1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications for the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) and Motorola Moto G85, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Motorola Moto G85 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 161.9 × 73.1 × 7.6 mm | The G85 is noticeably slimmer, narrower, and shorter, making it easier to handle and pocket. The G Power is bulkier. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 171g | The G85 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less tiring to carry around. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Motorola Moto G85 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.6" | 6.67" | Both have very similar screen sizes, a difference of .07 is negligable. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The G85 provides a much sharper and clearer display. Text and images appear more detailed and less pixelated. |
| PPI | 266 | 395 | The G85 has a significantly higher pixel density resulting in a noticeably sharper display. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | P-OLED | The G85’s P-OLED offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the G Power's LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The G85 has smoother scrolling, animations, and a more fluid overall experience. The G Power might feel less responsive and look more choppy. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | The G85 is dramatically brighter making it easier to view outdoors in bright sunlight. The G Power would likely be very difficult to see outdoors. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The G85 offers superior scratch and impact protection. The G Power does not have known screen protection. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Motorola Moto G85 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6 nm) | The G85's newer chipset is significantly faster and more energy-efficient, providing smoother performance in apps and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 475,000 | The G85 has much better real-world performance in demanding tasks, offering superior speed and responsiveness in heavy multitasking and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 | The G85 is equipped with a better GPU allowing for improved performance in graphics intensive games. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Motorola Moto G85 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.79, 1.00 µm pixel size, Sony LYT-600 | The G85 has a slightly higher resolution, a slightly smaller aperture, and larger pixels, which helps in low light. The G85 also uses a more advanced Sony sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12 µm pixel size | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.70 µm pixel size | The G85 takes much higher resolution selfies, though with a smaller aperture and pixel size which could mean slightly worse low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | The G85 offers the versatility of capturing wider scenes compared to the G Power. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm pixel size | None | The G Power offers a dedicated lens for depth, improving bokeh in portrait photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm pixel size | None | The G Power offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | 1080p@30/60fps | Both have similar video recording at 1080p at 30 or 60 frames per second. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | OIS | The G85 has Optical Image Stabilization for significantly better video stability compared to the G Power. |
| Slow Motion | Yes 60fps | No 30 fps | The G Power can record slower slow-motion video compared to the G85. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera | Dual camera, OIS, RAW | The G85 offers more advanced features like OIS and RAW format, while G Power has an extra dedicated macro and depth sensor |
| DxOMark | None | Mobile: 88, Photo: 83, Video: 109 | The G85 camera is rated, the G Power has not been tested, the G85 is rated reasonably well for a mid range phone. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Motorola Moto G85 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have identical battery capacities, suggesting similar battery life. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging, 10W charger in-box | 30W fast charging | The G85 charges much faster reducing the time plugged into a charger. |
Software, Connectivity & Storage
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Motorola Moto G85 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | The G85 has a much more modern operating system, with better features, security, and longer software support. |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | The G85 has a faster and more efficient Wi-Fi connection with better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE | The G85 supports a slightly newer Bluetooth standard. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The G85 uses more satellites offering better location accuracy and speed. |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | The G85 provides more flexibility with dual SIM support and eSIM functionality. |
| Internal Storage | 32GB or 64GB | 128GB or 256GB | The G85 offers substantially more storage for apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 3GB or 4GB | 8GB or 12GB | The G85 has considerably more RAM for multitasking and resource-intensive apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
Audio, Security & Sensors
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Motorola Moto G85 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The G85 has significantly enhanced audio quality, including spatial audio and stereo separation. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones have a basic fingerprint sensor for basic biometric security. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both have comprehensive sensor suites. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Sensors: Offers a more versatile camera system with the inclusion of a depth and macro lens.
- Lower Price: The G Power can be found at a much lower price point.
Practical Implications: While the G Power offers a more versatile camera system and is cheaper it falls drastically behind in all other categories.
Motorola Moto G85 Advantages
- Significantly Superior Display: P-OLED panel with higher resolution, pixel density, brightness, and 120Hz refresh rate. Results in a far superior experience for visual content.
- Much Faster Performance: Newer chipset and GPU result in significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Superior Camera Quality: Improved main sensor, higher resolution selfie camera, wider-angle lens and OIS all contribute to better photos and videos.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging drastically reduces charging time.
- More Modern Software: Runs Android 14 with better features, security, and a longer update life.
- Enhanced Audio: Features Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers for a more immersive audio experience.
- Improved Connectivity: Supports faster WiFi and has more GPS satellites, and eSIM capabilities.
- More RAM and Storage: Provides more space and better multitasking.
Practical Implications: The G85 offers a significantly better overall experience with superior performance in almost all categories, including display, performance, camera, software, and connectivity.
Significant Trade-offs
- G Power: Loses in virtually every key specification apart from dedicated macro and depth sensors, and pricing.
- G85: Lacks dedicated macro and depth sensors which some users may want.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal User
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals who prioritize affordability and basic functionality over performance and premium features.
- Users Needing Basic Smartphone Functions: Those who primarily use their phones for calls, texts, and light browsing, with a desire for a dedicated macro and depth sensor.
- Users who dislike OLED screens Some users simply dislike OLED screens.
Specific Use Cases:
- Basic social media and communication
- Light web browsing and email
- Simple photography with macro and depth options
Motorola Moto G85 Ideal User
- Performance Seekers: Users who need a fast and responsive phone for daily use, multitasking, and gaming.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Individuals who prioritize a high-quality display for watching videos and playing games.
- Photography Lovers: Those who want good camera quality with optical image stabilization, a wide angle lens, and RAW capture support.
- Users who want a good overall experience Anyone who wants a great experience with modern connectivity options, software, and audio.
Specific Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming and apps
- High-quality video streaming
- Photography and social media content creation
- Professional or work use with enhanced connectivity.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- G Power (2021): Offers a lower initial price but lacks modern features. May be suitable for those on a tight budget but the long-term experience will be worse.
- G85: Has a higher price but provides a superior overall experience. Offers a higher value due to significant enhancements in every category.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- What is your budget? The G Power is much cheaper but offers a lower experience.
- How important is performance and a quality display? The G85 excels in both areas.
- How important is camera quality? The G85 has better main and selfie cameras and features such as OIS, but lacks dedicated macro and depth sensors.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Use
- Recommendation: Motorola Moto G Power (2021). Suitable for basic tasks and those who need a very cheap phone and dont mind the poor display.
- Scenario 2: Mid-Range Performance and Good Screen
- Recommendation: Motorola Moto G85. This is the far superior phone and provides a better all round experience in terms of general use, screen quality, battery and performance.
- Scenario 3: Best Camera with Versatility
- Recommendation: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) for dedicated macro and depth sensors, otherwise the Motorola G85 for superior performance and OIS.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Moto G85 without hesitation. While the Moto G Power (2021) might appeal to budget-conscious buyers, the drastic improvements in the G85's display, performance, camera, and overall features are simply too significant to ignore. The enhanced P-OLED screen, much faster processor, superior camera, and modern software make the G85 a far more enjoyable and practical device for everyday use. The G85's faster charging, better audio, and improved connectivity are also crucial for a modern user experience. The loss of the dedicated macro and depth sensors on the G85 is a minor sacrifice compared to the significant gains in all other areas. For those who prioritize performance, media consumption, and photography, the G85 is the clear winner.
