Both the Motorola One Macro and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 represent compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone space, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Motorola One Macro, released earlier, focuses on maximizing endurance, while the Redmi Note 8 2021 offers a more modern chipset and faster charging, making it a relevant comparison even with their staggered release dates.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 is the better choice. Its Helio G85 chipset provides a noticeable performance edge, and the 18W charging significantly reduces downtime. While the Motorola One Macro boasts slightly better endurance, the Redmi Note 8 2021’s brighter display and faster charging outweigh this advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October 09. Released 2019, October 12 | 2021, May 25 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, May 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 157.6 x 75.4 x 9 mm (6.20 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) | 158.3 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm (6.23 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 96.7 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P70 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10 | Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30/60/120fps | 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Blue | Neptune Blue, Moonlight White, Space Black |
| Models | PAGS0005IN | M1908C3JGG |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | 0.54 W/kg (head) 1.33 W/kg (body) | 0.97 W/kg (head) 0.75 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.62 W/kg (head) 1.06 W/kg (body) | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.94 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.1dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB | - |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 110h |
Endurance rating 102h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1733:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1487:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 71dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 80dB |
-28.6 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 139869 (v7), 159405 (v8)
GeekBench: 5763 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 180195 (v8), 165779 (v9)
GeekBench: 5259 (v4.4), 1314 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Motorola One Macro
- Exceptional battery endurance (110h)
- Potentially good macro photography (name suggests focus)
- Lower price point (likely)
- Slower processor (Helio P70)
- Slower charging (10W)
- Dimmer display (442 nits)
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021
- Faster processor (Helio G85)
- Faster charging (18W)
- Brighter display (620 nits)
- Slightly lower battery endurance (102h)
- Potentially higher price
- May not excel in macro photography
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021’s display is the clear winner in this category. While the Motorola One Macro achieves a respectable 1733:1 contrast ratio, it’s outshone by the Redmi Note 8 2021’s 620 nits of peak brightness compared to the Macro’s 442 nits. This translates to significantly better visibility outdoors and a more vibrant viewing experience. Both displays share a similar nominal contrast ratio of around 1487:1 and 1733:1 respectively, but the brightness difference is substantial.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, given the Redmi Note 8 2021’s positioning, it likely benefits from more advanced image processing algorithms. The Motorola One Macro’s name suggests a focus on macro photography, but without knowing the sensor size or aperture, its effectiveness remains uncertain. We can assume both phones will deliver acceptable results in good lighting conditions, but the Redmi Note 8 2021 likely has an edge in low-light performance.
Performance
The Redmi Note 8 2021’s Mediatek Helio G85 chipset represents a step up in performance compared to the Motorola One Macro’s Helio P70. The G85 utilizes a 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration, offering improved single-core and multi-core performance over the P70’s 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 setup. This difference will be most noticeable in demanding applications and gaming. While both are 12nm chips, the G85 is optimized for gaming, offering a smoother experience.
Battery Life
The Motorola One Macro boasts an endurance rating of 110 hours, slightly exceeding the Redmi Note 8 2021’s 102 hours. However, this advantage is offset by the Redmi Note 8 2021’s 18W wired charging, compared to the Macro’s slower 10W charging. This means the Redmi Note 8 2021 can replenish its battery much faster, minimizing downtime. While the Macro may last slightly longer on a single charge, the convenience of faster charging makes the Redmi Note 8 2021 more practical for many users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola One Macro if you absolutely prioritize maximizing battery life above all else and are on a very tight budget. Its 110-hour endurance rating is a strong selling point for users who frequently find themselves away from a charger. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 if you value a brighter, more vibrant display, faster charging speeds, and a more responsive user experience, even if it means slightly less overall battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Helio G85 in the Redmi Note 8 2021 capable of playing demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Helio G85 is specifically designed for gaming. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it can comfortably run PUBG Mobile at medium settings with stable frame rates. The G85’s architecture provides a noticeable improvement over the P70 in the Motorola One Macro for gaming workloads.
❓ How long does it actually take to fully charge the Motorola One Macro with its 10W charger?
With a 10W charger, the Motorola One Macro will likely take over 3 hours to fully charge from 0%. While its endurance is good, the slow charging speed is a significant drawback for users who need a quick top-up.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 8 2021 support fast charging protocols beyond 18W?
While the Redmi Note 8 2021 ships with an 18W charger, it supports Power Delivery (PD) charging. Using a compatible PD charger, you *may* be able to achieve slightly faster charging speeds, but the gains will be minimal.
❓ Which phone is better for watching videos outdoors?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 is significantly better for outdoor video viewing due to its much brighter display (620 nits vs 442 nits). The increased brightness overcomes sunlight glare, providing a clearer and more enjoyable viewing experience.
