Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs TCL 50 SE - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
TCL 50 SE
TCL 50 SE
Tcl

General

Launch Date January 14, 2021 April 8, 2024
Release Year 2021 2024

Physical

Volume 119.19 cm³ 102.86 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.2 "/g 3.48 "/g
Weight 206.5 g 195 g
Height 165.3 mm 168.2 mm
Width 75.9 mm 75.5 mm
Thickness 9.5 mm 8.1 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Polar Silver
  • Flash Gray
  • Space Gray
  • Midnight Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.6 " 6.78 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1080 x 2460
Aspect Ratio 20:9 21:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 83.8 % 86 %
Pixel Density 266 PPI 396 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A 550 nits
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 114.78 mAh/in² 108.99 mAh/in²
Battery Density 41.95 mAh/cm³ 48.71 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5010 mAh
NFC Support No Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 610 Mali-G52 MC2

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 14
Maximum OS Version

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureMotorola Moto G Power (2021)TCL 50 SEPractical Impact
Dimensions165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm168.2 × 75.5 × 8.1 mmTCL 50 SE is slightly taller and significantly thinner, making it feel more modern and potentially more comfortable in hand for some users. The Moto G Power is thicker and has a larger volume.
Weight206.5g195gTCL 50 SE is lighter, which can be more comfortable for prolonged use.

Display

FeatureMotorola Moto G Power (2021)TCL 50 SEPractical Impact
Size6.6"6.78"TCL 50 SE has a slightly larger screen, which is better for media consumption and multitasking.
Resolution720x16001080x2460TCL 50 SE offers a much sharper image, resulting in clearer text and more detailed visuals for videos and photos.
PPI266396TCL 50 SE's higher pixel density makes images appear crisper and less pixelated, enhancing the viewing experience.
TechnologyIPS LCDIPS LCDBoth offer similar color reproduction and viewing angles typical of IPS LCD.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzTCL 50 SE offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the experience feel more fluid.
Brightness0 nits900 nitsThe TCL 50 SE is much better suited for outdoor use, with significantly higher brightness. The Moto G Power's brightness is not specified.

Performance

FeatureMotorola Moto G Power (2021)TCL 50 SEPractical Impact
ChipsetQualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm)TCL 50 SE's chipset generally offers better overall performance, leading to faster app loading and slightly smoother multitasking.
AnTuTu Score178,220250,000TCL 50 SE has a higher AnTuTu benchmark score, indicating better overall system performance.
GPUAdreno 610Mali-G52 MC2Both GPUs are capable of handling basic gaming, but TCL 50 SE likely offers slightly better performance for graphically intensive applications.

Camera

FeatureMotorola Moto G Power (2021)TCL 50 SEPractical Impact
Main Camera48MP f/1.750MP f/1.8TCL 50 SE offers a slightly higher megapixel count, but the Moto G Power has a slightly wider aperture which could lead to better low light performance.
Selfie Camera8MP f/2.08MP f/2.0Similar selfie camera performance.
Depth Camera2MP f/2.4N/AMotorola Moto G Power (2021) has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots, this allows for better background blur.
Macro Lens2MP f/2.42MP f/2.4Similar macro lens for close-up shots.
Video1080p@30/60fps with EIS1080p@30fpsThe Moto G Power has an advantage with 60fps recording and EIS at both framerates. The TCL 50 SE offers 30fps recording.
FeaturesTriple camera, Digital image stabilization, Laser autofocus (LAF)Dual cameraMotorola has an extra depth sensor, digital image stabilization and laser autofocus, while the TCL 50 SE has the benefits of dual camera.

Battery

FeatureMotorola Moto G Power (2021)TCL 50 SEPractical Impact
Capacity5000mAh5010mAhBoth phones offer comparable battery life, easily lasting a full day for most users.
Charging15W fast charging33W fast chargingTCL 50 SE charges significantly faster, reducing the amount of time spent tethered to a charger.
Features10W charger in-boxNone listedThe Moto G Power comes with a charger in box, while the TCL 50 SE charger specs are not stated.

Other

FeatureMotorola Moto G Power (2021)TCL 50 SEPractical Impact
OSAndroid 10Android 14TCL 50 SE has a much newer operating system, which brings more features, security updates, and improved performance. Motorola Moto G Power's software is significantly outdated.
Wi-Fi802.11a/b/g/n/ac802.11a/b/g/n/ac with Dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectTCL 50 SE has dual band support. Both have similar wifi support.
Bluetooth5.0 LE5.1 LETCL 50 SE has a slightly newer version which could lead to more efficient and reliable connections
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoTCL 50 SE supports Beidou for potentially better GPS accuracy.
SIMSingle SIMDual SIM Dual StandbyTCL 50 SE lets you use two SIM cards simultaneously which can be beneficial for travel or work/personal separation.
Storage32GB or 64 GB128 GB or 256GBTCL 50 SE offers much more storage, meaning more photos, apps, and videos can be stored without running out of space.
RAM3 GB or 4 GB4 GB or 6GBTCL 50 SE provides more RAM resulting in better multitasking capabilities.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither device offers expandable storage.
AudioBasic audio featuresStereo speakersTCL 50 SE's stereo speakers offer better audio quality for videos and music, with a more immersive experience.
Securityside-mounted fingerprint sensorside-mounted fingerprint sensorBoth offer a similar level of biometric security.
SensorsAccelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, FingerprintAccelerometer, Proximity, FingerprintMoto G Power has Gyroscope which is good for gaming. TCL 50 SE has gravity sensor.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:

  • Depth Sensor: Dedicated 2MP depth sensor for enhanced portrait mode.
  • Laser Autofocus: Offers faster autofocus performance.
  • Included Charger: Comes with a 10W charger in the box, which is convenient.
  • Gyroscope: Included for motion-based features and gaming.

Practical Implications (Moto G Power):

  • Better portrait mode photos with more background separation.
  • Faster camera focusing, potentially capturing quick moments better.
  • No need to purchase a charger separately.
  • Better for immersive gaming experiences.

TCL 50 SE Advantages:

  • Higher Resolution Display: Significantly sharper display (1080x2460 vs 720x1600).
  • Higher Refresh Rate: 90Hz refresh rate provides smoother visuals.
  • Brighter Display: 900 nits vs 0 nits. Better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
  • Faster Charging: 33W fast charging versus 15W, reducing charging times.
  • More RAM and Storage: Up to 6GB RAM and 256GB of storage for better multitasking and file storage.
  • Newer Android OS: Ships with Android 14 for better features and security updates, unlike the older Android 10 on Moto G Power.
  • Stereo Speakers: Offers richer and more immersive audio experience for media consumption.
  • Dual SIM Support: Can use two SIM cards at once.
  • Better Benchmarks: AnTuTu benchmark scores much higher.
  • Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 for potentially more efficient connections.

Practical Implications (TCL 50 SE):

  • Much clearer images and text, enhanced viewing experience.
  • Smoother scrolling and animations, making the phone feel more responsive.
  • Better outdoor visibility in bright conditions
  • Quicker to fully charge, more time using the phone and less charging.
  • Better for heavy users with large apps and numerous files.
  • More responsive and secure user experience with newer OS and security patches.
  • Better sound for watching videos, playing games, or listening to music.
  • Convenient for users managing both personal and work numbers.
  • More responsive app loading and smoother system performance overall.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • Moto G Power: Has significantly outdated software, weaker processor and lower display quality, but offers the benefit of laser autofocus and included charger.
  • TCL 50 SE: Lacks a dedicated depth sensor, laser autofocus and included charger.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal Users for Motorola Moto G Power (2021):

  • Budget-conscious users: Primarily those with extremely limited budgets who need a simple device that does the basics, also those that want an included charger.
  • Users focused on battery life: The large battery capacity suits this need, although this is similar for both phones.
  • Users preferring simpler devices: Those who don't need high-end performance or the latest features, may find this phone usable.

Specific Use Cases:

  • Basic web browsing and social media.
  • Simple photography for social sharing.
  • Emergency or backup phone.
  • Users who prioritize laser autofocus and don't mind the older Android OS.

Ideal Users for TCL 50 SE:

  • Users who value display quality: Those who want a clear and bright display for media consumption and daily use.
  • Multitaskers: Users who need more RAM and processing power for smoother app switching.
  • Media consumers: Those who watch videos, play games, or listen to music often, and want better audio.
  • Users who value speed: Users who want a faster charging phone.
  • Users who value security: Those who desire a newer, more secure operating system with the latest updates.
  • Users who want Dual SIM: Those who need two SIMs in the same phone.

Specific Use Cases:

  • Streaming videos and movies.
  • Playing graphically moderate games.
  • Using productivity apps and multitasking.
  • Capturing high-quality photos and videos.
  • Traveling, needing dual SIM support.
  • Outdoor use, requiring high screen brightness.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • Motorola Moto G Power (2021): Provides basic functionality at the lowest price point, suitable for extremely budget conscious users and people looking for an included charger.
  • TCL 50 SE: Offers a significantly better overall experience for its price, with a much better display, performance, and software, this is better value for money.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? If on a very tight budget, the Moto G Power might be an option.
  2. How important is display quality? If you value a sharp, bright display the TCL 50 SE is a much better option.
  3. How important is software? If you want a modern Android experience and security updates, the TCL 50 SE is the only suitable choice.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1 (Budget User): If you need a basic phone and are on the absolute tightest budget, the Moto G Power (2021) will work.
  • Scenario 2 (Basic User): If you need something that works well for basic use, such as web browsing and video, the TCL 50 SE is the best choice.
  • Scenario 3 (Media Consumer): If you watch videos and play games regularly, the TCL 50 SE is the better option due to its superior display and audio quality.
  • Scenario 4 (Power User): If you need reliable performance, faster charging, and the latest software, the TCL 50 SE is the better choice.
  • Scenario 5 (Dual SIM User): If you need dual SIM capability, the TCL 50 SE is the better option.

My Choice and Why

Given the information, I would choose the TCL 50 SE. While the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) might have its advantages such as the included charger, the TCL 50 SE offers a significantly superior user experience in virtually every other key area. The drastically improved display, faster performance, newer software, and faster charging are all major advantages that would make daily use much more pleasant and efficient. The TCL 50 SE is the clear winner in terms of features and value for money. It hits the sweet spot between performance and price. The Moto G Power (2021) is simply outdated in comparison.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
  • Technical storytelling
  • User-centric technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.