1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm | 163.6 x 75.8 x 8.8 mm | Moto G Power is slightly taller and thicker, may feel bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 195g | Redmi Note 11S 5G is lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.6" | Both have the same screen size, good for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | Redmi Note 11S 5G has a significantly sharper display, better for detailed text and images. |
| PPI | 266 | 399 | Redmi Note 11S 5G's higher pixel density results in clearer visuals. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both offer similar color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Redmi Note 11S 5G's smoother animations, better for scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Unable to evaluate brightness, this information is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Redmi Note 11S 5G has a more powerful and efficient processor, better performance for apps and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 438,700 | Redmi Note 11S 5G has much better performance, indicating smoother multitasking and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Redmi Note 11S 5G's GPU is better for graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Redmi Note 11S 5G has slightly higher resolution. Motorola has a slightly wider aperture. Both are similar for general use. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 13MP, f/2.4 | Redmi Note 11S 5G has higher resolution, good for sharper selfies. Motorola has slightly wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle | No | 8MP, f/2.2 | Redmi Note 11S 5G offers a wider perspective, good for landscape or group shots. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | No | Moto G Power allows for background blur in photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both have similar macro capabilities for detailed close-ups. |
| Video Recording | 1080p @ 30/60fps | 1080p @ 30/60fps | Both capable of FHD recording. |
| Video Features | EIS | No EIS listed | Both phones offer video stabilization features |
| Slow Motion | 60fps | 120fps | Redmi Note 11S 5G records slower motion video. |
| DXOMark | - | Main:65, Photo:50, Video:83 | Redmi Note 11S 5G's camera performance has been measured. |
| Camera Features | PDAF, LAF | 4K Video, Ultra Stable, Night Mode | Redmi Note 11S 5G has additional video features and a dedicated night mode. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer all-day battery life for typical use. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Redmi Note 11S 5G charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Charger Included | 10W in-box | Not specified | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) comes with an in-box charger |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 | Redmi Note 11S 5G is newer and may have additional features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Both offer similar Wi-Fi standards, dual band available on Xiaomi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | Redmi Note 11S 5G has a slightly newer version, more efficient. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | Both offer similar navigation capabilities. |
| SIM | Single Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM Dual Standby | Redmi Note 11S 5G supports dual SIM cards for more flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32GB/64GB | 64GB/128GB | Redmi Note 11S 5G offers more base storage options. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB | 4GB/6GB | Redmi Note 11S 5G has more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports memory cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Redmi Note 11S 5G offers much better audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both phones offer side-mounted fingerprint scanners |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Not Specified | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Redmi Note 11S 5G is more durable against scratches and impacts |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both phones have a comprehensive sensor suite for advanced features |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Wider Aperture on Main and Selfie Camera: Slightly better low-light performance on primary and front camera.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Allows for portrait mode with background blur, offering more flexibility for photographers.
- Gyroscope Sensor: Enables advanced gaming and enhanced motion tracking in apps.
- SUPL GPS Support: Offers an additional positioning technology.
- In-box Charger: Includes a 10W charger.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G Advantages:
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper, more detailed visuals due to higher resolution and PPI.
- Smoother Refresh Rate: 90Hz display offers fluid animations.
- Significantly Better Performance: Much faster processor and GPU, ideal for gaming and demanding applications.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging drastically reduces charge times.
- Wide Angle Camera: More versatile photography with wide-angle shots.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution front camera.
- Newer Operating System: Comes with Android 11, potentially with more features and updates.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers more base storage and RAM configuration options.
- Dual SIM Support: Can use two SIM cards simultaneously.
- Superior Audio: Includes Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res audio, stereo speakers and dual microphones for better audio quality
- Enhanced Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 offers improved durability.
- Better Video Recording: Offers 4K video, ultra stable video and a night mode for superior video recording.
- Better Bluetooth Version: Has Bluetooth 5.1 that supports APT-x, LDAC, AAC.
- Ultrasonic proximity sensor: Newer ultrasonic proximity virtual sensor.
Trade-offs:
- The Moto G Power sacrifices performance and display quality for potentially better low-light main camera shots with a wider aperture, a dedicated depth sensor, and gyroscope.
- The Redmi Note 11S 5G trades the dedicated depth sensor for a wide angle camera and additional features like 4K recording.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Who want a reliable phone that can perform everyday tasks and capture photos with slightly better low-light performance.
- Users who prioritize battery life and are not overly concerned with display sharpness.
- Those who want a basic photography setup with portrait mode but are not heavy gamers.
- Users who are okay with a slightly older OS version and don't need advanced features.
Use Cases:
- Basic daily tasks: Calls, browsing, social media, light app usage.
- Occasional photography: Capturing family moments and social media sharing.
- Extended use without frequent charging due to long-lasting battery.
- Basic gaming with less graphical demanding games.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize performance and smooth experience: Ideal for moderate gaming and multitasking.
- Those who value a sharp and fluid display: Enjoy watching videos and playing games on a vibrant screen.
- Users who take a lot of pictures: Benefit from the versatile camera setup with the wide-angle lens and sharper selfie camera.
- Users who value faster charging and don't want to wait long for their phone to charge.
- Users who want advanced video recording features like night mode and 4K recording.
- Users who want high quality audio through headphones or the phone's speakers.
- Users who prioritize build quality and want a more durable screen.
- Users who want Dual SIM functionality.
Use Cases:
- Moderate gaming and multitasking across multiple apps.
- Media consumption: Watching videos and playing games on the sharp and smooth display.
- Photography: Taking a variety of photos, including landscapes, portraits, and selfies.
- Heavy phone usage with minimal recharge time, thanks to faster charging.
- Enhanced audio experience when listening to music or watching videos.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Redmi Note 11S 5G offers a significantly higher price-to-performance ratio due to its superior display, performance, and charging speed. If prices are similar the Redmi Note 11S 5G is more valuable.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What's more important, overall performance or specific camera features? If you prioritize smooth, fast performance, the Redmi Note 11S 5G wins. If low-light photos and portrait mode are essential, the Moto G Power is an option.
- How important is a sharp, high-refresh-rate display? If you watch a lot of videos and want a smoother experience, the Redmi Note 11S 5G is much better.
- Do you need fast charging or is a long-lasting battery enough? If you are impatient, the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 11S 5G is worth the price difference.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget Gamer: Choose the Redmi Note 11S 5G for its vastly superior processor and 90Hz display.
- Scenario 2: Casual Photographer: If a dedicated depth sensor is important, the Moto G Power could be a good choice. But for more versatility, the Redmi Note 11S 5G is a better choice.
- Scenario 3: Power User: The Redmi Note 11S 5G's better processor, higher RAM and fast charging would be a better choice for heavy phone users.
- Scenario 4: Basic Daily User: The Moto G Power is adequate, but the Redmi Note 11S 5G is a great choice for daily users that are looking for good value and a well-rounded phone.
What I would choose and why!
I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G.
Here's why:
- Superior Overall Performance: The MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset offers significantly better performance than the Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G Power, which is noticeable in everyday use, from launching apps to gaming.
- Much Better Display: The 1080p display with a 90Hz refresh rate is a big step up from the 720p 60Hz display on the Moto G Power. This makes a huge difference in visual clarity and smoothness for all types of content.
- Faster Charging: The 33W fast charging is much more convenient than the slower 15W charging on the Moto G Power, especially for users who are always on the go.
- Versatile Camera System: While the main camera on the Moto G Power might have slightly better low-light performance, the wide angle camera and sharper selfie camera on the Redmi Note 11S 5G provide more versatility. The 4K video recording and night mode are additional plus points.
- Modern Features: The Redmi Note 11S 5G has more modern features with superior audio, screen protection, and a newer operating system.
While the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) might offer a slightly better low-light performance on the main camera, and a dedicated depth sensor, those benefits don't outweigh the significant performance, display, and charging advantages of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G. The Redmi Note 11S 5G offers more modern features, making it a better and more well-rounded smartphone for most use cases. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G offers a superior user experience making it the clear winner.
