Both the Motorola Moto G50 5G and the Samsung Galaxy M21 2021 occupy the competitive sub-$200 price bracket, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Moto G50 5G brings 5G connectivity and a newer chipset to the table, while the Galaxy M21 2021 relies on Samsung’s established brand recognition and a focus on core functionality. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G50 5G emerges as the stronger contender. Its Mediatek Dimensity 700, built on a more efficient 7nm process, offers a noticeable performance uplift over the Samsung Galaxy M21 2021’s Exynos 9611, especially in demanding tasks. While both share 15W charging, the G50’s 5G capability adds future-proofing.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Australia |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66 - Australia |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Australia |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 21 | 2021, August 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 26 | Available. Released 2021, August 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159 x 75.1 x 9 mm (6.26 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) | 167 x 76.4 x 9.3 mm (6.57 x 3.01 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent design |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, One UI 3.1 Core | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Charcoal Black, Arctic Blue | Meteorite Grey |
| Models | SM-M215G, SM-M215G/DS | XT2149-1 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| SAR | 0.47 W/kg (head) | - |
Samsung Galaxy M21 2021
- Established Samsung brand reputation
- Potentially larger battery capacity (based on M-series history)
- Reliable software experience (Samsung One UI)
- Older, less efficient Exynos 9611 chipset
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Slower overall performance
Motorola Moto G50 5G
- More powerful and efficient Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- Better value for money
- Motorola’s software update track record is less consistent
- Brand recognition is lower than Samsung
- May require more software customization to optimize experience
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common trait in this price segment. The key difference lies under the hood: display driver efficiency. While specific display specs are unavailable, the G50’s Dimensity 700 likely has a more modern display controller, potentially leading to slightly better power efficiency when displaying content. Bezels are expected to be comparable, and color accuracy will likely be standard for budget phones – adequate, but not color-critical.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones relying on budget sensors and image processing. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make definitive claims. However, the image signal processor (ISP) within the Dimensity 700 is more modern and capable than the one in the Exynos 9611, potentially leading to slightly better dynamic range and noise reduction. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are primarily for marketing purposes and offer limited real-world benefit. Focus should be on the main sensor’s performance, which is likely comparable given the price point.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Motorola Moto G50 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm) is architecturally superior to the Samsung Galaxy M21 2021’s Exynos 9611 (10nm). The Dimensity 700 features newer Cortex-A76 cores (2x2.2 GHz) compared to the M21’s Cortex-A73 cores (4x2.3 GHz), and more efficient Cortex-A55 cores (6x2.0 GHz) versus the A53 cores (4x1.7 GHz). This translates to faster application loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. While both have octa-core CPUs, the architectural advantages of the Dimensity 700 are substantial.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 15W wired charging, a relatively slow standard. Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While the Galaxy M21 2021 may have a slightly larger battery capacity (spec not provided, but typical for Samsung M-series), the Dimensity 700’s superior power efficiency could offset this difference. Expect roughly a full day of moderate use from both devices, but the G50’s more efficient chipset may provide a slight edge for heavy users. The slow charging speed means topping up will take a considerable amount of time.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M21 2021 if you prioritize a well-established brand ecosystem and a generally reliable, if less powerful, experience. Buy the Motorola Moto G50 5G if you want the best possible performance for the price, 5G connectivity for future network upgrades, and aren't heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy M21 2021 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611, being a 10nm chip, is more prone to thermal throttling than the 7nm Dimensity 700. While it won't necessarily overheat to the point of being unusable, expect performance to dip after extended gaming, leading to lower frame rates and a less smooth experience.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Moto G50 5G actually useful, or is it just a marketing gimmick?
The usefulness of 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. However, even if 5G isn't widely available now, the Moto G50 5G future-proofs you for when 5G networks become more prevalent. It also supports 4G LTE, so you'll still have fast data speeds in areas without 5G.
❓ How significant is the performance difference between the Cortex-A73 and Cortex-A76 CPU cores?
The Cortex-A76 cores in the Dimensity 700 represent a significant architectural improvement over the Cortex-A73 cores in the Exynos 9611. The A76 offers higher IPC (instructions per clock) and improved efficiency, resulting in faster application loading, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness.
❓ Are software updates guaranteed for both devices, and for how long?
Samsung generally provides more consistent software updates for its devices, including security patches and occasional OS upgrades. Motorola’s update track record is less reliable, and the M21 2021 is likely to receive updates for a longer period than the Moto G50 5G.
