Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. OnePlus Nord CE 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 159.2 × 73.5 × 7.9 mm | The Nord CE 5G is more compact and easier to handle. The Moto G Power is bulkier. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 170g | The Nord CE 5G is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.43" | The Moto G Power offers a slightly larger screen. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The Nord CE 5G has a much sharper display, leading to clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 266 PPI | 410 PPI | The Nord CE 5G's display looks considerably crisper and less pixelated. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The Nord CE 5G offers vibrant colors, deeper blacks and better contrast, plus better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Nord CE 5G provides smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 700 nits | The Nord CE 5G has significantly better visibility in bright sunlight. Note: Brightness of Moto G Power is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | The Nord CE 5G provides significantly faster app loading and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 385,000 | The Nord CE 5G offers much better overall performance for multitasking and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 | The Nord CE 5G’s GPU will handle graphics-intensive tasks and games more smoothly. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | The Moto G Power has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 15W | 30W | The Nord CE 5G charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main | 48MP, f/1.7 | 64MP, f/1.79 | The Nord CE 5G captures more detailed photos due to higher resolution. |
| Front Selfie | 8MP, f/2.0 | 16MP, f/2.45 | The Nord CE 5G produces clearer and more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle | None | 8MP, f/2.25 | The Nord CE 5G offers more versatility in photography with a wide-angle lens. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Moto G Power has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Moto G Power allows for close-up photography with a macro lens. |
| Black & White | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Nord CE 5G includes a B&W lens for specific aesthetic effects |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps | The Nord CE 5G records higher quality video with 4K resolution and supports 120fps for slow motion at 1080p. |
| DxoMark Score | Not Available | 84 (Mobile) | Nord CE 5G's camera has been tested and scored 84 on DxOMark. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 | The Nord CE 5G ships with a more recent Android version. |
| Max OS Version | Android 13 | Nord CE 5G is expected to receive a further Android update | |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | The Nord CE 5G supports dual-band Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE | The Nord CE 5G has a newer Bluetooth version and better audio codec support (aptX, LDAC, etc) |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, NavIC System | Nord CE 5G provides more accurate location services with additional satellite systems |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | The Nord CE 5G supports two SIM cards at once. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32GB/64GB | 128GB/256GB | The Nord CE 5G offers significantly more internal storage, for storing more apps, photos, videos and documents |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB | The Nord CE 5G offers significantly more RAM for better multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Features | Basic Audio | Noise cancellation microphone | The Nord CE 5G offers clearer audio during calls |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Basic fingerprint sensor | The Moto G Power offers a more advanced, ergonomic side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both phones have a comprehensive suite of sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have unknown screen protection technology. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh vs. 4500mAh. Practical Impact: Potentially longer battery life for users who need all-day power without frequent charging.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More ergonomic location for unlocking the phone. Practical Impact: Easier and more convenient unlocking.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Sensors: Practical Impact: Offers more creative photography options, with dedicated macro and portrait modes, although quality of these are limited by the 2MP resolution.
- Slightly larger screen: Practical Impact: A slightly bigger screen for content consumption and media.
- In-Box Charger: Comes with a 10W charger. Practical Impact: No need to purchase a charger separately.
- Lower price: Practical Impact: Should be cheaper than the Nord CE 5G
OnePlus Nord CE 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with higher resolution, pixel density, 90Hz refresh rate, and better brightness. Practical Impact: Sharper, more vibrant visuals, smoother animations, and better visibility in bright conditions.
- Significantly Better Performance: Faster processor, higher AnTuTu score, and better GPU. Practical Impact: Faster app loading, smoother multitasking, better gaming performance.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging vs 15W. Practical Impact: Significantly reduced charging times.
- Better Cameras: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras, plus a versatile wide-angle lens and a B&W lens for artistic effects. Practical Impact: More detailed, versatile, and higher-quality photos and videos.
- Higher Quality Video Recording: Practical Impact: Allows users to capture higher quality videos with 4K resolution and 120fps slow-motion recording.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers more internal storage (128GB/256GB) and RAM (6GB/8GB/12GB). Practical Impact: More space for apps, media, and smoother multitasking.
- Dual SIM Support: Can use two SIM cards simultaneously. Practical Impact: Convenient for travel or managing multiple phone numbers.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 with more audio codec support. Practical Impact: Better wireless audio quality and connectivity.
- Updated OS: Practical Impact: Ships with a more recent OS and will receive further updates.
- Better location accuracy: Includes Beidou, QZSS, and NavIC System for better location tracking. Practical Impact: Enhanced GPS accuracy and reliability.
- Noise cancellation microphone: Practical Impact: Clearer call quality.
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola Moto G Power trades display quality, performance, and camera capabilities for a larger battery and lower price.
- The OnePlus Nord CE 5G sacrifices a little battery capacity for significant improvements in display, performance, cameras, and fast charging, usually at a higher cost.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those prioritizing affordability and battery life.
- Basic Users: People who primarily use their phone for calls, texting, and light browsing.
- Users Needing Long Battery Life: Users who want a phone that will last all day or longer with average usage.
- Users needing macro and depth cameras: Users who would like creative photography options such as close-ups and portraits.
Specific Use Cases:
- Extended battery life for outdoor activities or travel.
- Reliable basic phone functionality without the need for heavy gaming or multimedia.
- Users who prefer a traditional IPS LCD display over AMOLED.
- Long battery life while streaming music or podcasts.
OnePlus Nord CE 5G Ideal Users:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Those who want smooth, lag-free performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who prioritize a high-quality display for watching videos and browsing photos.
- Mobile Photographers: People who want versatile camera options for capturing high-quality photos and videos.
- Users wanting fast charging: Users who want to minimize charging times and have a rapid top up.
- Power users: Users who have many apps and files and require a lot of storage and RAM to keep the phone running smoothly.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming and running demanding applications.
- Watching high-resolution videos and streaming content.
- Taking photos and videos in various situations, with high quality.
- Rapid phone charging before leaving for the day.
- Using GPS navigation frequently.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) offers good value for users on a very tight budget who prioritize battery life over other features.
- The OnePlus Nord CE 5G offers a higher price-to-value ratio for users who prioritize display quality, performance, camera versatility, and rapid charging, and have a higher budget.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Moto G Power is usually cheaper.
- How important are display quality and performance? The Nord CE 5G excels in these areas.
- How important is battery life vs charging speed? The Moto G Power has longer battery life; the Nord CE 5G has faster charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight budget, basic use, long battery Choose the Motorola Moto G Power (2021). It offers good basic performance, longer battery life and a lower price.
- Scenario 2: Multimedia consumption, photography, performance is important Choose the OnePlus Nord CE 5G. It will offer a much better experience in all these categories.
- Scenario 3: Balancing price and performance: The OnePlus is probably the best choice due to its high value-to-cost ratio as long as budget permits.
My Choice
I would choose the OnePlus Nord CE 5G. While the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) has the advantage of a larger battery and lower price, the Nord CE 5G is superior in nearly every other aspect that I would consider important in a modern smartphone. The AMOLED display is much better, offering richer colors, better contrast, and higher brightness. The performance is substantially better, making for a smoother user experience, especially for multitasking, gaming, and running demanding apps. The camera system is more versatile and produces higher quality photos and videos, and includes 4K recording capabilities. Finally, its faster charging speed makes it more convenient. Although the Moto G Power has a larger battery, the power efficiency and faster charging of the OnePlus Nord CE 5G makes it a better long-term companion, allowing it to be quickly charged and ready for use at all times. I value the user experience over marginal battery life. The Nord CE 5G simply offers a more compelling and enjoyable smartphone experience overall, making it a worthwhile investment.
