1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | Moto G Power is slightly larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable for single-hand use compared to the slightly smaller Mi 11 Pro. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 208g | Both phones are similar weight, which is moderate but may feel heavy to some users |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.81" | Mi 11 Pro has a slightly larger screen, offering more space for content consumption |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1440x3200 | Mi 11 Pro has significantly sharper images and text, making it much better for media consumption and detailed tasks. |
| PPI | 266 | 515 | Mi 11 Pro display is noticeably sharper and less pixelated, offering a better viewing experience. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Mi 11 Pro has more vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, ideal for media and HDR content. Moto G Power will have less vibrant colors and contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Mi 11 Pro has smoother scrolling and animations, making the UI more responsive and games more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1700 nits | Mi 11 Pro is much more readable in bright sunlight, essential for outdoor use. The Moto G Power will be difficult to see under sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 | Snapdragon 888 5G | Mi 11 Pro offers significantly faster performance for apps, multitasking, and demanding games, making it more future-proof. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 854,267 | Mi 11 Pro is much faster in all performance aspects due to a more powerful chipset. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 660 | Mi 11 Pro provides significantly better graphics performance, suitable for high-end mobile gaming and video editing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life; actual endurance will vary with usage. |
| Charging | 15W | 67W | Mi 11 Pro charges much faster, reducing time spent waiting for the phone to charge |
| Features | 10W charger in-box | Reverse Charging, 67W Wireless Charging, 10W Reverse-wireless Charging | Mi 11 Pro has significantly better charging features, adding wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices, while the Moto G has a basic charger included. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 48MP f/1.7 | 50MP f/1.95, 1/1.12" sensor, 1.4µm pixel | Mi 11 Pro has a slightly higher resolution, larger sensor and larger pixel size which should result in better image quality, especially in low light, compared to Motorola. |
| Selfie Lens | 8MP f/2.0, 1.12µm pixel | 20MP f/2.3, 1/3.4" sensor, 0.80µm pixel | Mi 11 Pro offers higher resolution and potentially more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 13MP f/2.2, 1/3.06" sensor, 1.12µm pixel | Mi 11 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens, useful for capturing expansive landscapes or group shots while the Moto G does not. |
| Portrait Mode Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Moto G Power has a dedicated portrait lens to help with depth information. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Moto G Power has a dedicated macro lens to help with capturing images of very small objects. |
| Telephoto + Macro Lens | None | 8MP, 1/4.4" sensor, 1.00µm pixel | Mi 11 Pro has a telephoto lens, allowing for better quality zoomed photos than Moto G and additionally has macro capabilities. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, EIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, EIS, HDR | Mi 11 Pro provides much higher quality video recording, including 8K, and superior stabilization and HDR recording. |
| DxOMark | N/A | 124 (Mobile) | Mi 11 Pro has a verified good rating by DxOMark, Moto G Power has no verified rating |
| Camera Features | Multiple features | Multiple features | Mi 11 Pro provides advanced features such as optical zoom, OIS, and RAW capabilities, offering greater flexibility in photography and video. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 | Mi 11 Pro offers a more modern operating system version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Mi 11 Pro offers faster Wi-Fi speeds with the inclusion of Wi-Fi 6. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE | Mi 11 Pro has newer Bluetooth version with advanced audio codecs, for better wireless audio connectivity |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System | Mi 11 Pro supports more satellite systems, resulting in better GPS accuracy |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | Mi 11 Pro allows usage of two SIM cards simultaneously, whereas Moto G Power can only hold one SIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64 GB | 128/256 GB | Mi 11 Pro has much more internal storage, enabling storage of more apps, photos, videos, etc. |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 8/12 GB | Mi 11 Pro has much more RAM, enabling better multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows storage expansion via SD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Mi 11 Pro will have much better sound quality for media consumption and audio capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Moto G has an easier to reach fingerprint sensor, while both offer basic biometric security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Mi 11 Pro has a significantly more durable screen which can withstand higher drops and scratches. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint, Heart Rate; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Mi 11 Pro has a heart rate sensor allowing it to monitor health metrics |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- More affordable: Typically costs significantly less, making it accessible to budget-conscious users.
- Dedicated Macro and Portrait lens: Offers dedicated lenses for close-up and portrait photography.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint: A side-mounted sensor is often preferred for ergonomics.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: High resolution, AMOLED panel, 120Hz refresh rate, and high brightness offer a premium viewing experience.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 888 processor provides much faster speeds for demanding apps and games.
- Better Camera System: Higher quality main sensor, wide-angle lens, telephoto lens, and advanced video capabilities.
- Faster Charging: 67W wired and wireless charging significantly reduce charging times.
- Better Connectivity: Supports the latest WiFi and Bluetooth standards for higher speeds and better range.
- More Storage and RAM: Larger RAM capacity and available internal storage for better multitasking and more storage.
- Additional Features: Has advanced features such as reverse charging, stereo speakers, and heart rate sensor.
- Better Build Quality: Includes Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Moto G Power: Trades performance, camera quality, display quality, and charging speeds for affordability.
- Mi 11 Pro: Higher cost and might not have as good battery life due to high-performance components.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) - Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Those who need a functional smartphone without breaking the bank.
- Users with basic needs: Primarily focused on communication, social media, and light browsing.
- Users who prefer expandable storage: Those who prefer to use an external storage card.
- Users who prefer a longer lasting battery: Good for users who don't want to charge every day.
Specific Use Cases:
- Daily driver for simple tasks: Making calls, sending messages, using social media apps, and browsing.
- Backup phone: A reliable second phone for emergencies.
- First smartphone for seniors or children: Easy to use and less expensive to replace if damaged.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro - Ideal User:
- Power users: Those who frequently multitask, game, or use demanding applications.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who want high-quality photos and videos.
- Media consumers: Those who enjoy watching videos and movies on their phones with great picture quality.
- Users who want the latest technology: Those who value performance and advanced features.
- Users who want wireless charging: Those who prefer wireless charging.
Specific Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming: Runs graphically intense games smoothly.
- Professional photography and videography: Capable of capturing professional quality images and video.
- Heavy multitasking: Can handle many open applications simultaneously.
- On the go content consumption: Perfect for watching HDR content with vibrant colors.
- Travel: Great for photography and navigation, has dual SIM support.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If budget is the primary concern, the Moto G Power will be the obvious choice, if there is flexibility, then the Mi 11 Pro is the next choice.
- What do you primarily use your phone for? If it is basic tasks like calls and social media the Moto G Power will do fine. If you want high-end gaming and video recording, then the Mi 11 Pro is a must.
- How much do you value display quality and performance? If display quality and performance are vital, the Mi 11 Pro is the better choice. If not, the Moto G Power is a solid option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-constrained: If your budget is tight and you need a phone for basic use, choose the Motorola Moto G Power.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Features: If you need high performance, advanced camera capabilities, and a premium display, choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro.
- Scenario 3: Balanced approach: The Moto G Power offers solid battery life with decent performance at an entry-level cost.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. The price difference is justified by the significant advancements in nearly every aspect of the phone. The superior display quality, especially the AMOLED panel and 120Hz refresh rate, provides a much more enjoyable visual experience. The powerful Snapdragon 888 processor ensures smooth and responsive performance for all kinds of tasks, from simple browsing to demanding gaming. The vastly superior camera system also offers much greater capabilities and image quality, especially with the inclusion of telephoto and ultra-wide lenses. Lastly, the inclusion of wireless charging is also a plus. Although the Moto G Power excels in affordability and battery life, the overall user experience and capabilities of the Mi 11 Pro make it the better choice for me, as I value premium features and top performance.
