Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Apple iPhone 15
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications for the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) and the Apple iPhone 15, focusing on their practical impact:
Design
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Apple iPhone 15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm | The Moto G Power is noticeably larger and thicker, making the iPhone 15 more pocketable and comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 171g | The iPhone 15 is significantly lighter, reducing fatigue during extended use and making it easier to carry. |
| Build | Unknown | Unknown | We lack specific information on the build materials used and the quality of construction, so we cannot comment on durability. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, not foldable. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Apple iPhone 15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.6" | 6.1" | The Moto G Power offers a larger screen for media consumption and gaming; the iPhone 15 is more compact for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1179x2556 | The iPhone 15 has a much sharper display; text and images will appear significantly clearer and more detailed on the iPhone 15. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 266 | 461 | The iPhone 15's higher PPI provides a crisper image with individual pixels much less noticeable, enhancing visual experience. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | The iPhone 15's OLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the Moto G Power's LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both phones offer a standard 60Hz refresh rate. Everyday scrolling and animations will be similar on both devices. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | The iPhone 15 is dramatically brighter, making it much more usable in direct sunlight. Moto G Power's lack of brightness information makes comparison difficult. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Apple iPhone 15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) | The iPhone 15's chip is far more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, superior gaming performance, and overall better responsiveness, and is more future-proof. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 1,470,000 | The iPhone 15 demonstrates significantly superior performance, handling demanding tasks with ease compared to the Motorola, which might struggle with heavy usage. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) | The iPhone 15's GPU will deliver much better graphics performance, especially noticeable in games and graphically intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Apple iPhone 15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80µm pixels | 48MP, f/1.6, 1.00 µm pixels, 1/1.5" sensor | The iPhone 15 has a larger sensor and larger pixel size, suggesting better low-light performance and dynamic range. The wider aperture also allows more light to reach the sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12 µm pixels | 12MP, f/1.9, 1.12 µm pixels | The iPhone 15 has a higher resolution front-facing camera, capturing more detailed selfies, with a wider aperture to improve low-light performance. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm pixels | None | The Moto G Power includes a dedicated depth sensor for potentially better portrait mode photos. The iPhone 15 may use computational methods instead. |
| Macro lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm pixels | None | The Moto G Power offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12MP, f/2.4, unknown pixel size | The iPhone 15 offers a dedicated ultra-wide/macro lens for creative shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60fps, EIS, slow-motion 60fps | 4K@24/25/30/60fps HDR, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps HDR, slow-motion 240fps, Stereo Sound | The iPhone 15 offers much higher resolution video with HDR support, better stabilization and slow-motion capabilities. |
| DxOMark Score | None | Main Score: 145, Photo: 147, Video: 153 | The iPhone 15 shows strong camera performance based on DxOMark scores, while the Moto G Power has not been evaluated. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, LAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Cinematic Mode, Noise reduction, Face unlock, Pro Video Mode, 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Dual camera, OIS, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, PDAF, Dual PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | |
| iPhone 15 has a wider range of features, including OIS, and pro video modes. Moto G Power offers a laser autofocus, not found on the iPhone. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Apple iPhone 15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3877mAh | The Moto G Power has a larger battery capacity, suggesting potentially longer battery life. Note: Real-world battery life depends heavily on usage patterns and software optimizations. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 20W fast charging | The iPhone 15 supports faster wired charging, allowing users to replenish battery more quickly. |
| Features | 10W Charger in-box | 15W MagSafe Wireless, 7.5W Qi Wireless Charging | The iPhone 15 offers versatile wireless charging options, while the Moto G Power provides a standard wired charging in the box. |
Other
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Apple iPhone 15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 10 | iOS 17 (Upgradable to 18) | The iPhone 15 has a more current OS with more available updates, providing better security and access to the latest features. |
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Display | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6), Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi MiMO | The iPhone 15 supports Wi-Fi 6, offering better speeds and reliability on compatible networks, the Moto G Power supports display over WiFi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, A2DP, EDR | 5.3 LE, A2DP, AAC | The iPhone 15 has a newer Bluetooth version, offering improved efficiency and range. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | The iPhone 15 supports QZSS for more accurate positioning. The Moto G Power supports SUPL for assisting GPS. |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM), Dual Standby | The iPhone 15 allows the use of two SIMs simultaneously, which can be useful for travelers or those needing a separate business number. |
| Storage | 32 GB or 64 GB, No expandable Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB or 512 GB, No expandable Storage | The iPhone 15 offers significantly more internal storage, with no support for expansion on either device. |
| RAM | 3 GB or 4 GB | 6 GB | The iPhone 15 has more RAM, allowing for better multitasking and performance when running multiple apps. |
| Audio | Basic audio features | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | The iPhone 15 has higher quality audio and noise cancellation features. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic security features | The Moto G Power provides a physical fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | The iPhone 15 offers an additional barometer, while the Moto G Power offers a fingerprint scanner. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Its 5000mAh battery potentially offers longer usage between charges, useful for users needing all-day power.
- Larger Screen: The 6.6" display is better for media consumption for users who prefer bigger screens.
- Fingerprint Sensor: The side-mounted fingerprint scanner provides convenient biometric security.
- Macro lens: Dedicated macro lens to capture close-up photos.
- Lower Price: Typically, a budget-friendly option compared to the iPhone.
Apple iPhone 15 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The A16 Bionic chip provides a much faster and more responsive user experience.
- Higher Quality Display: The OLED display offers superior contrast, color accuracy, and brightness for better viewing.
- Superior Camera System: Better image quality, video recording, and more camera features, including a wide angle and better low-light performance.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Faster wired charging and additional wireless charging capabilities for convenience.
- More Internal Storage: Significantly higher storage capacity.
- More RAM: 6GB allows for better multitasking capabilities.
- More up to date Software: The current OS will provide more features and better security.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers, microphones with noise cancellation.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Moto G Power: The budget phone suffers from lower screen resolution, less powerful processor, and lower-quality camera compared to the iPhone. The lack of a brightness measurement is also concerning.
- iPhone 15: The phone has a smaller battery capacity and lacks a fingerprint sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious buyers: Those prioritizing affordability over top-tier performance.
- Users with battery-focused needs: People who need a phone that lasts all day without frequent charging.
- Those who value a larger screen: Users who prefer a bigger screen for media consumption, reading, and gaming.
- People who prefer physical fingerprint sensors: Those who prefer the simplicity and speed of a fingerprint sensor.
Specific Use Cases: Long road trips, casual media use, simple gaming, day-to-day task management.
Apple iPhone 15 Ideal Users:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who demand top-tier performance for gaming, content creation, and intensive tasks.
- Photography Lovers: Those who prioritize image and video quality.
- Users within the Apple Ecosystem: People who prefer iOS and its seamless integration with Apple products.
- Users who want premium features: Those who want a premium device with a high-quality display, fast charging, and wireless charging capabilities.
Specific Use Cases: High-end mobile gaming, professional photography and videography, video editing, graphic design, and social media management.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) provides excellent value for its budget category, focusing on long battery life and a large screen at the cost of other features.
- The Apple iPhone 15 represents a premium device with advanced features and performance, and while more expensive, provides a higher price-to-value if those features are important.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If budget is a primary constraint, the Moto G Power is the more cost-effective choice.
- How important is performance and display quality? If you demand the best performance and display, the iPhone 15 is a clear winner.
- How important is battery life? If all-day battery is essential, the Moto G Power may be better suited.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "I just need a reliable phone that lasts all day." The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is the better fit due to its larger battery.
- Scenario 2: "I want the best possible mobile gaming and camera experience." The Apple iPhone 15 is the superior choice due to its powerful processor, premium screen and high quality camera system.
- Scenario 3: "I want a good balance of performance and price." The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) offers a solid balance, but the user should understand the sacrifices it makes to achieve that price point. If budget permits the Apple iPhone 15 is the clear choice if a premium device is required.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing, I would pick the Apple iPhone 15. While the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) has a larger battery, the improvements in every other area on the iPhone 15 are too great to ignore. The performance is significantly better, the screen and camera are a leap ahead, and the better software and software support would mean a better overall user experience for years to come. While the battery life might be less, the faster charging makes up for that, and I think that the difference in battery life isn't as big as what the raw specs would indicate when compared side by side in real world usage.
