Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Sony Xperia 1 IV
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 165 × 71 × 8.2 mm | The Moto G Power is wider and thicker, potentially feeling bulkier in hand. The Xperia 1 IV is slimmer and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 185g | The Xperia 1 IV is noticeably lighter making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.5" | Negligible difference, both offer ample screen real estate for content consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1644x3840 | The Xperia 1 IV offers a much sharper and more detailed display. Text and images are significantly clearer. |
| PPI | 266 | 643 | The Xperia 1 IV provides much higher pixel density, resulting in a visibly sharper and clearer screen. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | The Xperia 1 IV has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. This leads to a better viewing experience especially for video. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Xperia 1 IV's display feels much smoother and more responsive during scrolling and animation. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness. This value is not useful for comparison as both are likely to be much higher in real-world use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Xperia 1 IV offers significantly better performance, faster app loading, and smoother multitasking. Capable of running demanding games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 1,076,100 | The Xperia 1 IV is far more powerful, handling intensive tasks and games with ease compared to the Moto G Power. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 730 | The Xperia 1 IV provides much better graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 12MP | Moto G Power has higher resolution, but Xperia 1 IV likely has better overall image quality. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.80 µm | Xperia 1 IV's larger pixels result in better low light performance due to increased light intake. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 12MP | Xperia 1 IV captures more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 12MP | Xperia 1 IV allows for optical zoom capabilities, enabling better quality photos at a distance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 12MP | Xperia 1 IV captures wider images, better for landscape photography. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | N/A | Present | Xperia 1 IV has additional depth sensing for better portrait effects and AR experiences. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP | N/A | Moto G Power has a dedicated depth sensor for portraits. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | N/A | Moto G Power has a dedicated macro camera for close up shots. |
| Video | 1080p@60fps with EIS | 4K@120fps with HDR, OIS, EIS | Xperia 1 IV has much better video recording capabilities including higher resolutions, OIS, and higher slow-motion framerates. |
| DxOMark Score | Not Available | 105 (Mobile) | The Xperia 1 IV provides a higher quality camera experience. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer the same battery capacity suggesting comparable battery life based purely on the capacity. Actual battery life depends on usage. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Xperia 1 IV charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Charging Features | 10W in-box charger | Bypass Charging | Moto G Power comes with a charger, Xperia 1 IV provides bypass charging for improved longevity. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12/13 | The Xperia 1 IV offers a more recent operating system with more features, improved security, and longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | The Xperia 1 IV supports newer and faster WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE | Xperia 1 IV has slightly better and more modern Bluetooth with support for higher quality codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Xperia 1 IV offers more accurate location tracking through more satellite support. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM, eSIM | Xperia 1 IV offers flexibility for travelers or those with multiple phone numbers with support for two physical SIMs and/or an eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64 GB | 256/512 GB | Xperia 1 IV offers significantly more storage for apps, media, and files. |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 12/16 GB | Xperia 1 IV provides better support for multitasking with more RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo | Xperia 1 IV has superior audio features which results in more immersive and higher fidelity audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Both offer basic biometric authentication. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Xperia 1 IV offers more durable screen protection which is more resistant to scratches and damage. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Sony Xperia 1 IV has an additional environmental sensor and other sensors for advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Lower Price: It is significantly more affordable, making it accessible to budget-conscious users.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Camera: Offers a dedicated macro camera and portrait depth sensor, providing more camera versatility for those who need them.
- In-Box Charger: Comes with a 10W charger included.
Sony Xperia 1 IV Advantages:
- Superior Display: High resolution OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing a significantly sharper and smoother viewing experience.
- Much Better Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU, making it far better for demanding apps and games.
- Advanced Camera System: A much more versatile camera setup with telephoto and ultrawide lens with better quality image sensor.
- Superior Video Recording: Shoots high-quality 4K video at 120fps with HDR and OIS.
- Modern Software and Connectivity: Ships with Android 12 and has updated Wifi and Bluetooth.
- Faster Charging: Supports 30W fast charging.
- Premium Audio: Has Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio and stereo speakers.
- More Storage and RAM: Comes with significantly larger storage and RAM for better multitasking and storage needs.
- Dual SIM Support: Supports dual SIM cards for more flexibility.
- Premium Build Quality: Offers Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for enhanced screen protection.
- Advanced sensors: Includes environmental sensors like barometer.
Trade-offs:
- The Moto G Power offers basic features at a low price, but lacks performance, display quality, and advanced camera features.
- The Xperia 1 IV is a high-end device with a significantly higher price tag.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals looking for a basic smartphone at the lowest possible price.
- Light Smartphone Users: Those who primarily use their phones for calls, texts, browsing, and social media.
- Users Seeking Longer Battery Life: Though both phones have the same capacity, the lower powered chipset in the Moto G Power can result in longer battery life.
- Users Who Want a Dedicated Macro or Depth Camera: Users who require close up or portrait photography on a budget.
Use Cases for Moto G Power (2021):
- Primary phone for basic communication.
- Backup phone for emergencies.
- First smartphone for children or seniors.
Sony Xperia 1 IV Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Individuals who need top-tier performance for demanding apps, games, and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value a versatile, high-quality camera system.
- Video Creators: People who record high-quality video content regularly.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who enjoy streaming video and music and want an immersive experience.
- Users who travel a lot: Benefit from Dual SIM, and superior GPS.
Use Cases for Sony Xperia 1 IV:
- High-performance gaming and app usage.
- Professional photography and videography.
- High-quality media consumption.
- Demanding professional workflows.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Moto G Power is substantially more affordable.
- What do you use your phone for? The Xperia 1 IV is for intensive users, while the Moto G Power is for basic tasks.
- How important are the camera and display quality to you? The Xperia 1 IV has a far superior screen and camera system.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Usage: Choose the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) for its low cost and sufficient functionality.
- Scenario 2: Need for Performance, Great Camera, and Display: The Sony Xperia 1 IV is ideal for intensive users and enthusiasts who require a top quality experience.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Budget and Features: Neither of these phones would be ideal in this scenario.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would go with the Sony Xperia 1 IV. While it is significantly more expensive, the difference in overall quality and performance is massive. The superior display, camera system, and processing power make it a much more enjoyable and capable device. I value these features heavily. I appreciate a great camera, and I often watch content on my phone so the better display and audio are very important to me. The Moto G Power is too much of a compromise in too many areas for my needs.
