Samsung Galaxy A51 vs. Motorola Moto G Power (2021): A Detailed Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A51, released to considerable fanfare, has seen its price drop significantly, placing it in direct competition with newer budget contenders like the Motorola Moto G Power (2021). This comparison dissects the trade-offs between Samsung’s established display technology and the Moto G Power’s focus on maximizing battery life and offering a compelling value proposition.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and value, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is the better choice. While the Samsung Galaxy A51 boasts a brighter display, the Moto G Power’s efficient Snapdragon 662 chipset and competitive pricing make it a more practical everyday device.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy A51 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, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 41, 66, 71
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A515UCDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2019, December 12. Released 2019, December 162021, January 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, January 14
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frameGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions158.5 x 73.6 x 7.9 mm (6.24 x 2.90 x 0.31 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
Weight172 g (6.07 oz)206.5 g (7.30 oz)
 -Water-repellent coating
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3-
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLEDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
ChipsetExynos 9611 (10 nm)Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Adreno 610
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM
 UFS 2.0eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Triple-48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm8 MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Virtual proximity sensing ANT+-
Battery
Charging15W wired15W wired
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPrism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Blue, Prism Crush PinkFlash Gray, Polar Silver
ModelsSM-A515F, SM-A515F/DSN, SM-A515F/DS, SM-A515F/DST, SM-A515F/DSM, SM-A515F/N, SM-A515U, SM-A515U1, SM-A515W, SM-A515X, SM-S515DL-
PriceAbout 100 EURAbout 60 EUR
SAR0.80 W/kg (head)     0.67 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU0.37 W/kg (head)     1.59 W/kg (body)-
Pricing
128GB 4GB RAM$ 299.99-
128GB 6GB RAM$ 674.99-
64GB 4GB RAM$ 211.50-
RENEWED£ 179.00-
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.1dB / Crosstalk -87.3dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 86h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -28.6 LUFS (Average) -
Performance AnTuTu: 113051 (v7), 175363 (v8) GeekBench: 5401 (v4.4), 1294 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5.6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Samsung Galaxy A51

  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
  • Potentially more refined image processing
  • More RAM options for improved multitasking

  • Higher price point
  • Exynos 9611 may throttle under sustained load
  • 15W charging is relatively slow

Motorola Moto G Power (2021)

  • Significantly lower price
  • More power-efficient Snapdragon 662 chipset
  • Excellent battery life focus

  • Display likely less vibrant and bright
  • Performance may be less responsive for demanding tasks
  • Camera system likely less feature-rich

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A51 features a display capable of reaching 636 nits of peak brightness, offering a noticeably more vivid experience in direct sunlight compared to the Moto G Power (brightness data unavailable, but expected to be lower). While the Moto G Power’s display specs are less detailed, Samsung’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests superior black levels and overall image quality. However, the A51’s price point suggests it may not utilize advanced panel technologies like LTPO, potentially impacting power efficiency. The A51’s higher brightness benefits outdoor visibility, while the Moto G Power likely prioritizes power conservation.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. The A51’s camera system likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more vibrant and detailed photos. However, without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess the low-light performance of either device. The Moto G Power’s camera is likely tuned for simplicity and reliability, focusing on consistent results in good lighting conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A51 is unlikely to significantly enhance the photography experience.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy A51’s Exynos 9611 (10nm) chipset, with its octa-core configuration (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53), offers a theoretical performance advantage over the Motorola Moto G Power’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm). The Snapdragon 662’s 11nm process, however, is more efficient, potentially leading to better sustained performance and thermal management. While the A51’s CPU clock speeds are higher, the Snapdragon 662’s Kryo cores are designed for optimized power efficiency. The A51’s RAM options (4GB/6GB) are more varied, potentially impacting multitasking performance, but the Snapdragon 662 is well-optimized for its target market.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy A51 boasts an endurance rating of 86 hours, a strong result. However, the Moto G Power (2021) is specifically designed for extended battery life, and while its endurance rating is not provided, Motorola’s ‘Power’ branding indicates a significant focus on longevity. Both devices support 15W wired charging, meaning charging times will be comparable. The Snapdragon 662’s efficiency likely contributes to longer real-world usage on the Moto G Power, offsetting any potential difference in battery capacity (data unavailable).

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 if you prioritize a vibrant, brighter display for media consumption and are willing to pay a premium, especially if you find a deal on the 128GB/6GB RAM model. Buy the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) if you need exceptional battery life, a reliable processor for daily tasks, and a significantly lower price point without sacrificing core functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Samsung A51 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611, built on a 10nm process, is known to generate more heat than newer chipsets. While it can handle moderate gaming, extended sessions with graphically demanding titles may lead to noticeable throttling, reducing performance to manage temperatures.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Samsung A51 actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget and mid-range phones offer limited detail and image quality. The small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization often result in blurry or noisy macro shots. It's a feature that's often included for marketing purposes but doesn't significantly enhance the overall camera experience.
❓ Can the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) handle popular games like PUBG Mobile at acceptable frame rates?
The Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G Power can run PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to stick to medium graphics settings and moderate frame rates (around 30fps) for a smooth experience. Expect some occasional frame drops during intense action sequences.
❓ What is the typical screen-on time I can expect from the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) with moderate usage?
With moderate usage (social media, browsing, calls), users can realistically expect 8-10 hours of screen-on time from the Moto G Power (2021). Its large battery and efficient chipset are designed for all-day battery life, even with consistent use.