Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Huawei Mate 50 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm | The Moto G Power is slightly taller and thicker, making the Mate 50 Pro more pocketable and comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 205g | Both phones feel similarly weighted in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.74" | The Mate 50 Pro has a slightly larger screen, providing a bit more viewing area for media consumption and productivity. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1212x2616 | The Mate 50 Pro has a substantially sharper display, meaning text and images will appear much clearer and more detailed. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 266 | 428 | The higher pixel density on the Mate 50 Pro results in a noticeably crisper and more visually appealing display. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | The Mate 50 Pro's OLED screen offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the Moto G Power's LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Mate 50 Pro's 120Hz refresh rate will result in much smoother scrolling and animations, leading to a more responsive feel. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical brightness, the actual peak brightness is not specified and therefore can't be compared. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | The Mate 50 Pro has a much more powerful chipset, leading to significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 1,022,043 | The Mate 50 Pro scores much higher in benchmarks, indicating a drastically better performance in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 730 | The Mate 50 Pro's GPU allows for superior graphics in games and other graphically intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4700mAh | The Moto G Power has a slightly larger battery, but real world battery life will depend heavily on usage |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 66W fast charging | The Mate 50 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime and allowing for quick top-ups. |
| Features | 10W charger in-box | Reverse charging, 50W wireless charging, 7.5W wireless reverse charging | The Mate 50 Pro offers more versatile charging options, including wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.4, 1.00µm | The Mate 50 Pro's main camera with its larger sensor and wider aperture is expected to perform better in low-light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | 13MP, f/2.4 | The Mate 50 Pro offers higher selfie resolution, while the Moto G Power has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 64MP, f/3.5 | The Mate 50 Pro has a telephoto lens for optical zoom, a feature absent on the Moto G Power. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/2.2 | The Mate 50 Pro includes a wide angle lens, providing added versatility. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Moto G Power has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Moto G Power has a dedicated macro lens. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR & EIS | The Mate 50 Pro is capable of higher resolution video recording, with HDR support and more slow-motion capabilities. |
| DxOMark Score | N/A | Mobile: 149, Selfie: 145 | The Mate 50 Pro has been tested and scores highly on the DxOMark, whereas the Moto G Power has not been tested. |
| Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, EIS, Autofocus, etc. | 4K Video, Optical zoom, OIS, manual focus, Dual front camera, RAW, Night Mode, etc. | The Mate 50 Pro has many more advanced camera features |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Mate 50 Pro's OS is not specified. Moto G Power is significantly outdated. | |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | The Mate 50 Pro has a newer WiFi standard, potentially offering faster speeds and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 | The Mate 50 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version for more efficient connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | The Mate 50 Pro has broader satellite support, leading to potentially more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | The Mate 50 Pro can accommodate two SIM cards simultaneously, while the Moto G Power is limited to one. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32 GB or 64 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | The Mate 50 Pro offers significantly more built-in storage, good for users with lots of media or apps. |
| RAM | 3 GB or 4 GB | 8 GB | The Mate 50 Pro has more RAM, making it better suited for multitasking and demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for memory expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Stereo Speakers | The Mate 50 Pro provides better audio with stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | The side-mounted fingerprint sensor of the Motorola is easier to use compared to a basic one. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Neither phone's screen protection technology is specified, thus no direct comparison possible. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | The Mate 50 Pro has an extra barometer, which can provide additional environmental data. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Battery: A 300mAh larger battery (5000 mAh vs 4700 mAh), which may lead to slightly longer battery life depending on usage, though this could easily be negated by the less power-efficient processor.
- Lower Price: Typically sold at a significantly lower price point, making it more accessible to budget-conscious buyers.
- Dedicated Portrait and Macro Lenses: Offers a dedicated portrait and macro camera lens, though likely not of high quality due to their low resolution.
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G chipset offers dramatically better processing power, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and more capable gaming.
- Higher Quality Display: The OLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate, high resolution and high pixel density provides a much more visually appealing and fluid user experience.
- Advanced Camera System: Features higher resolution sensors, larger aperture on the main sensor, a dedicated telephoto and ultrawide lens, and optical image stabilization for superior image and video quality.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: 66W fast charging and wireless charging capabilities significantly reduce charging times and increase convenience.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers substantially more internal storage (256 GB or 512 GB) and 8 GB of RAM, enhancing multitasking and future-proofing.
- Stereo Speakers: Provides a better audio experience with stereo speakers.
- Newer Connectivity Standards: Supports WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for more modern connections.
- Broader Satellite Support: Offers more location accuracy through expanded GPS capabilities.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) prioritizes battery and budget over performance and display quality.
- The Huawei Mate 50 Pro has a significantly higher price tag, making it unaffordable for many buyers.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and basic smartphone functionality over performance and display quality.
- Users who primarily use their phone for basic communication, browsing, and social media.
- Users who take very little photos and video
- Users who are not bothered by lower resolution or slower performance.
Use Cases:
- A secondary phone with long battery life for travel or emergencies.
- A basic phone for users who are less tech-savvy or just want a simple reliable device.
- For those who need a long-lasting phone for basic productivity without high demands.
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Ideal User:
- Users who demand high performance for gaming, multitasking, and other demanding applications.
- Photography enthusiasts who want a versatile camera system and high image/video quality.
- Users who consume a lot of media and want a superior visual and audio experience.
- Users who value speed, responsiveness, and convenience.
- Users who do not want to compromise on the quality of their smartphone.
Use Cases:
- Photography and videography, including low-light conditions, with optical zoom.
- Mobile gaming at the highest graphical settings.
- Heavy media consumption, like watching videos and streaming.
- Professional users who need a powerful, reliable and versatile device.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is significantly cheaper than the Huawei Mate 50 Pro.
- How important is performance, display, and camera quality? The Mate 50 Pro excels in these areas, whereas the Moto G Power offers a more basic experience.
- What is your primary use case? The Mate 50 Pro is for users who need high-performance and premium features, whereas the G Power is for basic users who want a phone that lasts longer.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic User on a Budget: If you primarily use your phone for calls, texts, and basic browsing and you have a tight budget, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is the more practical option.
- Scenario 2: Heavy User, Performance and Camera Focused: If you're a heavy user who needs smooth performance, a great camera, and a premium experience, and are not restricted by your budget, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is the superior choice.
- Scenario 3: Mixed usage and a limited budget: If you are a user who uses their phone for a mix of tasks, like gaming, social media and productivity but have a limited budget, you should look at other phones in the price range of the Moto G Power, as the Moto G Power might not offer the best experience.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Huawei Mate 50 Pro.
While the Moto G Power's lower price and larger battery are appealing, the Mate 50 Pro's superior performance, display, and camera capabilities are well worth the higher price, if budget is not a concern.
As a user who values smooth performance, high-quality visuals, and a versatile camera system, the Mate 50 Pro aligns perfectly with my needs. The faster charging, additional RAM and storage, and the premium build quality provide a significantly better experience. I would be willing to spend more for the noticeable increase in performance and overall user experience, especially considering the Mate 50 Pro's advanced features. The Moto G Power feels too much like a device from a past generation and I would not enjoy using it as my primary device.
