1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | ZTE Blade A75 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm | 164.1 x 75.8 x 8.6 mm | ZTE is slightly shorter and thinner, potentially feeling more comfortable and pocketable. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 189g | ZTE is noticeably lighter, making it easier to hold for longer periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.6" | Both offer the same screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 720 x 1612 | Visually indistinguishable sharpness; both are HD+ panels. |
| Pixel Density | 266 PPI | 267 PPI | Equivalent sharpness; both are on the lower end for pixel density. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Similar color reproduction and viewing angles; both are LCD panels. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | ZTE's display appears smoother in daily use, especially when scrolling and in animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is identical. However, we lack the nit value, hence cannot assess its outdoor performance |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | ZTE's chipset benchmark score suggests better app loading and multi-tasking despite the higher nm value. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 240,000 | The ZTE Blade A75 4G demonstrates noticeably better overall performance in synthetic benchmarks. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MP1 | ZTE's GPU generally performs slightly better in gaming and graphics-intensive applications, however both are on the lower end of performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 50MP, f/1.8 | ZTE captures slightly more detail due to the higher resolution sensor; Motorola might perform slightly better in low-light with a wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 8MP | Both offer similar selfie capabilities. |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Motorola allows for dedicated depth sensing for more refined portrait photos. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Motorola allows for detailed close-up photos. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps (EIS), Slow-motion 60fps | 1080p@30fps, Slow-motion 30fps | Motorola has a slightly better video recording and slow-motion quality |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, Laser AF, PDAF, EIS, various modes | Dual camera, PDAF, EIS, various modes | Motorola includes a dedicated macro and depth sensor and laser AF for potentially better close-up photography. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer comparable battery life for day-long usage. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 22.5W Fast Charging | ZTE charges significantly faster, leading to less time plugged in. |
| Charger In-box | 10W Charger | No In-box Charger Information | Motorola ships with a 10W charger which ZTE lacks. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 13 | ZTE offers a more up-to-date Android experience, with newer features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Hotspot, Display | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | ZTE offers the additional support of Dual-band and Wi-Fi Direct. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, A2DP, EDR | 5.0 LE, A2DP | Motorola has additional EDR feature. Both are similar. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | ZTE has broader satellite support for better location accuracy, while Motorola has SUPL support. |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM) | ZTE allows two active SIM cards simultaneously, providing flexibility for different carriers or work/personal use. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64GB | 128/256GB | ZTE offers significantly more storage capacity for apps, photos, and videos; Motorola has much lower storage. |
| RAM | 3/4GB | 4/8GB | ZTE allows for smoother multitasking with more RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | DTS / DTS X | ZTE provides enhanced surround sound for a better listening experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both offer fingerprint security. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have unknown screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Motorola has a built in compass for navigation. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Macro & Depth Camera: Dedicated lenses for close-up and portrait photos, offering more photography versatility.
- Laser Autofocus (LAF): Provides potentially faster and more accurate focusing in specific scenarios.
- Included Charger: Ships with a 10W charger.
- Compass Sensor: Allows for more accurate navigation.
- Slightly wider aperture: May allow for slightly better low-light photography.
- Better Video Quality Supports 60fps video and slow motion at 60fps
ZTE Blade A75 4G Advantages:
- More Recent Android Version: Runs Android 13 with better features, security, and performance.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Has a superior AnTuTu score for faster app loading and multitasking.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: 90Hz for smoother scrolling and animations.
- Faster Charging: 22.5W charging enables shorter charging times.
- Dual SIM: Supports two active SIM cards simultaneously.
- More Storage & RAM: Comes with up to 256GB storage and 8GB of RAM for better app and memory management.
- Improved Audio: Offers better audio features through DTS / DTS X
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Motorola has a more versatile camera setup, but the ZTE performs better overall.
- The Motorola includes a charger, while it's unknown if the ZTE does.
- The Motorola has a built-in compass, while the ZTE lacks it.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is ideal for users who:
- Value a comprehensive camera setup with macro and portrait capabilities.
- Prefer a simple and familiar Android experience, willing to sacrifice the newest OS version.
- Need a phone with an included charger.
- Value a built-in compass for navigation.
Use Cases:
- Casual photographers who enjoy taking close-up and portrait photos.
- Users who prioritize battery life over performance for day-to-day tasks.
- Individuals who prefer a phone with all essential accessories included.
- Users who prefer 60fps video recording or higher quality slow-motion recording.
ZTE Blade A75 4G is ideal for users who:
- Want a fast and responsive phone experience with better performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Prioritize a newer operating system and frequent software updates.
- Need the flexibility of using two SIM cards simultaneously.
- Require ample storage for apps, photos, and videos and a high amount of RAM.
- Want a smoother display experience and faster charging times.
- Prefer better audio quality.
Use Cases:
- Users who multitask frequently and need better performance.
- Mobile gamers or users who use graphic-intensive apps.
- Individuals who value the latest software features and security.
- Travelers or professionals who require two SIM card capabilities.
- Users who value a smoother display and fast charging.
- Users who like to listen to music or watch videos using headphones or speakers.
Price-to-Value: The ZTE Blade A75 4G, despite lacking some camera features and not coming with a charger, is likely to offer better value for most users due to its superior performance, higher RAM/Storage, faster charging, better display refresh rate, and newer software.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is camera versatility? If you take macro or portrait photos frequently, the Motorola might appeal. Otherwise, the ZTE’s general camera performance is likely sufficient.
- How critical is performance for daily use? If you perform heavy tasks or multitask, the ZTE’s better performance is important.
- How much do you value having the latest OS/software? If you want newer features and longer security update support, the ZTE is the better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User, Primary Needs are Social Media, Browsing, and Occasional Photos: The ZTE is the better option with its performance advantage, smoother display, and the latest OS.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast, Need versatile lenses: The Motorola offers a better photography experience due to the additional sensors and wider aperture but the video capabilities of the Motorola would also be a point to consider.
- Scenario 3: Power User, Demands High Performance and Storage: The ZTE is the better option, offering noticeably faster overall performance and a large storage capacity.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the ZTE Blade A75 4G.
My Reasoning:
- Performance: The 35% increase in the AnTuTu benchmark score is significant. This means a smoother experience in daily use and more reliable performance.
- Software: I prefer a newer version of Android, not only for the latest features but also for the extended security updates, which are crucial for overall safety.
- Display: The 90Hz refresh rate of the ZTE screen offers a noticeable improvement in user experience over the Motorola's 60Hz display.
- Storage and RAM: The ZTE offers considerably more storage and RAM, which is essential for my use of a phone as my daily device.
- Charging Speed: The significantly faster charging speeds on the ZTE would save me valuable time.
- Better Audio: While I acknowledge the Motorola has additional camera features, the better audio quality is beneficial for my usage scenario of watching videos and listening to music.
Although I appreciate the Motorola's dedicated macro and depth cameras and the included charger, these benefits do not outweigh the advantages of the ZTE's overall performance, software, display, storage, and fast charging. For my needs, the ZTE Blade A75 4G provides a better, more future-proof experience.
