Xiaomi Poco M3 vs Motorola Moto G Power (2021) - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date November 27, 2020 January 14, 2021
Release Year 2020 2021

Physical

Volume 120.44 cm³ 119.19 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.3 "/g 3.2 "/g
Weight 198 g 206.5 g
Height 162.3 mm 165.3 mm
Width 77.3 mm 75.9 mm
Thickness 9.6 mm 9.5 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Cool Blue
  • Poco Yellow
  • Power Black
  • Polar Silver
  • Flash Gray

Display

Screen Size 6.53 " 6.6 "
Resolution 1080 x 2340 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 83.4 % 83.8 %
Pixel Density 395 PPI 266 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A N/A
Typical Brightness 400 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 140.71 mAh/in² 114.78 mAh/in²
Battery Density 49.82 mAh/cm³ 41.95 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 6000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support No No
Chipset Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
GPU Adreno 610 Adreno 610

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 10
Maximum OS Version

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureXiaomi Poco M3Motorola Moto G Power (2021)Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mmSimilar size; Moto G Power is slightly taller and narrower, Poco M3 is slightly wider. Differences are minor and feel similar in-hand.
Weight198g206.5gPoco M3 is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable during extended use but the difference is not large.
Display
Size6.53"6.6"Virtually identical display size; differences are imperceptible in real-world use.
Resolution1080x2340720x1600Poco M3 has a much sharper display, making text and images look significantly clearer.
PPI395266Poco M3 will look crisper and less pixelated, enhancing reading and viewing experience.
TechnologyIPS LCDIPS LCDBoth offer similar color reproduction and viewing angles, typical for LCD screens.
Refresh Rate60Hz60HzStandard refresh rate; both will have the same smoothness in scrolling and animation.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsPeak brightness is not provided. This makes it difficult to compare outdoor visibility.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 662 (11 nm)Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)Both phones offer similar performance; daily tasks and moderate gaming will feel largely the same.
AnTuTu Score185,028178,220Very similar performance; difference is not noticeable in typical usage.
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 610Graphics performance will be comparable on both devices.
Battery
Capacity6000mAh5000mAhPoco M3 is likely to offer significantly longer battery life, potentially lasting a full day even with heavy usage.
Charging18W fast charging15W fast chargingPoco M3 charges faster, leading to less time plugged in.
Features22.5W charger, Reverse charging10W chargerPoco M3 includes a faster charger and can be used as a power bank for other devices. Motorola G Power has a slower charger.
Camera
Main Camera Res48MP48MPBoth have the same main sensor resolution. Photo details are expected to be similar, though quality can vary with image processing.
Main Camera Aperturef/1.79f/1.7Wider aperture on the Moto G Power allows for slightly better low-light performance, capturing more light.
Selfie Camera8MP, f/2.08MP, f/2.0Selfie performance is likely to be similar, given matching resolution and aperture.
Depth CameraNone2MPMotorola has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode photos with bokeh effect.
Macro CameraNone2MPMotorola can take close-up shots using dedicated macro lens.
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps (EIS)Motorola offers 60fps video recording and electronic image stabilization, offering smoother video, though both offer 1080p for general use.
Additional Camera FeaturesManual focusPDAF, LAFMotorola has faster focus (PDAF) and laser-assisted focus (LAF); Xiaomi supports manual focus.
Software
OSAndroid 10Android 10Both phones ship with the same Android OS version.
Connectivity
Wi-FiDual band, Direct, DisplayDisplayPoco M3 offers Dual band, Wi-Fi Direct; Both support common wifi technologies.
Bluetooth5.0 LE, A2DP5.0 LE, A2DP, EDRMotorola offers EDR which provides better Bluetooth performance, such as faster pairing.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavICGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, GalileoPoco M3 has a slightly broader satellite support for more precise positioning.
SIMDual SIM, Dual StandbySingle SIMPoco M3 supports two SIM cards, allowing users to manage multiple numbers. Motorola supports one SIM.
Storage
Internal Storage64GB/128GB32GB/64GBPoco M3 offers a higher storage option of 128GB and 64GB vs the 32GB and 64 GB of Moto G Power.
RAM4GB/6GB3GB/4GBPoco M3 has an advantage in multitasking and running more apps smoothly.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone allows storage expansion
Audio
QualityHi-Res Audio, StereoBasicPoco M3 offers better sound quality with stereo speakers and Hi-Res audio support for more immersive experience.
Security
FingerprintSide-mountedSide-mountedBoth offer the same side-mounted fingerprint sensor technology.
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3UnknownPoco M3 has better screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass 3
SensorsFingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtualFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, GyroscopePoco M3 offers virtual proximity sensor, Motorola offers hardware proximity sensor and Gyroscope.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:

  • Sharper Display: Significantly higher resolution (1080x2340) and pixel density (395 PPI) result in a much clearer viewing experience, especially for reading and detailed images.
  • Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery offers potentially much longer battery life, ideal for heavy users or those who need multi-day usage.
  • Faster Charging: 18W fast charging, including a 22.5W charger in the box, reduces downtime spent plugged in and also includes reverse charging.
  • More Storage and RAM Options: Comes with the option of 128GB of storage and up to 6GB of RAM.
  • Superior Audio: Includes stereo speakers and Hi-Res Audio for an enhanced multimedia experience.
  • Dual SIM: Ability to use two SIM cards simultaneously.
  • Better Screen Protection: Features Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for better scratch resistance.

Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:

  • Wider Main Camera Aperture: f/1.7 aperture on the main camera allows slightly better low-light performance.
  • Dedicated Macro and Depth Lens: Provides additional versatility with macro photography and better depth sensing in portrait shots
  • 60fps video Recording and EIS: Enables smoother video recording with electronic image stabilization.
  • Bluetooth EDR: Enhanced Data Rate for improved Bluetooth performance.
  • Dedicated Proximity Sensor and Gyroscope: Useful for advanced features and gaming.
  • PDAF and LAF: Phase Detection and Laser autofocus for faster focus.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • Poco M3: Sacrifices a dedicated macro and depth lens and Bluetooth EDR and dedicated proximity sensor and gyroscope.
  • Moto G Power (2021): Sacrifices sharper display, large battery, faster charging, better storage options, superior audio and dual sim support.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal User for Xiaomi Poco M3:

  • Power Users: Individuals who need a long-lasting battery for all-day use without frequent charging.
  • Media Consumers: Those who watch a lot of videos, listen to music, or read extensively and would benefit from the sharp display, stereo speakers, and hi-res audio.
  • Budget-conscious shoppers: Those looking for the best specs available for the price.
  • Travelers and those with multiple numbers: Benefit from the dual-SIM functionality.

Use Cases:

*   Binge-watching videos and movies on long commutes.
*   Playing games and using apps extensively without worrying about battery drain.
*   Enjoying music with better audio quality.
*   Reading e-books or articles with a sharp display.

Ideal User for Motorola Moto G Power (2021):

  • Photography Enthusiasts (budget): Users who want versatile camera capabilities on a budget, specifically for macro and depth sensing shots.
  • Video creators (budget): Users that value smooth video with Electronic image stabilization.
  • Basic Smartphone Users: Those who need a reliable phone for daily tasks without extensive multimedia needs.

Use Cases:

*   Taking macro photos of nature or close-up objects.
*   Capturing social media videos with stabilization.
*   Using applications that need gyro sensors.
*   Capturing portraits using the depth sensor.
*   Enjoying reliable daily usage without the need for the best features.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • Poco M3: Generally offers a better price-to-value ratio considering its superior display, battery, and audio features.
  • Moto G Power (2021): May offer a compelling value for users who prioritize the camera lens versatility and video stabilization.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. How important is display quality for you? (Poco M3 offers a sharper display)
  2. How crucial is battery life? (Poco M3 offers much better battery life)
  3. Do you need versatile camera features or a large battery? (Moto G Power has macro lens and depth sensor, Poco M3 has larger battery)

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Heavy usage, multimedia consumption: Choose the Xiaomi Poco M3 for its larger battery, sharper display, and stereo speakers.
  • Scenario 2: Versatile Photography and videos: Choose the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) for its macro lens, depth sensor, smoother video recording, and faster focus.
  • Scenario 3: Balanced everyday use: Choose Xiaomi Poco M3 for the large battery, sharper display and better audio, while being budget-friendly.

My Choice and Why

Given the specifications and my own priorities as a user, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco M3. Here’s why:

  • Display Clarity: As someone who reads a lot on my phone and frequently watches videos, the significantly sharper display of the Poco M3 is a major advantage. The higher PPI will make a noticeable difference in everyday use.

  • Battery Longevity: I value a phone that can last through a full day of heavy use without needing a recharge. The Poco M3’s 6000mAh battery would be a considerable benefit.

  • Multimedia Experience: The inclusion of stereo speakers and Hi-Res Audio on the Poco M3 makes it a better choice for watching videos and listening to music.

  • Dual SIM: The dual SIM option would enable me to use two numbers.

While the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) offers some intriguing camera features, they don’t outweigh the display, battery, and audio advantages provided by the Poco M3, making it the more well-rounded choice for my needs.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.