Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Xiaomi Poco M6 4G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco M6 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm | 168.6 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm | Poco M6 4G is slightly taller and thinner; Moto G Power is thicker and might feel more bulky. The Poco M6 4G may be more pocketable. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 205g | Both phones feel similar in hand; a negligible difference. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.79" | Poco M6 4G offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2460 | Poco M6 4G's higher resolution provides a much sharper and clearer image; text and images will look significantly less pixelated. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 266 | 396 | Poco M6 4G has a noticeably crisper display, important for detailed viewing and reading. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both phones offer similar viewing angles and color accuracy typical of IPS LCDs. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Poco M6 4G's higher refresh rate leads to smoother scrolling and animations, making the phone feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is identical, but it's likely that both devices do not have peak brightness information. Likely similar indoor visibility, but not enough information for outdoor comparisons. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) | Mediatek Helio G91 Ultra (12nm) | Poco M6 4G's chipset offers higher performance for smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a better gaming experience. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 269,266 | Poco M6 4G has a significantly higher benchmark score, indicating faster overall performance and better responsiveness in intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Poco M6 4G's GPU will handle graphics-intensive tasks like gaming better than the Moto G Power. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.8µm | 108MP, f/1.75, 0.64µm, 1/1.67" Samsung HM6 sensor | Poco M6 4G captures more detailed photos with its higher-resolution sensor. Moto G Power's slightly wider aperture may offer slightly better low-light. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | 13MP, f/2.45, pixel size unknown | Poco M6 4G takes sharper and more detailed selfies due to higher resolution. Moto G Power's wider aperture may mean slightly better low-light performance. |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | Not present | Moto G Power has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, likely to produce better bokeh effect. Poco M6 4G will rely on software for depth effect. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | 2MP, f/2.4, pixel size unknown | Both phones offer a similar macro camera experience for close-up shots. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | Both offer video stabilization, but the Moto G Power has slightly more video shooting options. Poco M6 has 120fps slow motion, compared to 60 fps of the Moto G Power. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, PDAF, LAF, Panorama | Dual camera, 4K video, Manual focus | Moto G Power has advanced autofocus, and a panorama feature, while Poco M6 offers 4K video and manual focus, which are important to some users. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5030mAh | Both phones offer similar battery life, suitable for a full day of moderate use. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 33W fast charging | Poco M6 4G charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | 10W charger in-box, non-removable | Reverse charging, non-removable | Poco M6 4G can be used to charge other devices, Moto G Power includes a charger. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | Poco M6 4G has a newer OS with the latest features and security updates, Moto G Power's OS is outdated. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both support dual-band WiFi, but Poco M6 4G includes Wi-Fi Direct, a useful feature for direct device connection. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 (LE, A2DP, EDR) | 5.4 (LE, A2DP, APT-x, SBC, AAC) | Poco M6 4G has a newer Bluetooth version with better audio codec support, and a slightly better connection. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Poco M6 4G has more comprehensive GPS support. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Poco M6 4G can use two SIM cards simultaneously, useful for managing personal and work numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32GB/64GB | 128GB/256GB | Poco M6 4G offers significantly more storage for apps, photos, and media. The Moto G Power is very limited. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB | 6GB/8GB | Poco M6 4G offers more RAM, improving multitasking capabilities and overall performance. Moto G Power may feel sluggish with less RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion via microSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Basic | Audio quality is equal on both phones, no additional audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer similar fingerprint sensor technology for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have screen protection, but the specification is not stated. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Moto G Power includes a Gyroscope and a standard proximity sensor. Poco M6 includes an ultrasonic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Dedicated Portrait Camera: Includes a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode photos.
- Wider Aperture Selfie Camera: The f/2.0 aperture on the selfie camera may provide slightly better low-light performance for selfies.
- Slightly More Video Recording Options: The Moto G Power offers more video recording options than the Poco M6.
- Gyroscope Sensor: Offers a gyroscope for motion sensing, which can be useful in some gaming and VR applications.
Practical Implications: The Moto G Power is an older device, the inclusion of a gyroscope and a depth sensor may provide a limited edge in specific scenarios like VR and portraits respectively.
Xiaomi Poco M6 4G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and refresh rate provide a sharper, smoother, and more enjoyable viewing experience.
- Faster Performance: The chipset and RAM offer better performance for multitasking, gaming, and overall responsiveness.
- Significantly Better Camera: Higher-resolution main and selfie cameras capture more detailed images.
- Faster Charging: The 33W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Larger Storage Options: Offers more built-in storage, essential for modern apps and media.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Offers a better connection and supports superior codecs.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with a more up-to-date operating system and security updates.
- Dual SIM support: Offers the ability to use two sim cards simultaneously.
Practical Implications: The Poco M6 4G is the clear winner for anyone who values a great display, performance, or camera, especially if their device is used for media consumption. It represents a huge jump in overall quality and technology.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Poco M6 4G lacks a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode photography, relying on software for a bokeh effect, which may not be as good as a dedicated depth sensor. It also does not have a gyroscope.
- The Motorola Moto G Power includes a charger in the box, a feature that is sometimes omitted in newer phones.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals who prioritize an extremely low price over high performance or advanced features.
- Basic Smartphone Users: People who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, and basic apps, and value a gyroscope.
- Users that need an included charger: This phone has a charger in the box which is something that is missing from some newer phones.
Use Cases:
- Simple day-to-day tasks, such as basic communication and browsing.
- Users who specifically need a gyroscope for specific games or VR experiences.
Xiaomi Poco M6 4G Ideal User:
- Media Consumers: Users who frequently watch videos or play games and value a high-quality display and fast performance.
- Photography Enthusiasts: People who want a smartphone with a capable camera for capturing everyday moments in high detail.
- Performance Seekers: Users who need a smooth and responsive device for multitasking and demanding applications.
- Modern Smartphone Users: People who prioritize a modern OS, features, and battery charging speeds.
- Travelers: Dual SIM functionality allows for a user to have their main SIM and a secondary SIM, ideal for traveling.
Use Cases:
- Enjoying streaming services, playing demanding mobile games, or taking detailed photos and videos.
- Heavy smartphone use involving multiple apps, web browsing, and media consumption.
- Travelers who need to use two SIM cards simultaneously.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
The Xiaomi Poco M6 4G offers a significantly better value for the price due to its superior display, performance, camera, charging speeds, and storage, making it the better overall choice for most users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use case? (Basic communication vs. media/gaming/photography)
- How important is display quality and performance? (Is a sharper, smoother display and faster response important to you?)
- How much storage do I need? (Do you need only a basic amount, or are you a heavy user?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you need a basic phone for calls and texts, and your budget is very limited, and you need a gyroscope, the Motorola Moto G Power might be acceptable.
- Scenario 2: If you value a good display, performance, camera, and modern features, and your budget allows it, the Xiaomi Poco M6 4G is a much better choice.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco M6 4G. The significant improvements in display quality, performance, camera capabilities, storage, and charging speed far outweigh the advantages offered by the Motorola Moto G Power. The Poco M6 4G offers a much better user experience overall and is a more future-proof device. The higher resolution display, faster processor, and vastly improved camera make it a clear choice for everyday use. While the Motorola has a dedicated depth sensor, the overall image quality and versatility offered by the Poco M6 4G's main camera and dual SIM support, make it the clear winner. The much faster charging is also a great advantage for a user.
