The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y21a and Motorola Moto G Power (2021) both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches. The Y21a relies on MediaTek’s Helio series, while the Moto G Power leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 662. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 662 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the vivo Y21a’s Helio P22 (or P35 in Egypt), translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. While the Y21a offers reverse wired charging, the G Power’s superior processing power and efficiency make it the more practical all-rounder.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 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 | 2022, January 22 | 2021, January 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February 14 | Available. Released 2021, January 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 76.1 x 8 mm (6.47 x 3.00 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-SIM |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 206.5 g (7.30 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) - Egypt | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) - Egypt | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 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, OTG | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Blue, Diamond Glow | Flash Gray, Polar Silver |
| Price | - | About 60 EUR |
vivo Y21a
- Reverse wired charging for accessories
- Slightly more compact design
- Potentially lower price point (depending on region)
- Inferior processor performance (Helio P22/P35)
- Smaller battery capacity
- Likely less efficient power consumption
Motorola Moto G Power (2021)
- More powerful Snapdragon 662 processor
- Larger 5000mAh battery for extended use
- Better camera performance (larger main sensor)
- Larger form factor may not suit all users
- Slower charging speed (15W vs 18W)
- No reverse wireless charging
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but practicality. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are unavailable, the Motorola’s larger screen size (typically 6.6 inches vs. the Y21a’s 6.55 inches) offers a more immersive viewing experience. The absence of high refresh rates on both devices means scrolling and animations won’t be as fluid as on more expensive phones.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar in real-world usage, with both phones featuring primary sensors that prioritize affordability over image quality. The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) typically features a 48MP main sensor, while the Y21a has a 13MP sensor. The larger sensor on the Motorola will capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance. Both phones likely include auxiliary lenses (depth, macro) that offer limited utility. Focusing on the main sensor’s capabilities is key; image processing will play a significant role in the final output, and Qualcomm’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Snapdragon 662 may offer a slight edge in image clarity and dynamic range.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm), featuring a Kryo 260 CPU with a mix of performance and efficiency cores. This is a significant step up from the vivo Y21a’s Mediatek Helio P22 (12nm) – or Helio P35 in the Egyptian variant. The Snapdragon 662’s 11nm process is more efficient, and its CPU architecture (Kryo) generally delivers better sustained performance than the Cortex-A53 cores found in the Helio P22/P35. The P35 variant in Egypt offers a slight CPU clock speed boost (2.35GHz vs 2.0GHz), but the architectural advantages of the Snapdragon 662 will still result in a more responsive experience. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Motorola.
Battery Life
Both phones prioritize battery life, but achieve it through different means. The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) typically packs a massive 5000mAh battery, while the vivo Y21a has a smaller 4500mAh cell. However, the Snapdragon 662’s superior power efficiency offsets the battery capacity difference. The Motorola also supports 15W charging, while the Y21a offers 18W charging. While the Y21a’s faster charging *appears* advantageous, the difference in charging speed is minimal in practice. The Y21a also includes 2.5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to act as a power bank for accessories – a niche feature that may appeal to some users.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y21a if you prioritize a slightly more compact form factor and the convenience of reverse wired charging to top up accessories. However, buy the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) if you value consistent performance, a more efficient processor, and a generally smoother user experience, especially if you plan on using the phone for more than basic tasks like calls and messaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio P22/P35 in the vivo Y21a struggle with demanding apps or games?
Yes, the Helio P22 (and even the P35) is a budget chipset. While it can handle basic tasks like calls, messaging, and social media, it will likely struggle with graphically intensive games or multitasking with numerous apps open. Expect noticeable lag and slowdowns in these scenarios.
❓ How significant is the battery life difference between the Motorola Moto G Power and the vivo Y21a in real-world use?
Despite the Y21a’s faster charging, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) will likely provide significantly longer battery life. The Snapdragon 662 is more power-efficient, and the larger 5000mAh battery allows for a full day of moderate to heavy use without needing a recharge. The Y21a may require a top-up before the end of the day with similar usage.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
Generally, no. 2MP macro cameras on budget phones typically produce low-resolution, soft images with limited detail. They are often included for marketing purposes but offer minimal practical benefit. The main camera on either phone will produce better results for close-up shots.
❓ Will the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) receive software updates?
Motorola’s software update track record is mixed. While the Moto G Power (2021) launched with Android 11, it has received updates to Android 12. Expect limited future updates, potentially one more major Android version update, and security patches for a limited time. Don't expect the same level of long-term support as higher-end devices.
