1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | Asus is slightly shorter and thinner, potentially feeling more modern. Moto G is slightly narrower. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 224g | Moto G Power is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use, especially one-handed. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.6" | 6.78" | Asus offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Asus display is much sharper, with text and images appearing far clearer. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 266 | 388 | Asus screen will appear significantly more detailed and less pixelated. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Asus display has better colors, deeper blacks, and superior viewing angles. AMOLED is also more energy-efficient, especially with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Asus provides dramatically smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Asus screen is much more visible in bright outdoor environments, like direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Asus has a vastly superior, much more modern chip, providing significantly faster performance for all tasks, including gaming and demanding apps. |
| Antutu Score | 178,220 | 1,532,000 | Asus is multiple times more powerful, ensuring smoother multitasking and a more responsive experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 750 | Asus has a much more powerful graphics processor, resulting in much better gaming performance and smoother graphics. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Asus has slightly higher resolution, theoretically allowing for more detailed photos. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.9 | Moto G Power's wider aperture may allow for better low light performance, though sensor size is a key factor not mentioned |
| Main Camera Sensor | Not Specified | Sony IMX890 (1/1.56") | Asus has a significantly larger, higher-quality sensor which should perform better in low light and capture better dynamic range. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.00 µm | Asus has a larger pixel size on the main sensor for better light capture. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 32MP | Asus takes much higher resolution selfie photos. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.5 | Moto G has a wider aperture which may improve low-light performance, though sensor size and quality are also very important factors. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor | Not Specified | Omnivision OV32C (1/3.2") | Asus' selfie camera has a larger sensor compared to the unknown one in the Moto G Power, leading to better overall picture quality. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | Yes (32MP) | Asus offers optical zoom capability for better photos at a distance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | No | Yes (13MP) | Asus can capture a wider field of view, allowing for more versatile photography. |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | Yes (2MP) | No | Moto G offers a dedicated depth sensor, though depth effects on modern cameras can largely be done with software. |
| Macro Lens | Yes (2MP) | No | Moto G has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, but image quality will likely be limited due to the sensor size. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps | Asus provides dramatically higher video recording quality and greater flexibility in frame rates. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | EIS, OIS, Gimbal | Asus offers significantly better video stabilization with both EIS and OIS for smoother video recording. |
| Slow-motion | 1080p@60fps | 720p@480fps | Asus records at a much higher fps, resulting in smoother slow motion videos. |
| DXOMark | Not Tested | 125 (Mobile), 131 (Photo), 115 (Video) | Asus camera has been benchmarked with very strong results in photo and video quality. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | Asus has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Asus charges much faster, getting you back to full power quickly. |
| Wireless Charging | No | 15W | Asus offers wireless charging, which is convenient for some users. |
| Reverse Wired Charging | No | 10W | Asus can charge other devices using its battery, though this will likely drain the battery of the Zenfone very quickly. |
Other Features
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Operating System | Android 10 | Android 14 | Asus offers a much more modern operating system with the latest features and security updates. |
| Wi-Fi | Up to Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Up to Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | Asus provides much faster Wi-Fi speeds, lower latency, and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | Asus has a newer Bluetooth version which may have improved stability and data transfer rates. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Asus allows the use of two SIM cards simultaneously, which is useful for travel or separating work and personal numbers. |
| Internal Storage | 32/64GB | 256/512GB | Asus offers vastly more storage space for photos, videos, apps and files. |
| RAM | 3/4GB | 12/16GB | Asus has much more RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and responsiveness. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards, so internal storage is the limit. |
| Audio | Basic Audio Features | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Asus offers higher quality audio for better listening experience and immersive sound quality. |
| Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Moto G has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, commonly considered more convenient. The specific type of sensor on the Zenfone isn't clear and may be in-display, which is often preferred aesthetically. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Asus has much better protection against screen scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Gravity, Hall | Asus has a more comprehensive sensor suite which could potentially enable more advanced features and gaming performance. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: Significantly lighter (17.5g), making it more comfortable for extended use and one-handed operation.
- Wider Camera Aperture (Main & Selfie): Potentially better low-light performance (though sensor size is also a key factor not listed).
- Dedicated Depth and Macro lenses: Enables more versatile photography for some users.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Generally considered a convenient location for unlocking the device
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Display: Much higher resolution, AMOLED technology, higher refresh rate, and significantly better brightness leading to a dramatically better viewing experience.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset is vastly superior, offering much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and much better gaming performance.
- Advanced Camera System: Higher resolution cameras with much better sensors, plus a Telephoto and Wide Angle lens, significantly outperforming the Motorola in most aspects of photography and video.
- Much Higher Quality Video Recording: Up to 8K resolution with multiple HDR options, plus excellent stabilization.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Longer battery life and much faster charging times.
- Modern Software: Android 14 offers the latest features and security updates.
- Advanced Connectivity: Latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards for faster data transfer speeds.
- Significantly More Storage and RAM: Much more space for apps and files and much better multitasking.
- Better Audio: Higher quality audio experience with Stereo speakers and Hi-Res Audio
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 offers much better scratch and drop protection.
- Comprehensive sensor suite: Includes Gravity and Hall sensors for better gaming performance.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Weight: The Zenfone 11 Ultra is noticeably heavier, which may be less comfortable for some users.
- Cost: The Zenfone 11 Ultra is a flagship device, so it will likely be much more expensive than the Moto G Power.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users: Those seeking a very affordable smartphone.
- Users needing long battery life: Prioritizing extended use between charges over performance or cutting-edge features.
- Users preferring a lighter phone: Those valuing comfort for one-handed operation and longer periods of use.
- Basic use cases: Web browsing, social media, and basic communication tasks.
- Users who value having macro and depth sensors.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Ideal Users:
- Performance-focused users: Gamers and power users who need top-tier performance.
- Photography and videography enthusiasts: Those who want a very capable camera for photos and videos.
- Multimedia consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos and playing games on a high-quality display.
- Users needing a future-proof device: Those wanting a device that will remain powerful and feature-rich for years.
- Users needing extended battery life: Those who need great battery performance that will get them through a full day
- Users needing a Dual SIM device for travel or separating work from personal life
- Users who like modern and premium features: Those who value features like wireless charging, fast charging, and the latest connectivity standards.
Use Cases:
- Motorola Moto G Power (2021):
- Basic social media browsing.
- Long audiobook listening sessions.
- Everyday communication, calling and texting.
- Casual photography.
- A backup phone.
- Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- High-end mobile gaming.
- Professional photography and video recording.
- Watching high-resolution movies and shows.
- Demanding multitasking and productivity applications.
- Travel with Dual-SIM support
- Long days where the battery is critical.
Price-to-Value:
- Motorola Moto G Power (2021): Offers good value at its price point for basic use cases and long battery life. It does not offer great value outside of this, however, given the limitations of its specifications.
- Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra: Offers excellent value for power users and multimedia consumers with its premium performance, superior camera, and top-tier display; but this comes at a higher price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The Moto G Power will be much more affordable.
- How important is performance? The Zenfone is a massive leap in performance, and should be the clear choice if this is a significant factor.
- What are my main use cases? Basic use vs. gaming, multimedia consumption, and photography.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Extremely Tight Budget, Long Battery: Choose the Motorola Moto G Power (2021). It's the best option for budget-conscious users needing a simple phone with long battery life for basic tasks.
Scenario 2: Performance & High-Quality Camera Priority: Choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. It's the clear winner for users needing flagship performance, great cameras, and a high-quality display.
Scenario 3: Balanced User: Consider the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra unless budget is a major concern. The performance and camera benefits make it worth the extra cost for most users.
Final Decision
If I were choosing between these two devices, I would choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra without hesitation. Despite the higher price point, the performance difference is so massive that the experience of using the two phones would be completely different. The Zenfone offers a significantly better display, vastly improved camera capabilities and vastly superior performance that will not only be better day to day but also keep the phone relevant for much longer than the Motorola. While the Motorola would be more comfortable to hold, the trade-off of performance is too large to ignore. Ultimately, the Zenfone 11 Ultra is a far more future proof device and is clearly the superior option in almost every way.
