1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Nokia G21 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 164.6 × 75.9 × 8.5 mm | Nokia G21 is slightly thinner and potentially more comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 190g | Nokia G21 is lighter, which can make it more comfortable for long usage. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.5" | Negligible difference in screen size. Both offer an immersive experience. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Both have similar sharpness. |
| PPI | 266 | 270 | Very similar pixel density, barely noticeable difference in sharpness. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Similar color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Nokia G21 offers smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have an unknown peak brightness; This lack of information makes comparison difficult. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Nokia G21 is expected to be a bit faster with daily tasks and light gaming based on AnTuTu scores. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 253,300 | Nokia G21 offers notably better performance in benchmarks. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MP1 | The Nokia G21’s GPU is slightly better for general gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera (Main) | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.64 µm pixel size, 1/2.76" sensor, Samsung S5KJN1 | Motorola has slightly better low light performance due to wider aperture. Nokia offers more detail due to higher resolution sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12 µm pixel size | 8MP, f/2.0 | Both provide similar selfie quality. |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm pixel size | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both phones have the same portrait capabilities. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm pixel size | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both phones have the same macro capabilities. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | Motorola has additional 60fps recording option and slow motion capabilities. |
| Camera Features | PDAF, LAF, EIS | Front Flash | Motorola excels in focus and stabilisation; Nokia excels in low light selfies. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5050mAh | Practically identical battery life. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging, Li-Ion Polymer | 18W fast charging, Li-Ion | Nokia G21 charges slightly faster. |
| Charger | 10W In-box | 10W In-box | Both ship with a standard 10W charger, users have to purchase a fast charger seperately. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Nokia G21 has a more modern OS and longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n | Motorola supports newer Wi-Fi ac standard. Nokia supports Dual-Band wifi connection |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, A2DP, EDR | 5.0 LE, A2DP | Motorola supports EDR which is better for high data transfers for Bluetooth audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Nokia G21 has support for more global navigation satellite systems, while Motorola has SUPL for assisted GPS functionality. |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Nokia G21 allows for using two SIMs at once. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32GB/64GB | 64GB/128GB | Nokia G21 provides more storage options. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB | 4GB/6GB | Nokia G21 has higher RAM options, allowing better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | 2 microphones | Nokia has slightly better voice recording. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both provide basic biometric security. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Motorola has more sensor features. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Screen protection is unknown for both phones; making comparison difficult. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Slightly wider camera aperture (f/1.7): May capture slightly better photos in low light situations.
- 60 FPS video recording: Offers smoother video capture at 60 fps.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Includes gyroscope and compass which are better for gaming.
- Better Wifi Connectivity: Supports the newer Wi-Fi ac standard and offers potentially faster connection speeds.
- Bluetooth EDR: Supports higher quality bluetooth audio streaming.
Nokia G21 Advantages:
- More Modern OS: Ships with Android 11 (upgradable to 13), providing better software support.
- Higher AnTuTu score: Better chipset for better overall performance, 42% faster in benchmarks.
- Smoother 90Hz display: More fluid scrolling and animations for a better user experience.
- Higher resolution main camera (50MP): Better detail in daylight photos.
- Faster charging (18W): Charges quicker.
- Dual SIM Support: Supports two SIM cards for travel or work/personal separation.
- More Storage and RAM Options: Offers more storage (up to 128GB) and RAM (up to 6GB)
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola has some slight camera and connectivity advantages, but the Nokia G21 is better in terms of overall performance, software support, and multitasking capabilities
- Motorola users may have to use the standard charger, or purchase a new faster charger. The same applies to the Nokia users.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021):
- Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a slightly better camera in low light.
- Users who value a more comprehensive sensor package for gaming and other advanced applications.
- Users who prioritize quality bluetooth audio streaming.
- Use Cases:
- Casual photography in mixed lighting.
- Basic gaming with the gyroscope support.
- Users who have headphones with support for EDR streaming.
- Value: Good basic phone for a lower budget for casual use.
Nokia G21:
- Ideal User:
- Users looking for a device with good software support and a smooth UI.
- Users who want better day-to-day performance for multitasking and app usage.
- Users who need to have Dual SIM capability
- Users who need more storage.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday use with multiple applications.
- Users who want smooth animations.
- International travelers needing dual SIM support.
- Value: Offers a better user experience for a similarly price point with significantly better performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize software support and performance over camera features? If yes, the Nokia G21 is likely better.
- Do you need a smoother display with a 90Hz refresh rate? If yes, the Nokia G21 offers this.
- Do you need dual SIM functionality or larger storage options? If yes, the Nokia G21 is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is better if you need a basic budget phone with better low-light camera and better video recording.
- Everyday User: The Nokia G21 is the superior choice thanks to its better performance, software, and smoother display.
- Multitasking User: The Nokia G21 with its higher RAM options is the clear winner for those who need to run multiple apps smoothly.
- International Traveller: The Nokia G21 is the winner thanks to dual sim support.
Personal Choice
I would choose the Nokia G21. While the Motorola Moto G Power has a slight edge in some areas, the Nokia G21 provides a better overall user experience. The 90Hz display, faster performance, dual-sim, higher storage and more modern OS are compelling reasons to choose it. While the Motorola is a fine device, it simply doesn't offer a competitive experience in terms of daily use. The Nokia G21 also provides more future-proofing due to its longer software support.
