1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 172.8 × 77.3 × 10.3 mm | Asus ROG Phone 5 is larger and bulkier, may be less comfortable for small hands |
| Weight | 206.5g | 238g | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.78" | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a slightly larger display, offering a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2448 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has significantly higher resolution, leading to much sharper images and text. |
| Pixel Density | 266 PPI | 395 PPI | Asus ROG Phone 5 delivers a noticeably clearer and more detailed display. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Asus ROG Phone 5 provides much smoother scrolling and animations, particularly noticeable in gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness. (Note: The provided value of '0 nits' is likely incorrect. Actual brightness should be verified from other sources.) |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a much more powerful processor, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 883,000 | Asus ROG Phone 5 provides significantly higher performance for demanding tasks, including gaming, video editing, and multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 660 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a much more powerful GPU, providing better graphics performance in games and other graphically intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a larger battery, potentially providing longer battery life under similar usage patterns. |
| Charging | 15W | 65W | Asus ROG Phone 5 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Charging Features | 10W charger in-box | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers more advanced charging features, including the ability to bypass the battery for direct power while gaming and reverse charging to power other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" sensor, Sony IMX686 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has higher resolution and a larger sensor, likely leading to better detail and low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12 µm pixel size | 24MP, f/2.45, 1/2.8" sensor, Samsung S5K2X7, 0.90 µm pixel size | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a higher resolution front camera and larger sensor, possibly leading to more detail. |
| Wide Angle lens | No | 13MP, f/2.5 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has an additional wide-angle camera, offering more versatility in photography. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | No | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots |
| Macro lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.0 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a higher resolution macro camera with a wider aperture which is better for close-up shots. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps (EIS) | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p up to 240fps, 720p@480fps (EIS) | Asus ROG Phone 5 supports much higher video resolutions, better slow motion, and higher frame rates. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a newer OS and will likely receive updates for longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ad/ax | Asus ROG Phone 5 supports the latest Wi-Fi standards, offering faster speeds and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a newer version of Bluetooth, potentially offering better performance and battery efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Asus ROG Phone 5 supports more satellite systems for potentially more accurate and reliable location tracking. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | Asus ROG Phone 5 supports two SIM cards, ideal for users with multiple phone numbers |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers much more storage space, better for storing more apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 8/12/16/18 GB | Asus ROG Phone 5 has significantly more RAM, resulting in smoother multitasking and better performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion via microSD card. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic | DTS / DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 4 microphones | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers far superior audio experience with higher quality audio output, better surround sound, and advanced noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | side-mounted | basic fingerprint sensor | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) has a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | Asus ROG Phone 5 additionally features: Hall sensor; More comprehensive sensor suite for advanced features and gaming |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Significantly lighter and slightly smaller, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and carrying around.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Generally considered more ergonomic and faster than basic fingerprint sensors.
- More Affordable: Typically sold at a lower price point than the ROG Phone 5.
Practical Implications: The Moto G Power is better for users who prioritize comfort, portability and budget-friendliness over raw performance.
Asus ROG Phone 5 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 offers significantly faster processing and graphics, essential for high-end gaming, heavy multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Much Better Display: AMOLED with higher resolution, refresh rate, and pixel density results in a vastly superior viewing experience for all types of content consumption.
- Advanced Camera System: More versatile with a higher resolution main camera, wide-angle lens, and significantly better video recording capabilities, including 8K and higher frame rates.
- Larger Battery and Faster Charging: Offers longer battery life and significantly faster charging, minimizing downtime.
- Superior Audio: Features high-res audio, stereo speakers, and noise-canceling microphones for a more immersive audio experience.
- Dual SIM: Supports two SIM cards, making it suitable for users needing two numbers on one device.
- Modern Connectivity: Supports faster Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Offers a wider range of storage and RAM options, making it more future-proof.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 for superior screen protection.
Practical Implications: The ROG Phone 5 is ideal for power users, gamers, and those who want the absolute best performance and multimedia experience.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Price: The Asus ROG Phone 5 is significantly more expensive, making it less accessible for budget-conscious buyers.
- Size and Weight: The ROG Phone 5 is bulkier and heavier, making it less comfortable for prolonged use compared to the Moto G Power.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021):
- Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and durability.
- Users with basic needs like social media, browsing, and calling.
- Users who prefer a lighter, more compact device.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday general use such as social media browsing and communication.
- Long trips where battery life is crucial.
- Users who need a reliable phone without breaking the bank.
- Price-to-Value:
- Offers decent value for the price. Provides a basic smartphone experience with good battery life.
Asus ROG Phone 5:
- Ideal Users:
- Hardcore mobile gamers who need the highest performance.
- Tech enthusiasts who want the latest features and specs.
- Users who engage in heavy multitasking and consume a lot of multimedia content.
- Users who need professional quality camera and video capabilities.
- Use Cases:
- Competitive gaming and other graphically intensive tasks.
- Video editing, photography, and other creative tasks.
- Immersive multimedia consumption (videos, movies, music).
- Heavy multitasking and demanding app usage.
- Price-to-Value:
- Offers excellent value for performance-focused users, but comes at a premium price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If cost is a primary concern, the Motorola Moto G Power is the more affordable option.
- What is your primary use case? If performance-intensive tasks like gaming and video editing are common, then the Asus ROG Phone 5 is the only choice.
- How important is comfort and portability? The Motorola Moto G Power is lighter and more compact which is great for prolonged use. The ROG Phone 5 has more premium features but is bulkier.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If you're on a tight budget and need a basic phone for everyday tasks, the Motorola Moto G Power is the better choice.
- Performance-Oriented User: If you're a hardcore gamer, video editor, or simply want the best possible performance and multimedia experience, the Asus ROG Phone 5 is the only option.
- Battery Focused User: If battery life is your top priority and all other factors are equal, the Asus ROG Phone 5 has the larger battery, but the Moto G Power will likely last a decent time too.
- Casual User: If your phone usage is light and you want something comfortable and easy to use, the Motorola Moto G Power is a more practical choice.
- Multimedia Enthusiast: If you consume a lot of video and music and care about quality and features, the Asus ROG Phone 5 is the better choice.
My Choice
Given the options and my personal preferences, I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 5. Here's why:
- I prioritize performance: As a tech enthusiast, I value fast, responsive performance, and the Snapdragon 888 chipset in the ROG Phone 5 is leagues ahead of the Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G Power. I would not want to compromise on that aspect of my phone.
- I enjoy a quality display: The 144Hz AMOLED display of the ROG Phone 5 would be a huge improvement, and I would enjoy the smoothness and vibrance.
- I like the versatility of the camera: I enjoy taking photos and videos, and the wider lens and 8k video capabilities of the ROG Phone 5 would be useful to me.
- I am willing to pay for premium features: While the ROG Phone 5 is more expensive, I'm willing to invest more for the superior features and performance it offers. I'd rather have features that I want, than save money.
While the Moto G Power would be a fine phone for general use, I would be missing out on the gaming and multimedia performance offered by the ROG Phone 5. The ROG phone is designed for people like me, who are willing to pay a premium for the very best. The ROG Phone 5 is my clear choice.
