Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Xiaomi Poco F6
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco F6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8 mm | Poco F6 is more compact and easier to handle; Moto G Power is bulkier. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 179g | Poco F6 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and portability. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.67" | Virtually identical screen sizes, negligible difference in practice. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1220 x 2712 | Poco F6 has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 266 ppi | 446 ppi | Poco F6 will show much more detail and sharpness. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Poco F6's AMOLED display will have deeper blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors, making it ideal for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Poco F6 offers smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2400 nits | Poco F6 screen is significantly brighter and more viewable outdoors in direct sunlight. Moto G Power has no usable brightness specification. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Poco F6 will offer significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 1,530,662 | The Poco F6 is drastically more powerful for gaming and intensive apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 735 | The Poco F6 has much better graphics performance, improving gaming and graphic-intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/2" Sony IMX882 | Poco F6 has a slight edge in low-light performance and details. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 20MP, f/2.0, Omnivision OV20B | Poco F6 will capture much clearer and more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" Sony IMX355 | Poco F6 allows wide-angle photography for capturing landscapes and group shots. |
| Portrait Mode Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Moto G Power (2021) has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Moto G Power (2021) has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photos. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, EIS | Poco F6 offers much higher quality and more flexible video recording. |
| Stabilization | EIS | EIS, OIS | Poco F6 offers much better image and video stabilization. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity for comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 90W Fast Charging | Poco F6 charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | Poco F6 has a much newer OS with more modern features and security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Poco F6 offers faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | Poco F6 has better Bluetooth connectivity with faster speeds and better codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1) | Poco F6 has wider satellite support for more accurate positioning. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | Poco F6 allows for using two SIM cards simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64GB | 256/512GB | Poco F6 offers much more built-in storage. |
| RAM | 3/4GB | 8/12GB | Poco F6 offers much more RAM for better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Features | Basic Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 4 microphones | Poco F6 offers much better audio quality with enhanced spatial audio and voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint | basic fingerprint sensor | Moto G Power has a more modern side-mounted fingerprint reader. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Poco F6 has superior screen protection against scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both phones have standard motion and biometric sensors; Poco F6 offers a virtual proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Slightly more modern side-mounted fingerprint reader: Conveniently located on the side of the phone for quick unlocking
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Lenses: Offers some extra versatility for close-up and portrait photography, though image quality might not match the Poco F6.
Xiaomi Poco F6 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Display: AMOLED technology, higher resolution, and 120Hz refresh rate offers a much better viewing experience with vibrant colors and smooth visuals.
- Massively Better Performance: Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset provides drastically superior performance for gaming, multitasking, and overall snappiness.
- Superior Camera System: The Poco F6 excels in image quality, video capabilities, and adds a wide-angle lens for added versatility.
- Faster Charging: 90W fast charging allows for much quicker battery replenishment.
- More Modern Software: Runs the latest Android 14 with more features and security updates.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers offer a much more immersive sound experience.
- Better Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 for better wireless performance.
- Much More Storage and RAM: Offers significantly more storage and RAM for storing media and running more apps.
- More Durable Build: The display is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, which offers significantly better scratch and impact protection.
Trade-offs:
- The Moto G Power (2021) has slightly more versatile camera setup with dedicated macro and depth sensors, which are missing from the Poco F6.
- The fingerprint sensor on the Moto G Power is a more modern design
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Primarily focused on getting a functioning phone at a low price.
- Users with very basic smartphone needs: For simple tasks such as calls, texts, and light browsing.
- Users who prioritize battery life but do not require fast charging or demanding processing tasks.
Use Cases:
- Basic communication device for calls and texts.
- Casual browsing and social media use.
- Device for users who do not require high-performance or advanced features.
Xiaomi Poco F6 Ideal User:
- Performance-focused users: Gamers, power users, and those who need a phone that can handle heavy tasks smoothly.
- Media consumers: Users who want a high-quality display for watching videos and browsing.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who want a better camera system for taking high-quality pictures and videos.
- Users who want a future-proof phone: Those looking for the latest software and features.
- Users willing to invest more: For a significantly improved user experience.
Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming.
- High-quality media consumption, such as streaming videos and movies.
- Photography and videography with superior image quality and features.
- Multitasking between demanding apps.
- Future-proof device with the latest features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Ask:
- What is your budget? The Moto G Power is the budget option. The Poco F6 is a much more premium device
- What are your primary use cases? Basic tasks vs gaming/multimedia/photography?
- How important are performance, display quality, and camera features? The Moto G Power performs worse in each of these categories.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Extremely tight budget, basic usage: Choose the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) as it's the much more affordable phone.
- Scenario 2: Balanced user with moderate budget: If you can afford it, the Xiaomi Poco F6 is significantly better in practically every way.
- Scenario 3: Performance and features are priority: Choose the Xiaomi Poco F6 as it offers superior display, camera, and processing power.
What I would Choose
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F6. Here's why:
Despite being significantly different in price, the jump in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities of the Poco F6 make it the clear choice for anyone looking for a capable and enjoyable smartphone experience. The vastly superior processing power means that the device will remain functional for much longer, and I value a smooth, enjoyable user experience. The advanced features like the AMOLED display and the 90W fast charging add a level of convenience and performance that the Moto G Power simply cannot compete with. While the Moto G Power (2021) has some unique camera features, the overall image quality, video capabilities, and stabilization of the Poco F6 make it a superior choice for capturing and enjoying media.
While the Moto G Power has a fingerprint reader on the side that I appreciate, this is a small convenience that doesn't make up for the sheer amount of upgrades provided in the Poco F6. The price point is obviously a consideration, but the long term benefits of a superior user experience with the Poco F6 make it worth the extra investment.
