Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Apple iPhone SE (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm | Moto G Power is significantly larger and thicker, less pocketable. iPhone SE is much more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 144g | Moto G Power is notably heavier, which can make it less comfortable for prolonged use. The iPhone SE is much lighter, improving portability. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 4.7" | Moto G Power has a much larger screen, better for media consumption, gaming, and readability. iPhone SE has a smaller screen, which might be preferable for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 750 x 1334 | Moto G Power has slightly more pixels but because of it's size, this translates to lower PPI |
| PPI | 266 | 326 | iPhone SE has a noticeably sharper display with higher pixel density, leading to clearer text and images. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use similar LCD display technology, meaning similar viewing angles and color reproduction. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have standard 60Hz refresh rate, meaning motion will look the same on both. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness for both is unknown and not a good metric of comparison. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | iPhone SE has a significantly more powerful and efficient processor, offering a smoother experience with demanding apps and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 1,225,939 | iPhone SE has significantly superior performance, ensuring faster app loading, multitasking and better game play. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Apple GPU (4-core) | The iPhone SE has a much more powerful GPU, which is a very important factor in better gaming performance and complex graphic-intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 12.2MP, f/1.8 | Moto G Power has a higher megapixel count which might mean better detail in good light, and wider aperture might mean better low light performance. The iPhone's aperture will perform similarly and have the advantage of OIS. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 7MP, f/2.2 | Moto G Power has slightly higher resolution and a wider aperture which may lead to better selfies in varied lighting conditions |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Moto G Power has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Moto G Power has a dedicated macro lens for closeup photography |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps/60fps (EIS) | 4K@24/30/60fps (HDR, OIS) | iPhone SE offers superior video quality with 4K resolution, optical image stabilization (OIS), and HDR, leading to much better video recording capabilities |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | 100 (Mobile), 126 (Photo), 106 (Video) | iPhone SE camera scores are good according to DXOMark test. No official score for Moto G Power. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 2018mAh | Moto G Power has a much larger battery, suggesting significantly longer battery life. iPhone SE will need to charge more frequently. |
| Charging | 15W | 18W | iPhone SE supports slightly faster charging, though the smaller battery means it will still charge faster overall. |
| Battery Features | 10W charger in-box | No included charger | Moto G Power includes a charger in the box, making it ready to use directly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | iOS 15.4 | Moto G Power has an older version of Android. iPhone SE will provide smoother and more consistent software updates and an overall better software experience |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | iPhone SE supports a newer Wi-Fi standard, allowing for faster and more reliable wireless connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 | Both have the same Bluetooth version, however, the Moto G has enhanced data rate, which may result in slightly faster transfers. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Wi-Fi, Cell ID | Moto G Power supports more satellite systems, potentially giving better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Single Nano-SIM | Dual Nano-SIM/eSIM | iPhone SE allows for two SIMs to be used, which is convenient for users with dual phone numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32GB/64GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB | iPhone SE offers much more storage options, particularly for media-heavy users |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB | 4GB | iPhone SE has 4GB of RAM which is sufficient for most use cases. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither has an expandable option. |
| Other | |||
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Front-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both have basic fingerprint scanners, but Moto's might feel more advanced with a side-mounted position. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint, Barometer | The iPhone SE has one more additional sensor, a barometer, which can be used to estimate elevation changes. |
| Build Quality | Unknown Screen Protection | Unknown Screen Protection | Both use the same type of protection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Larger Display: 6.6" screen is much better for media consumption, browsing, and gaming.
- Significantly Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery provides much longer battery life, ideal for heavy users.
- Macro and Depth Cameras: Dedicated macro and depth cameras offer more versatility in photography.
- Lower Price: Generally more budget-friendly than the iPhone SE.
Practical Implications (Moto G Power):
- Users can enjoy a large screen and battery that will last a long time between charges.
- More versatile photography for creative users.
- A more budget-friendly device.
Apple iPhone SE (2022) Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Processor: A15 Bionic chip offers far superior performance and speed, and will remain updated longer.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density makes text and images look clearer.
- Better Video Recording: Records 4K video with OIS and HDR for superior video quality.
- More Storage Options: Available with up to 256GB of storage.
- Premium Build Quality: iPhone SE will likely have a more durable build
- eSIM Support: Dual SIM functionality with eSIM offers greater flexibility for users.
- Longer Software Updates: iOS devices typically get longer software support and security patches than Android phones.
Practical Implications (iPhone SE):
- Smoother and faster experience for day-to-day use and gaming.
- Higher quality images and video
- Better software support.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Motorola Moto G Power: Sacrifices processing power and display sharpness for a larger screen and battery life.
- Apple iPhone SE: Sacrifices screen size and battery life for better performance and video quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for a more affordable smartphone with a big screen and long battery life.
- Heavy Media Consumers: Those who frequently watch videos, play games, or browse the web.
- Users Needing Long Battery Life: Those who need their phone to last all day without needing to recharge.
- Those who enjoy photography with depth and macro modes: Casual users that use a variety of different picture taking options
Specific Use Cases (Moto G Power):
- Binge-watching videos or movies on the go.
- Playing casual games.
- Extensive web browsing and social media use.
- Long travel days without access to charging.
- Close up photography
Apple iPhone SE (2022) Ideal Users:
- Performance-Oriented Users: Those who prioritize fast and smooth performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Users in the Apple Ecosystem: Those already invested in Apple products and services.
- Compact Smartphone Users: Those who prefer a small, pocketable phone that is easy to use with one hand.
- Users who need great cameras: Users that like taking good quality images and video with the ability to do so in more varied conditions.
Specific Use Cases (iPhone SE):
- Gaming and running graphics-intensive applications.
- Shooting high-quality video content with ease.
- Working within the Apple ecosystem for seamless integration.
- Reliable device with long-term software updates.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize screen size and battery life (Moto G Power) or raw performance and a premium camera experience (iPhone SE)?
- Are you invested in the Android (Moto G Power) or Apple (iPhone SE) ecosystem?
- What is your budget?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget-Conscious Media Lover): Choose the Motorola Moto G Power. You get a large screen, long battery life, and decent camera performance at a lower price.
- Scenario 2 (Performance and Camera Enthusiast): Choose the Apple iPhone SE. You get a significantly faster processor, a sharper screen, and superior video recording at a slightly higher price.
- Scenario 3 (Compact & Pocketable Preference): Choose the Apple iPhone SE. The smaller size, paired with higher performance, makes it the ideal device.
- Scenario 4 (Long Battery Life Priority): Choose the Motorola Moto G Power. The larger battery capacity will keep it running all day with heavy use.
What I Would Choose
If I had to choose, I would select the Apple iPhone SE (2022).
Reasons:
- Performance: The A15 Bionic chip is a significant advantage. I value responsiveness and future-proofing, and the iPhone SE will provide that. This also makes it great for mobile gaming and other intensive apps.
- Camera: The ability to shoot high-quality 4K video with optical image stabilization (OIS) is important to me. It means my recorded videos will be better than the Motorola, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
- Software Ecosystem: I prefer the reliability of the iOS ecosystem, including longer software updates and a smoother user experience.
- Build Quality and Size: While the small size might not suit everyone, for my needs, I appreciate the compact and durable design of the iPhone SE.
Trade-offs Acknowledged:
I recognize I would be sacrificing a larger screen and longer battery life, which the Moto G Power excels at. However, the performance benefits, better camera, and premium build quality of the iPhone SE outweigh those considerations for me.
Ultimately, the choice depends on personal priorities and needs. If you value battery life and a larger display at a lower price point, then the Moto G Power is a strong contender. However, the iPhone SE delivers a significantly better performance, camera, and overall experience, especially for users that are already invested in the apple ecosystem.
