Motorola Moto G Power (2021) vs Samsung Galaxy M21s: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Performance
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a more modern chipset, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 662, built on an 11nm process, offers a more efficient and capable experience than the Samsung’s older 10nm Exynos 9611, despite both phones sharing the same 15W charging.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy M21s | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) |
| 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, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, November 06. Released 2020, November 06 | 2021, January 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, January 14 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.35 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-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 206.5 g (7.30 oz) |
| - | Water-repellent coating | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-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) |
| Chipset | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, One UI 2.5 | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black | Flash Gray, Polar Silver |
| Models | SM-F415F, SM-F415F/DS | - |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 60 EUR |
| SAR | 0.38 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.48 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy M21s
- Potentially lower initial purchase price.
- Samsung brand recognition.
- Adequate for basic smartphone tasks.
- Older Exynos 9611 chipset.
- Less efficient 10nm process.
- Potential for thermal throttling.
Motorola Moto G Power (2021)
- More efficient Snapdragon 662 chipset.
- 11nm fabrication process for better battery life.
- Smoother multitasking and gaming experience.
- Motorola’s software update track record is less consistent than Samsung’s.
- May be slightly more expensive upfront.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common trait in this price bracket. However, the lack of detailed display specs (resolution, brightness) necessitates a focus on processing power as the differentiating factor. The M21s' display is likely adequate for everyday use, but the G Power's more efficient chipset may translate to slightly better battery life even with similar display usage.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones feature a primary camera accompanied by several auxiliary lenses (likely including a depth and macro sensor). The image processing capabilities of Qualcomm’s ISP in the Snapdragon 662 are generally considered more refined than Samsung’s equivalent in the Exynos 9611, potentially resulting in more natural-looking photos. The presence of a larger main sensor (if any) would be a significant advantage, but this information is unavailable.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm), while the Samsung Galaxy M21s uses the Exynos 9611 (10nm). The Snapdragon 662’s 11nm fabrication process generally leads to improved power efficiency compared to the 10nm Exynos 9611. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon’s Kryo 260 Gold cores clocked at 2.0 GHz offer a slight architectural advantage over the Exynos’ Cortex-A73 cores at 2.3 GHz. This translates to better sustained performance and less thermal throttling during demanding tasks. The G Power will likely handle multitasking and moderate gaming more smoothly.
Battery Life
Both phones support 15W wired charging, a relatively slow standard. The actual battery capacity isn't provided, but the Snapdragon 662’s superior power efficiency in the Moto G Power (2021) will likely result in longer real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the M21s. The 11nm process allows the G Power to extract more usage from each charge, making it a better choice for users who prioritize longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M21s if you prioritize a potentially lower initial price and are primarily focused on basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience for multitasking, moderate gaming, and benefit from a more modern and efficient chipset that will likely receive longer software support.