The Motorola Moto G Fast and Moto G Power are two smartphones with some similar features but enough notable differences to set them apart. Based on your particular use case and what you‘re looking for in a phone, whether the Moto G Fast or Moto G Power is better for you will come down to your needs and preferences.
Let‘s break down these two Motorola smartphones to give you the full picture.
Motorola Moto G Fast vs. Moto G Power: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Model | Moto G Fast | Moto G Power |
| Size | 6.4 inches | 6.5 inches |
| Resolution | 1560 x 720 pixels | 1600 x 720 pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz |
| Screen-to-Body Ratio | 82.10% | 79.83% |
| System Chip | Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 SM6125 (11 nm) | MediaTek Helio G37 |
| RAM | 3GB | 4GB |
| Internal Storage | 32GB (eMMC 5.1) | 128GB |
| Battery Capacity | 4,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
As we can see from the comparison table, while the Moto G Fast and Moto G Power share some commonalities, they each have unique strengths that set them apart. Now let‘s dive deeper into the specifics.
Displays
Both the Moto G Fast and Moto G Power utilize IPS LCD display technology with support for up to 16 million colors. The Moto G Power features a slightly larger 6.5-inch display compared to the 6.4-inch screen on the Moto G Fast.
In terms of resolution, the Moto G Power offers a small boost at 1600 x 720 pixels, 20:9 aspect ratio, and 270 PPI density versus 1560 x 720 pixels, 19:9 aspect ratio, and 268 PPI for the Moto G Fast. While likely indistinguishable to the naked eye, the Moto G Power technically provides more pixels per inch for enhanced sharpness and image quality.
When it comes to refresh rates though, the Moto G Power clearly separates itself with its 90Hz display—a 50% upgrade from the 60Hz offered on the Moto G Fast. This translates into much smoother scrolling and transitions for an improved user experience, especially in gaming or video playback.
The Moto G Fast does claw back some appeal through its 82.10% screen-to-body ratio, 3.27 percentage points higher than the Moto G Power‘s 79.83% ratio. So while you get slightly more viewable screen real estate on the Moto G Fast, the tradeoff comes in lower resolution and refresh rate performance.
Both phones incorporate ambient light and proximity sensors to auto adjust screen brightness as needed. But if display quality is a priority, the Moto G Power likely gets the nod through its combination of size, resolution, and smoother refresh rates.
Hardware
Under the hood, the Moto G Fast and Moto G Power rely on different system chips and processors to power their performance. The Moto G Fast utilizes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 SM6125 chip based on 11nm architecture with an integrated Adreno 610 GPU for graphics.
In comparison, the Moto G Power features a MediaTek Helio G37 chip, also with 11nm architecture but lacking details on the GPU used. Both chipsets incorporate octa-core processors capable of handling reasonably demanding applications. However, Qualcomm‘s chips generally benchmark faster, so we can reasonably expect a slight performance advantage to the Moto G Fast.
On the memory front, it‘s advantage Moto G Power once again though. You get 4GB of RAM on the Moto G Power versus just 3GB on the Moto G Fast—33% more for improved multitasking capabilities. Likewise, internal storage sees a boost to 128GB on the Moto G Power over 32GB on the Moto G Fast. With 4x more built-in storage, you‘ll have substantially more room for apps, photos, videos, and files before needing to rely on external microSD card expansion.
So when it comes to pure performance and speed, the Moto G Fast likely holds an edge. But for memory capacity and storage space, it‘s the Moto G Power that wins out. Both still allow microSD cards up to 512GB if you need further flexibility.
Battery Life
With modern phone use, battery life remains a priority for consumers, and once again there‘s a notable difference between the Moto G Fast and Moto G Power.
The Moto G Power packs in an impressive 5,000 mAh battery—25% larger than the 4,000 mAh unit found in the Moto G Fast. In real world usage, this should translate to substantially longer run times between charging with the Moto G Power.
Both phones support fast charging at different wattages, with the Moto G Fast reaching a full charge in around 2 hours and 15 minutes on its 10W charger. Meanwhile, the Moto G Power only takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes on its included 18W fast charger—over 25% faster.
For those concerned about battery resilience, the Moto G Power also carries an IP52 rating denoting limited protection against dust ingress and water splashes. So it should better withstand the occasional drop into a puddle or dirty surroundings.
Taking the battery life category as a whole, from capacity to charging to durability, the Moto G Power is the superior option, providing longer run times and better peace of mind.
Camera Quality
On paper, camera hardware is nearly identical across both phones featuring triple camera arrays. But dig deeper into the specs, and a divide emerges favoring the Moto G Power.
Let‘s start with the primary shooters. The Moto G Power sports a 50MP f/1.8 main camera with 1.3μm pixel size—considerably larger than the 16MP f/1.7 camera and 1.12μm pixels on the Moto G Fast. More megapixels give you more detail, while larger pixels and wider apertures perform better in low light. So advantage to the Moto G Power once again for photography.
The supporting cameras see 2MP macro lenses across both phones, though the Moto G Power swaps in a 2MP depth sensor over an additional 2MP macro shooter. While macro shots excel close up, the depth sensor should deliver more accurate bokeh portrait effects.
On the video front, both phones can capture up to 1080p footage at 30 frames per second (FPS). But when all is considered from megapixels to aperture size to low light sensitivity, the Moto G Power looks to be the superior point and shoot between the two.
Refresh Rate
Scrolling, swiping, and motion performance also benefit on the Moto G Power through its 90Hz display refresh rate—a 50% boost from the 60Hz rate offered on the Moto G Fast.
Higher refresh rates translate into smoother apparent motion and response times across the user interface. Whether browsing social media feeds or battling in mobile games, the difference should lead to reduced lag and choppiness compared to standard 60Hz displays.
For those desiring maximum fluidity during screen interactions, they’ll appreciate the high refresh capabilities featured on the Moto G Power. It keeps content and transitions looking silky smooth as you swiftly scroll about.
Internal Storage
With on-device storage space at a premium these days, there’s a grand canyon sized gap between what the Moto G Fast and Moto G Power offer fresh from the box.
The Moto G Power ships with a whopping 128GB of internal storage space using the UFS 2.2 standard—4x more than the 32GB featured on the Moto G Fast. This means you can store far more apps, 4K video, lossless music, and high resolution photos before needing to offload onto SD cards or cloud storage platforms.
Both devices allow microSD expansion up to 512GB for additional flexibility. But power users will vastly prefer starting out with the Moto G Power‘s more copious base storage, keeping the need for add-on memory cards or subscriptions to a minimum.
Unique Features
Beyond core performance metrics, a few other attributes help distinguish these Motorola phones:
Water Resistance – As mentioned earlier, the Moto G Power carries an IP52 rating giving it limited defense against dust and water. While not enough for underwater activities, it should withstand the occasional splash.
FM Radio – The Moto G Power uniquely touts an integrated FM radio tuner complete with RDS support. This allows listening to local stations on the go without streaming or cellular data.
Those perks combined with its faster refresh rate display give the Moto G Power a bit more versatility depending on your needs. But both still cover the basics like Wi-Fi 5 (ac), Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, USB-C charging, and rear fingerprint unlocking.
Motorola Moto G Fast vs. Moto G Power: Which Should You Buy?
When all factors around display, performance, battery, cameras, and storage are weighed up, a clear winner emerges in the Moto G Power over the Moto G Fast.
The Moto G Power outmuscles its sibling across several key areas:
- Larger, sharper 6.5” display with faster 90Hz refresh rates
- 33% more RAM (4GB) for improved multitasking
- 4x larger 128GB base storage capacity
- 25% bigger battery (5,000 mAh) for superior runtimes
- Higher resolution 50MP primary camera with better low light shots
- Dust and water resistance per IP52 rating
- Integrated FM radio listener
The only advantages held by the Moto G Fast come down to its slightly better 82% screen-to-body ratio and predicted edge in processing speeds from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chips. But the compromises made in display, memory, storage, battery life, and cameras likely outweigh those gains for most.
Ultimately for shoppers seeking a well-balanced phone delivering quality, value, and reliable performance across core usage metrics, the Moto G Power shines through as the winner in this head-to-head comparison. While the Moto G Fast deserves merit as a budget smartphone, the extra dollars to step up to the Moto G Power pay dividends through upgraded components and user experiences that should satisfy even demanding power users.
Motorola Moto G Fast vs. Moto G Power: 10 Key Takeaways
To recap the biggest differences between the Motorola Moto G Fast and Moto G Power:
- The Moto G Power has a slightly larger 6.5” display over the Moto G Fast’s 6.4” screen real estate
- It also delivers higher 1600 x 720 resolution, faster 90Hz refresh rates, but lower 82% screen-to-body ratio
- Processing power sees a contrast with the Moto G Fast likely faster from its Snapdragon 665 chip but the Moto G Power countering with more RAM and storage
- The Moto G Power provides 4x higher base storage at 128GB over 32GB on the Moto G Fast
- It also packs excellent battery life with a dense 5,000 mAh capacity beating the 4,000 mAh battery inside the Moto G Fast
- Cameras see big 50MP lenses on the Moto G Power versus more standard 16MP shooters on the Moto G Fast
- The Moto G Power adds water resistance and FM radio reception lacking on the Moto G Fast
- Pricing sees both phones under $250, but better value emerges from the Moto G Power’s enhanced capabilities
- Performance seeks a balance, but advantages in display, battery, cameras, and storage position the Moto G Power as the superior overall device
- Shoppers wanting reliable quality at economical pricing should choose the Moto G Power over its close competitor
When lined up this way, the Motorola Moto G Power clearly delivers greater attributes, versatility, and value for just moderately higher investment over the entry-level Moto G Fast. Prioritizing the features most impactful to your needs showcases why the Moto G Power aces its sibling to emerge as the victor in this comparison battle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still deciding between the Motorola Moto G Fast and Moto G Power? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
Which phone has the better display?
The Moto G Power offers a slightly larger 6.5” screen with faster 90Hz refresh rates and sharper resolution. This gives it an edge in display quality.
Which phone has longer battery life?
The Moto G Power packs a 25% larger 5,000 mAh battery delivering superior runtimes over the Moto G Fast. It’s the clear winner on battery performance.
Which device takes better photos?
The 50MP main camera, along with advanced shooting modes gives photography enthusiasts better results from the Moto G Power.
Which phone has more storage out of the box?
With a huge 128GB of built-in storage, the Moto G Power provides substantially more capacity fresh from purchase before adding SD cards.
Which device would better handle mobile gaming?
The Moto G Power looks better positioned for gaming thanks to its smoother display and more RAM to power graphics.
Which offers faster overall performance?
Processing speeds likely fall in favor of the Moto G Fast thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC. But superior memory and storage help offset this during heavy usage.
Which phone costs more?
MSRP barely differs at just $20 more for the Moto G Power. Considering its upgraded features, it delivers better value at cost.
In closing, while both Motorola phones have admirable qualities, the more powerful Moto G Power cements itself as the superior overall device through enhancements made to display, battery, cameras, storage, and durability. If seeking a reliable phone without breaking the bank, the few extra dollars to step up to the Moto G Power pay back through better real world experiences.
