Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Honor Magic5 Lite
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Honor Magic5 Lite | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 161.6 × 73.9 × 7.9 mm | Magic5 Lite is more compact and pocketable. The G Power is thicker and bulkier. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 175g | Magic5 Lite is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.67" | Negligible size difference; both offer large screens for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Magic5 Lite has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 266 ppi | 395 ppi | Magic5 Lite's display is noticeably sharper and more detailed. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Magic5 Lite has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and potentially better color accuracy; more vibrant screen. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Magic5 Lite has much smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical brightness. Note: Peak brightness not specified |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Magic5 Lite has a more powerful, more efficient chipset, enabling better performance and 5G connectivity. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 431,000 | Magic5 Lite offers significantly faster app loading and better gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 | Magic5 Lite has better graphics capabilities for gaming and demanding applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5100mAh | Similar battery capacity; both offer all-day battery life for most users. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 40W Fast Charging | Magic5 Lite charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Charger in Box | 10W | Not specified | Motorola includes the charger in the box for ease of use. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 64MP, f/1.8 | Magic5 Lite offers higher resolution; G Power has a slightly wider aperture which can help with low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 16MP, f/2.45 | Magic5 Lite has higher resolution selfies. G Power has a wider aperture for potentially better low-light performance |
| Wide-Angle Lens | No | 5MP, f/2.2 | Magic5 Lite offers a wider field of view for landscape shots. |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | No | G Power has a dedicated depth lens for portrait mode shots |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both offer similar macro lens. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60fps w/ EIS | 1080p@30fps | Both support 1080p recording, G Power supports 60fps option. |
| Slow Motion | 60fps | 120fps | Magic5 Lite allows for slower, more detailed slow motion video recordings. |
| DXOMark Score | Not Tested | 74(Mobile) | Magic5 Lite camera has been rated, while G Power has not. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12 | Magic5 Lite has a newer operating system; G Power may not receive further OS updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, Hotspot, Display | 802.11ac, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | Both phones feature WiFi standards; Honor adds dual-band and Wi-Fi Direct support |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.1, A2DP | Magic5 Lite has a slightly newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Magic5 Lite supports Beidou; G Power supports SUPL; both have comprehensive satellite positioning support |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | Magic5 Lite allows use of two SIM cards simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32GB/64GB | 128GB/256GB | Magic5 Lite offers much more internal storage capacity. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB | 6GB/8GB | Magic5 Lite has substantially more RAM, allowing for better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio | Hi-Res Audio, Noise Cancellation Microphone | Magic5 Lite offers better audio quality and clear calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint | Motorola features a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor |
| Other | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Honor has added Gravity sensor. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Neither phone has specified the screen protection technology. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Slightly wider camera aperture: f/1.7 main lens and f/2.0 selfie for better low-light performance.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Lens: While not always high quality, they offer more versatility.
- Laser Autofocus Offers faster autofocus than PDAF.
- Included charger: The 10W charger in box may be a small advantage.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: More ergonomic than a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor
Honor Magic5 Lite Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with higher resolution, pixel density, 120Hz refresh rate.
- Significantly Better Performance: Much faster chipset and GPU, higher AnTuTu benchmark score.
- Faster Charging: 40W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- 5G connectivity Supports 5G networks
- Higher Camera Resolution: 64MP main and 16MP selfie cameras.
- Wider Angle lens: Additional lens provides flexibility with different shooting scenarios.
- More RAM and Storage: Comes with 6/8GB RAM and 128/256GB storage.
- Newer Android Version: Android 12 with potential for upgrades to Android 13.
- Hi-Res Audio High quality audio playback
- Dual SIM: Dual sim support is useful for people who travel or have two numbers.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Motorola Moto G Power: Slower performance, lower-resolution display, older OS, basic fingerprint sensor.
- Honor Magic5 Lite: No dedicated portrait lens and may need an additional purchase for a charger.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize battery life over all else.
- Budget-conscious buyers who need a basic phone.
- Users who don't heavily use their phone for gaming or graphically intensive apps.
- Users who might appreciate the included charger.
Use Cases:
- Basic communication (calls, texts, emails).
- Occasional social media browsing.
- Long road trips or camping where battery life is crucial.
- Primary phone for someone who needs a basic set of features.
Honor Magic5 Lite Ideal User:
- Users who value display quality and smooth performance.
- Users who enjoy mobile gaming or use demanding apps.
- Users who prefer a light and sleek design.
- Users who want a good camera for social media.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos.
- Playing mobile games.
- Taking high-quality photos and videos.
- Multitasking with several apps open.
- Daily use with a need for fast charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality to you? (AMOLED vs. IPS LCD, resolution, refresh rate)
- How important is performance (speed, gaming, multitasking)? (Chipset, AnTuTu score, RAM)
- What is your budget, and are you willing to sacrifice features for cost? (Consider price-to-value ratio)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget Conscious & Battery Life: If the budget is tight, you value long battery life and basic use, the Moto G Power is a viable option.
- Performance & Display Enthusiast: If you value smooth performance, a beautiful display, good camera quality and a more modern user experience, the Honor Magic5 Lite is the clear choice.
- Everyday User: If you are a casual user that needs a phone that works well without breaking the bank, the Honor Magic5 Lite is the better option.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Honor Magic5 Lite. The superior display (AMOLED, higher resolution, 120Hz), significantly better performance (faster chipset, more RAM), faster charging, and the overall modern experience it offers make it a much more compelling choice for my needs. While the Motorola G Power might be okay for the most basic tasks and those on an extremely tight budget, the Magic5 Lite offers a significantly better user experience across the board. The faster performance, much better display, and better cameras are worth it. The absence of a charger in the box and no dedicated portrait lens is an inconvenience, but it doesn't outweigh the overall advantages the Magic5 Lite has to offer.
