1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mm | Poco M4 Pro is more compact, easier to handle in one hand, and more pocketable. Moto G Power is bulkier and less comfortable to hold for long periods. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 179.5g | Poco M4 Pro is significantly lighter, which makes it more comfortable for extended use. Moto G Power may feel heavier over time. |
| Build | Unknown screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Poco M4 Pro has more robust screen protection, making it more resistant to scratches and minor impacts. The Moto G Power's protection is not specified. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.6" | 6.43" | Moto G Power offers a slightly larger screen, which is better for media consumption. Poco M4 Pro offers a more compact experience. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Poco M4 Pro has a much sharper display, leading to better text clarity and more detailed images. The Moto G Power's display appears less sharp. |
| Pixel Density | 266 PPI | 409 PPI | Poco M4 Pro provides crisper visuals and finer detail. The difference is clearly visible and makes the user experience much better. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Poco M4 Pro provides much better contrast, richer colors, deeper blacks, and better viewing angles. It also offers better power efficiency when using dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Poco M4 Pro provides a smoother scrolling and animations. The Moto G Power's 60Hz may appear less smooth. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness, but since the value is 0 nits we can't compare the practical brightness of the screens. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Mediatek Helio G96 (12 nm) | Poco M4 Pro has a more powerful processor, leading to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 438,700 | Poco M4 Pro has significantly higher performance based on benchmark scores, indicating a noticeable difference in real-world speed and responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Poco M4 Pro has better graphics processing, leading to smoother gaming, and better experience while editing videos or viewing high-resolution images. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm pixel size | Poco M4 Pro has slightly higher resolution, and a smaller aperture. Moto G Power has larger pixels on sensor. The Poco M4 Pro uses Samsung S5KJN1 sensor. Real-world image quality depends on software processing as well. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm pixel size | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.00µm pixel size | Poco M4 Pro has a higher resolution and slightly wider angle, which should be better for taking group selfies and detailed photos. The Moto G Power has a slightly larger aperture. Poco M4 Pro uses Omnivision OV16A10 sensor. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not Present | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm pixel size | Poco M4 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive landscapes and group photos. The Moto G Power lacks a wide-angle option. Poco M4 Pro uses Sony IMX355 sensor. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixel size | Not Present | Moto G Power has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode with background blur. The Poco M4 Pro lacks a dedicated depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixel size | Not Present | Moto G Power has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. The Poco M4 Pro lacks a dedicated macro lens. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | Both phones capture standard FHD videos. Moto G Power can record at 60fps but has EIS. Poco M4 Pro is limited to 30fps and provides stabilization features but doesn't explicitly state that is EIS. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, PDAF, LAF | Dual camera, Ultra stable video, Manual Focus, Night Mode | Moto G Power has PDAF and LAF for faster focusing, while the Poco M4 Pro has manual focus, ultra stable video and Night Mode for better video and night photos. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacity, providing a comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 33W fast charging | Poco M4 Pro charges much faster, saving time when you need to quickly top up your battery. The Moto G Power is slower. |
| Features | 10W charger in-box | Non-removable | Poco M4 Pro does not come with a charger included. Moto G Power comes with a 10W charger but it can use 15W fast charging. |
Software
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 | Poco M4 Pro has a newer version of the OS, which may offer better optimization and more features. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Display | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display | Both provide similar Wifi standards. Poco M4 Pro offers dual band and WiFi Direct, which may improve performance in certain scenarios. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.1 LE, A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | Poco M4 Pro has a newer version of Bluetooth with support for higher-quality audio codecs for wireless headphones. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Poco M4 Pro offers more accurate location tracking due to the additional satellite systems. |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Poco M4 Pro supports two SIM cards, allowing users to manage two numbers on a single device. The Moto G Power is limited to one SIM card. |
Storage
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 32/64GB | Not Specified | Moto G Power has options for storage capacity, while Poco M4 Pro has the storage not specified. The comparison is incomplete. |
| RAM | 3/4GB | Not Specified | Moto G Power has 3 or 4 GB of RAM which will allow for decent multitasking for basic usage, the Poco M4 Pro RAM is not specified. The comparison is incomplete. |
| Expandable | No | No | Both devices do not support expandable storage, meaning you're limited to the internal storage offered. |
Audio
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Poco M4 Pro offers a significantly better audio experience with enhanced spatial audio, higher quality playback, better audio separation and immersion, improved voice capture. |
Security
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both have a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for convenient biometric security. |
Sensors
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both phones have similar sensors. Moto G Power has an standard proximity sensor while the Poco M4 Pro has an Ultrasonic proximity virtual. Both phones have accelerometer, compass and gyroscope. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Dedicated Depth and Macro Lenses: Offers a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos and a macro lens for close-up shots. This offers greater flexibility in specialized photography.
- In-Box Charger: Includes a 10W charger in the box, which is a convenience.
- Wider Aperture on Main and Selfie Camera: Captures more light, which could lead to better low-light performance.
Practical Implications: The Moto G Power is a decent phone for users who want to experiment with macro and portrait photography.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Offers a significantly sharper and more vibrant AMOLED display with a higher refresh rate, resulting in better media consumption, gaming, and overall visual experience.
- Higher Performance: Features a much more powerful processor and GPU, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Faster Charging: Supports 33W fast charging, meaning you spend less time plugged in.
- Better Audio: Equipped with stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and Hi-Res Audio support, providing a much better audio experience.
- Wide-Angle Lens: Includes a wide-angle lens, allowing for more creative and versatile photography.
- Better Bluetooth: Offers a newer Bluetooth version with support for higher-quality audio codecs, making it ideal for audio enthusiasts.
- Dual SIM: Supports dual SIM functionality for users needing to manage two phone numbers.
- More Advanced Software: Comes with Android 11, potentially offering improved features compared to Android 10 on the Moto G Power.
Practical Implications: The Poco M4 Pro excels in display quality, performance, and media consumption making it a better choice for users seeking a premium experience in these areas.
Trade-offs:
- The Moto G Power provides a less advanced display, and slower performance but does have a dedicated macro and depth sensor for specialized photography.
- The Poco M4 Pro lacks dedicated macro and depth sensors, and does not provide a charger in the box, but it provides a better display, a faster processor, a wide angle lens and much better audio features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who value a lower price point
- Users who prioritize specialized photography such as macro and portrait photography.
- Users that don't need dual SIM functionality
- Users that require a charger in the box
Use Cases:
- Basic daily tasks (calling, texting, social media)
- Casual photography (macro and portraits).
- Long battery life without needing the fastest charging.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro Ideal User:
- Users that prioritize performance and media consumption.
- Users who want a sharper, more vibrant display.
- Users who prioritize a better audio experience.
- Users who need faster charging.
- Users who need dual SIM functionality.
- Gamers who need smooth performance and responsiveness.
Use Cases:
- Gaming, video streaming, and social media.
- Users who prioritize a fast and responsive experience.
- Users that need a wide-angle lens to capture photos of landscapes.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Moto G Power may be more affordable, but the Poco M4 Pro will provide a much better overall experience at a higher cost.
- How important is display quality and performance? If a vibrant display, smooth animations and fast app loading are essential, the Poco M4 Pro is the better option. If you need a basic phone, the Moto G Power will be sufficient.
- Do you need the specialized camera features such as Macro and Depth or do you need a wide-angle lens and better audio features? The Moto G Power has dedicated Macro and depth sensor, while the Poco M4 Pro has a wide angle lens, stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos, this should be a defining factor.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1 (Budget Photography Focus): If you need a dedicated macro and portrait lens on a budget, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is an adequate choice, but know that other parameters will not be great.
Scenario 2 (Performance and Media Consumption): If you value performance, a better display, audio experience, and fast charging the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro is the superior option.
Scenario 3 (Balanced Usage): The Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro is a better balanced device and has a much better price to value ratio than the Motorola Moto G Power (2021).
My Choice and Explanation
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would definitely choose the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro.
Here's why:
- Superior Overall Experience: The Poco M4 Pro offers a significantly better experience in almost every important aspect: a much sharper and more vibrant display, faster performance, faster charging, better audio, wide angle camera lens and overall better value. The Moto G Power has a wider aperture and offers specialized cameras, but that is not enough to overcome its inferior display and performance.
- Long-Term Satisfaction: While the Moto G Power may be more affordable, the Poco M4 Pro will provide a more satisfying experience over the long term. The better display and performance will be noticeable every time I use the device.
- Price to Value: Even though the Poco M4 Pro might be slightly more expensive, the benefits it brings in terms of screen, speed, audio, charging and overall features are worth the added cost, making it the clear winner.
The lack of dedicated depth and macro sensors on the Poco M4 Pro is a trade-off, but I believe that the benefits of the superior display, performance, wide angle and audio greatly outweigh these minor drawbacks. As a user who consumes a lot of multimedia and needs a responsive device, the Poco M4 Pro aligns better with my requirements.
