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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a more affordable option, the Motorola Moto G (2023) is a solid choice with decent battery life and a large 6.5-inch screen, but it has a plastic body, lower display resolution, and a less powerful processor compared to the Galaxy S21. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21 offers a higher quality OLED display with better brightness, a more robust set of camera features with higher still photo and video quality, and a more potent processor, though with a slightly smaller 6.2-inch screen and less battery life. Both run on Android, have 128GB storage, and offer 5G connectivity, but the Galaxy S21 also supports wireless charging and has a more premium build despite being two years older. Consider the Moto G if cost and battery life are your top concerns, and the Galaxy S21 if you want a better display and camera experience. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023)
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21
- Good for taking photos
- Fair for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
4.5
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has good overall camera quality, while the Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 boasts a range of superior camera capabilities, including excellent photo software, good dynamic range, and good low light performance, which collectively contribute to vibrant and clear images in various lighting conditions, along with a highly praised selfie camera performance.
Photo Quality
4.5
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good photos, while the Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good photos due to its very good software experience, fair dynamic range, and good low-light performance; it also features a more versatile camera system and good selfie quality. On the other hand, the Motorola Moto G (2023) takes poor photos because it is hindered by poor scores in all these areas, significantly impacting its overall photo-taking abilities.
Video Quality
4.3
6.6
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos, while the Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) takes poor videos.
The Motorola Moto G (2023) may not provide the same video quality as the Samsung Galaxy S21, partly because it has a lower video resolution and poor video stabilization, resulting in shaky footage. Moreover, the Moto G struggles with capturing video in low light and offers a mediocre microphone, whereas the Galaxy S21 provides a better overall video experience with higher resolution, effective stabilization, superior dynamic range, and improved low-light performance along with good microphone quality.
Battery
8.9 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) has 8.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) has a screen size of 6.5 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 is 6.2 inches.
Cost
$200
$145
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) has a price of $200 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs $145.
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How the Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) and the Samsung Galaxy S21 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$200 | $145 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Motorola | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 25, 2023 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.5" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1600 x 720 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 270 | 421 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD480+ | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 4.5/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 4.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 4.3/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Macro | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8.9 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.46" x 2.95" | 5.97" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.67 oz | 5.96 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 5 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | No | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6)2, 5, 7, 12, 14, 25, 26, 29, 30, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Ink Blue | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | No | |
Shopping
Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Ryan Haines | September 2023
"If you're after Motorola's simplest, most affordable 5G experience, you'll find it in the Moto G 5G (2023). It covers the basics nicely and holds onto creature comforts like a headphone jack and expandable storage, though Motorola's update promise is still lacking and there's still no NFC for contactless payments. An upgraded 120Hz refresh rate, decent primary camera, and battery-sipping processor help to make the Moto G 5G (2023)'s price cut even more valuable."
Samsung Galaxy S21
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Central
Huseman Joe | February 2022
"The Galaxy S21 delivers the flagship Samsung experience in a phone that's much more pocketable (and affordable) than the top-end S21 Ultra.The triple-camera system is incredibly capable, Samsung's One UI 3.1 software is chock-full of features and settings to mess with, and I've not once missed having expandable storage."
Get a great deal on the Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) or the Samsung Galaxy S21
About Motorola
Motorola, a well-known name in the smartphone world, has a long-standing legacy in the industry, with a history dating back to the early days of mobile phones. The brand is mostly known for striking a balance between affordability and functionality, as well as providing a clean and straightforward interface with their software skin on top of Android. While they have traditionally been prominent in the budget and midrange categories, Motorola has also occasionally ventured into the high-end category for smartphones.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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