1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 161.8 × 73.5 × 8.4 mm | Moto G Power is larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. Edge 30 Ultra is more compact and easier to pocket. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 198.5g | Edge 30 Ultra is slightly lighter, potentially less fatiguing during long usage periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.67" | Negligible difference in screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Edge 30 Ultra offers sharper visuals, crisper text, and finer detail, making content consumption more enjoyable. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 266 | 395 | Edge 30 Ultra has much sharper display, reducing pixel visibility and improving clarity. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | P-OLED | Edge 30 Ultra has deeper blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors, leading to a superior visual experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Edge 30 Ultra provides much smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming, making it feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1250 nits | Edge 30 Ultra is far more visible in bright sunlight, and offers better dynamic range indoors. (Note: the 0 nits reported for the G Power is incorrect and should be some positive number.) |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Edge 30 Ultra offers substantially faster app loading, multitasking, and gaming performance. It is more future-proof. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 1,231,300 | Edge 30 Ultra demonstrates significantly superior performance in benchmarks, translating to a much smoother and responsive experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 730 | Edge 30 Ultra has a much more capable GPU, enabling better graphics performance in games and demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 200MP | Edge 30 Ultra captures far more detail and enables more cropping flexibility due to the much higher resolution sensor. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.95 | Moto G Power's wider aperture could potentially mean slightly better low-light performance in some situations. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 60MP | Edge 30 Ultra captures much higher resolution selfies with more detail and better cropping potential. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.2 | Moto G Power's wider aperture could potentially mean slightly better low-light performance in some situations. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP | Edge 30 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, providing better zoom quality than digital zoom alone. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 50MP | Edge 30 Ultra allows you to capture wider scenes that the main camera cannot cover. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP depth sensor | None | Moto G Power has a dedicated depth sensor for bokeh effects. The Edge 30 Ultra does this via computational photography |
| Macro Lens | 2MP Macro lens | None | Moto G Power has a dedicated macro lens for taking extreme close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@60fps with EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | Edge 30 Ultra records much higher resolution videos, with more stabilization options. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4610mAh | Moto G Power has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering a bit longer battery life. |
| Charging Speed | 15W | 125W | Edge 30 Ultra charges much faster, minimizing downtime and enabling quick top-ups. |
| Wireless Charging | None | 50W wireless, 10W reverse | Edge 30 Ultra offers convenient wireless charging and can also wirelessly charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12 (upgradeable to 13) | Edge 30 Ultra has a newer OS with more features and better security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi ac | Wi-Fi 6 (ax) | Edge 30 Ultra supports newer and faster Wi-Fi standards, offering better connection speeds and stability. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Edge 30 Ultra has a newer Bluetooth version for more efficient connectivity and range. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64 GB | 128/256 GB | Edge 30 Ultra offers much more internal storage, allowing users to store more media and apps. |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 8/12 GB | Edge 30 Ultra has far more RAM for smoother multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | Basic features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Edge 30 Ultra offers a more immersive and enjoyable audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | Moto G Power has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint scanner. Edge 30 Ultra uses a basic fingerprint scanner (likely under-display). |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Edge 30 Ultra has a more durable and scratch-resistant screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint, Gravity | Edge 30 Ultra has a more comprehensive sensor suite including Gravity. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Offers slightly longer battery life due to its 5000mAh capacity.
- Wider Main Camera Aperture: The f/1.7 may potentially result in slightly better low light photos.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Arguably more convenient than in-screen sensors for some users.
- Dedicated depth and macro lens: Offers dedicated depth and macro lenses, although the use cases for this are very niche.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Display: P-OLED panel with higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness provides a much better viewing experience.
- Much Faster Performance: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset offers a significant performance boost for all tasks, including gaming.
- Superior Cameras: Significantly higher resolution sensors and additional lenses (telephoto, ultrawide) greatly improve image quality and versatility.
- Much Faster Charging: 125W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Wireless Charging: Offers convenient wireless charging with reverse wireless charging for other devices.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers enhance the audio experience.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Includes a gravity sensor.
- Newer Software: Runs Android 12, with an upgrade to 13, providing newer features and security.
- More Storage and RAM: Higher storage and RAM improve multitasking and ensure a smooth user experience.
- More Modern Design: Slimmer and lighter with better screen protection.
Trade-offs:
- The Moto G Power sacrifices performance, display quality, and camera capabilities for a slightly larger battery and lower price tag.
- The Edge 30 Ultra lacks a dedicated depth and macro lens but offers superior image quality through other methods.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who prioritize long battery life over performance.
- Users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks such as browsing, social media, and calls.
- Users who need a basic phone that can last through a day.
- Users who need a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
- Users who value having a dedicated macro and depth lens, even if its a low quality sensor.
Use Cases:
- A reliable secondary phone for travel or work.
- A first smartphone for children or elderly users.
- A basic device for users who need extended battery.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra Ideal User:
- Power users who need top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Users who prioritize a high-quality display for consuming content and media.
- Mobile photographers who want versatile and high-quality camera capabilities.
- Users who appreciate fast charging and the convenience of wireless charging.
- Users who want a more modern premium design.
Use Cases:
- Gaming and intensive app use.
- Professional-grade photography and videography.
- Frequent media consumption and multitasking.
- Users who need a modern phone with a high-end feature set.
Price-to-Value:
- The Moto G Power offers better value for users on a very tight budget focused solely on battery life and basic functionality.
- The Edge 30 Ultra provides a premium experience, but at a higher cost, targeting users who prioritize cutting-edge performance and features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (e.g., gaming, photography, basic usage)
- What is your budget? (This will significantly narrow the options)
- How important is battery life vs performance, display, and camera quality?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget and Battery Priority: If your primary concern is getting a long-lasting phone on a limited budget, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is a more practical choice.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Premium Experience: If you need high-end performance, a premium display, and excellent camera capabilities, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is the clear choice, despite its higher cost.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Usage: If you have a slightly larger budget, you prioritize a good display, good performance for all tasks, but also care about battery, you may have to look at something different. In this comparison, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra would be more future-proof, however you'd be paying a premium.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I would pick the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. The significantly better display, performance, and camera capabilities make it a much better device overall, and worth the added cost. While the Moto G Power has a slightly larger battery, the Edge 30 Ultra's significantly faster charging reduces the impact of this difference. In my day to day life, the edge 30 ultra would provide a smoother and more enjoyable user experience due to its superior hardware. While the G Power may be slightly more usable in certain niche circumstances, the Edge 30 Ultra's added modern features make it more future-proof and therefore a more practical pick.
