Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. OnePlus 12
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | OnePlus 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 164.3 × 75.8 × 9.2 mm | Very similar sizes, with the Motorola slightly thicker; OnePlus 12 is marginally more compact and may feel better in hand |
| Weight | 206.5g | 220g | Motorola G Power is slightly lighter, which can be noticeable during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.82" | OnePlus 12 provides a slightly larger screen for a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1440x3168 | OnePlus 12 has a dramatically sharper display with much finer detail, making text and images clearer. |
| PPI | 266 | 510 | OnePlus 12 display looks much crisper, with text appearing smoother and images more defined |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | OnePlus 12's AMOLED offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, more vibrant colours and better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | OnePlus 12 provides significantly smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the perceived speed and responsiveness of the phone. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 4500 nits | OnePlus 12 is dramatically brighter, offering significantly better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | OnePlus 12 has a significantly more powerful processor, leading to much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 2,110,808 | OnePlus 12 is dramatically faster in benchmarks, reflecting much snappier day-to-day use and better gaming capabilities |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 750 | OnePlus 12's GPU offers significantly better graphics performance, crucial for gaming and graphic-intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5400mAh | OnePlus 12 has a slightly larger battery, which may result in slightly longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 100W fast charging | OnePlus 12 charges much faster, reducing downtime; a full charge can be achieved in a much shorter time. |
| Charging Features | 10W charger in-box | 50W wireless, reverse charging | OnePlus 12 has superior charging options, including very fast wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.6, 1.12µm | OnePlus 12 has slightly higher resolution, larger pixels and wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Camera | None | 64MP, f/2.6, 0.70µm | OnePlus 12 offers optical zoom capabilities and portrait mode due to the telephoto lens, while the Motorola lacks this. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.80µm | OnePlus 12 has significantly higher resolution selfie camera for clearer, more detailed self-portraits. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | None | Motorola has a dedicated depth sensor to improve portrait photos, but it is of lower resolution and quality than the telephoto on the OnePlus |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | None | Motorola has a dedicated macro lens for taking close-up photos, which is lacking on the OnePlus. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 48MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | OnePlus 12 has a high-quality wide-angle camera that also serves as a macro, enhancing creative photography options. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240/480fps with EIS/HDR | OnePlus 12 supports much higher quality video recording, including 8K and higher frame rate options, with more stabilization options. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, PDAF, LAF, etc. | Flicker sensor, OIS, 8K video, etc | OnePlus 12 has more advanced camera features, including optical zoom and image stabilization, better video recording. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 10 | Android 14 | OnePlus 12 ships with a much newer version of Android, offering the latest features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11be (WiFi 7) | OnePlus 12 supports the latest Wi-Fi standards, offering faster speeds and more stable connections, better for crowded network. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.4 LE | OnePlus 12 has newer Bluetooth version with better energy efficiency and more codec support for higher quality audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, etc. | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, etc. | OnePlus 12 supports more satellite systems for more precise location tracking in more situations. |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | OnePlus 12 offers dual SIM functionality and eSIM support, providing greater flexibility for users who travel or need multiple numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32 GB or 64 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB or 1024 GB | OnePlus 12 has much larger storage options, suitable for storing large media libraries and multiple apps without compromise. |
| RAM | 3 GB or 4 GB | 12 GB, 16 GB, or 24 GB | OnePlus 12 has significantly more RAM, improving multitasking, app performance, and providing better gaming experience. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage via microSD card. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 12 offers significantly better audio quality with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos, resulting in more immersive audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) offers a more user-friendly side-mounted fingerprint sensor while the OnePlus 12 uses a standard fingerprint sensor under the display. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | OnePlus 12 has a much more robust glass screen protection for better scratch and drop resistance. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall, Geomagnetic, RGB | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) has compass while OnePlus 12 has Gravity, Hall, Geomagnetic, RGB sensors; Comprehensive sensor suite suitable for advanced features and gaming |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Lower Cost: The primary advantage of the Moto G Power is its significantly lower price point, making it an affordable option for budget-conscious users.
- Slightly lighter: It is slightly lighter than the OnePlus 12, which may be preferred by some users.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Offers a potentially more intuitive and faster unlocking experience.
- Macro Lens: Has a dedicated macro camera for close up photography
OnePlus 12 Advantages:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display with higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate and brightness is significantly better, providing a much richer visual experience.
- Much Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset offers dramatically higher performance in all tasks, making it much faster and smoother.
- Significantly Improved Cameras: The camera system on the OnePlus 12 provides better low-light photos, with optical zoom, a wide-angle lens, and higher video recording capabilities.
- Much Faster Charging: The 100W wired and 50W wireless charging allows for extremely quick recharging.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers much more storage and RAM, improving multitasking and future-proofing the device.
- Latest Software & Connectivity: Runs a newer version of Android and has much faster Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
- Premium Audio: Boasts better audio features like stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos.
- Improved Build Quality: It has a more robust screen and better general construction.
Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 12 is more expensive, thus not for budget-constrained users.
- The OnePlus 12 is slightly heavier, which might affect comfort in prolonged use.
- The Moto G Power lacks the premium features, speed, and screen quality of the OnePlus 12.
- The Moto G Power is using older technology and will not be supported with software updates much longer.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is ideal for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who need a functional smartphone but cannot afford a premium device.
- Basic Use: Users primarily using their phone for calls, messaging, basic browsing, and casual social media.
Users with minimal gaming needs.
Specific Use Cases:
- A secondary phone for basic communication.
- A first smartphone for kids or elderly people.
OnePlus 12 is ideal for:
- Power Users: Users who demand top-tier performance for multitasking, gaming, and intensive applications.
- Media Consumers: Those who watch videos, play games, and need a high-quality display experience.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera with advanced capabilities.
- Users looking for the latest technology: Those seeking a future-proof device with high-end specifications.
- Specific Use Cases:
- Gamers who need smooth, responsive performance.
- Professionals who use their phone for productivity and need a long battery life.
- Photographers or videographers who need a versatile camera system for shooting both photo and video.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Moto G Power offers good value within the budget segment but may be outdated.
- The OnePlus 12 offers very high value at its price point, providing flagship level specifications and performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Moto G Power is significantly cheaper, but if budget is not a primary concern, the OnePlus 12 offers much more for the extra money.
- What are your primary use cases? If basic communication, and light app use are the primary needs, the Moto G Power suffices. If performance, gaming, and high-quality media consumption are important, the OnePlus 12 is the better choice.
- How important is camera quality and battery charging speed? If you need top tier camera quality and fast charging speeds, the OnePlus 12 is the only option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget User: If your budget is very limited, and you only need a basic phone, the Moto G Power is a reasonable choice.
- Scenario 2: Performance User: If you need the best performance, gaming capability, camera quality, and the latest tech, the OnePlus 12 is a clear choice.
- Scenario 3: Casual User: If you prioritize display quality, fast charging, and a smooth user experience without needing top-tier performance, the OnePlus 12 will deliver superior experience.
- Scenario 4: Photographer: The OnePlus 12 has a much more versatile camera setup that will serve well as a professional or enthusiast's phone.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would unequivocally choose the OnePlus 12. While the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) offers a more budget-friendly price point, it falls far short of the OnePlus 12 in virtually every other metric that matters to a daily user. The OnePlus 12 boasts a vastly superior display, much more powerful performance, better cameras, faster charging, and is more future-proof with its newer software and connectivity. For my usage, which involves a lot of media consumption, app usage, and camera use, the OnePlus 12 is the only viable choice. While the Moto G Power might suit basic needs, the difference in daily experience between the two is vast and worth the extra investment for anyone looking for a modern, high-performance device. The improved display alone would be enough for me to choose the OnePlus 12.
