Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Xiaomi Redmi 13C
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Redmi 13C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-14 | 2023-11-10 | Redmi 13C is significantly newer, potentially offering more up-to-date software and features. |
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 168 × 78 × 8.1 mm | Redmi 13C is taller and wider but thinner, potentially feeling more sleek but less compact. Moto G Power is thicker and has larger volume. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 192g | Redmi 13C is lighter, which may be more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.74" | Redmi 13C has a slightly larger screen, providing a bit more viewing area. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Both phones have the same resolution, resulting in similar sharpness and detail. |
| PPI | 266 | 260 | Both have similar pixel density. The human eye won't notice a significant difference in clarity. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both phones use the same display technology, meaning similar color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Redmi 13C offers a smoother experience with its higher refresh rate, making scrolling and animations feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness. This is a significant limitation - potentially difficult to view in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Helio G85 (12 nm) | Redmi 13C’s Helio G85 chipset is faster, offering snappier app loading and a more responsive experience. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 222,000 | Redmi 13C shows significantly better performance based on benchmarks which indicates better overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Redmi 13C’s GPU provides better gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera (Main) | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.64µm | Redmi 13C has a higher resolution sensor, but slightly smaller aperture. Moto G Power has larger pixel size which means better low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.0 | Both phones have similar selfie cameras. Moto G Power has a slightly larger pixel size, leading to improved low light. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | Not Present | Moto G Power has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode effects. Redmi 13C relies on software processing for portrait mode. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both phones have a similar macro camera. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, EIS | 1080p@30fps | Moto G Power offers video recording at 60fps which means a slightly smoother video. |
| Slow-mo | 60fps | 120fps | Redmi 13C has higher slow motion video frame rate for better slow motion. |
| Camera Features | PDAF, LAF, Panorama | RAW | Moto G Power offers PDAF and LAF for faster focus. Redmi 13C offers RAW capture for better photo editing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery sizes, offering comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Redmi 13C charges slightly faster than the Moto G Power. |
| Charging Features | 10W charger in-box | Reverse Charging | Moto G Power includes a charger, while Redmi 13C can act as a power bank for other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 13 | Redmi 13C offers a much newer Android version with up-to-date features and security patches. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Both support dual band wifi. Redmi 13C has Wi-Fi Direct for direct device connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.3 LE | Redmi 13C has a newer Bluetooth version, potentially offering better efficiency and connection stability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Redmi 13C includes Beidou support which improves location accuracy, Moto G Power supports SUPL for faster GPS lock. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | Redmi 13C supports two SIM cards simultaneously, offering more flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64GB | 128/256GB | Redmi 13C offers significantly more storage, which is better for storing photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 3/4GB | 4/6/8GB | Redmi 13C has more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | Basic Audio Features | Stereo Speakers | Redmi 13C has stereo speakers providing a better sound experience. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both phones offer similar fingerprint sensor technology. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic Proximity | Moto G Power has Proximity and Gyroscope sensors. Redmi 13C has ultrasonic virtual proximity. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Dedicated Depth Camera: Offers better portrait mode effects.
- Gyroscope sensor: Supports more advanced gaming features.
- Larger Pixel Size on Main Camera: Potentially better low-light photos due to larger pixels.
- Faster video at 60fps: Offers smoother video.
- PDAF and LAF: Faster autofocus capabilities
- SUPL for GPS: Faster GPS locking
- 10W charger in box: No need to buy an additional charger.
Xiaomi Redmi 13C Advantages:
- Newer Chipset and Higher AnTuTu Score: Offers better overall performance, smoother multitasking, and faster app loading.
- 90Hz Refresh Rate: A smoother visual experience with fluid animations and scrolling.
- Significantly more storage and RAM: Much more space for apps, media and more room for multitasking
- Newer Android OS: Access to the latest Android features and security updates.
- Faster Charging: 18W fast charging vs. 15W.
- Dual SIM: Allows using two SIM cards simultaneously.
- Reverse Charging: Can be used to charge other devices.
- Stereo Speakers: Better sound experience
- Newer Bluetooth version: Potentially more stable connection, more features and better power efficiency.
- Beidou GPS: More accurate GPS positioning
- RAW Photo Capture: Better editing and fine-tuning of photos
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Moto G Power (2021) has a better camera system in terms of features (dedicated depth sensor, faster focus). It is also thicker and heavier.
- The Redmi 13C sacrifices a dedicated depth sensor and some camera features for higher performance and a smoother display, but offers a better overall user experience.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users who still want better camera performance (faster focus)
- Users who need a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode photos
- Casual gamers who need the gyroscope sensor
Use Cases:
- Everyday photography
- Occasional gaming
- Users who want a phone with basic functionality and focus on camera features
Xiaomi Redmi 13C Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize performance and speed in daily tasks and gaming.
- Users who value a smoother visual experience due to the 90Hz refresh rate.
- Users who need the flexibility of dual SIM functionality.
- Users who value having the newest Android software and want to have a phone that is supported for the long run.
- Users who value storage and multitasking and don't want the hassle of managing space and apps.
Use Cases:
- Social media and browsing.
- Mobile gaming.
- Everyday multitasking.
- Users who are on a budget but still value new tech
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi Redmi 13C generally offers a better price-to-value due to its superior performance, smoother display and larger storage capacity. It is also newer, which means better long-term software support.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is camera performance to you? If you prioritize better portrait mode features and faster focusing, the Moto G Power is the better choice.
- How important is the overall performance of the phone? If you value smooth scrolling, multitasking and gaming the Redmi 13C is the better choice.
- How important is having the newest software? If you want to be on the latest Android version and have a phone that gets long term software support, the Redmi 13C is a much better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic Daily Use & Photography - If you mainly use your phone for calls, social media, and taking some photos, the Xiaomi Redmi 13C is the better choice due to its performance, smoother display and software.
- Scenario 2: Gaming & Performance - If you need more powerful performance for gaming and a smoother experience, the Xiaomi Redmi 13C is significantly better.
- Scenario 3: Camera Focused on a budget - If you have a tight budget and you need a phone with a better camera, then the Moto G Power is a better option, as the camera offers better features, and the quality will be acceptable for everyday use.
- Scenario 4: Long term support - If you want to have a phone that is supported for the long run and has the latest software, the Xiaomi Redmi 13C is the obvious choice.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi 13C. While the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) has some advantages in the camera department, the Redmi 13C’s newer chipset, higher refresh rate display, significantly more storage/RAM, newer OS, better charging and overall faster user experience outweigh the benefits of the Moto G Power. The fact that the Redmi 13C has better software and is a newer phone is also very important, as it will have long-term support, and the user will have an overall better experience. The Redmi 13C offers better value for money due to the features it offers, and it is the better pick between these two phones.
