1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Poco X5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 165.9 × 76.2 × 8 mm | The Poco X5 is slightly taller and wider but noticeably thinner, which could feel more premium and pocketable. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 189g | The Poco X5 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.67" | Negligible difference in size; both are large and good for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The Poco X5 has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 266 | 395 | The Poco X5 offers a noticeably crisper viewing experience. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The Poco X5 provides richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, enhancing overall viewing quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Poco X5's 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel much smoother. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | The Poco X5 is significantly brighter, making it easier to view in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | The Poco X5's newer and more efficient chipset leads to faster app loading and smoother overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 422,900 | The Poco X5 demonstrates significantly higher processing power suitable for more demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 | The Poco X5 has a better GPU, resulting in smoother graphics in games and visually intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 48MP, f/1.8 | The Moto G Power has a slightly wider aperture, which may perform slightly better in low-light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 13MP, f/2.45 | The Poco X5 has a higher resolution selfie camera which can capture more detailed images. The Moto G Power has a wider aperture for better low light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | The Poco X5 has a dedicated wide-angle lens, enabling more versatile shooting options. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Moto G Power has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, allowing for better background blur. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both phones have similar macro lens capabilities for close up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60fps, EIS | 1080p@30fps | The Moto G Power can record 1080p at 60fps. The Poco X5 offers better slow motion at 120fps. |
| Camera Features | LAF, Continuous Shooting | Night Mode 2.0 | The Moto G Power has laser autofocus and continuous shooting mode, the Poco X5 has a dedicated night mode. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same capacity, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 15W | 33W | The Poco X5 charges much faster, reducing charging times significantly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12 | The Poco X5 ships with a newer version of Android. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band, Direct, MiMO | The Poco X5 has additional WiFi features that the Moto G Power doesn't have, providing potentially more stable connection. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE, HID | The Poco X5 has a newer Bluetooth version, allowing for better connectivity and additional profile support |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The Poco X5 supports more satellite systems for potentially better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | The Poco X5 supports two SIM cards simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32 GB or 64 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | The Poco X5 offers more internal storage, which is ideal for users with lots of photos, videos and apps. |
| RAM | 3 GB or 4 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | The Poco X5 has significantly more RAM, resulting in smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Other | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic Audio Features | Basic Audio Features | Both phones offer similar audio performance. |
| Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones offer fingerprint sensor for security. |
| Build Quality | Unknown Screen Protection | Unknown Screen Protection | Both phones have unknown screen protection |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both phones have similar sensor sets. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Slightly Wider Standard Camera Aperture: The f/1.7 aperture on its main camera might offer slightly better low-light performance compared to the Poco X5's f/1.8.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: The inclusion of a dedicated depth sensor provides better background blur in portrait photos.
- Laser Autofocus (LAF) and Continuous Shooting: Provides faster autofocus and a continuous shooting mode.
- SUPL for GPS: Includes SUPL as an additional GPS feature
- 10W charger in-box: Includes charger, unlike the Poco X5
Xiaomi Poco X5 Advantages:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen with higher resolution, pixel density, 120Hz refresh rate, and higher brightness offers a significantly better visual experience.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 695 5G chipset paired with 6GB/8GB RAM leads to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging reduces charging time considerably.
- Larger Storage and RAM: Comes with double the internal storage and RAM, providing more space for apps, media and smoother operation.
- Newer Android OS: Ships with Android 12 out of the box (Moto G Power is on Android 10).
- Wide-Angle Camera: Offers more versatile photography options with a dedicated wide-angle lens.
- Better Connectivity: Supports Dual SIM, newer Bluetooth and WiFi version and more satellite systems for GPS.
- Night Mode 2.0: Allows for better low light photography.
- Lighter and Thinner: Making it more comfortable for extended use.
Trade-offs:
- The Moto G Power has a slightly better aperture on its main camera and a dedicated depth sensor, but this is offset by the Poco X5's superior display and performance.
- The Moto G Power has a charger in-box, but the Poco X5 supports much faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users looking for a basic phone with decent battery life.
- Users who prioritize battery longevity and good low-light main camera performance over display quality and processing power.
- Users who prefer having a depth sensor for portrait mode photos and don't need a wide angle lens.
- Users who require a charger in-box.
Use Cases:
- Basic daily tasks such as calls, texts, and social media.
- Users who need long battery life for extended trips or work without needing to charge as often.
- Casual photography focusing on portraits.
Xiaomi Poco X5 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a high-quality display for media consumption and gaming.
- Users who want smooth performance for multitasking and app usage.
- Users who want a phone capable of handling modern gaming and demanding apps.
- Users who need a more versatile camera setup with a wide angle lens and want to take good low light photos.
- Users who value faster charging and additional SIM card functionality.
Use Cases:
- Gaming, video streaming, and heavy social media usage.
- Users who need a phone for demanding tasks such as video editing or graphic design on the go.
- Users who travel or frequently use navigation apps.
- Users who need to use two sim cards at the same time.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
The Xiaomi Poco X5 offers a much higher price-to-value ratio, considering its superior display, performance, faster charging, and more versatile camera setup. The Moto G Power (2021) is a more basic phone with a lower price, but the Poco X5 justifies its price through significant improvements in the user experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality? If you value a high-resolution, vibrant, and smooth screen for media consumption, the Poco X5 is the better choice.
- How crucial is performance and speed? The Poco X5's significantly better chipset and more RAM make it a better option for gamers and heavy app users.
- Do you require specific camera features such as a dedicated depth sensor, laser autofocus, wide-angle lens or night mode? The Moto G Power comes with LAF and depth sensor, while the Poco X5 offers a wide-angle lens and night mode.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious Basic User: If you are on a tight budget and only need a phone for basic daily tasks with a long battery, the Moto G Power may suffice.
- Scenario 2: Media and Gaming Enthusiast: If you prioritize display quality, gaming performance, and faster charging, the Xiaomi Poco X5 is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Photography Focus: If you prioritize versatile photography including wide-angle lenses and better night photography, the Poco X5 is a better choice, however if you need laser autofocus and prefer to focus on portrait photography the Moto G Power is the better choice.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco X5. The primary reason is the vastly superior display. The AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate would provide a much more enjoyable experience for daily use, including web browsing, social media, and watching videos. The increased resolution and brightness also make a noticeable difference.
Additionally, the performance difference is significant. The Snapdragon 695 5G chipset would offer a much smoother and faster experience overall. As a frequent user of mobile apps and occasional gamer, this is very important to me. The faster charging is also a valuable feature that reduces downtime. While the Moto G Power has a slightly better main camera aperture and a depth sensor, I value the wide angle lens and night mode from the Poco X5 more than the laser autofocus from the G Power.
Although both have a 5000 mAh battery, the higher display quality and performance of the Poco X5, coupled with the much faster charging, significantly outweighs the benefits of the Moto G Power.
