.
- Price: The Moto G Power is budget friendly but lacks the performance, display and features of the iPhone 13 Pro, which is more expensive.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users: Those looking for an affordable smartphone that covers basic needs.
- Users prioritizing battery life: Those who need long battery life and less concern about running out of power throughout the day.
- Casual users: People who primarily use their phones for browsing, social media, and basic tasks, and aren't concerned with high performance tasks.
- Users needing a larger screen: Users with vision or dexterity issues, who benefit from a larger screen to read, and use the device more easily.
Use Cases:
- Long days without access to charging.
- As a backup phone or secondary device.
- Basic smartphone use by the elderly.
- As a device for children and teenagers.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Ideal Users:
- Power users: Those who need top-tier performance for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who value high-quality cameras and video, and want advanced features like optical zoom, high quality video, and RAW image format.
- Users wanting the best display: Those who value a high-resolution, vibrant display for media consumption and gaming.
- Users who need lots of storage: Those with lots of photos, videos, and data.
- Users invested in the Apple ecosystem: Those who prefer iOS and the Apple ecosystem's seamless integration.
- Users wanting a compact device: Users who want a powerful phone in a relatively compact and pocketable size.
Use Cases:
- Professional photography and videography.
- Mobile gaming with high-end graphics.
- Media creation and consumption.
- Heavy multitasking and app usage.
- Users with professional or business use cases for smartphones.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The price difference is a significant factor for these devices.
- What is more important to you: battery life or performance? One device is focused on battery and the other is focused on performance.
- How important is display and camera quality to you? The iPhone offers vastly superior display and camera experiences.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Limited Budget, Basic Needs: If you're on a tight budget and primarily need a smartphone for basic tasks with good battery life, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is the recommended choice.
- Scenario 2: Performance and High-End Camera: If you prioritize top performance, a superior camera system, and high-quality display, and have a larger budget, the Apple iPhone 13 Pro is the clear recommendation.
- Scenario 3: All-Day Battery Life Is Key: If you need a phone that lasts all day, and don't want to worry about running out of power, then the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is the best choice.
- Scenario 4: Best Display and User Experience: If you prioritize display quality, software, and a more polished user experience, and don't mind a higher budget, the Apple iPhone 13 Pro is a better fit.
My Choice
If I was choosing between these two, I would choose the Apple iPhone 13 Pro. While the Moto G Power offers a great battery and is extremely budget friendly, the iPhone 13 Pro excels in all other areas such as performance, display quality, camera quality, build quality and software experience. I also value the compact design, which is more pocketable compared to the Motorola G Power. The difference in performance is also substantial, and given the use I would give to the device, the Apple iPhone 13 Pro would be a much better option. The higher cost is a downside, but it brings a better all-around smartphone experience that I value more than the extended battery life offered by the Moto G Power.
