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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a more affordable option, the Motorola Moto G (2023) is the way to go, but it offers a lower camera quality and a plastic back instead of glass. It does have a notably longer battery life and equally large storage capacity as the Samsung Galaxy S21+. However, the Galaxy S21+ boasts a superior camera system, including a higher quality for both still photos and videos. You'll also get a better screen experience with higher resolution and OLED technology. Both phones have the same operating system and no headphone jack, but the Galaxy S21+ supports wireless charging and has a more powerful processor. 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)
- The Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S21+.
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 Motorola Moto G (2023) has poor camera performance across most aspects including selfie quality, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S21+ offers significantly better photo and video quality, camera versatility, and selfie performance. The Galaxy S21+'s advantages are seen in its superior photo software, dynamic range, low light capabilities, and selfie scores compared to the Moto G.
Photo Quality
4.5
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes good photos, while the Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) takes poor photos.
The Motorola Moto G (2023) produces selfies that are rated as poor, reflecting deficiencies in capturing quality self-portraits, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is noted for good selfie performance, indicating a superior capability in rendering self-images with better detail and quality. Additionally, the Motorola device struggles with features that boost photo quality such as resolution, dynamic range, and low light performance, while the Samsung model outperforms in these aspects, delivering a more versatile and satisfying photographic experience.
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 Samsung Galaxy S21+ delivers superior video quality over the Motorola Moto G (2023) due to its higher resolution/framerate capabilities, better video software experience, and artifact-free video stabilization, in addition to better video dynamic range and low light performance. Moreover, the mic quality of the Galaxy S21+ is higher, contributing to the overall good video recording compared to the poor video performance of the Motorola Moto G (2023).
Battery
8.9 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) has 8.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has 8 hours of battery life.
Cost
$200
$340
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
The Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) has a price of $200 and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ costs $340.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023) has a screen size of 6.5 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is 6.7 inches.
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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 | $340 | ||
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" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1600 x 720 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 270 | 394 | |
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 | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4800 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" | 6.36" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.67 oz | 7.05 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
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 Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink, Phantom Gold, Phantom Red | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | No | |
Shopping
Motorola Motorola Moto G (2023)
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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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Tom's Guide
Jordan Palmer | May 2022
"All told, Samsung nailed it with the Galaxy S21 Plus. It has most of the strengths of the smaller S21 in a bigger package. It’s got a lot going for it. If you’re coming from an older device, like the Galaxy S10 series, this is a solid upgrade."
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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