Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs. ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 163.3 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | The Axon 40 Ultra is slightly smaller and thinner, making it more pocketable. The Moto G Power is bulkier. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 204g | Both are similar in weight, likely feeling equally substantial in the hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.8" | The Axon 40 Ultra offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive content consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1116x2480 | The Axon 40 Ultra's display is significantly sharper, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 266 | 400 | The Axon 40 Ultra's higher pixel density will make the display look much less pixelated and clearer |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The Axon 40 Ultra's AMOLED screen offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors. It will also be more efficient with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Axon 40 Ultra provides smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1500 nits | The Axon 40 Ultra is much brighter, making it significantly more visible in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Axon 40 Ultra has a dramatically more powerful processor, offering far superior speed and responsiveness for all tasks including gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 1,061,300 | The Axon 40 Ultra will provide much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 730 | The Axon 40 Ultra's GPU is significantly more powerful, resulting in much better graphics performance, particularly in gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera (Standard) | 48MP, f/1.7 | 64MP, f/1.6 | The Axon 40 Ultra has a higher resolution sensor and a wider aperture that will lead to better image quality and low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 16MP, f/2.0 | The Axon 40 Ultra has higher selfie camera resolution and should produce clearer selfies |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/3.5 | The Axon 40 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom capabilities not available on the Moto G Power. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | None | 0.3MP | The Axon 40 Ultra has a depth sensor that can help with portrait mode and other camera effects. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Moto G Power uses this sensor for portrait mode instead of a dedicated telephoto camera. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Moto G Power has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 64MP, f/2.3 | The Axon 40 Ultra has an ultrawide and macro lens in one. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps | The Axon 40 Ultra has significantly better video recording capabilities, supporting up to 8K resolution and higher frame rates. |
| Stabilization | EIS | EIS + OIS | The Axon 40 Ultra has better video stabilization with the addition of OIS for less shaky footage. |
| Slow Motion | Yes, 60 fps | Yes, 480 fps | The Axon 40 Ultra supports higher framerate slow-motion video recording. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life, although the Axon's more powerful chip could impact this in practice. |
| Charging | 15W | 65W | The Axon 40 Ultra charges much faster, allowing you to quickly top up the battery. |
| Charger in-box | 10W | None | The Motorola includes a 10W charger while the Axon 40 Ultra does not include a charger. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12 | The Axon 40 Ultra runs a newer version of Android, potentially getting longer software support and features. |
| Max Version | 13 | The Axon 40 Ultra is planned to get upgraded to android 13. | |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | The Axon 40 Ultra supports the newer WiFi 6 standard (802.11ax) which has faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | The Axon 40 Ultra has a newer version of Bluetooth, offering more features and better energy efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1) | The Axon 40 Ultra supports more satellite systems for improved location accuracy, especially in urban environments. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | The Axon 40 Ultra allows you to use two SIM cards simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64 GB | 128/256/512/1024 GB | The Axon 40 Ultra offers significantly more storage for photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 8/12/16/18 GB | The Axon 40 Ultra has significantly more RAM, leading to smoother multitasking and performance in demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio | DTS/DTS X, Stereo speakers, 3 Microphones | The Axon 40 Ultra offers a better audio experience with stereo speakers and higher quality microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Basic | Both phones offer fingerprint sensor for security. The side-mounted sensor on the Motorola may be more convenient for some. |
| Sensors | |||
| Motion | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Accelerometer, Gyroscope | The Axon 40 Ultra additionally features gravity and hall sensors for more advanced functionalities. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Lower Price: Typically, the Moto G Power is much more affordable than the Axon 40 Ultra.
- In-box Charger: The phone comes with a 10W charger.
- Compass Sensor: The Moto G power has a compass sensor, missing from the Axon 40 Ultra.
- Dedicated Macro Camera and Portrait Mode: The Moto G Power has these dedicated camera sensors, while the Axon 40 Ultra uses a dedicated ultrawide/macro sensor.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: This can be preferred by some users.
Practical Implications: The Moto G Power is a budget-friendly option that covers the basics, perfect for users who need a phone for day-to-day use without intensive tasks.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Display: Larger AMOLED screen with much higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness offering a better viewing experience.
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is a flagship-level chipset providing far more power for all tasks, especially gaming and multitasking.
- Advanced Camera System: Higher resolution sensors, dedicated telephoto lens, ultrawide, and 8K video recording capabilities leading to significantly better image quality and versatility.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers substantially more internal storage and RAM, which can improve performance and future-proof the phone.
- Upgraded Software and Connectivity: Newer version of Android and supports faster WiFi and Bluetooth.
- Better Audio: Comes with stereo speakers, DTS/DTS X, and higher quality microphones.
- Dual SIM support: The Axon 40 Ultra supports the use of two SIM cards.
Practical Implications: The Axon 40 Ultra is a premium phone that offers a superior user experience in every area. It's ideal for users who prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
Trade-offs:
- The Axon 40 Ultra's significantly higher price is a trade-off for the improved performance and features. It also lacks an in-box charger.
- The Moto G Power lacks in raw performance compared to the Axon, along with display quality and camera performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users who need a functional smartphone for basic tasks and don't want to spend much money.
- Light Users: People who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, browsing, and social media, without demanding games or apps.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life over Performance: The phone is optimized for battery life over performance.
- Users Who Prefer Physical Buttons: The fingerprint sensor is side-mounted
Use Cases:
- Basic daily communication (calls, texts).
- Casual web browsing and social media.
- Playing less graphically intense games.
- Long battery life for travel or emergencies.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Ideal User:
- Power Users: Users who need top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: People who consume a lot of video, play mobile games, and want a superior viewing experience.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera with excellent image quality and advanced features.
- Users Who Prioritize Performance: Users who prioritize performance above all else.
- Professionals: Users who need a phone for content creation or business use, and who want the option for dual SIM.
Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming with smooth frame rates.
- Recording high-quality video content.
- Multitasking between multiple apps.
- Professional photography.
- Business users using two sim cards.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Moto G Power provides great value for its very low price, offering decent functionality at a budget price point.
- The Axon 40 Ultra provides a premium experience, but the cost is much higher. It delivers a lot of value if you can use it's advanced features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Ask:
- What is my budget? The Moto G Power is much cheaper.
- How do I use my phone? Do you need a basic phone or more processing power and camera capabilities?
- What features are most important to me? Do you prioritize display, performance, camera, or other features?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Budget is a Primary Concern: Choose the Motorola Moto G Power (2021). It offers a functional experience for everyday use without breaking the bank.
Scenario 2: Performance and Camera Quality are Key: Choose the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. It's a powerful device that excels in all areas, especially for photography, gaming, and media consumption.
Scenario 3: A Balance of Price and Performance: If you need better performance than the Moto G Power, but are not willing to spend as much as the Axon 40 Ultra, consider looking for a different model within this price range.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would go with the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. While the price difference is considerable, the Axon 40 Ultra offers a superior experience across the board. The significantly better display, vastly superior performance, much more advanced camera system, faster charging, and additional features make it the clear choice for me. I prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities, and the Axon 40 Ultra is superior in all of these areas. I also think the faster charging speed is important to me. The Moto G Power is a decent budget phone, but it's simply outclassed by the Axon 40 Ultra in all performance related categories.
