1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm | Moto G Power is slightly taller and thicker, potentially less comfortable in small hands and pockets; A12 Nacho is marginally more compact. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 205g | Negligible difference; both feel similarly substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.5" | Minimal difference in screen size; both are suitable for media consumption and browsing. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Identical; both offer a basic HD+ experience; not the sharpest displays. |
| Pixel Density | 266 PPI | 270 PPI | Very similar; both have adequate sharpness for everyday use but don't offer exceptional clarity. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | PLS LCD | IPS LCD generally offers better viewing angles and color accuracy, making Moto G Power a slightly better experience for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both provide standard 60Hz refresh rate; both have smooth visuals for most everyday tasks. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both offer similar outdoor visibility and are likely not suitable for very bright, sunny conditions. Note: Brightness is likely not 0 nits. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Snapdragon 662 is generally more powerful; Expect snappier performance in daily tasks and gaming on the Moto G Power. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 117,300 | Moto G Power has a significant performance advantage; it will feel faster and more responsive. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 | Adreno 610 generally performs better in gaming compared to Mali G52. Expect smoother graphics and better frame rates on Moto G Power. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP f/1.7 | 48MP f/2.0 | Moto G Power's wider aperture (f/1.7) allows more light, resulting in potentially better low-light photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.0 | 8MP f/2.2 | Moto G Power's slightly wider aperture (f/2.0) may allow for slightly better selfies in low-light conditions. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 5MP f/2.0 | Galaxy A12 Nacho offers a wide-angle lens for capturing more expansive scenes; a feature missing on the Moto G Power. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both have similar depth sensors for portrait mode; results should be comparable. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both have similar macro lenses for close-up shots; results should be comparable. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps | Moto G Power supports 60fps for smoother video capture; Both record in 1080p with EIS. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar capacity; expect comparable battery life for typical usage. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Both support 15W fast charging; Charging times are expected to be similar. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 10 | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Galaxy A12 Nacho has a newer OS out of the box and is likely to receive longer software support and new features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Both support similar Wi-Fi standards for standard networking; Galaxy A12 Nacho additionally offers Wi-Fi Direct. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.0 LE | Both support Bluetooth 5.0; both are good for connecting wireless devices. Moto G Power has added EDR for higher data transmission speeds. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, SUPL | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Galaxy A12 Nacho has Beidou support, offering potentially slightly more accurate GPS location; Moto G Power has SUPL support. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | Galaxy A12 Nacho allows using two SIM cards simultaneously for personal and work or travel use. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32 GB or 64 GB | 32 GB, 64 GB, or 128 GB | Galaxy A12 Nacho has a 128GB option, allowing for more storage for media and apps. |
| RAM | 3 GB or 4 GB | 3 GB, 4 GB, or 6 GB | Galaxy A12 Nacho offers a 6GB option for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both lack expandable storage; storage limitations may be a factor for users with large media collections. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos | Galaxy A12 Nacho offers slightly enhanced audio quality with Dolby Atmos for better media immersion. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Similar fingerprint sensor technology, both offer biometric unlocking. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Moto G Power has a Compass and Gyroscope, making it better for motion-based gaming, navigation and AR applications |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both have unknown screen protection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Performance: Superior Snapdragon 662 chipset provides significantly better overall performance (52% higher AnTuTu score), smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming.
- Main Camera: Wider f/1.7 aperture on the main camera for potentially better low-light photography and slightly more depth in photos.
- Video Recording: Support for 1080p 60fps video capture, which is good for smoother, more professional videos.
- Display Technology: IPS LCD offers better viewing angles and color accuracy.
- Sensors: Includes Compass and Gyroscope for better motion-based gaming, navigation and AR applications.
Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho Advantages:
- Software: Newer Android 11 out of the box with potential for future updates up to Android 13.
- Wide-Angle Camera: Additional wide-angle lens for versatile photography.
- Storage and RAM Options: Available with 128 GB storage and 6 GB RAM for more storage and smoother multitasking.
- Dual SIM: Supports dual SIM cards for more flexibility.
- Audio: Dolby Atmos for enhanced audio experience.
- GPS: Additional Beidou support for location accuracy.
- Wi-Fi: Supports Wi-Fi Direct for easier direct device-to-device networking.
Trade-offs:
- Motorola G Power (2021): Loses out on the convenience of a wide-angle camera, newer software, expandable storage, dual SIM functionality, and Dolby Atmos audio.
- Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho: Compromises on raw performance, main camera low-light capability, video recording frame rate, and display technology compared to the Moto G Power.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021):
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance and responsiveness over camera features and the latest software. Good for those who play games and do some moderate multitasking on their phone.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming
- Smooth day-to-day multitasking
- Reliable performance for demanding apps
- Viewing media with better color accuracy
- Basic photography with improved low-light performance
Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a versatile camera setup with a wide-angle lens, Dual SIM support and newer software. Best for media consumption and some moderate multitasking with 6GB option.
- Use Cases:
- Capturing landscape shots with the wide-angle lens.
- Using multiple SIM cards
- Users who prefer latest software features.
- Dolby Atmos audio for immersive media.
- More storage for media files (with 128GB model)
- Moderate multi-tasking with 6GB RAM option.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do I prioritize performance or versatile cameras? (Performance: Moto G Power, Versatile Camera: Galaxy A12 Nacho)
- How important is having the latest software and potential updates? (Galaxy A12 Nacho)
- Do I need Dual SIM or is single SIM enough? (Dual SIM: Galaxy A12 Nacho)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Gamer: The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) offers significantly better performance, making it more suitable for mobile gaming.
- For the Photographer: The Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho offers a more versatile camera setup with the added wide angle lens.
- For the Multitasker: The Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho offers a 6 GB RAM option for moderate multitasking.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Motorola Moto G Power (2021). While the Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho has its merits, including a wide-angle lens and a slightly newer operating system with more potential for upgrades, the significant performance advantage of the Snapdragon 662 chipset in the Moto G Power is more crucial for my daily usage.
I value smooth performance, faster app loading, and better overall responsiveness, especially for daily use and occasional gaming. The better display technology (IPS LCD) is also preferable for general media consumption. While I would miss the wide-angle camera lens, the main camera's wider aperture on the Moto G Power is a worthy tradeoff. Therefore, the Moto G Power fits my priorities better than the Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho.
It comes down to whether you need to prioritize a very versatile camera or performance, if it is the later you should pick the Motorola Moto G Power 2021.
