Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | Moto G Power is noticeably larger and bulkier, making the S21 more pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 169g | S21 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.2" | Moto G Power offers a larger viewing area for media consumption, while the S21 is more compact. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | S21 has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 266 PPI | 421 PPI | S21's display is visibly crisper with significantly higher detail. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | S21 has better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S21 offers smoother animations and scrolling, making the experience more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | S21 is vastly superior in outdoor visibility, easily usable under bright sunlight. (Note: 0 nits is likely an error; actual brightness is unknown) |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | S21's processor is significantly faster, leading to quicker app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 749,100 | S21 delivers a substantially smoother and more responsive overall user experience, and is more future-proof. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G78 MP14 | S21 provides significantly better graphics performance, crucial for gaming and graphically intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4000mAh | Moto G Power has a larger battery, potentially providing longer battery life, especially with its less power-hungry display and processor. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | S21 charges faster, reducing the time spent plugged in. |
| Features | 10W charger in-box | 15W Wireless Charging, Reverse Wireless Charging, No charger in-box | S21 offers more charging flexibility with wireless and reverse wireless charging, but requires you to buy a charger. The Moto G Power includes a charger, though it is slower |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP f/1.7 | 12MP f/1.8 | Moto G Power has a higher megapixel count and slightly wider aperture. S21 has a larger pixel size, which is typically more important for light gathering and resulting image quality. |
| Telephoto Camera | N/A | 64MP f/2.0 | S21 offers a dedicated telephoto camera for optical zoom capabilities not found on Moto G Power. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.0 | 10MP f/2.2 | S21 has a slightly higher resolution selfie camera with slightly smaller pixel size. S21 is typically better in low light due to larger sensor size and software processing.. |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP f/2.4 | N/A | Moto G Power offers a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | N/A | Moto G Power allows for close-up macro photography. |
| Wide Angle | N/A | 12.2MP f/2.2 | S21 offers a dedicated wide angle camera for capturing a wider field of view. |
| Video | 1080p@60fps, EIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, EIS, HDR, Stereo Sound | S21 offers significantly higher video quality and advanced features like 8K recording and HDR, as well as stereo sound recording. |
| DXOMark | N/A | Mobile: 111, Selfie: 132 | S21 camera has been thoroughly tested with good scores, whereas the Moto G Power doesn't have a comparable benchmark. |
| Camera Features | Laser autofocus (LAF) | Optical zoom, OIS, RAW, Night mode | S21 has several camera features that are not present on the Moto G Power, including OIS and RAW shooting, better for advanced photography, whereas the Moto G Power includes Laser Autofocus for fast and accurate focus in some scenarios. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 | S21 has a newer version of Android and is guaranteed more updates and features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | S21 supports the latest Wi-Fi standard, offering faster speeds and improved network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 with more profiles | S21 has a wider range of Bluetooth profiles which means greater compatibility with devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | S21 has a more robust GPS system with greater satellite support, leading to higher location accuracy. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | S21 allows the simultaneous use of two SIM cards, which is convenient for those with multiple phone numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64 GB | 128/256 GB | S21 has significantly more storage, allowing more apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 8 GB | S21 offers better multitasking performance, especially with demanding apps and games. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | Basic Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | S21 offers enhanced sound quality for music, movies, and calls. |
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | The Moto G Power's fingerprint sensor is mounted on the side, often considered faster and more convenient, while the S21's fingerprint sensor is basic with no particular technology stated. |
| Build | Unkown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | S21 has superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | S21 has additional sensors including a barometer for more advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery provides potentially longer battery life.
- Lower Price: Generally available at a much lower price point.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor and Macro Lens: For specialized photography purposes.
- Includes Charger: Comes with a 10W charger in the box.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Often considered faster and more convenient than a standard fingerprint sensor.
- Laser Autofocus: Provides faster focus in some scenarios.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Sharper, more vibrant AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness for outdoor visibility.
- Significantly Better Performance: Much faster processor and GPU resulting in smoother experience, and better for gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Telephoto, Wide-angle lenses, OIS, and advanced video recording with 8K, HDR and Stereo sound.
- Wireless and Reverse Wireless Charging: More convenient charging options.
- More Storage and RAM: Greater capacity for apps, media, and smooth multitasking.
- Dual SIM: Allows the simultaneous use of two SIM cards.
- Modern Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and more advanced Bluetooth profiles.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, and noise cancellation microphone for enhanced sound quality.
- Better build Quality: Gorilla Glass Victus for more screen durability.
- More Sensors: Includes barometer and other sensors.
- Guaranteed Software Updates: Samsung provides up to four major OS updates.
Trade-offs:
- The Moto G Power prioritizes battery life and a lower price point at the expense of performance and display quality.
- The S21 delivers a premium experience with a much higher cost, sacrifices potentially some battery life compared to the Motorola, and does not include a charger in the box.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021): Ideal User
- Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and screen size.
- Users who mainly use their phone for basic tasks and media consumption.
- Users who value a built-in charger.
- Users who appreciate a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Those who are just starting to get into mobile photography with some extra features such as macro and depth sensors.
Specific Use Cases:
- Long trips or situations where frequent charging isn't possible.
- Watching videos or reading content on a larger screen.
- Basic everyday use, such as calling, messaging, and browsing.
- Users new to smartphone photography.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G: Ideal User
- Users who prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
- Users who regularly play graphically intensive games, create or consume high quality content.
- Users who value a modern, feature-rich smartphone experience.
- Users who need wireless charging, and or reverse wireless charging.
Users who prefer a smaller and more portable design.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and other performance-intensive tasks.
- Photography and videography, especially in low-light conditions.
- Watching high-definition content on a vibrant display.
- Users who need the best of everything in a smartphone.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Primary Use Case: Do you prioritize performance, battery life, or camera capabilities?
- Display Preferences: Do you value a larger screen, or a sharper and more vibrant display?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is Top Priority & Long Battery Life is Needed: Choose the Motorola Moto G Power. The compromises on performance and display quality are acceptable for the lower cost and significantly larger battery.
- Scenario 2: Best Possible Performance and Camera: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21. The higher cost is justified by significantly better performance, camera quality, screen quality and extra features like wireless charging.
- Scenario 3: Balance between Budget and Features: The Motorola Moto G Power would be more appropriate, as the S21 sits firmly in the flagship category and thus will be quite expensive.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two devices, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. While the Motorola Moto G Power offers a compelling value proposition for budget-conscious users, the significantly superior display, performance, camera capabilities, wireless charging, and overall user experience of the S21 are worth the extra investment for my personal needs. I value a smooth and responsive user experience, and a camera that can capture quality photos and videos in various conditions. The more portable design of the S21 is also preferable for my daily use.
Although the Moto G Power's larger battery is tempting, the charging speed and wireless charging flexibility of the S21 would help alleviate any range anxiety. The difference in performance is also a significant factor for me, as I would prefer to not have any bottlenecks in performance, and this is where the S21 excels. I also value the newer software updates provided by Samsung on the S21.
While the Moto G Power is an excellent budget option, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers a far more premium experience that aligns better with my needs and preferences.
