1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a breakdown of the key specifications for each phone, focusing on their practical impact:
Design
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | The Moto G Power is slightly taller and noticeably thicker. The S21+ is slimmer and more pocketable. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 200g | The S21+ is slightly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | Negligible difference in screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | The S21+ has significantly sharper text and images. |
| PPI | 266 | 394 | The S21+ display is noticeably clearer, and less pixelated |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The S21+ offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. Better for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The S21+ has smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | The S21+ screen is far more visible under direct sunlight. The Moto G power has an unspecified brightness |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | The S21+ has a much faster and more efficient processor. This will be noticeable in app loading speeds and gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 178,220 | 749,100 | The S21+ offers drastically superior performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G78 MP14 | The S21+ has a much more powerful GPU for smoother graphics. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.8µm | 12MP, f/1.8, 1.8µm | The Moto G Power has higher resolution but smaller pixel size, while the S21+ has a larger pixel size for better low light performance. The S21+ has better overall image quality. |
| Telephoto Camera | None | 64MP, f/2.0, 0.8µm | The S21+ offers optical zoom for better quality photos at a distance, something the Moto G power lacks |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | 10MP, f/2.2, 1.22µm | The S21+ has slightly higher resolution and larger pixels which is good for low light performance |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | None | Moto G power features a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | None | Moto G power features a dedicated macro lens for close up shots |
| Wide-Angle Camera | None | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1.4µm | The S21+ offers a wider field of view for landscape photos. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps (EIS), slow-mo 60fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps (EIS, HDR, Stereo) | The S21+ offers much more advanced video recording capabilities, including 8K, higher frame rates, HDR, and better stabilization, along with stereo sound. |
| DXOMark Score | Not Available | 111 (Overall), 118 (Photo), 89 (Video) | The S21+ is a significantly better camera overall. The Moto G Power has no available scores. |
| Features | LAF, PDAF | OIS, RAW, 4K/8K Video, Night Mode | The S21+ has more advanced features like optical image stabilization, night mode, and RAW capture. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4800mAh | The Moto G Power has slightly larger battery capacity. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | The S21+ charges faster than the Moto G Power. |
| Features | 10W Charger In-Box | Wireless Charging (15W), Reverse Wireless Charging (4.5W), No charger in-box | The S21+ has wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities. |
Software & Connectivity | Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Practical Impact | |---|---|---|---| | OS | Android 10 | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | The S21+ has a newer OS and will receive long-term software updates. | | WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | The S21+ has newer, faster and more reliable Wi-Fi technology. | | Bluetooth | 5.0 (LE, A2DP, EDR) | 5.0 (LE, A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP, ANT+, APT-x, SBC) | The S21+ supports more Bluetooth profiles, offering more functionality and better compatibility. | | GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | S21+ has better GPS accuracy due to more satellite systems supported. | | SIM| Single SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | S21+ offers dual-sim functionality |
Other
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 32/64GB | 128/256GB | The S21+ offers significantly more storage. |
| RAM | 3/4GB | 8GB | The S21+ has more RAM for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | Basic Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | The S21+ has much better audio quality, including spatial audio and clearer calls. |
| Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | The side-mounted sensor on the Moto G is generally considered faster and more convenient |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The S21+ has superior scratch and drop protection. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity, Barometer | The S21+ has additional environmental sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Battery: Offers potentially longer battery life on paper.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: May be slightly faster and more convenient for some users.
- Dedicated Macro and Portrait Lens Offers more versatility in photography, even if image quality is not the best
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, higher resolution, 120Hz, and much higher brightness provide a dramatically better viewing experience.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset is much faster, making the phone smoother and more responsive, especially for gaming.
- Better Cameras: Better image quality, telephoto lens, wide-angle lens, 8K video recording, and more advanced features like OIS and Night Mode.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Faster wired charging and additional wireless charging options increase convenience.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers offers a more immersive audio experience.
- More Storage and RAM: Provides more space for apps, files, and smoother multitasking.
- Better Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi standards and has more comprehensive Bluetooth capabilities.
- Premium Build Quality: Better screen protection and overall higher build quality.
- Longer Software Support: Will receive updates for longer.
- Dual SIM Support: Offers flexibility with dual SIM functionality
Trade-offs:
- The Moto G Power prioritizes battery life and offers slightly cheaper cost, but sacrifices display quality, performance, and camera capabilities.
- The S21+ excels in all other areas, but the battery might not last as long with heavy usage as the Moto G Power. However, its faster charging speeds make up for this.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal User:
- Users on a tight budget.
- Users who prioritize long battery life over other features.
- Users who mainly use their phone for basic tasks and less demanding applications.
- Users who want to avoid using chargers as often.
- Users who want a physical fingerprint sensor and find side-mounted sensors more convenient.
Use Cases:
- Basic web browsing, social media, and email.
- Streaming music and podcasts for extended periods.
- Light gaming.
- Photography of non-demanding subjects.
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- Users who value a premium display and overall multimedia experience.
- Users who require high performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Users who want advanced camera capabilities for both photos and videos.
- Users who enjoy wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Users who want a future-proof device with long-term software support.
- Users who value better audio quality, and want stereo speakers
- Users who want dual sim functionality.
Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming.
- Professional-level photography and videography.
- Immersive multimedia experiences (movies, music, and games).
- Multitasking with demanding applications.
- Power users who want the best possible performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If budget is a major constraint, the Moto G Power is much more affordable.
- How important is display quality and overall experience? If high-quality visuals and multimedia usage is important, the S21+ is the obvious choice.
- What is your primary use case for the phone? If your phone usage primarily involves demanding apps and games, the S21+ is much better suited for you. If you only need basic functionality then the Moto G is an option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User Needing Long Battery Life If you need a budget-friendly phone and the most important thing is battery life, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Power User Needing the Best Overall Performance and Features: For a user who needs top-tier performance, an excellent display, and advanced camera capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the better option.
My Choice
Given my preference for a superior display, performance, and camera experience, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. While the Moto G Power offers a larger battery and is more affordable, the S21+ provides a vastly superior overall user experience. The difference in performance is significant, and the improved display and camera would be a bigger benefit to me than the extra battery life of the Moto G Power. The additional features such as wireless charging, better audio, more advanced camera, dual sim, and longer software support also sway my decision heavily. While the price difference is significant, the value offered by the S21+ is much higher, making it a worthwhile investment.
