Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Realme 9 Pro+
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Realme 9 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 160.2 × 73.3 × 8 mm | Moto G Power is larger, bulkier, and might be less comfortable for smaller hands. Realme 9 Pro+ is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 182g | Realme 9 Pro+ is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.4" | Moto G Power offers a slightly larger screen for a more immersive experience; Realme 9 Pro+ is more compact. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Realme 9 Pro+ has a much sharper and clearer display, better for detailed content, gaming and media consumption. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 266 | 411 | Realme 9 Pro+’s display will appear significantly crisper with finer detail. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Realme 9 Pro+ has vibrant colors, deeper blacks and better contrast. Better viewing angles and is also more power efficient with dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Realme 9 Pro+ offers smoother scrolling and animations, more pleasant user experience. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 | Dimensity 920 | Realme 9 Pro+ has significantly faster processing for quicker app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 178,220 | 496,970 | Realme 9 Pro+ has substantially better performance in daily use and demanding tasks like gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Moto G Power offers slightly longer battery life for users who need all-day power. |
| Charging | 15W | 60W | Realme 9 Pro+ charges much faster, getting you back to full power in a fraction of the time. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1.0µm | Realme 9 Pro+'s main sensor has a larger pixel size resulting in better low light performance; both offer comparable daylight performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | 16MP, f/2.4, 1.0µm | Realme 9 Pro+ captures higher resolution selfies with slightly less light gathering capability. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2 | Realme 9 Pro+ can capture wide angle photos which is useful for group photos or landscape shots. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Moto G Power has a dedicated depth sensor for better bokeh effects, which is helpful in portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both phones offer similar macro lens quality. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps | Realme 9 Pro+ offers significantly higher video recording quality with 4K resolution; it also has better slow-motion options. |
| Camera Features | PDAF, LAF | OIS, Manual Focus, RAW, Night Mode | Realme 9 Pro+ has superior image stabilization, more shooting options, and enhanced low-light photography features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12 | Realme 9 Pro+ ships with a newer version of Android and will likely receive more software updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Realme 9 Pro+ supports faster and more stable Wi-Fi connectivity, especially on compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Realme 9 Pro+ offers more advanced Bluetooth codec support, resulting in better audio quality with compatible headphones. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | Realme 9 Pro+ allows you to use two SIM cards simultaneously, useful for travel or having personal and work numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32GB/64GB | 128GB/256GB | Realme 9 Pro+ has significantly more storage space for apps, media, and files. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB | 6GB/8GB | Realme 9 Pro+ offers superior multitasking and app handling. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage; users will need to choose their storage option carefully. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Realme 9 Pro+ has enhanced sound quality with features like Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio, making music and media more immersive. |
| Security | |||
| Security features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Motorola's implementation of side-mounted sensor might be more convenient for some; both offer similar biometric security functionality. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass 5 | Realme 9 Pro+ offers superior protection for the screen from scratches and daily wear and tear. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Proximity | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Heart Rate, Proximity, Geomagnetic | Realme 9 Pro+ has a Heart Rate sensor for health tracking and Geomagnetic sensor for better orientation, while the Motorola has a Compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Offers longer battery life, beneficial for users who prioritize endurance.
- Slightly Larger Display: A bigger screen can be preferable for media consumption and users who prefer larger text.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Could be more ergonomic for some users.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Offers better portrait mode capabilities with more realistic bokeh effect.
- Price: Usually more affordable, making it a budget-friendly option.
Realme 9 Pro+ Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with higher resolution, smoother refresh rate, resulting in better visual quality, which enhances the user experience.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Dimensity 920 chipset offers significantly faster processing and better gaming capabilities.
- Faster Charging: The 60W fast charging is much faster than the Moto G Power's 15W, allowing quick top ups.
- Higher Quality Camera: Larger sensor, OIS, better video quality including 4K recording and more video features.
- Better Audio: Enhanced audio features like Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and Stereo Speakers for a richer audio experience.
- More Storage and RAM: Provides more space for apps and files, and better multitasking capabilities.
- Newer Software: Ships with a newer version of Android with better software support.
- Modern Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
- Dual SIM support: Allows two SIM cards for users that require that.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for better screen protection.
- More Sensor Options: Heart Rate Sensor for health tracking.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 9 Pro+: Higher price point, smaller battery capacity.
- Moto G Power (2021): Slower charging, weaker chipset, older software, less advanced display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users: Those who want a reliable phone for basic tasks and don't want to spend too much.
- Users prioritizing battery life: People who need their phone to last all day without needing to frequently charge.
- Users with basic needs: Those who mainly use their phone for calls, texts, and light social media browsing.
- Users that want a dedicated depth sensor: Those who appreciate and use portrait mode a lot.
Use Cases:
- Extended daily use without the need to constantly recharge.
- Basic social media and communication tasks.
- Navigation and GPS.
- Light multimedia consumption.
Realme 9 Pro+ Ideal Users:
- Performance-oriented users: Those who want a phone that can handle demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking.
- Users that prioritize display quality: Those who value high-quality screens and enjoy consuming multimedia.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who want better quality photos and videos with more features.
- Users that value faster charging: Those who want a phone that charges quickly and they can top-up before going out.
- Users that value a modern experience: Those who want to have the latest software features and the most up-to-date operating system.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and graphic-intensive tasks.
- High-quality photo and video capture.
- Multimedia consumption (movies, TV shows, streaming).
- Productivity tasks.
- Users that require dual SIM card functionality.
- Users that require dual band wifi connection.
- Users that require the additional quality of Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case for the phone? (e.g., basic communication, gaming, photography, etc.)
- What is more important for you: Performance and screen quality, or battery life and price?
- How important is a high quality camera, and the ability to take professional-quality photos and videos?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Budget is the main constraint. If budget is the most important factor, and the user doesn't require advanced features and prefers basic smartphone features with long battery life, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is a suitable choice.
Scenario 2: Performance and display quality are crucial. If the user is interested in gaming, multimedia and wants to take high-quality photos and videos, the Realme 9 Pro+ is a better choice.
Scenario 3: A balance of features is needed. If the user wants a phone that can handle some gaming, multimedia and they also want to have long battery life, the Realme 9 Pro+ is the better choice. The performance benefits and significantly better display and cameras make the compromise with the battery size worth it, and the faster charging will minimize the downtime for the user.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Realme 9 Pro+.
Reasons:
- Superior Performance: The Dimensity 920 chipset offers significantly better performance for everyday use, gaming, and multitasking. The performance difference between the two phones is huge. This is very important for a pleasant user experience.
- Much Better Display: The AMOLED display is a key advantage, offering superior visual quality for media consumption. The display difference between the two is huge, and this is one of the most important features for a smartphone user.
- Better Camera System: The Realme 9 Pro+’s camera setup produces superior photos and videos than the Motorola. This would be an important aspect for me, because I like taking pictures and videos with my phone.
- Faster Charging: The 60W fast charging capability would be extremely convenient.
- More Modern Features: The support for newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards, along with additional features like Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio, add more value and future-proofing.
- Newer Software: I prefer to have the latest operating system on my phone.
While the Moto G Power (2021) has a larger battery and is more affordable, the Realme 9 Pro+ offers a much better overall user experience due to its vastly superior performance, display, camera and charging capabilities. For me, the benefits of the Realme 9 Pro+ outweigh the larger battery of the Moto G Power, and I would choose the Realme 9 Pro+.
