1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 161.8 × 75.3 × 8.9 mm | The Poco M3 Pro is more compact and thinner, making it more pocketable. The Moto G Power is taller and thicker. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 190g | The Poco M3 Pro is noticeably lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.5" | Minimal difference in size. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | The Poco M3 Pro has a significantly sharper display with more detail. |
| PPI | 266 | 405 | The Poco M3 Pro’s display will appear clearer and less pixelated. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both have similar display technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Poco M3 Pro will have smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Unable to compare due to missing data. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | The Dimensity 700 in the Poco M3 Pro is more powerful, leading to snappier performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 379,761 | The Poco M3 Pro is significantly faster and more responsive for demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 | The Mali-G57 MC2 in the Poco M3 Pro is more powerful, providing better graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 48MP | 48MP | Both have a 48MP primary camera. |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.79 | The Moto G Power has a slightly wider aperture, which can be better in low-light scenarios. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | Not Specified | 1/2" | Poco M3 Pro's larger sensor (1/2") can gather more light for better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 8MP | Both have comparable front-facing cameras. |
| Depth Camera Resolution | 2MP | 2MP | Both have comparable depth cameras for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens Resolution | 2MP | 2MP | Both have comparable macro lenses for close up photography. |
| Video | 1080p@60fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | Moto G Power can record smoother video at 60fps, both offer video stabilization. |
| Slow-motion | Yes, 60fps | Yes, 960fps | Poco M3 Pro offers much faster slow motion capabilities. |
| Features | PDAF, LAF, Continuous, Panorama | Night Mode | Moto G Power has more autofocus options, Poco M3 Pro has night mode. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacity for comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 15W | 18W | The Poco M3 Pro charges slightly faster. |
| Charging Features | 10W charger in-box | Reverse charging | Motorola includes a charger, Xiaomi offers reverse charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 | The Poco M3 Pro comes with a newer version of Android. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | The Poco M3 Pro offers additional Wi-Fi features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE | The Poco M3 Pro has a newer version of Bluetooth with added features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The Poco M3 Pro includes Beidou, offering better positioning accuracy |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | The Poco M3 Pro offers dual SIM capability. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32 GB or 64 GB | 64 GB or 128 GB | The Poco M3 Pro offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 3 GB or 4 GB | 4 GB or 6 GB | The Poco M3 Pro has more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Audio | Hi-Res Audio | The Poco M3 Pro offers high resolution audio. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both feature side mounted fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | The Poco M3 Pro has better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual | Both feature common sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Slightly wider aperture on the main camera: (f/1.7 vs f/1.79) Might perform slightly better in low-light scenarios.
- 60fps video recording: Can capture smoother videos compared to 30 fps.
- Phase detection, Laser autofocus, and Panorama features in the camera: Offers enhanced focusing and shooting modes for photography enthusiasts.
- Included 10W charger: Comes with a charger in the box.
- Proximity Sensor: Standard proximity sensor, which can be more reliable in certain scenarios.
Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G Advantages:
- Significantly more powerful processor: (Mediatek Dimensity 700 vs Snapdragon 662) Provides much smoother overall performance and better gaming capabilities.
- Higher resolution and sharper display: (1080x2400 vs 720x1600) Offers a more detailed and enjoyable visual experience.
- 90Hz refresh rate: Provides smoother animations and scrolling.
- More RAM and storage options: (Up to 6GB RAM and 128GB storage) Better for multitasking and storing more files.
- Faster 18W charging: Charges faster than Moto's 15W.
- Reverse charging: Can be used to charge other devices.
- Hi-Res Audio Support: Higher quality audio for audiophiles.
- Dual SIM Support: Supports two SIM cards at the same time.
- Corning Gorilla Glass 3: Better screen protection.
- Faster slow motion video Captures slow motion video at much higher frame rates.
- 5G Connectivity: Allows access to 5G networks, which the Moto G Power does not have.
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) trades performance and display quality for a slightly better low-light camera and 60fps video recording and included charger.
- The Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G prioritizes performance, display, and features while slightly sacrificing some camera features and in-box charger.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is Ideal For:
- Users with low to moderate needs: Suited for users with basic usage patterns like browsing, social media, and casual gaming.
- Budget-conscious users: Those looking for a dependable phone at a lower price point.
- Those who prioritize battery life above all: Although both have 5000mAh batteries, the Motorola's lower resolution may result in longer battery life.
- Users who want a charger in the box.
Use Cases for Motorola Moto G Power (2021):
- Long battery life for multi-day trips without the need to charge.
- Basic photography for social media and occasional photos.
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks without the need to play high end games.
Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G is Ideal For:
- Users who value performance: Great for users who frequently use demanding applications and play games.
- Users who want a smoother, crisper display: Ideal for media consumption, browsing, and gaming with a high refresh rate.
- Users who need a future-proof device: The 5G capability and better overall specs make this phone more relevant for the next few years.
- Users who want to experience fast charging and high quality audio.
- Users who travel and need a dual sim device
Use Cases for Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G:
- Playing graphic intensive games with better frame rates and visual clarity.
- Streaming movies and videos with a better viewing experience.
- Multitasking with demanding applications without noticeable lag.
- Future proofing their device by investing in 5G.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The price difference will guide decision-making.
- How important is performance and display quality to me? If these are priorities, the Poco M3 Pro 5G is the clear choice.
- How much do I value battery life, camera, and included charger vs faster charging and performance These factors can help you decide between the phones.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Basic usage and tight budget: If your priority is a low-cost phone for basic tasks, and you value the included charger, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is acceptable, but the Poco M3 Pro 5G still provides much better value for only a little more in price.
Scenario 2: Moderate to heavy use and gaming: If you want to play games, watch movies, and have a snappier experience, the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G is the clear choice, offering better performance, a better display, and better storage options.
Scenario 3: Photography and videography: The Motorola offers slight camera advantages, however the differences are minimal and both cameras offer similar features.
Scenario 4: Future-proofing and 5G Connectivity: If you want to experience 5G and have a faster experience for longer, the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G will be the more suitable choice.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G. The Poco M3 Pro offers significant advantages in areas that matter most for overall user experience, such as a much more powerful processor, a much better display (higher resolution and 90Hz), more RAM and storage options, faster charging, better audio support and 5G connectivity. While the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) has slight advantages in terms of the included charger, and some minor camera features, these are not significant enough to offset the major benefits of the Poco M3 Pro. The Poco M3 Pro provides much better long-term value and will offer a smoother, more enjoyable experience for general use, gaming, and multimedia consumption. The lack of an included charger is not a significant drawback as most people tend to already own one. Overall, the Poco M3 Pro is the superior choice for most users.
