Moto G86 Power vs Samsung Galaxy A15 5G: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Contenders

The Motorola Moto G86 Power and Samsung Galaxy A15 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$300 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and essential features, they diverge significantly in their core strengths – the G86 Power prioritizing exceptional battery life, and the A15 5G focusing on a brighter, more vibrant display. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing longevity and sustained performance, the Motorola Moto G86 Power is the clear winner. Its significantly superior battery endurance (67:39h vs 14:31h) and more powerful chipset (Dimensity 7300/7400) outweigh the Galaxy A15 5G’s brighter screen. However, the A15 5G remains a viable option for those who heavily prioritize display visibility.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G86 Power Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 71 - EMEA & AP1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - EMEA & AP1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 26, 28, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, May 292023, December 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, July 30Available. Released 2023, December 16
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), plastic frame, silicone polymer (eco leather) backGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions161.2 x 74.7 x 8.7 mm (6.35 x 2.94 x 0.34 in)160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight195 or 198 g (6.98 oz)200 g (7.05 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 4-
Resolution1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 4500 nits peakSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - GlobalOcta-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - IndiaOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm) - GlobalMediatek Dimensity 7400 (4 nm) - IndiaMediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm)
GPUMali-G615 MC2Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 15, up to 2 major Android upgradesAndroid 14, upgradable to Android 16, One UI 8, up to 4 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, AF-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF 5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 0.7µm13 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos)Yes
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired25W wired
Type6720 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPantone: Spellbound, Golden Cypress, Cosmic Sky, ChrysanthemumBrave Black, Personality Yellow, Magical Blue, Optimistic Blue
ModelsXT2527-7SM-A156B, SM-A156B/DS, SM-A156P, SM-A156P/DS, SM-A156U, SM-A156U1, SM-A156U1/DS, SM-A156W, SM-A156P/N, SM-A156P/DSN, SM-S156VL, SM-A156M, SM-A156E, SM-A156E/DSN
Price$ 472.00 / € 269.90 / ₹ 17,000€ 167.00 / $ 79.97 / ₹ 17,490
SAR EU-0.80 W/kg (head)     1.46 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery67:39h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass B (180 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

Motorola Moto G86 Power

  • Exceptional battery life (67:39h endurance)
  • More powerful processor (Dimensity 7300/7400)
  • Long-lasting battery health (1000 cycles)

  • Display brightness likely lower than A15 5G
  • Camera specs largely unknown

Samsung Galaxy A15 5G

  • Bright display (786 nits)
  • Samsung’s brand recognition
  • Respectable 25W charging

  • Significantly shorter battery life (14:31h)
  • Less powerful processor (Dimensity 6100+)
  • 6nm process may lead to more heat

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G boasts a notably brighter display, reaching a measured 786 nits of peak brightness. This is a significant advantage for outdoor use, where the G86 Power’s display brightness is not specified but likely falls short. While the A15 5G’s panel technology isn’t specified, the high brightness suggests an LCD panel. The G86 Power’s display details are missing, but the A15 5G’s brightness is a clear win for users who frequently use their phones outdoors. Color accuracy and viewing angles are unknown for both devices, requiring further testing.

Camera Comparison

Camera details beyond the chipsets are limited. Both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, but the specifics are unknown. Given the market segment, it’s reasonable to assume both will include a primary sensor, an ultrawide, and potentially a macro lens. However, without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. The A15 5G’s image processing is likely tuned for Samsung’s signature vibrant colors, while Motorola typically aims for a more natural look. The absence of detailed camera specs makes it difficult to declare a clear winner.

Performance

The Motorola Moto G86 Power, depending on the region, utilizes either the Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4nm) or the Dimensity 7400 (4nm) – both representing a substantial performance advantage over the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G’s Dimensity 6100+ (6nm). The Dimensity 7300/7400 feature a more powerful CPU configuration (Octa-core with 4x2.5/2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 cores) compared to the A15 5G’s (Octa-core with 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 cores). The 4nm process node of the Dimensity 7300/7400 also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, potentially leading to less throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a better gaming experience for the G86 Power.

Battery Life

The Motorola Moto G86 Power dominates in battery endurance, achieving an impressive 67:39 hours in testing. This is a massive leap over the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G’s 14:31 hours of active use. While the A15 5G’s 25W charging is respectable, the G86 Power’s 30W charging offers a slightly faster top-up speed. Crucially, the G86 Power’s battery is also rated for 1000 cycles, suggesting long-term battery health will be superior. The G86 Power’s endurance is a game-changer for users who prioritize minimizing charging frequency.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto G86 Power if you need a phone that can reliably last through two full days of moderate use, or if you frequently engage in demanding tasks like gaming or video streaming. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G if you prefer a brighter display for outdoor visibility and consume a lot of media in direct sunlight, and are willing to compromise on battery life and raw processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 7300/7400 in the Moto G86 Power get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The 4nm process node of the Dimensity 7300/7400 is designed for improved thermal efficiency. While some heat generation is inevitable during gaming, it's likely to be better managed than the 6nm Dimensity 6100+ in the A15 5G, resulting in less throttling and more consistent performance over longer periods.
❓ How does the 30W charging on the Moto G86 Power compare to the 25W charging on the Galaxy A15 5G in real-world use?
While a 5W difference may seem small, the G86 Power’s 30W charging will likely result in a slightly faster 0-100% charge time. However, the more significant factor is the G86 Power’s larger battery capacity and 1000 cycle rating, meaning you’ll need to charge it less frequently and it will retain capacity longer.
❓ Is the difference in battery life between the two phones noticeable in everyday use?
Absolutely. The 67:39h endurance of the Moto G86 Power versus the 14:31h of the Galaxy A15 5G is a massive difference. Users can expect to get through two full days of moderate use on the G86 Power, while the A15 5G will likely require daily charging.