Moto G10 vs. Moto G Power (2021): A Deep Dive into Motorola's Budget Lineup

Motorola's G series consistently delivers value, but choosing between models like the Moto G10 and the Moto G Power (2021) requires careful consideration. While both aim for affordability, they diverge in key areas like processing power and charging speed, impacting the user experience for different priorities.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 662 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the G10’s Snapdragon 460, making everyday tasks and light multitasking smoother. While the G10 boasts a slightly higher contrast ratio, the G Power’s faster charging and improved processing outweigh this difference.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G10 Motorola Moto G Power (2021)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 41, 66, 71
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, February 162021, January 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, February 27Available. Released 2021, January 14
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions165.2 x 75.7 x 9.2 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.36 in)165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm (6.51 x 2.99 x 0.37 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight200 g (7.05 oz)206.5 g (7.30 oz)
 Water-repellent designWater-repellent coating
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm)Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 610
OSAndroid 11Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM
 -eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Triple-48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximityFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging10W wired15W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsAurora Grey, Iridescent PearlFlash Gray, Polar Silver
ModelsXT2127-2-
PriceAbout 140 EURAbout 60 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 152h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 11878:1 (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -29.2 LUFS (Average) -
Performance AnTuTu: 140230 (v8) GeekBench: 1139 (v5.1) GFXBench: 9.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Motorola Moto G10

  • Higher contrast ratio for potentially better image quality
  • Excellent battery endurance (152h)
  • Lower price point (likely)

  • Slower processor (Snapdragon 460)
  • Slow 10W charging
  • Potentially struggles with demanding apps

Motorola Moto G Power (2021)

  • Faster processor (Snapdragon 662) for smoother performance
  • Faster 15W charging
  • More responsive user experience

  • Likely lower contrast ratio than the G10
  • Potentially slightly shorter battery life (unconfirmed)
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

The Moto G10 features a display with a measured peak brightness of 370 nits and a nominal contrast ratio of 11878:1. This high contrast ratio suggests deeper blacks and a more vibrant image, though the 370 nits may struggle in direct sunlight. The Moto G Power (2021) lacks published display specs, but given its market positioning, it likely prioritizes cost-effectiveness over display fidelity. The G10’s higher contrast ratio will be most noticeable when viewing HDR content, offering a more immersive experience for media consumers.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Given the budget nature of both devices, expect similar camera performance – adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions. The absence of detailed sensor information suggests neither phone will excel in low-light photography. Focusing on the chipset, the Snapdragon 662 in the G Power (2021) offers a slightly more capable ISP (Image Signal Processor), potentially leading to marginally better image processing and faster capture times.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Moto G10 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm) with an octa-core CPU configuration (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240), while the Moto G Power (2021) steps up to the Snapdragon 662 (11nm) with a slightly faster octa-core setup (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver). The Snapdragon 662’s Kryo 260 Gold cores offer a performance advantage in single-core tasks, resulting in snappier app launches and smoother scrolling. This translates to a more fluid experience for everyday use, especially for users who frequently switch between applications.

Battery Life

Both phones prioritize battery life, but approach it differently. The Moto G10 boasts an endurance rating of 152 hours, suggesting excellent longevity on a single charge. However, it’s limited to 10W wired charging, meaning a full charge will take a considerable amount of time. The Moto G Power (2021) features 15W wired charging, significantly reducing charge times. While its endurance rating isn’t specified, the faster charging capability is a significant advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto G10 if your primary need is maximizing screen contrast and you operate on a very strict budget, prioritizing endurance over speed. You'll benefit from its 11878:1 contrast ratio for media consumption. Buy the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) if you prefer a more responsive user experience, faster charging, and are willing to spend a little more for improved performance in apps and multitasking.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G Power (2021) handle gaming well?
The Snapdragon 662 is capable of handling casual gaming, but don't expect flagship-level performance. It can run popular titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. However, demanding games may require lower graphics settings to maintain smooth gameplay.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to charge the Moto G10 with its 10W charger?
With a 10W charger, the Moto G10 will likely take over 3 hours to fully charge from 0%. This is a significant drawback compared to the Moto G Power (2021)'s 15W charging, which can reduce charge times by at least an hour.
❓ Is the difference in processor speed between the Snapdragon 460 and 662 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Snapdragon 662’s faster cores and improved architecture result in snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall user experience. The G10 may exhibit slight lag when switching between apps or running multiple processes simultaneously.