Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Xiaomi Poco X3 GT
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm | 163.3 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT is slightly shorter and thinner, potentially feeling more comfortable in hand. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 193g | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT is lighter, beneficial for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.6" | Identical screen sizes. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 266 | 399 | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT has noticeably higher pixel density, leading to finer details and reduced pixelation. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT offers smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical peak brightness, although the lack of actual values is a limitation. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use the same display technology. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1100 (6 nm) | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT uses a significantly more powerful chip, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 745,283 | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT delivers vastly superior performance and is more future-proof. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G77 MC9 | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT's GPU is much more powerful, resulting in better graphics in games and apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 48MP (f/1.7) | 64MP (f/1.79) | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT captures more detailed images with its higher resolution sensor, although the aperture is slightly narrower. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP (f/2.0) | 16MP (f/2.45) | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT produces more detailed selfies, but has a narrower aperture. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | Yes | No | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) offers depth sensing for better portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | Yes | No | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT offers much higher video recording quality, including 4K and higher frame rate at 1080p. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | EIS & Ultra Stable Video | Both provide EIS, but Xiaomi Poco X3 GT has a specialized "Ultra Stable Video" mode for added smoothness. |
| Features | PDAF, LAF | 4K Video, RAW, Night Mode | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT offers more advanced photography and video features like 4K recording, RAW format support, and a dedicated night mode. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 15W | 67W | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime. |
| Charger in Box | 10W | No Charger | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) includes a charger, but it is slower. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT has a newer version of Android. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT supports the faster Wi-Fi 6 standard for better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT has a newer version of Bluetooth. |
| GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT supports more satellite systems, which should result in better positioning accuracy. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT supports Dual SIM, making it better for users with multiple phone numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64 GB | 128/256 GB | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT has much more built-in storage, better for storing more apps, photos, videos, etc. |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 8 GB | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT has significantly more RAM, better for multitasking and demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT has a more advanced audio system, providing a better experience for music, movies, and voice calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Both provide similar basic biometric security via side-mounted fingerprint readers |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT has a better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual | Both have a comprehensive suite of sensors, though there are slight differences in the specific implementations. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Lenses: Offers more versatility in photography with the addition of macro and depth sensors which the X3 GT lacks. Useful for creative close-up and portrait shots.
- Slightly Wider Aperture Main Camera: The slightly wider aperture on its main camera might allow for better low-light performance compared to the X3 GT in very specific scenarios, however, the X3 GT is much better in low light due to the night mode.
- In-box charger: Includes a charger in the box, but it is a 10W charger and is therefore slower than the charging speeds supported by the X3 GT.
Xiaomi Poco X3 GT Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Much faster processor and GPU resulting in better overall performance and a longer lifespan.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and refresh rate offering a smoother and more detailed visual experience.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging drastically reduces charging time, a significant convenience.
- Larger Storage and RAM: More storage and RAM make it better for multitasking and storing more media.
- Better Main Camera and Video: Higher resolution main sensor, better video capabilities, including 4k recording and ultra-stable video.
- More Advanced Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio and stereo speakers. Better sound quality for multimedia consumption.
- Newer Software and Connectivity: Ships with Android 11, supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 and more GPS systems.
- Better screen protection: It includes Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, offering a much better screen protection.
Trade-offs:
- Motorola: The lower price of the Moto G Power comes at the cost of lower performance, display quality and charging speeds.
- Xiaomi: While the Poco X3 GT excels in performance and features, it lacks the macro and depth cameras that Motorola offers, also it does not include an in-box charger, making it a little more expensive.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is ideal for:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritizing affordability over high-end specs.
- Users who value long battery life: The 5000mAh battery will last a full day with average use.
- Casual photographers: Users that want a macro lens and depth sensor for a variety of shooting options, even though image quality is not as good as other smartphones.
Use Cases:
- Long days with minimal charging opportunities.
- Basic social media, browsing, and communication.
- Casual photography in standard lighting conditions.
Xiaomi Poco X3 GT is ideal for:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who play games and use demanding applications.
- Multitaskers: Users who run multiple apps simultaneously.
- Media Consumers: Users who watch videos, and play music and require good audio.
- Users seeking future-proof devices: The superior processor and modern software will prolong the phone's useful life.
- Users that prioritize a faster charging experience.
- Users that want to record video at high quality.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and graphic-intensive applications.
- High-resolution video recording and media consumption.
- Work where speed and responsiveness are crucial.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance for me?
- If performance is crucial, the Xiaomi Poco X3 GT is the better choice.
- What is my budget?
- If budget is the primary concern, the Motorola Moto G Power is more affordable.
- What features do I use most often?
- If the user values better display, performance, and faster charging, the Xiaomi Poco X3 GT is better, and if they value macro and depth cameras, the Motorola Moto G Power is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic User - For basic tasks and longer battery life on a budget, the Motorola Moto G Power is adequate.
- Scenario 2: Performance User - For smooth performance, higher quality visuals, and video recording, the Xiaomi Poco X3 GT is the superior choice.
- Scenario 3: Camera focused user: If the user wants the best photo quality and advanced photo features, the Xiaomi Poco X3 GT is better, even though it does not have a macro lens and depth sensor, the main camera quality will provide a better experience. If the user really wants the macro and depth lenses, then the Motorola Moto G Power is the only option here.
Decision
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 GT. The main reason is the massive difference in performance. The Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G Power is too slow for modern tasks and the lower resolution screen is not great for reading and watching videos. The Poco X3 GT offers significantly better performance, screen, camera and video features, faster charging and much more built in storage and ram. While I may miss the macro lens from the Motorola, the overall experience is much better on the Poco X3 GT, therefore the extra cost is worth it.
