Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. vivo V21 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | vivo V21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 159.7 × 73.9 × 7.3 mm | Moto G Power is larger and bulkier, less pocketable than the slimmer, more compact vivo V21 5G. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 176g | The vivo V21 5G is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and longer periods of holding. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard build smartphones. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | vivo V21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.6" | 6.44" | Moto G Power offers a slightly larger display for more immersive media consumption, while the V21 5G is a bit more compact. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | V21 5G has a much sharper and clearer display, with a higher pixel density. Text and images are visibly crisper. |
| PPI | 266 | 409 | The V21 5G's higher pixel density results in a significantly sharper display with less pixelation. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | V21 5G's AMOLED screen offers much richer colors, deeper blacks, higher contrast, and better viewing angles compared to the Moto G Power's IPS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | V21 5G provides smoother scrolling and animations due to its higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have the same reported brightness. This is likely an error in the dataset as all phones have a non zero brightness. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | vivo V21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | The V21 5G's chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 343,150 | The V21 5G's significantly higher score indicates superior performance and responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC3 | The V21 5G's GPU is more capable, providing better graphics performance for gaming and other graphically intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | vivo V21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear Camera | 48MP f/1.7 | 64MP f/1.79 | V21 5G's higher resolution camera sensor allows for greater detail in photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.0 | 44MP f/2.0 | V21 5G takes significantly higher-resolution selfies, suitable for detailed social media posts. |
| Wide Angle Lens | No | 8MP f/2.2 | V21 5G can capture wider scenes, which is great for group photos and landscapes, while the Moto G Power doesn't have this feature. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP f/2.4 (Depth) | No | Moto G Power can capture photos with background blur. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both have similar Macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60fps (EIS) | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (OIS) | V21 5G offers superior video quality with 4K and OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) for smoother, sharper videos, while the Moto G Power lacks 4K. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | OIS | V21 5G has better video stabilization with OIS, for less shaky videos compared to the EIS used by Moto G Power. |
| Slow Motion | 60 fps | 120 fps | V21 5G records slow motion video at a higher frame rate. |
| Camera Features | LAF, PDAF | 4K Video, OIS, Front Flash, Ultra Stable Video | V21 5G offers superior video quality and additional features for capturing high quality photos and videos. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | vivo V21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4000mAh | Moto G Power has a much larger battery, likely offering significantly longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 15W | 33W | V21 5G charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Charger Included | 10W in-box | Not specified | Moto G Power includes a 10W charger, while the V21 5G does not specify if a charger is included. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery provides potentially significantly longer battery life, ideal for users who prioritize endurance.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient and faster access compared to a basic fingerprint sensor.
- Included Charger: Ships with a 10W charger in the box.
Practical Implications: The Moto G Power is designed for users who need their phone to last all day (or even multiple days) without needing to recharge. The inclusion of a charger is convenient for those who might not have a suitable one.
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution and refresh rate, offering a significantly better viewing experience with more vibrant colours, deep blacks and smoother visuals.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Dimensity 800U chipset provides much faster and smoother performance for all tasks, including gaming.
- Better Camera: Higher resolution main and front cameras, the presence of an ultrawide lens, 4K video recording with OIS, offers more versatile and higher quality photography.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging gets the phone juiced up much quicker.
- More Storage and RAM: 128GB/256GB storage and 8GB RAM offer much more space for apps and smoother multitasking than the Moto G Power's smaller storage and RAM.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.1 with more advanced audio codecs.
- Dual SIM Support: Dual SIM for those needing to use multiple carriers.
Practical Implications: The vivo V21 5G is designed for users who prioritize high-quality visuals, performance, photography capabilities and fast charging.
Trade-offs:
- Moto G Power: Offers a larger battery and included charger at the cost of performance, display and camera quality.
- vivo V21 5G: Provides a superior display and performance but at the cost of battery life and a more basic fingerprint sensor. The lack of a confirmed in-box charger might be an inconvenience.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who need a phone with long battery life.
- Users who need a basic phone with long battery life for daily tasks.
- Individuals who frequently travel or spend time away from power outlets.
- Users who are less concerned about performance or camera quality.
Specific Use Cases:
- Extended road trips or camping where access to charging is limited.
- Users who want a phone to last several days between charges.
- As a secondary phone that requires basic functionality and extended battery life.
vivo V21 5G Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize display quality and superior visual experience.
- Performance-oriented users who need a phone for gaming, multitasking, and other demanding tasks.
- Users who value camera capabilities, especially high-quality selfies and video recording.
- Users who are often on the move and appreciate fast charging.
Specific Use Cases:
- Social media enthusiasts who take and share high-quality photos and videos.
- Mobile gamers who want a smooth gaming experience.
- Professionals who need fast performance and clear visuals for work tasks.
- Users who use their phone as a primary device for media consumption.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your primary use case? Do you prioritize battery life above all else or are you looking for a better visual and performance experience?
- How important are display quality and camera capabilities to you? Are you satisfied with a basic display and camera, or do you want something higher end?
- What is your budget and how much do you value battery life vs performance? Are you willing to sacrifice high end features for long battery life?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Long Battery Life is Paramount: If your main concern is a phone that can easily last a full day or more without needing to be charged, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is the better option.
Scenario 2: Superior Performance and Display are Key: If you are a heavy user, game frequently, or value a high-quality display for media consumption and prefer better camera quality, the vivo V21 5G is the clear winner.
Scenario 3: Budget is the Main Consideration: The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) will likely be the more budget-friendly option, but the user will have to live with compromises in display quality, camera, and performance.
What I Would Choose and Why:
Personally, I would choose the vivo V21 5G. While the larger battery of the Moto G Power is appealing, the overall experience provided by the V21 5G is significantly better in key areas that are important for a modern smartphone user. The superior display quality, higher performance, significantly improved cameras (both front and back, including the ultrawide lens and 4k recording capabilities), faster charging, and extra RAM and storage make the V21 5G a much more compelling option for my usage patterns. I value the smoother and more responsive user experience, along with the significantly improved quality in visual display and camera capabilities much more than having slightly longer battery life.
