Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Xiaomi Poco C65
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco C65 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 168 × 78 × 8.1 mm | Poco C65 is taller and wider but thinner, Moto G Power is more bulky. Poco C65 should feel less bulky in hand. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 192g | Poco C65 is lighter, which can be more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.74" | Poco C65 offers a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Both have the same resolution, so image sharpness will be similar. |
| PPI | 266 | 260 | Both have similar pixel density, making the screen equally sharp. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use the same display technology, expect similar color and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Poco C65 has a smoother scrolling and animation experience due to the higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Unable to compare due to missing data. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) | Mediatek Helio G85 (12nm) | Poco C65's chipset benchmarks higher, suggesting faster app loading, better multitasking and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 237,768 | Poco C65 expected to have noticeably better real-world performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Different GPUs, but the AnTuTu scores indicates the Poco C65 has higher graphics performance |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 48MP, f/1.7 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Poco C65 has higher resolution, but Moto G Power has a wider aperture, potentially better low light photos. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | N/A | 1/2.76" | Poco C65 has larger sensor which allows it to capture more light |
| Standard Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 0.64 µm | Moto G Power has larger pixels for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Moto G Power has slightly wider aperture, which may result in slightly better low light selfies. |
| Portrait/Depth Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar performance for depth effects is expected. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar macro performance expected. |
| Video Recording | Up to 1080p@60fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Moto G Power offers 60fps recording at 1080p vs. the Poco C65 at 30fps. Poco C65 offers 120fps slow motion. |
| Camera Features | PDAF, LAF, Panorama | 4K Video, RAW | Moto G Power offers features geared toward better focusing speed, while the Poco C65 is slightly better for video and editing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life can be expected with standard use. |
| Charging | 15W | 18W | Poco C65 charges slightly faster. |
| Battery Features | 10W charger in-box, Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Poco C65 can charge other devices, Moto G Power includes a charger in the box. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 13 | Poco C65 has a much newer OS, offering better features, security and long term support. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac, Dual band, Wi-Fi Direct | Poco C65 offers additional Wi-Fi features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3, APT-x | Poco C65 has a newer version of bluetooth with support for APT-x. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Poco C65 includes Beidou for potentially better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Single Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Poco C65 allows usage of two SIMs simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32GB/64GB | 128GB/256GB | Poco C65 provides much larger storage options. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Poco C65 offers greater RAM, which will offer better performance for multi-tasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Other | |||
| Audio | Basic | Basic | Both have basic audio. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Similar biometric security. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both include standard sensors, Poco C65 includes a virtual proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Wider Standard Camera Aperture (f/1.7): Potentially better low-light photos compared to the Poco C65's f/1.8 aperture.
- Wider Selfie Camera Aperture (f/2.0): Slightly improved low-light selfies.
- Laser autofocus and Phase detection autofocus (PDAF): Potentially faster and more accurate focusing.
- 60FPS Video recording: Smoother video footage at the cost of resolution
- 10W charger in-box: Provides the charger inside the box.
Xiaomi Poco C65 Advantages:
- Newer and Faster Chipset: The MediaTek Helio G85 offers superior performance compared to the Snapdragon 662.
- Higher Refresh Rate (90Hz): Smoother display experience, better for animations and scrolling.
- Newer Android Version (13 vs 10): Access to newer features, security updates, and better long-term support.
- More Storage and RAM: Significantly larger storage options (up to 256GB) and more RAM (up to 8GB) for better multitasking and storage.
- Larger Camera sensor: Slightly larger sensor allows for more light collection, even at the cost of smaller pixels
- 18W Fast Charging: Charges faster.
- Dual SIM: More flexible sim management for users who have two sim cards
- Beidou GPS support: Potentially better location accuracy with more satellite system support.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices.
- 4K video recording: Offers higher quality videos at 4K
- RAW photo option: More versatility when editing photos
- Faster Bluetooth: Supports Bluetooth 5.3
Trade-offs:
- Moto G Power: Loses on performance, software, storage, and newer features for a slightly better camera aperture and 60fps video recording, the focus system is also better on the Moto G Power, and may offer better focusing capabilities.
- Poco C65: Loses the laser and phase detection autofocus, a slightly smaller pixel size, lower resolution video capture, and a charger included in the box for significantly better performance, storage and an overall better user experience
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021):
- Ideal User: Users who prefer the Motorola brand and are on an extremely tight budget.
- Use Cases: Basic smartphone usage, occasional photography, users who want included accessories, and those who prefer potentially better focusing.
- Price-to-Value: Poor value compared to Poco C65.
Xiaomi Poco C65:
- Ideal User: Users looking for a budget-friendly phone with good overall performance, a larger display, a smooth user experience and good amount of storage.
- Use Cases: Daily social media, browsing, video streaming, light gaming, multitasking, better GPS, and users who have two SIM cards or who need reverse charging capabilities.
- Price-to-Value: Excellent value due to its higher performance, newer features and greater storage at the cost of slightly less versatile camera features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (e.g., social media, gaming, photography, etc.)
- Is software support and performance important to you? (newer features, updates, speed)
- Is Storage and SIM card management important? (Do you need dual sim capabilities and larger storage?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Basic Budget User: Choose the Xiaomi Poco C65 for better overall experience and value. The Moto G Power is an outdated phone and will only be suitable in cases where a user has a very specific desire for the device.
Performance and Multimedia Focus: The Xiaomi Poco C65 is the clear choice due to its faster processor, smoother display, and better battery features, making it better for media consumption and gaming.
Camera Focused Users: The Motorola G Power may be a better choice, however due to the limited camera benefits and large downsides, the user may be better suited to invest in a slightly more expensive phone.
My Choice and Why
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco C65. While the Moto G Power has a few minor advantages in the camera department, the Poco C65 wins in almost every other aspect that most people consider important. The Poco C65 offers a much faster processor, newer software, more storage and RAM, a smoother display, a newer bluetooth and better battery features. The slight differences in the camera performance is not enough to outweigh all the advantages the Xiaomi Poco C65 brings.
