Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Sony Xperia 1 III
1. Specifications Comparison
Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Sony Xperia 1 III | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Design | |||
Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 165 × 71 × 8.2 mm | The Moto G Power is slightly larger in width and thickness making the Xperia 1 III potentially more comfortable to hold and carry in the pocket. |
Weight | 206.5g | 186g | The Sony Xperia 1 III is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
Display | |||
Size | 6.6" | 6.5" | Virtually identical screen sizes - a very small difference that won't impact most users. |
Resolution | 720x1600 | 1644x3840 | The Xperia 1 III has a significantly sharper display, resulting in more detail and clarity especially for viewing high-resolution content. |
Pixel Density (PPI) | 266 | 643 | The higher pixel density on the Xperia 1 III translates to a much crisper image with less visible pixelation. |
Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | The Xperia 1 III's OLED display offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the Moto G Power's LCD. |
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Xperia 1 III’s 120Hz refresh rate delivers much smoother scrolling, animations, and transitions, leading to a more fluid user experience. |
Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is the same, but real world use may vary. |
Performance | |||
Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | The Xperia 1 III's flagship chipset provides significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance compared to the Moto G Power's mid-range chipset. |
AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 889,100 | The Xperia 1 III has much higher performance for demanding tasks and games. |
GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 660 | The Xperia 1 III has a significantly more powerful GPU, allowing for smoother and better graphics in games and other demanding applications. |
Camera | |||
Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 12MP | While the Moto G Power has a higher resolution, pixel size and sensor tech play a larger role. |
Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.80 µm | The Xperia 1 III has larger pixel size that leads to much better low-light performance and overall image quality. |
Standard Camera Sensor | Sony Exmor RS | The Sony Exmor RS sensor in the Xperia 1 III is higher-quality than the unknown sensor in the Moto G Power, contributing to better image quality, especially in challenging lighting. | |
Telephoto Lens | No | 12MP (f/2.2, Sony Exmor RS) | The Xperia 1 III offers optical zoom capabilities for better zoomed photos and also provides different perspective options for photography. |
Wide-Angle Lens | No | 12MP (f/2.3, Sony Exmor RS) | The Xperia 1 III offers a wider field of view for group shots and landscape photography. |
ToF 3D Sensor | No | Yes | The ToF 3D sensor on the Xperia 1 III improves depth-sensing capabilities for more accurate portrait mode and 3D effects. |
Depth Sensor | 2MP (f/2.4) | No | The Moto G Power has a depth sensor to add a bokeh effect to portraits. |
Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | No | The Moto G Power has a macro lens to capture close-up details. |
Selfie Camera | 8MP (f/2.0) | 8MP (f/2.0, Samsung S5K4H7) | Both have similar front facing cameras, the Sony has a sensor model. |
Video Recording | 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | 4K@24/25/30/60/120fps with HDR, OIS, EIS; 1080p@30/60/120fps with HDR, OIS, EIS | The Xperia 1 III offers much higher video resolution (4K) and superior stabilization. |
Slow-motion Video | Yes, 60fps | Yes, 960fps | Xperia 1 III offers significantly slower and smoother slow-motion video recording. |
DxOMark Score | Not Available | Mobile: 105 (Photo: 107, Video: 92) | The Xperia 1 III has a tested camera rating, outperforming the Moto G Power. |
Battery | |||
Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | The Moto G Power's larger battery likely provides better battery life. |
Charging Speed | 15W | 30W | The Xperia 1 III charges much faster, reducing time plugged into the wall. |
Battery Features | 10W charger in-box | Bypass Charging | The Xperia 1 III can be powered directly from the power source without charging the battery, beneficial for gaming. |
Software | |||
OS | Android 10 | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | The Xperia 1 III has a newer OS and will receive more updates. |
Connectivity | |||
Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | The Xperia 1 III supports WiFi 6 offering faster speeds, better performance in crowded networks. |
Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | The Xperia 1 III has a newer Bluetooth version with more codec support, providing a better wireless audio experience. |
GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | The Xperia 1 III has more satellite system support, improving location accuracy. |
SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | The Xperia 1 III offers dual SIM capabilities for work/personal use. |
Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 32GB/64GB | 256GB/512GB | The Xperia 1 III offers much more storage for photos, videos, and apps. |
RAM | 3GB/4GB | 12GB | The Xperia 1 III provides much smoother multitasking experience due to more RAM. |
Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
Audio | |||
Audio Quality | Basic audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | The Xperia 1 III offers far superior audio quality with better speakers. |
Security | |||
Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer similar biometric security with fingerprint sensors. |
Build Quality | |||
Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Xperia 1 III has much better screen protection. |
Sensors | |||
Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Xperia 1 III has an additional barometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh capacity offers potentially longer battery life for users who prioritize endurance.
- In-Box Charger: Ships with a 10W charger in box, providing some savings compared to the Xperia 1 III that does not include one.
- Depth and Macro Lens: Offers a depth and macro lens for creative photos.
- Lower Price: Generally more budget-friendly and accessible for users with cost concerns.
Sony Xperia 1 III Advantages:
- Superior Display: OLED panel with significantly higher resolution, pixel density, and 120Hz refresh rate offers a much better visual experience.
- Flagship Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers substantially faster performance for demanding tasks, gaming and overall responsiveness.
- Better Cameras: A versatile camera system with higher-quality sensors, optical zoom, ultrawide lens, and ToF sensor for superior image and video quality.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging is much quicker than the Moto G Power's 15W charging.
- Premium Features: Includes features like 4K video recording, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and a more feature-rich Bluetooth suite.
- Software Support: Newer version of Android with upgrades available.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers much better screen protection.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Motorola Moto G Power (2021): The primary trade-off is the significantly lower performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. It is designed for users who need a long battery life and are cost-sensitive.
- Sony Xperia 1 III: The trade-off is a smaller battery compared to the Moto G Power and price. The focus is on premium features and performance at a higher cost.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who prioritize affordability and long battery life over top-tier performance and display quality.
- Basic Smartphone Users: Those who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, browsing, and social media without heavy gaming or multimedia consumption.
Users Needing a Backup Phone: Users who need a reliable device with solid battery life for secondary use.
Use Case Examples:
* Someone who needs a basic phone for daily communication and browsing. * A user who needs a secondary phone with reliable battery life while camping or travelling. * A user looking for a phone to use with car navigation to avoid wearing their main battery down.
Sony Xperia 1 III Ideal User:
- Power Users and Gamers: Those who demand top-tier performance, a high-quality display, and excellent graphics capabilities for gaming and other demanding applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who want a versatile camera system with advanced features and high-quality video recording.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who enjoy watching high-resolution videos, listening to high-quality audio, and using multiple apps simultaneously.
Tech Enthusiasts: Users who desire the latest technology and a premium user experience.
Use Case Examples:
* A photographer who needs a high-quality camera phone for professional work or hobbies. * A mobile gamer who needs the best performance and a smooth display for competitive gaming. * A professional who needs a phone for multi tasking and high quality presentation.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Primary Use: What do you primarily use your phone for (e.g., basic communication, gaming, photography, multimedia)?
- Performance vs. Battery: Do you prioritize top-tier performance and features, or is battery life more critical?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic Use and Budget: If you primarily use your phone for calls, texts, browsing, and social media, and you're on a tight budget, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is a good choice for its long battery life and affordability.
- Scenario 2: Multimedia and Gaming: If you want the best possible display and performance for games, videos, and multitasking, and are willing to pay for it, the Sony Xperia 1 III is the better option.
- Scenario 3: Photography and Video: If you need a high-quality camera phone with excellent video recording capabilities, the Sony Xperia 1 III offers superior image quality, stabilization, and advanced features.
- Scenario 4: Extended Battery Life: If having the absolute best battery life is the most important factor, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is the better option.
What I would choose and why!
For my personal use case, I would choose the Sony Xperia 1 III. While the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is a very capable budget phone that provides exceptional battery life, my main need is not extended battery life, but rather a phone that is well-rounded in terms of performance, camera quality, and screen technology. The Sony Xperia 1 III wins in those categories, with a vibrant high resolution screen, snappy performance for gaming and multitasking, and a versatile camera system capable of capturing photos and videos. Although it's more expensive, the overall experience offered by the Xperia 1 III would be more in line with my needs as a tech enthusiast, making it worth the investment. The faster charging would also be a plus, as I would not have to keep it charging overnight.