Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 163.7 × 76.2 × 8.3 mm | The Moto G Power is slightly taller and thicker, while the Redmi Note is a bit wider, although the differences are small and unlikely to be noticeable in everyday use. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 204g | Both phones are similar in weight, meaning neither will feel significantly heavier in your hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.67" | Both have very similar screen sizes, with a negligible difference of 0.07". This is unlikely to be noticeable. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The Redmi Note's display will look significantly sharper and clearer, with more detail visible when viewing text, images, and videos. |
| PPI | 266 | 395 | The Redmi Note has a much higher pixel density, resulting in a sharper display with less visible pixelation. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The Redmi Note's AMOLED screen will offer much better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. It will also be more efficient for dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Redmi Note's 120Hz refresh rate will provide noticeably smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | The Redmi Note has dramatically better visibility in bright sunlight due to its much higher brightness. The Motorola's brightness is unknown and a serious drawback. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 | Mediatek Dimensity 920 | The Redmi Note's chipset offers much better overall performance for apps, gaming, and multitasking. |
| Antutu Score | 178,220 | 528,100 | The Redmi Note is significantly faster and more capable, handling demanding tasks and games much better than the Moto G Power. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G68 MC4 | The Redmi Note's GPU is considerably more powerful, providing a better gaming experience. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | The Moto G Power has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life, but this advantage is reduced by less efficient display and chipset. |
| Charging | 15W | 120W | The Redmi Note's 120W charging will charge the phone much faster. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 108MP, f/1.89 | The Redmi Note's main camera captures more detailed photos due to its higher resolution, although the Motorola has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 16MP, f/2.45 | The Redmi Note has a higher-resolution front camera for sharper selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | Only the Redmi Note has a dedicated wide-angle camera for capturing more in a single shot |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Only the Moto G Power has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both phones have comparable macro cameras for close-up shots. |
| Video | 1080p@60fps, EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps, 720p@960fps | The Redmi Note supports higher resolution video recording and higher slow motion frame rate for smoother videos and more creative options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 | The Redmi Note runs a newer version of Android which has security and feature improvements. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (WiFi 6) | The Redmi Note has a newer WiFi standard, providing faster and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | The Redmi Note has a newer Bluetooth version which offers improved performance and compatibility with devices. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | The Redmi Note supports two SIM cards, allowing for greater flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64 GB | 64/128/256 GB | The Redmi Note offers more internal storage options for storing more photos, videos, apps and other data. |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 6/8 GB | The Redmi Note has more RAM, which helps with smoother multitasking and running more demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | The Redmi Note provides a better audio experience through better speaker quality and enhanced sound technologies. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both phones use a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Redmi Note offers superior scratch protection with Corning Gorilla Glass. Motorola's screen protection is unknown. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both phones offer a comprehensive suite of sensors but use different proximity sensors. The practical difference is minimal. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Slightly larger 5000mAh battery, potentially offering longer battery life. However, this is offset by the less efficient display and processor.
- Portrait Mode: Has a dedicated 2MP depth sensor for portrait mode.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with much higher resolution, higher pixel density, vibrant colors, deeper blacks, better outdoor visibility and a smoother 120Hz refresh rate.
- Significantly Faster Performance: Much more powerful chipset and GPU, resulting in better performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Faster Charging: 120W fast charging enables full charging in minutes.
- Better Camera: Higher resolution main camera, dedicated ultrawide lens, and superior video recording capabilities.
- Modern Connectivity: Newer WiFi standard and Bluetooth version for faster speeds and more reliable connectivity.
- Enhanced Audio: Better sound quality due to Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res audio, and stereo speakers.
- More Storage/RAM Options: Has more options for higher storage capacity and RAM, allowing more flexibility and improved multitasking.
- More advanced Features Additional features like 4K Video, Ultra stable video, Manual focus, RAW, and night mode and screen protection.
- Dual SIM: Allows two sim cards to be used simultaneously.
Trade-offs:
- Motorola: Offers potentially longer battery life but sacrifices on performance, display, and camera quality. Its main advantage is only in a theoretical sense due to less efficient display and chip.
- Xiaomi: Has a slightly smaller battery capacity than the Moto G Power but gains significantly in every other aspect, and the fast charging mitigates the battery difference.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Those seeking a basic smartphone with acceptable battery life, at a lower price point.
- Users with basic needs: Those who primarily use their phone for calls, messaging, and light web browsing.
- Users requiring a physical proximity sensor Users who need this specific proximity sensor for certain apps or use-cases.
- Practical use case: A user who values a long-lasting battery above all other features and needs a phone that can last a day or two on a single charge and won't use more than basic functions.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G Ideal User:
- Multimedia consumers: Users who watch videos, play games, and enjoy high-quality visuals.
- Social media enthusiasts: Those who frequently use social media platforms and want a fast, responsive phone with good camera quality.
- Power users: Those who need a phone with plenty of power for multitasking, gaming, and running demanding apps.
- Users who care about camera quality Those who want to take clear photos and videos with detailed images and good low-light performance.
- Practical Use Cases: A user who wants a high performance, high quality display experience with great speakers for multimedia consumption and a fast charging phone for someone with a busy life.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use case? (Battery life focus or performance/multimedia focus?)
- How important is display quality to me? (Do I need a sharp and vibrant screen?)
- What is my budget? (How much am I willing to spend on a smartphone?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Use:
- Recommendation: If the budget is extremely tight and your needs are very basic, then the Motorola Moto G Power may suffice, but be aware of its limitations.
- Scenario 2: Multimedia & Performance Focus:
- Recommendation: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G is the clear winner. It excels in every performance category including display, camera, processor and connectivity.
- Scenario 3: Long Battery Life is Key:
- Recommendation: While the Motorola has a slightly bigger battery, the Redmi Note's fast charging negates this difference, while also having much better display and performance.
My Choice and Explanation
I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G.
Here's why:
The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G simply offers a vastly superior overall experience. While the Motorola Moto G Power might have a slightly larger battery, the advantages of the Redmi Note in almost every other area is just too overwhelming to ignore.
The Redmi Note has a significantly better display, much faster performance, a superior camera system, much faster charging, and more storage/RAM options. This all translates into a far better everyday user experience. The slightly smaller battery capacity on the Redmi is more than offset by its faster charging. For a modern smartphone user who values high performance and multimedia, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G is the clear winner. The Motorola's limitations in terms of display, performance and camera would be very apparent in day-to-day use, and even a slight increase in battery life would not make it worth the sacrifices in other areas.
The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G offers an outstanding balance of performance and features, making it the more logical and rewarding choice for most users, even with a higher price tag.
