1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Moto G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 165.4 × 75.8 × 9.4 mm | S21+ is shorter and thinner, making it slightly more pocketable and easier to handle. Moto G is noticeably thicker. |
| Weight | 200g | 204g | Both phones are virtually the same weight, so feel very similar in hand. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus front | Unknown screen protection | S21+ has superior scratch and drop resistance. Moto G's screen protection is unknown, possibly less durable. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Moto G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | S21+ offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | S21+ has a much sharper display, with more details visible. The difference is noticeable when reading text and viewing images. |
| PPI | 394 | 270 | S21+ has much higher pixel density, leading to crisper text and images. The Moto G's lower pixel density may result in a slightly less sharp image. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21+ has a superior display with deeper blacks, higher contrast, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency for dark mode. The Moto G has a typical LCD display. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21+ provides smoother scrolling and animations, particularly noticeable in fast-paced content and gaming. Moto G's display is still relatively smooth but less so than the S21+. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ is much brighter making it significantly better for use outdoors in bright conditions. Moto G brightness is unknown, likely significantly lower making outdoor use harder. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Moto G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | S21+ has a more powerful and efficient chipset, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better overall performance for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 389,300 | S21+ has significantly higher benchmark scores, indicating much better overall performance compared to the Moto G. The S21+ can handle demanding tasks like gaming while the Moto G might struggle with that. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International | Mali-G57 MC2 | S21+ has a much more powerful GPU, providing a smoother gaming experience and better graphics performance. The Moto G will struggle in comparison, and the difference is very noticeable in demanding games. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Moto G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" sensor, 1.8µm pixels | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor, 0.64µm pixels | Moto G has a higher megapixel count, but S21+ has a larger sensor and larger pixel size, which generally translates to better image quality, especially in low light. The S21+ captures more light and detail despite having lower megapixel count. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" sensor, 0.8µm pixels | None | S21+ has a dedicated telephoto lens allowing for optical zoom, better image quality when zooming. The Moto G will have to resort to digital zoom, resulting in lower quality zoomed shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" sensor, 1.22µm pixels | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixels | Moto G has slightly higher megapixel count, but the difference in image quality may be marginal. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixels | Moto G has a dedicated depth sensor, potentially leading to slightly better portrait mode results, while the S21+ relies on software for portrait effects. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixels | Moto G has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, which is absent on the S21+. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor, 1.4µm pixels | None | S21+ includes a wide angle camera for capturing landscape or group photos. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps | 1080p@30fps | S21+ offers much higher video recording capabilities, supports 8K, HDR, and more slow motion options. The Moto G is limited to 1080p at 30fps. The S21+ will produce significantly higher quality video. |
| DxOMark | Main: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 89 | Not tested | S21+ has a good camera score as per DxOMark while Moto G has no camera test score available. |
| Camera Features | 4K/8K Video, Optical zoom, OIS, Manual, RAW, Night Mode | Limited set of features. | S21+ offers a more comprehensive set of camera features, including optical zoom, image stabilization and RAW capture, which can make a major difference in the quality and versatility of the captured images and video. The Moto G has fewer options. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Moto G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | Moto G has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering a little longer battery life but the difference may be negligible with its less efficient chipset. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 10W Fast Charging | S21+ has much faster charging, reducing the time it takes to charge the battery. The Moto G charges very slowly in comparison. |
| Features | Wireless, Reverse, No charger in box | None | S21+ supports wireless and reverse charging, which is very convenient. Moto G has none of these features, requiring a wired charging connection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, higher resolution, higher pixel density, 120Hz refresh rate, significantly higher brightness, resulting in a much better viewing experience.
- Significantly Higher Performance: More powerful chipset and GPU, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Advanced Camera System: Optical zoom, a more versatile camera setup with a dedicated telephoto and wide angle lens, more image processing and recording features.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Significantly faster wired charging, plus convenient wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- Better Audio Features: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers for enhanced audio quality and experience.
- Better Build Quality: Gorilla Glass Victus for screen protection.
Practical Implications: The S21+ offers a premium experience with a top-tier display, impressive performance, and a more versatile camera. This translates to better media consumption, a smoother user interface, more enjoyable gaming, better photos and videos.
Motorola Moto G (2022) Advantages:
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 12 (although with unknown max version).
- Slightly Larger Battery: Marginal advantage in capacity (200 mAh).
- Dedicated Depth and Macro Lens: Although these are low resolution 2MP sensors, they could provide specific options for close up shots and depth effects.
Practical Implications: The Moto G is a more budget oriented phone, it may have longer battery life, has a newer version of Android at launch, and offers a depth and macro camera.
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21+ Trade-off: Higher price point.
- Moto G Trade-off: Significantly lower performance, inferior display, slower charging, and a basic camera system with limited features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand high performance, smooth multitasking, and enjoy mobile gaming.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value versatile camera features, excellent image quality, and advanced video recording capabilities.
- Media Consumers: Those who frequently watch videos, browse social media, and value a high-quality display experience.
- Professionals: Users who need a reliable, powerful, and feature-rich smartphone for work-related tasks.
- Tech-Savvy: Individuals who prefer the latest technology and features.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming: Smooth, high-fidelity gaming experience due to powerful chipset and GPU.
- Professional Photography and Videography: Capturing high-quality photos and videos with advanced features like 8K video recording, OIS, and RAW capture.
- Content Consumption: Enjoying movies and shows on a vibrant, high-resolution display with a fast refresh rate.
- Productivity: Smooth multitasking, fast app loading and general use case performance for power users.
Motorola Moto G (2022) Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Individuals looking for an affordable phone that covers the basics.
- Basic Smartphone Users: Those who primarily use their phones for calls, texts, and light social media.
- Users Seeking Battery Life: People who prioritize battery life over performance and advanced features.
- Users with less intensive use-cases: Users that don't use many apps at once or play resource-intensive games
Specific Use Cases:
- Everyday Communication: Making calls, sending texts, and using basic social media.
- Casual Media Consumption: Watching videos and browsing the web.
- Long Battery Life Needs: Those that don't want to worry about running out of battery throughout the day.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- S21+: Offers excellent value for users who demand top-tier performance, a superior display, and advanced features, but at a higher price point.
- Moto G: Provides a basic smartphone experience at an affordable price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The S21+ is going to be more expensive, while the Moto G is budget-friendly.
- What is your primary use case? If you're a gamer, video creator or power user, the S21+ is better suited for you. If you just need a reliable phone to call and text, the Moto G could suffice.
- How important are display quality, camera performance, and overall speed? The S21+ wins hands down for the display, camera performance, and overall speed, while the Moto G is lacking in all of these.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High Performance & Features: If you need a powerful phone with a great camera, and are willing to pay more, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the clear choice.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Friendly, Basic Use: If you have a limited budget and only need a basic phone for calls, texts, and light browsing, the Motorola Moto G (2022) is a more affordable option.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Approach: If you are seeking a balanced experience, with some high end features but also some budget features, there are likely other alternatives that would suit you better. Neither of these phones is a good all-rounder.
Personal Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. While it is an older phone, the difference in user experience is very significant, offering a much better display, superior performance, and a more versatile camera. The significantly higher AnTuTu score (749,100 vs 389,300) alone makes it a clear winner in terms of overall performance, and the AMOLED display with 120Hz is also a major advantage. The S21+’s ability to record in up to 8K is also far more powerful than the Moto G, making it ideal for those that need to record video.
While the Motorola Moto G (2022) is more recent, its drawbacks are so significant that I wouldn’t be able to use it as my main device. Its lower resolution and pixel density make the display much less pleasant to use for media consumption, gaming, and even just browsing social media. The slower charging speed, unknown brightness and inferior processor would also negatively impact my day to day.
Ultimately, the S21+ feels like it’s in a different category of phone, whereas the Moto G is a basic phone with compromises to achieve its low price point.
