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Motorola Moto G Power vs Moto G Pure

Two of Motorola's entry-level phones go head-to-head.
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Published onMarch 23, 2023

Motorola Moto G Power (2022)
MSRP: $229.99
Check price
Positives
Official IP52 rating
Solid 50MP main camera
Improved base RAM and storage
Negatives
Very slow charging
Large bezels and dim display
Downgraded processor
The Bottom Line.
The Motorola Moto G Power (2022) comes up disappointingly short in its tenth generation. For all the good of the improved RAM and storage, and added IP rating, Motorola took large steps back in wired charging, the overall display, and processing power.Read full review...
Motorola Moto G Pure (2021)
MSRP: $139.00
Check price
Positives
Near-stock Android software
Attractive design
Solid battery life
Super affordable
Negatives
Limited cameras
Slow charging speeds
Limited long-term support
No NFC
The Bottom Line.
The Moto G Pure is another solid budget phone from the minds at Motorola. It's eye-catching and performs well enough for the price, but for overall value it sits too close to the ever-reliable Moto G Play for its own good. Still, it's tough to top a price of just $159.Read full review...

Motorola has been a trusted brand in the smartphone industry for many years, and its Moto G series has been a popular choice for budget-conscious consumers. In this comparison article, we will look at two entry-level devices from this series – the Moto G Power and the Moto G Pure. Both devices share many similarities in design and build quality, but some key differences set them apart. So, let’s dive into this Moto G Power vs Moto G Pure comparison and see how these devices stack up against each other.

Motorola Moto G Power vs Moto G Pure: At a glance

Here are the highlights of how the Motorola Moto G Power vs Moto G Pure shapeup:

  • The Moto G Pure is cheaper than the Moto G Power.
  • The Moto G power has two times the storage as the Moto G Pure.
  • The Moto G Power has a more versatile camera system.
  • The Moto G Power has a slightly better processor.

Motorola Moto G Power vs Moto G Pure: Specs

Moto G PowerMoto G Pure
Display
Moto G Power
6.5-inch IPS LCD
HD+ (1,600 x 720)
90Hz refresh rate
20:9 aspect ratio
Moto G Pure
6.5 inches IPS LCD
HD+ (1,600 x 720)
60Hz refresh rate
20:9 aspect ratio
Processor
Moto G Power
MediaTek Helio G37
Moto G Pure
MediaTek Helio G25
Memory / Storage
Moto G Power
4GB with 64GB or 128GB
Moto G Pure
3GB / 32GB
Power
Moto G Power
5,000mAh
10W wired charging
Moto G Pure
4,000mAh
10W wired charging
Cameras
Moto G Power
Rear:
- 50MP wide, 1.3μm (Quad Pixel), ƒ/1.8
- 2MP macro, 1.75μm, ƒ/2.4
- 2MP depth, 1.75μm, ƒ/2.4

Front:
- 8MP wide, 1.12μm, ƒ/2.0
Moto G Pure
Rear:
- 13MP wide (f/2.2)
- 2MP depth (f/2.4)

Front:
- 5MP (f/2.4)
Connectivity
Moto G Power
Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth 5.0

USB-C 2.0
3.5mm jack
Moto G Pure
Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth 5.0

USB-C 2.0
3.5mm jack
Dimensions and weight
Moto G Power
167.24 x 76.54 x 9.36mm
203g
Moto G Pure
167.4 x 75.6 x 8.8mm
188g
Colors
Moto G Power
Dark Grove
Moto G Pure
Deep Indigo

Motorola Moto G Power vs Moto G Pure: Size comparison

Both of these phones have nearly identical builds. Each has a 6.5-inch display, glass fronts, plastic backs, and plastic frames. They are also relatively the same size and weight. Both have beefy bezels along the top and bottom with a ~80.6% screen-to-body ratio, but that’s just an aspect of budget phones.

The backside of the Moto G Power does feature a wavy line pattern, while the Moto G Pure is a solid color, but both phones are glossy and smooth to the touch.

Motorola Moto G Power vs Moto G Pure: Cameras

The cameras are where these phones start to differ. The Moto G Power features a trio of cameras on the backside, including a 50MP primary shooter and a 2MP macro and 2MP depth sensor. The primary camera delivers solid results in most situations, especially with good lighting.

On the other hand, the Moto G Pure only has two cameras on its backside, with a lesser 13MP primary shooter that suffers more in low-light conditions and the same 2MP depth sensor to help blur backgrounds. Both phones include some fun features like the Color Picker and Cutout mode.

On the front, the Moto G Power has an 8Mp selfie shooter, and the Moto G Pure has a 5MP front-facing camera. Both will take passable selfies for social media, with or without portrait mode, but are nothing to write home about. As for video recording, both phones are limited to shooting in 1080p at 30 fps on both the front and rear cameras.

Motorola Moto G Power vs Moto G Pure: Battery and charging

The Moto G Power has a bigger battery than the Moto G Pure, coming in at 5,000mAh battery compared to 4,000mAh. Both phones will last you through two full days of use, but you will get a bit extra battery life from the former. However, both phones are delimited to 10W wired charging, which means it will take around two hours to recharge a depleted battery fully. Neither phone supports wireless charging, which we wouldn’t expect to see at this price point.

Motorola Moto G Power vs Moto G Pure: Price

  • Motorola Moto G Power (4GB / 64GB): $199.99
  • Motorola Moto G Power (4GB / 128GB): $249.99
  • Motorola Moto G Pure (3GB / 32GB): $159.99

Both phones were released in the fall of 2021, targeting a similar price category. The Moto G Power saw two versions in the US, with either 64GB or 128GB of storage, while the Moto G Pure had a meager 32GB of storage for those who don’t store many files or download many apps on their device.

Today, Motorola sells the 64GB version of the Moto G power for $129.99 (35% off) and the 128Gb version for $149.99 (40% off). The Moto G Pure has also seen a price drop to $109.99 (37% off), making them more affordable than ever. For less than $150 across the board, any option is ideal for bargain hunters.

Motorola Moto G Power vs Moto G Pure: Which should you buy?

If you’re on the hunt for a reliable phone for under 150 dollars, both phones cover the basics. Still, we recommend getting the Moto G power over the Moto G Pure. If you go with the 128GB model, the additional storage is practical, plus you get a more speedy refresh rate and a bigger battery. The extra RAM and MediaTek Helio G37 processor also make it more efficient.

For $100 less than when it launched, the Moto G Power is the better deal.

However, the Moto G Pure will go easier on your wallet and has a higher IP rating of IP53 than the Moto G Power’s IP52 rating, making it a little more water resistant. Either way, they come with Android 11 out of the box and are upgradable to Android 12, and Motorola’s My UX is as light and smooth as they come. If you want something more future-proof outside of Motorola, consider the Samsung Galaxy A13, which has 5G connectivity, faster charging, and much longer software support.

Which Motorola phone would you rather buy?

13 votes
See price at Amazon
Motorola Moto G Power (2022)
Motorola Moto G Power (2022)
Great battery life
Solid 50MP main camera
IP52 rating
See price at Amazon
Motorola Moto G Pure (2021)
12%off
Motorola Moto G Pure (2021)
Near-stock Android software
Attractive design
Solid battery life

FAQs

No, neither the Moto G Power nor the Moto G Pure support wireless charging.

No, neither the Moto G Power nor the Moto G Pure has NFC connectivity.

The Moto G Power has an IP52 rating, while the Moto G Pure has an IP53 rating, making them both water resistant from drops and dust. They don’t offer protection against immersion in water.