Motorola’s G-series has been a good choice for cheap phones for a long time, but that may be about to change. In the past year, phones like the OnePlus Nord N10 5G and the TCL 10L have been tough competitors. Motorola’s 2021 Moto G Power doesn’t just fall behind the competition; it also falls behind its own predecessor by having a lower-resolution screen, a lower-quality modem, and an older version of Android.
Let’s not hide the truth. The Moto G Power (2021) is a good choice if you want a phone that stays charged for a long time. With a 5,000 mAh battery, this phone can keep its promise. The phone has enough power to keep you going for almost two days, and 15W fast charging is ready to get you going again. The Moto G Power doesn’t use up its charge as quickly as other phones because it has an HD+ screen and doesn’t have 5G.
The LCD screen on the Moto G Power is 6.6 inches and 720p. That’s not a lot of resolution for a pretty big screen, and you can see it. Images aren’t as sharp as they could be, and the screen looks a little dim and washed out overall. The phone is pretty big, but I find it easier to use with one hand than the slightly bigger 6.7-inch Motorola One 5G Ace.
Motorola also keeps delivering in other ways, like with its Android skin that is almost nonexistent. It’s not quite stock Android, but Motorola has learned to let the operating system work without adding too much extra software on top. You’ll see Facebook and TikTok right away, but you can get rid of both right away. By default, the 48MP primary lens cuts down to 12MP, but you can change it to take photos with full resolution and no portrait mode effects. You can also try out Motorola’s Cutout feature and let your mind wander. Look at the picture that was changed in front of the pyramids to see what I mean. It’s mostly just a trick, but it can make just about anyone smile.
The unlocked Moto G Power (2021) can connect to cellular networks using GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, and LTE, and it can connect to Wi-Fi using dual-band 801.11ac. It also has a USB-C port for wired connections and Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connections to nearby devices. There is no NFC support, which is a shame.