1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 164.2 × 76.1 × 8.1 mm | Moto G Power is slightly taller and thicker, Poco X4 Pro is slightly wider. Poco X4 Pro is noticeably thinner and will feel more comfortable in hand. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 205g | Both phones are similarly weighted. |
| Build Quality | Unknown Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Poco X4 Pro 5G has superior screen protection, better resistance against scratches and minor drops. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.6" | 6.67" | Virtually identical screen size, negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Poco X4 Pro 5G is much sharper with significantly more detail, resulting in better visuals and text clarity. |
| PPI | 266 | 395 | Poco X4 Pro 5G has noticeably sharper text, images, and videos due to much higher pixel density. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Poco X4 Pro 5G has superior display quality with deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors, and potentially better battery efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Poco X4 Pro 5G has much smoother scrolling, animations, and overall user interface. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | Poco X4 Pro 5G is significantly better for outdoor use in bright sunlight with much better visibility. The Motorola brightness value is clearly incorrect |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Poco X4 Pro 5G has a more powerful and efficient chipset, offering better performance and battery management. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 395,978 | Poco X4 Pro 5G has substantially faster performance in daily tasks, gaming, and multitasking, indicated by the much higher benchmark score. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 | Poco X4 Pro 5G offers better graphics processing, enabling better gaming experiences with more consistent framerates and higher graphical settings. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera Resolution | 48MP f/1.7 | 108MP f/1.9 | Poco X4 Pro 5G captures more detailed images with more flexibility for cropping and editing, but the Moto G Power has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Standard Camera Sensor | Unknown | Samsung S5KHM2 | Poco X4 Pro 5G has a specific sensor, which allows further comparisons. The moto G Power sensor is unknown |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP f/2.0 | 16MP f/2.4 | Poco X4 Pro 5G captures more detailed selfies. Moto G Power has a wider aperture, which will let in more light for low light photos. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor | Unknown | Omnivision OV16A1Q | Poco X4 Pro 5G has a specific sensor, which allows further comparisons. The moto G Power sensor is unknown. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP f/2.2 | Poco X4 Pro 5G offers a wider field of view for landscapes and group shots, which Moto G Power lacks. |
| Portrait (depth) Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Moto G Power has a dedicated depth sensor to enhance portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both offer similar macro capabilities for close-up photography. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps | Moto G Power offers 60fps video, which is smoother. Poco x4 Pro has slightly superior features such as ultra stable video, RAW and night mode. Both devices offer a basic level of stabilization for video recording. |
| Features | PDAF, LAF, EIS | Ultra stable video, Manual focus, RAW, Night Mode, EIS | Poco X4 Pro 5G has a more comprehensive set of features for photography enthusiasts. Motorola features PDAF and LAF, which are specific autofocusing techniques. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Poco X4 Pro 5G charges much faster, significantly reducing charging times, offering more convenience. |
| Features | 10W Charger in-box | None Included | Motorola includes a charger, whereas the X4 Pro does not specify charger being in the box. |
Other
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Operating System | Android 10 | Android 11 | Poco X4 Pro 5G comes with a newer version of Android out of the box. |
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both have similar WiFi standards |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Poco X4 Pro 5G has a newer Bluetooth version for better connectivity and potentially more efficient power consumption. Poco X4 Pro 5G has additional codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Poco X4 Pro 5G supports more satellite systems, offering better location accuracy in more areas. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | Poco X4 Pro 5G allows the use of two SIMs simultaneously, which is useful for travel or separating personal and work numbers. |
| Internal Storage | 32GB/64GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB | Poco X4 Pro 5G has significantly more storage options, which is better for users who store a lot of media. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB | 6GB/8GB | Poco X4 Pro 5G has substantially more RAM, for better multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither support SD cards, so storage is limited to internal capacity. |
| Audio | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio | Poco X4 Pro 5G has superior audio quality with a richer, more immersive experience. |
| Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Both have the same security features |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity | Both have a comprehensive sensor suit. Moto G Power has a physical proximity sensor, which may be preferred. Poco X4 Pro has an ultrasonic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Wider Camera Apertures: The Moto G Power offers slightly wider apertures on both the main (f/1.7) and selfie (f/2.0) cameras. This means it may be slightly better in very low-light situations, however this is offset by much better sensor quality on the Poco.
- Depth Sensor: The Moto G Power has a dedicated 2MP depth sensor. This provides an advantage when taking portrait photos.
- Physical Proximity Sensor: Some users may prefer a physical proximity sensor to avoid potential issues from software-based sensors.
- Charger In-box: The Motorola includes a 10W charger, which the Xiaomi does not explicitly confirm.
Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with higher resolution, pixel density, 120Hz refresh rate, and significantly higher brightness, results in better clarity, colour reproduction and viewing comfort.
- Much Better Performance: Significantly more powerful chipset and GPU, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming experience.
- Larger Storage Options & More RAM: Offers much larger storage options (up to 256GB) and up to 8GB of RAM for better multitasking and performance.
- Significantly Faster Charging: 67W fast charging drastically reduces charging times, providing more convenience and usability.
- Better Main Camera: Although slightly smaller aperture, much higher resolution main sensor (108MP) captures far more detail, while wide angle lens offers more versatility.
- Dual SIM: Ability to use two SIMs at once.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers for a much more immersive and better sound experience.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Newer Bluetooth version with aptX, LDAC, and AAC for better audio quality, and better WiFi capabilities.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers better screen protection compared to unknown screen protection of Moto G Power.
- More recent Android version: Comes with Android 11 out of the box.
- More Camera Features: Includes ultra stable video, manual focus, RAW and Night Mode.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Moto G Power: Significantly lower performance, inferior display, slower charging, less versatile camera system, older operating system and basic audio features compared to Poco X4 Pro.
- Poco X4 Pro: Does not have a dedicated depth sensor, slightly smaller camera aperture, no confirmed charger included and does not have a physical proximity sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Prioritizes affordability and battery life over performance and display quality.
- Basic Smartphone Users: Primarily uses their phone for calls, texts, social media, and basic web browsing.
- Users Needing Long Battery Life: Needs a phone that can last multiple days without charging, and isn't fussed about fast charging.
- Users who value a physical proximity sensor.
- Users who want a charger included in the box.
Use Cases for Motorola Moto G Power (2021):
- A secondary phone or a basic device for travel.
- A phone for a user who does not do heavy gaming or video editing.
- A device for someone who frequently travels and needs long battery life for navigation or simple usage.
Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G Ideal User:
- Performance-Oriented Users: Wants a device that provides fast performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Media Consumers: Appreciates high-quality visuals for watching videos, browsing, and general usage.
- Photo Enthusiasts: Wants a versatile camera system for various shooting scenarios, along with advanced camera features.
- Users Who Value Fast Charging: Prioritizes convenience and quick charging.
- Users who want a more advanced audio experience
- Users who want dual SIM functionality.
- Users who want the latest technology and features
Use Cases for Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G:
- Playing mobile games with high graphical fidelity.
- Streaming videos, movies, or other media at a high quality, in bright conditions.
- Capturing detailed photos and videos in different environments.
- Travelling and needing dual-SIM functionality for local data.
- Users who want to multitask without slowdown or lag.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G offers a significantly better value in terms of the features and technology it provides.
- It comes with better display, performance, camera, charging, and storage capacity.
- While the Moto G Power might be more appealing at lower prices, the X4 Pro 5G will be better value for money as it is a more advanced smartphone.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The Moto G Power will most likely be cheaper, which may be the key factor for many consumers.
- How important are display quality and performance? The Poco X4 Pro 5G wins by a significant margin in this category, with its AMOLED display and more powerful chipset.
- How important is fast charging and battery life? Although the battery life may be similar, the 67W charging on the Poco X4 Pro is significantly faster.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If budget is the primary concern, and you need long battery life the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is an acceptable option for basic tasks, but it will be significantly slower with inferior display and camera quality.
- If you prioritize a high-quality display, fast performance, better camera and are prepared to pay more for these benefits, the Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G is the clear choice. This will be a better all round experience for most users, due to it's much better display quality, faster performance, superior camera and faster charging speeds.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G. While the Motorola G Power has some minor advantages, the Poco X4 Pro 5G offers a vastly superior user experience in almost every significant aspect. The biggest difference between the two devices is the display and performance. The AMOLED 120Hz display on the Xiaomi makes a huge difference in daily use, as does the much faster chipset.
I personally prioritise a fast, smooth experience, so the Poco X4 Pro is the obvious choice for me. The improved camera performance and much faster charging are further reasons to choose it over the Moto G Power. While the Moto G Power is a more affordable device, the compromises made in display and performance are far too large for me to ignore.
