Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Nothing Phone (1)
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Nothing Phone (1) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 159.2 × 75.8 × 8.3 mm | Nothing Phone (1) is slightly smaller and noticeably thinner, making it more pocketable and comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 193.5g | Nothing Phone (1) is slightly lighter, which can make a difference during long usage sessions. |
| Build | Plastic | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), Glass back, Aluminum frame | Nothing Phone (1) offers a more premium feel and better scratch protection on the display |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.55" | Negligible difference; Both provide ample screen real estate for content consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Nothing Phone (1) has a much sharper display; Text and images will be clearer and more detailed. |
| Pixel Density | 266 ppi | 402 ppi | Nothing Phone (1) will appear considerably sharper, reducing pixelation for a better visual experience. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | Nothing Phone (1)'s OLED display offers much better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Nothing Phone (1) provides smoother scrolling and animations, resulting in a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | Nothing Phone (1) has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright conditions. The Motorola's brightness is unknown |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Nothing Phone (1) has a much more powerful processor; Expect faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 624,253 | Nothing Phone (1) offers significantly superior overall performance; The device will feel much faster and more responsive. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 642L | Nothing Phone (1) features a significantly more capable GPU, providing better graphics for gaming and video editing. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP f/1.7, 0.8µm pixels | 50MP f/1.88, 1.0µm pixels, 1/1.56" sensor | Nothing Phone (1) has a slightly higher resolution and a larger sensor resulting in more light capture. |
| Rear Ultrawide | Not Available | 50MP f/2.2, 0.64µm pixels, 1/2.76" sensor | Nothing Phone (1) allows for wide-angle photos and videos, adding versatility. |
| Rear Macro | 2MP f/2.4, 1.75µm pixels | Not Available | Motorola offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, while the Nothing phone uses its ultrawide for macro |
| Rear Depth | 2MP f/2.4, 1.75µm pixels | Not Available | Motorola offers a dedicated depth sensor for enhanced bokeh effect, Nothing phone relies on software. |
| Front Camera | 8MP f/2.0, 1.12µm pixels | 16MP f/2.2, 1.0µm pixels, 1/3.13" sensor | Nothing Phone (1) offers a higher resolution front-facing camera for sharper selfies and video calls. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps with HDR and EIS | Nothing Phone (1) provides higher video recording resolution, and better stabilization |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 15W wired | 33W wired, 15W wireless, 5W reverse wireless | Nothing Phone (1) charges much faster and also offers convenient wireless charging features. |
| Other | |||
| Operating System | Android 10 | Android 12 (upgradable to 15) | Nothing Phone (1) has a more modern OS and will receive more updates. |
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Nothing Phone (1) supports the latest WiFi standards for faster, more reliable wireless connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Nothing Phone (1) has a newer Bluetooth version with better audio codec support. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | Nothing Phone (1) can support 2 phone numbers simultaneously. |
| Internal Storage | 32/64 GB | 128/256 GB | Nothing Phone (1) offers more internal storage, allowing for more apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 8/12 GB | Nothing Phone (1) offers considerably more RAM, resulting in better multitasking and app performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD expansion. |
| Audio | Basic Audio Features | Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Nothing Phone (1) provides better audio with its stereo speakers and enhanced voice capture. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Motorola's side mounted fingerprint sensor might be faster than a screen-based one. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Potentially Longer Battery Life: Slightly larger battery (5000mAh vs 4500mAh) may provide slightly more screen on time.
- In-box Charger: Includes a 10W charger, which is a plus for users who do not have a compatible charger already
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Camera: Offers dedicated macro and depth sensor, allowing for better close-up shots and bokeh effects.
Practical Implications: The Moto G Power is suited for users who value very long battery life above all else, have simple camera needs, and prefer the side mounted fingerprint reader.
Nothing Phone (1) Advantages:
- Superior Display: Much higher resolution, OLED technology, 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness offers better viewing experience.
- Much Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 778G+ 5G chipset provides much better processing power for gaming and multitasking.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras, and an ultrawide lens, and 4K video recording with more stabilization technology.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: 33W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wireless charging.
- Premium Build Quality: Glass and aluminum construction offers a more premium feel and better durability.
- Modern Software & Connectivity: Newer Android OS, WiFi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2.
- More Storage: Offers double to 4 times the base storage than the Motorola
- Stereo Speakers: Better sound from the stereo speakers compared to the basic speaker on the Moto.
Practical Implications: The Nothing Phone (1) is superior for users who want a fast, premium phone with a great display, cameras, and modern features.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) trades performance, screen quality and camera quality for a slightly larger battery and lower price point.
- The Nothing Phone (1) does not come with a charger, and the battery, while decent, is smaller than the Motorola.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Prioritizes affordability above all else.
- Basic Smartphone Users: Focuses primarily on basic tasks like calls, texting, and social media.
- Battery Life Enthusiasts: Needs a phone that can last a very long time between charges.
- Users with Simple Camera Needs: Doesn't prioritize camera quality or advanced features.
Use Cases:
- A backup phone
- A phone for those who don't want to spend too much on a smartphone.
- Users who are constantly away from a charging source.
Nothing Phone (1) Ideal User:
- Performance-Oriented Users: Demands fast performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Multimedia Consumers: Wants a great display for watching videos, browsing social media, and playing games.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Needs a versatile camera system for capturing high-quality photos and videos.
- Tech-Savvy Individuals: Appreciates modern features, premium design, and fast wireless connectivity.
Use Cases:
- Playing demanding mobile games.
- Taking and sharing high-quality photos and videos
- Those who use their phone for work or multimedia creation.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) offers great value for its price, targeting the budget-conscious user.
- The Nothing Phone (1) offers a premium experience but at a higher price point that better justifies its cost.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case for a smartphone? (e.g., Basic tasks, gaming, photography, long battery life)
- How important is display quality and performance? (e.g., Do you watch videos, play games, etc)
- What is your budget and what features are must-haves? (e.g., Battery life, fast charging, good camera)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you need a reliable phone that can last all day on a single charge and have a very tight budget, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is a more economical option, despite its drawbacks.
- Scenario 2: If you want a much faster phone with a great display, better cameras, and a more modern user experience, and your budget allows it, the Nothing Phone (1) is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: If you are in need of a phone that will last a long time between charges AND you need a modern display, camera, etc, you should probably look at alternatives to both of these devices.
My Choice and Explanation
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Nothing Phone (1).
Explanation:
As someone who values performance, display quality, and camera capabilities in a smartphone, the Nothing Phone (1) aligns more closely with my needs. While the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) offers an appealing price and battery life, the compromises in terms of processing power, screen resolution, and camera performance are too significant for my daily usage.
I frequently play mobile games, watch videos, browse social media, and often use my phone for work. The Nothing Phone (1)'s powerful Snapdragon processor, vibrant OLED display with a high refresh rate, and better camera system would provide a much more enjoyable and efficient user experience. The faster charging speeds, wireless charging capabilities, and premium build quality are also attractive benefits.
Although the Motorola offers a longer battery life, the battery in the Nothing phone is still good enough for me, and the faster charging speeds makes topping it up easy.
In summary, while the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) would be a great fit for a very specific type of user, the Nothing Phone (1) provides a more comprehensive and modern smartphone experience, which better suits my use case.
