1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Samsung Galaxy A24 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm | 162.1 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm | Motorola is taller and thicker, Samsung is slightly wider; Motorola has a larger volume overall; Samsung will likely feel slightly more comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 195g | Samsung is 11.5g lighter, noticeable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.5" | Negligible difference in screen size. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2340 | Samsung offers a much sharper display with significantly more pixels for clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 266 | 396 | Samsung's higher PPI will result in a visibly sharper display, reducing pixelation. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Samsung's AMOLED provides deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colours, and better power efficiency for dark modes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Samsung's 90Hz provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Samsung's screen is significantly brighter for better outdoor visibility in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Samsung's chipset is more modern and efficient, offering better overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 411,900 | Samsung has significantly higher benchmark performance, indicating smoother multitasking and faster app loading. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Different GPU, Samsung's GPU is generally more powerful for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life expected from both phones. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 25W fast charging | Samsung charges faster, reducing wait times. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Samsung has slightly higher resolution; Motorola has slightly wider aperture, but the difference is minor. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Samsung has a higher resolution front camera; Motorola has a wider aperture, but this is not a significant difference. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 5MP, f/2.2 | Samsung has an additional ultrawide lens for more versatile photography. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Motorola has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode effects, but these are often not very high quality. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar macro lens capability on both devices. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps with EIS | Motorola can record at 60 fps, though both record 1080p quality video. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS, No | EIS, Yes (OIS) | Samsung has optical image stabilization, which results in more stable video recordings, especially in low light. |
| Slow Motion | Yes, 60 fps | Yes, 120 fps | Samsung offers smoother slow-motion recording. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 13 | Samsung runs a much newer version of Android which should provide more features and longer support |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both have similar WiFi support. Samsung adds Dual Band and Wi-Fi Direct. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.3 LE | Samsung uses a newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Samsung supports more satellite systems for potentially more accurate location. |
| SIM | Single Nano-SIM | Dual Nano-SIM, Dual Standby | Samsung supports dual SIM for simultaneous usage. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64GB | 128GB | Samsung has significantly more internal storage. |
| RAM | 3/4GB | 4/6/8GB | Samsung offers higher RAM options for better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Other | |||
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Similar basic biometric security |
| Audio | Basic audio features | Basic audio features | Both have basic audio |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Both have the core sensors, Samsung has Geomagnetic, Motorola has Light sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Slightly wider camera aperture (main & selfie): Practical Impact: May capture slightly better low-light images, although this difference is often marginal.
- Dedicated depth sensor: Practical Impact: May offer more accurate portrait mode, but this is often done via software rather than having any practical difference.
- 10W charger in-box: Practical Impact: Saves on purchasing a charger.
Samsung Galaxy A24 4G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Practical Impact: AMOLED screen offers more vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and better outdoor visibility. Higher resolution and refresh rate result in a sharper, smoother visual experience.
- Significantly Better Performance: Practical Impact: Faster chipset and more RAM provide a much more fluid experience, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities.
- More Versatile Camera: Practical Impact: Added ultrawide lens provides greater flexibility for photography. OIS results in more stable videos.
- Faster Charging: Practical Impact: 25W charging means less time spent plugged in.
- Larger Storage: Practical Impact: 128GB is better for media and app storage compared to 32GB/64GB on the Motorola.
- Newer OS: Practical Impact: Newer OS provides more functionality, and longer update support from the manufacturer.
- Better Connectivity: Practical Impact: Newer Bluetooth version and more GPS systems result in slightly better connectivity and location tracking.
- Dual SIM Support: Practical Impact: Ability to use two SIM cards simultaneously.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Motorola trades a much worse display, camera and performance for an older OS and marginally better low-light photos and potentially more accurate portrait mode, with no expandable storage.
- Samsung has some basic audio and lacks a dedicated depth sensor and the included charger, but gains in virtually all other areas.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Primarily concerned with cost and basic smartphone functionality.
- Users needing long battery life: Prioritize battery life above all else with no heavy gaming.
- Users with limited storage needs: Don't use a lot of apps or store many files.
Use Case: Making calls, messaging, light browsing, with no focus on high-end mobile photography or gaming.
Samsung Galaxy A24 4G Ideal User:
- Users wanting a better display and faster performance: Value display quality and smooth performance for daily use and light gaming.
- Photography enthusiasts on a budget: Value versatility in camera options.
- Users needing storage and long battery: Want adequate storage space and long battery life with fast charging.
Use Case: Watching videos, playing games, taking photos, and using social media with faster and smoother usage.
Price-to-Value:
- The Samsung Galaxy A24 4G offers a much better value proposition with its superior display, performance, camera, and software, even if it costs slightly more. The Motorola, despite its low price, is significantly outdated and has many drawbacks in real-world use.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is display quality? (The Samsung has a vastly superior AMOLED display)
- How much performance and storage do I need? (The Samsung is much faster and has more storage.)
- What is my budget and how much does each phone cost? (The price difference between the two, if not that significant, favours the Samsung in terms of value.)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is the absolute top priority. If your budget is severely constrained and you need a very basic phone, the Motorola might be a possibility, however the much-improved experience on the Samsung is most likely worth the added price.
- Scenario 2: Daily use, camera, and entertainment. The Samsung Galaxy A24 4G is the better option due to its superior display, performance, and camera versatility.
- Scenario 3: Heavy gamer or power user. The Samsung Galaxy A24 4G is the only option that will provide a fluid experience.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A24 4G. While the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) might appeal to the most budget-conscious user, the advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A24 4G are too significant to ignore. The drastically better display, superior performance, more versatile camera, faster charging, and newer software will provide a far better user experience that will be noticeable in daily use. The slightly higher cost is justified given the massive improvements it offers. The Motorola is too outdated to be considered a viable option, unless you were only looking to make basic calls and messages and did not care about display, performance or picture quality, in which case there may be cheaper options.
