Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Apple iPhone 16
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Apple iPhone 16 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-14 | 2024-09-20 | iPhone 16 is significantly newer, with potentially better long-term software support and features. |
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm | Moto G Power is bulkier, less pocketable and harder to handle in one hand. The iPhone 16 will be more ergonomic. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 170g | iPhone 16 is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.1" | Moto G Power has a larger screen, better for media consumption, but less sharp. iPhone 16 is more compact, but may feel cramped. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1179x2556 | iPhone 16 offers much sharper visuals, superior text clarity and image detail. |
| Pixel Density | 266 ppi | 460 ppi | iPhone 16 has significantly sharper and more detailed display |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | iPhone 16's OLED offers superior colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both offer same refresh rate, meaning neither has advantage in terms of smoothness. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | iPhone 16 offers vastly superior outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Apple A18 (3 nm) | iPhone 16 will have much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 1,753,018 | iPhone 16's raw processing performance is vastly superior for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) | iPhone 16 has a much more powerful GPU, which will perform much better in graphics-intensive tasks like gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3561mAh | Moto G Power has a larger battery, potentially better battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 25W fast charging | iPhone 16 charges faster, but its battery is smaller. |
| Charging Features | 10W charger in-box, Non-removable | 25W Wireless Charging, Non-removable | iPhone 16 supports Wireless charging, Moto G Power doesn't |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 48MP | Both have the same resolution, but the iPhone 16's sensor is larger and the aperture wider, resulting in better low light performance. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.6 | iPhone 16 has a wider aperture, allowing more light in for better low-light photos. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm pixel size | 1.00 µm pixel size | Larger pixels result in better light capture and low light performance |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | N/A | 1/1.3" | iPhone 16's larger sensor captures more light, improving low-light shots and detail. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 12MP | iPhone 16's selfie camera captures more detail. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/1.9 | iPhone 16's selfie camera is better in low light. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP | N/A | Moto G Power has a dedicated depth sensor for bokeh effect, while iPhone 16 does not |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | N/A | Moto G Power can take close-up shots, which the iPhone 16 cannot without the wide angle lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 12MP | iPhone 16 has a wide angle camera which the Moto G Power does not. |
| Video Resolution | 1080p@30fps, 1080p@60fps | 4K@60fps | iPhone 16 has superior video recording capabilities, more details and smooth footage. |
| Video Features | EIS | HDR, Stereo Sound | iPhone 16 has HDR video and stereo sound, improving video quality and capturing depth and immersion. |
| Slow-motion Video | 60 fps | 240 fps | iPhone 16 can record much slower slow-motion videos, enabling capturing more dynamic movements. |
| 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, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, OIS, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | iPhone 16's camera features are significantly more advanced, offering more creative options and better image quality. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | iOS 18 | iPhone 16 runs on a more current OS, and will have superior security, software updates, and access to apps. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6E | iPhone 16 has a newer Wi-Fi standard, resulting in faster wireless speeds and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | iPhone 16's newer Bluetooth offers faster connection speeds, and lower power consumption. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1), NavIC System | iPhone 16 has more satellite systems, providing better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | iPhone 16 allows two SIM cards to be used simultaneously, and has eSIM support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32 GB or 64 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB | iPhone 16 has significantly more storage, allowing users to store a lot more data. |
| RAM | 3 GB or 4 GB | 8 GB | iPhone 16 has more RAM, allowing for better multitasking and smoother performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone can use external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | iPhone 16 provides a far superior audio experience, with spatial audio, noise cancelling and stereo sound. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic security features | Moto G Power has a fingerprint sensor for biometric security, while it's not specified what biometrics the iPhone 16 has. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Protection type is not known for either phone |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | iPhone 16 features a barometer for atmospheric pressure measurements, useful for health tracking and environmental awareness. Moto G Power has a fingerprint sensor for biometric security |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery potentially offers better battery life, good for users who don't want to charge their phones frequently.
- Larger Screen: The 6.6" screen could be better for users who prefer a bigger display for media consumption, though it has lower resolution.
- Fingerprint sensor: Offers a quick and easy method of unlocking the phone.
- Dedicated Depth and Macro Cameras: Provides additional photography options such as close-up shots and depth effect, which the iPhone 16 lacks.
Apple iPhone 16 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A18 chip offers vastly better processing speed, superior gaming, faster app loading, smoother performance, and more future-proof.
- Higher Quality Display: OLED screen with a much higher resolution and pixel density is better for watching videos, reading, browsing, and more.
- Advanced Camera System: Superior low light performance, 4K video, OIS, and more advanced features for much better photography and video recording.
- Faster Charging: 25W charging is faster than 15W. Wireless charging allows more flexible charging options.
- More Storage and RAM: 128GB+ storage and 8GB RAM provide more space for files and smoother multitasking.
- Latest Operating System: Access to the latest features and security updates.
- Superior Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones
- Connectivity: Superior Wifi and Bluetooth. More satellite systems for GPS.
- eSIM Support: Allows the user to easily switch between carriers and have two active lines on one device.
Trade-offs:
- The Moto G Power trades off performance and screen quality for a larger battery and screen.
- The iPhone 16 has a smaller battery, but balances it with a more efficient processor and better charging. The iPhone is also significantly smaller, which may be a disadvantage for those who prefer a large screen.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is ideal for:
- Budget-conscious users: Those who need a basic, reliable smartphone at a low cost.
- Users prioritizing battery life: Individuals who prefer longer battery life over high-end performance, and do not need to worry about charging frequently.
- Users who prefer large screens: Those who like a large screen for media consumption, without concern for resolution or display quality.
- Users who like fingerprint unlock: Those who prefer to quickly unlock their phone with a fingerprint sensor
Use Cases:
- Basic calling, texting, and social media browsing.
- Long commutes or travels where charging might be infrequent.
- Users who need a dedicated depth sensor and macro lens.
- As a secondary or backup phone.
Apple iPhone 16 is ideal for:
- Power users: Those who need the best possible performance for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who want a high-quality camera system that can take excellent photos and videos in all conditions.
- Users valuing display quality: People who want a bright, sharp, color-accurate display for media consumption.
- Users invested in the Apple ecosystem: Those who want the seamless experience of iOS and integration with other Apple devices.
Use Cases:
- High-end gaming, video editing and content creation.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Streaming and media consumption.
- Those who need the latest software and security features
- Users who like the latest tech
Price-to-Value:
- Moto G Power offers more for the money if you only need basic functionality and great battery life.
- iPhone 16 offers the latest tech and best performance, but at a premium price, which may still be worth it for those who need the best performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The Moto G Power is significantly cheaper, but sacrifices features. The iPhone 16 is a premium device.
- How important is performance and camera quality? If top-tier performance and the best camera system are a must, the iPhone 16 is the clear choice. If not, the Moto G Power may be a viable option.
- What are my usage patterns? If the primary concern is battery life and a larger screen for casual use, the Moto G Power could suffice. If you perform more demanding tasks or are serious about photography, the iPhone 16 is far better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget & Basic Use): If you're on a very tight budget and mainly use your phone for basic communication and browsing, the Moto G Power is a better choice. It will be able to perform these tasks well.
- Scenario 2 (Photography & Performance): If you want excellent photo/video quality, the best performance, and the latest technology, choose the iPhone 16.
- Scenario 3 (Battery & Screen Size): If a long battery life and large screen are your priorities and you do not mind lower specs, the Moto G Power is the way to go.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 16.
Reasons:
- Future-Proof Performance: The Apple A18 chip is a massive leap over the Snapdragon 662. The difference in performance is enormous, meaning the iPhone 16 will remain fast and smooth for years to come. This is crucial for app loading, gaming, and overall usability.
- Superior Display: The OLED display on the iPhone 16 with the high resolution and pixel density is a critical upgrade. The vibrant colours and deep blacks will enhance all aspects of the user experience.
- Better Camera System: As a user who takes a lot of photos and videos, the better camera system is very valuable. The superior sensors and advanced features will allow me to capture high-quality content, even in challenging conditions.
- Ecosystem and OS: The iOS ecosystem and latest features provide a polished, and seamless user experience, and access to the latest apps.
- Connectivity: Faster and more reliable Wi-Fi, superior Bluetooth, and more precise GPS make the iPhone 16 a better device for my needs.
- Long-Term Value: While the iPhone 16 is more expensive initially, its superior specs and longer software support mean that it is likely to be usable for longer, making it better value long-term.
While the larger battery of the Moto G Power is appealing, its lower-end specs and dated software make it less appealing. The performance and experience offered by the iPhone 16 makes it the clear winner for me, as I would rather not compromise on quality in my daily use.
