Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Huawei Mate X3
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Huawei Mate X3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Huawei Mate X3 offers a larger screen that folds for portability, while Moto G Power has a conventional design. |
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 156.9 × 141.5 × 5.3 mm (unfolded) | Moto G Power is taller and thicker, while the unfolded Mate X3 is much wider, offering a tablet-like experience. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 239g | Moto G Power is lighter and more comfortable for prolonged single-hand use, while Mate X3 is heavier due to its folding mechanism. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 7.85" | Mate X3 provides a significantly larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 2224x2496 | Mate X3 has a much sharper display with significantly more pixels, offering clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 266 | 426 | Mate X3 has noticeably sharper display compared to Moto G Power, leading to a better visual experience |
| Technology | IPS LCD | Unknown | Moto G Power uses an IPS LCD, while the specific display technology of the Mate X3 is not provided. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Mate X3 provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits. The practical impact is unknown since the peak brightness is not known. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | Mate X3 offers significantly faster processing and better overall performance for demanding tasks, including gaming and heavy multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 1,238,400 | Mate X3 has a vastly superior performance, reflecting in faster loading times, smoother gameplay and overall better responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 730 | Mate X3 offers much better graphics processing, beneficial for gaming and graphic-intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" sensor, 1.00 µm pixel size | Mate X3 has a slightly higher resolution, larger sensor, and larger pixels generally leading to better image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12 µm pixel size | 8MP, f/2.4, pixel size unknown | Moto G Power has a wider aperture selfie camera which should generally perform better in low light situations. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 16MP, f/3.4, 1/3.09" sensor, 1.00 µm pixel size | Mate X3 allows for optical zoom, which can retain more detail compared to digital zoom and bring far away objects closer. |
| Portrait (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm pixel size | None | Moto G Power can capture depth information and improve the bokeh effect. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm pixel size | None | Moto G Power can take close-up pictures of very small objects. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12MP, f/2.2, sensor model unknown | Mate X3 provides a wider field of view and can take wide angle photos. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, EIS, Slow-mo: 60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, EIS, Slow-mo: 960fps | Mate X3 offers higher resolution video recording and better slow motion capabilities. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4800mAh | Moto G Power has slightly larger battery, potentially offering marginally better battery life. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 66W fast charging, 50W wireless | Mate X3 charges much faster both with a cable and wirelessly. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 32GB/64GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | Mate X3 offers significantly more storage space for apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB | 8GB/12GB | Mate X3 offers far more RAM leading to smoother multitasking and better overall performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports additional storage expansion. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | Mate X3 supports the faster Wi-Fi 6 standard, offering better speeds and network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE | Mate X3 has a newer Bluetooth version offering slightly better performance and features. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | Mate X3 supports two SIM cards. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 10 | Unknown | The Moto G Power runs on Android 10, the OS version of Mate X3 is not available. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: The Moto G Power is significantly lighter and easier to handle one-handed, ideal for users with smaller hands or those who value portability.
- Potentially Better Battery Life: Slightly larger battery capacity could lead to slightly better battery life. However, this needs to be verified with real-world use as the efficiency of the chipset and display on the Mate X3 are not completely known.
- Wider aperture for selfies: The selfie camera has a wider f/2.0 aperture. This could lead to better low-light performance.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Sensors: The inclusion of dedicated macro and depth sensors for the rear camera allows for close-up photography and improved bokeh effects.
Huawei Mate X3 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset offers vastly superior performance for all tasks from basic app usage, gaming and content creation.
- Much Larger and Sharper Display: The large, high-resolution foldable display of the Mate X3 provides a significantly better experience for media consumption, multitasking, and gaming.
- Faster Charging: 66W wired and 50W wireless charging significantly reduces charging times.
- More Versatile Camera System: Inclusion of telephoto and ultrawide lenses offers greater flexibility in photography, with the telephoto enabling optical zoom capabilities.
- More RAM & Storage: 8/12GB of RAM and up to 1TB storage, far exceeds the capacity of the Moto G Power.
- Modern Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 which offers faster speeds and a more reliable connection.
- Premium Audio: The inclusion of stereo speakers on the Mate X3 provide a better audio experience.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Motorola Moto G Power (2021): Significantly less powerful, lower quality display, basic camera system, and slower charging. It offers a more basic smartphone experience overall.
- Huawei Mate X3: Significantly more expensive, heavier, and bulkier. Also, the OS is not mentioned in the specs, making it hard to compare the software experience directly.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021):
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life, a simple and easy to use interface, and a light and portable phone.
- Use Cases:
- Casual browsing, social media, and basic app usage
- Long periods away from a charger
- Users who prefer a smaller phone with traditional design.
- Price-to-Value: Offers good value for users focused on basic functionality at a low price point.
Huawei Mate X3:
- Ideal User: Power users who need high performance, a large display, excellent cameras, and fast charging.
- Use Cases:
- Gaming and other demanding applications
- Frequent media consumption (videos, movies, reading)
- Photography enthusiasts who want versatile zoom capabilities
- Professionals who need to multitask on the go.
- Price-to-Value: Offers premium features and top-tier performance, justified for users who need a flagship experience, but is much more expensive.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone? The Mate X3 will be significantly more expensive.
- Primary Use Case: What do you use your smartphone for the most? Gaming, browsing, photography, or just simple phone calls?
- Form Factor Preference: Do you want a more traditional form factor or are you interested in the versatility that a foldable device provides?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If your budget is very limited and you mainly need basic phone functionality, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is a practical choice.
- Performance Seeker: If you need a smartphone for gaming, demanding apps, and you want the best performance possible, and budget is not a concern, then the Huawei Mate X3 is the superior option.
- Multimedia Enthusiast: If a large, high-quality display is most important to you, then the Mate X3 is clearly the winner. The ability to consume media on a device that can fold up is also very convenient.
My Choice
I would choose the Huawei Mate X3.
Here’s why:
While the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is a decent budget phone, the Mate X3 offers a vastly superior user experience in nearly every aspect that matters to me. Its higher performance, significantly better screen, more versatile camera system, faster charging, and modern connectivity make it a clear choice for my needs. As someone who uses a phone for productivity, media consumption, and photography, the trade-off in weight and price is well worth the improved experience. While the Motorola is adequate for basic tasks, the Mate X3 provides a flagship experience that’s difficult to ignore. The folding form factor also provides a novel experience.
