The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Wiko Power U30 and the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) aim to deliver essential features and long battery life without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily in their chipset choices, impacting performance and efficiency.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a smoother experience, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 662, built on an 11nm process, offers a noticeable advantage in application responsiveness and sustained performance compared to the Wiko Power U30’s Helio G35.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | CDMA 800 / 1700 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June | 2021, January 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June | Available. Released 2021, January 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 173.8 x 78.6 x 9.5 mm (6.84 x 3.09 x 0.37 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 | 214 g (7.55 oz) | 206.5 g (7.30 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~80.9% 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 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | - |
| Triple | 13 MP, AF
2 MP
Auxiliary lens | 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 |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon Blue, Midnight Blue, Mint | Flash Gray, Polar Silver |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 60 EUR |
| SAR | 0.58 W/kg (head) 1.36 W/kg (body) | - |
Wiko Power U30
- Potentially longer battery life for extremely light usage.
- Large battery capacity (6000mAh).
- Lower price point (potentially).
- Less powerful and less efficient Helio G35 chipset.
- Slower app loading and overall system responsiveness.
- Likely inferior gaming performance.
Motorola Moto G Power (2021)
- More efficient Snapdragon 662 chipset.
- Smoother user experience and faster app loading.
- Better graphics performance for light gaming.
- Slightly smaller battery capacity (5000mAh).
- May be slightly more expensive.
- 720p display resolution isn't ideal.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood. While specific display specs are unavailable for the Wiko Power U30, the Moto G Power (2021) features a 6.6-inch 720p+ display. The larger screen real estate of the Moto G Power is a benefit for media consumption, but the 720p resolution means pixel density won't be high. Both will likely suffer from limited outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, leaning towards basic functionality on both devices. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make precise comparisons. However, the Moto G Power (2021) typically features a 13MP main sensor, which is a reasonable starting point for capturing acceptable photos in good lighting conditions. The Wiko Power U30’s camera specs are less readily available, but it’s unlikely to significantly outperform the Moto G Power. Both will likely struggle in low-light scenarios. Avoid placing too much emphasis on any secondary 'macro' or 'depth' sensors found on either device, as their image quality is typically poor.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm), featuring a Kryo 260 CPU with 4x2.0 GHz Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Silver cores. This 11nm process is more efficient than the 12nm process used in the Wiko Power U30’s MediaTek Helio G35. The Helio G35, while an octa-core processor with 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, relies on older Cortex-A53 architecture. This translates to lower single-core performance and less efficient multi-core processing. Users will notice this in app loading times and overall system responsiveness. The Snapdragon 662’s Adreno 610 GPU also provides a more capable graphics experience for light gaming.
Battery Life
Both phones prioritize battery life, but achieve it differently. The Wiko Power U30 boasts a large 6000mAh battery, while the Moto G Power (2021) has a 5000mAh battery. However, the Snapdragon 662’s superior power efficiency mitigates the capacity difference. Both support 15W wired charging, meaning charge times will be relatively slow – expect several hours to fully charge from 0%. The Wiko Power U30’s larger battery *could* translate to longer screen-on time for very light usage, but the Moto G Power’s efficiency will likely result in comparable real-world battery life for typical users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Wiko Power U30 if your primary need is absolute maximum battery life and you primarily use your phone for very basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) if you value a more responsive user experience, occasional gaming, and a chipset known for better power efficiency, even if it means slightly less raw battery capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G35 in the Wiko Power U30 struggle with multitasking?
Yes, the Helio G35, with its older Cortex-A53 cores, is not ideal for heavy multitasking. Switching between apps will likely be slower, and running multiple demanding applications simultaneously may result in noticeable lag. The Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G Power handles multitasking significantly better.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge each phone with the 15W charger?
Expect a full charge to take approximately 3-4 hours for both the Wiko Power U30 and the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) using the included 15W charger. Neither device supports faster charging technologies.
❓ Is the Moto G Power (2021) suitable for playing games like PUBG Mobile?
The Moto G Power (2021) can run PUBG Mobile, but you'll need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a playable frame rate. The Adreno 610 GPU is capable, but it's not a gaming powerhouse. The Wiko Power U30 will struggle even at the lowest settings.
❓ Does either phone have NFC for contactless payments?
The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) does *not* include NFC. The Wiko Power U30's NFC support is region-dependent and often omitted in budget versions. Check the specific model number before purchasing if NFC is essential.