Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Z Fold5 can transform into a tablet, offering a larger screen experience when unfolded. The Moto G is a standard smartphone. |
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm | 154.9 x 129.9 x 6.1 mm (unfolded) | The Moto G is taller and thicker, making it feel bulkier in the hand. The Z Fold5 is significantly wider when unfolded and thinner. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 253g | The Moto G is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. The Z Fold5 has a substantial weight, which can be tiring during extended one-handed usage. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.6" | 7.6" | The Z Fold5's larger screen provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1812x2176 | The Z Fold5 has a much sharper and more detailed display, resulting in a better visual experience. |
| Pixel Density | 266 PPI | 373 PPI | The Z Fold5's higher pixel density leads to sharper text and images. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | | The IPS LCD of Moto G offers good color reproduction and viewing angles while the display technology of Z Fold5 is unknown and it is difficult to make a conclusion |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Z Fold5 offers smoother animations and scrolling, making it feel more responsive and premium. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical brightness and it may be hard to see the screen in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) | The Z Fold5's chipset offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 1,538,914 | The Z Fold5 delivers vastly superior performance, suitable for demanding tasks and future-proofing. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 740 | The Z Fold5's more powerful GPU enables superior graphics performance for gaming and video editing. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1.0µm, 1/1.57" sensor | The Z Fold5 has a slightly higher resolution, larger sensor and pixel size, likely leading to better image quality in varied lighting conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | 10MP, f/2.2, 1.22µm, 1/3.2" sensor | The Z Fold5 has a higher resolution, larger sensor and pixel size, likely leading to better image quality in varied lighting conditions. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 10MP, f/2.4, 1.0µm | The Z Fold5 offers optical zoom capabilities, allowing users to capture distant subjects with better clarity. |
| Wide Angle Lens | No | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | The Z Fold5 offers a wider field of view, enabling users to capture more expansive scenes. |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | No | The Moto G allows for portrait shots with a blurred background. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | No | The Moto G allows for very close-up shots of small objects. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, 720p@960fps | The Z Fold5 offers far more versatile and higher resolution video recording capabilities. |
| DXOMark Score | Not Tested | 128 (Mobile) | The Z Fold5's camera has a known quality based on its DXOMark rating, while the Moto G's has not been evaluated by DXOMark. |
| Camera Features | Basic set | Extensive features including OIS, AutoFraming, RAW, and Night Mode | The Z Fold5's camera has more advanced features, offering greater flexibility and creative control. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4400mAh | The Moto G has a larger battery, potentially providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | The Z Fold5 charges more quickly, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | 10W Charger in-box | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Wireless Charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W | The Z Fold5 offers more versatile charging options, including wireless and reverse charging. |
Other
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Operating System | Android 10 | Android 13 (upgradable to 17) | The Z Fold5 runs a newer version of Android and is expected to receive several OS updates. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | The Z Fold5 offers significantly faster Wi-Fi speeds and more robust connectivity with the latest standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | The Z Fold5 features a newer Bluetooth version offering better connectivity and more supported audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | The Z Fold5 supports more satellite systems, offering higher accuracy in various environments. |
| SIM | Single Nano SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | The Z Fold5 supports two SIMs, allowing users to manage two mobile plans or easily switch between personal and business numbers. |
| Internal Storage | 32/64 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | The Z Fold5 offers significantly more storage space, accommodating a larger amount of data and media. |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 12 GB | The Z Fold5 has much more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and the ability to handle more demanding applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The Z Fold5 provides enhanced audio quality with stereo speakers and support for Dolby Atmos. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The Z Fold5 offers superior screen protection from scratches and minor impacts. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | The Z Fold5 comes with a broader range of sensors to support advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Lower Price: The Moto G Power is significantly more affordable, making it accessible for budget-conscious buyers.
- Lighter Weight: Its lighter build makes it more comfortable for extended handheld use.
- Larger Battery: A larger 5000mAh battery offers the potential for longer battery life between charges, though that can vary.
- Macro and Depth Lens: Has macro and depth cameras that the Samsung phone does not have
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Advantages:
- Foldable Display: Unique foldable design offers a much larger display experience when unfolded, effectively functioning as a tablet.
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset provides a massive performance advantage for demanding apps and gaming.
- High-Resolution Display: Offers a sharper and more vibrant display due to its higher pixel density and resolution.
- Advanced Camera System: Significantly superior camera system with telephoto and ultrawide lenses, plus higher quality video recording.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: Supports faster 25W wired charging, and also wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.
- Future-Proof Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.2 standards for faster speeds and improved audio.
- Significantly More Storage and RAM: Offers substantially more storage capacity and RAM for power users.
- Premium Build and Features: Comes with a more durable screen and premium features like Dolby Atmos speakers.
- eSIM support: Can switch carriers without changing SIM cards.
- Better sensor suite: Includes barometer and other sensors that are useful for different applications.
Trade-offs:
- The Moto G trades performance and camera quality for affordability and slightly longer battery.
- The Z Fold5 trades battery capacity, price and weight for a more versatile, higher-performing device.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious buyers: Those who prioritize cost-effectiveness over cutting-edge features.
- Users seeking long battery life: Individuals who need a phone that can last through a full day of moderate usage without charging.
- Basic smartphone users: Those who primarily use their phone for calls, messaging, and light browsing.
- Users who like macro and portrait photography: The presence of these cameras in the phone provides a photography experience that the Z Fold 5 does not have.
Use Cases:
- Daily communication, web browsing, and social media.
- Basic photography and video capture.
- A good secondary phone or a backup for those who need extended battery.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Ideal Users:
- Power users: Those who demand the best performance for multitasking, gaming, and productivity.
- Content creators: Users who need high-quality video recording and editing capabilities.
- Mobile professionals: Users who need the flexibility of a tablet and smartphone in one device.
- Tech enthusiasts: Those who want the latest technologies and features.
- Users who want to future proof their device: Given the Z Fold 5 runs Android 13 which is upgradeable to Android 17, it is more future-proofed than the Moto G Power which runs Android 10.
Use Cases:
- Advanced multitasking and productivity on the go.
- High-quality content creation and consumption.
- Mobile gaming and resource-intensive applications.
- Business professionals who want a device that handles work and entertainment.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Moto G is significantly cheaper; can you afford to pay a lot more for the premium features of the Z Fold5?
- What is your primary use case? Do you need a phone for basic daily tasks, or are you a power user who needs high performance for gaming and content creation?
- How important is screen size? The Z Fold5's foldable design provides a larger screen; would this be important to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Limited budget, basic needs: Choose the Motorola Moto G Power (2021). It will provide a decent smartphone experience at a much lower price with a larger battery.
- Scenario 2: Need long battery life and want basic camera functions: The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is the more suitable option as it has a larger battery.
- Scenario 3: Need high-end performance and camera capabilities: Choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5. This phone's high performance, robust camera, and flexible foldable screen make it ideal for those needing high-end features.
- Scenario 4: You want a tablet and a phone: Choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 given its foldable screen functionality.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5. While the price is a significant consideration, the Z Fold5 offers a vastly superior experience in nearly every category that is important to me. The primary reasons for my choice are:
- Performance: As a frequent mobile gamer and someone who often uses multiple apps simultaneously, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset is essential for me. The difference in performance is stark and noticeable in day to day use.
- Display: I greatly appreciate a large, high-resolution display for content consumption and multi-tasking, something the foldable screen of the Z Fold 5 does better than the standard screen of the Moto G. The 120Hz refresh rate is a plus.
- Camera: Photography is important to me and the versatility offered by the telephoto and ultrawide lenses, alongside superior video recording capabilities of the Z Fold 5 are worth the price.
- Future-proofing: The fact that Z Fold 5 runs on Android 13 and will likely receive software updates for the next few years is crucial.
While the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) offers a good basic smartphone experience for a low price, the trade-offs in performance and camera make it less appealing than the premium experience offered by the Z Fold5. The Moto G would be a good backup or low-cost device, but is not my ideal day to day phone. The Z Fold5, despite its higher price and heavier build, would greatly improve my user experience.
