All the right notes
Moto G Power
$230 at Amazon
Pros
- Good performance
- Fun camera system
- Three-day battery life
- Clean, powerful software
- Works with all carriers
Cons
- Slow charge speeds
- Only promised one software update
When we think of a top-notch budget phone, the Moto G Power is what comes to mind. Whether we’re talking hardware or software, the phone delivers on all fronts with excellent results. It has a very good Full HD+ display, performance is plenty fast, the battery lasts forever, and Motorola’s custom Android interface is among the best on the market.
Best for less
Samsung Galaxy A20s
From $159 at Amazon
Pros
- Available in multiple colors
- Large battery
- Faster charging
- One UI is filled with features
- Wonderfully low price
Cons
- Slower processor
- Display is only HD+
Shot-for-shot, the Galaxy A20s is a lot less impressive than the Moto G Power. Just about all of its specs are lesser to some degree, but in turn, it comes with a price tag that’s even more affordable. This makes the Galaxy A20s a worthy contender if money is tight. If all you need is a basic smartphone that can perform your daily tasks, it’ll get the job done.
Overall, we have to give this comparison win to the Moto G Power. The phone has better specs in virtually every category, all while retaining an accessible price and supporting all U.S. carriers. Although the Samsung Galaxy A20s isn’t as impressive, it does deliver a decent Android experience if you just want something to do the basics while spending as little as possible.
The Moto G Power wins this comparison
We already mentioned above that the Moto G Power is the winner of this comparison, and have noted that it’s one of the best budget Android phones and best overall Android phones on the market right now, but why exactly is that? There are a lot of reasons that flesh out that conclusion, and it all starts with the Moto G Power’s hallmark feature — battery life.
The Moto G Power is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery, and when paired with its power-efficient processor, results in some of the best battery life you can get on a phone right now. You can expect at least two days of use per charge, and if you aren’t constantly on your phone, it’s very possible to get three days. In a world where some much more expensive flagships can barely make it through a single day, that’s awfully impressive.
Looking at the rest of the Moto G Power’s hardware, it’s just as good. The Full HD+ display looks excellent given just how cheap the G Power is, and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor paired with 4GB of RAM delivers reliable performance for just about every task. There are some slight stutters here and there, but it’s nothing game-breaking.
When it comes to the cameras, the Moto G Power delivers a solid experience for the price. The 16MP primary camera takes reliable shots most of the time, though low-light settings do make it struggle. The ultra-wide and macro cameras take a dip in overall quality, but they’re undeniably fun to mess around with.
Then there’s the Moto G Power’s software, which is currently running Android 10 and is promised to get Android 11 at some point down the road. Motorola’s take on Android is one of the best out there, offering a super clean user interface and genuinely helpful features that don’t bog down the rest of the phone. Throw in the fact that the G Power also works with every carrier in the U.S. (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon), and you end up with one heck of a phone.
| Operating System | Android 10 | Android 10 with One UI |
| Display | 6.4-inch LCD 2300 x 1080 | 6.5-inch LCD 1560 x 720 |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 |
| Memory | 4GB RAM | 3 or 4GB RAM |
| Storage | 64GB | 32 or 64GB |
| Rear Camera 1 | 16MP primary f/1.7 | 13MP primary f/1.8 |
| Rear Camera 2 | 8MP ultra-wide f/2.2 | 8MP ultra-wide f/2.2 |
| Rear Camera 3 | 2MP macro f/2.2 | 5MP depth f/2.2 |
| Video Recording | 4K @ 30fps 1080p @ 30 and 60fps | 1080p @ 30fps |
| Front Camera | 16MP f/2.0 | 8MP f/2.0 |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh | 4,000 mAh |
| Charging | 10W wired USB-C | 15W wired USB-C |
| Audio | Stereo speakers 3.5mm headphone jack | Mono speaker 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor |
| Dimensions | 159.85 x 75.84 x 9.63mm | 163.3 x 77.5 x 8mm |
| Weight | 199g | 183g |
| Carrier Compatibility | AT&T Sprint T-Mobile Verizon | AT&T T-Mobile |
But the Galaxy A20s may be better for some shoppers
If the Moto G Power is so great, why should anyone still consider the Galaxy A20s? Simple — price. The Moto G Power is not an expensive phone by any means, but the fact of the matter is that the A20s is cheaper. If you’re shopping with an especially tight budget, it’ll be the more appealing option.
You get lower specs across the board with the A20S, but if you’re just using it to make calls, send texts, and run a few apps like Twitter and Gmail, it’s more than capable of handling all that. The display isn’t as crisp and performance is a bit slower, but at the end of the day, it stands out as a working Android phone that comes in at a stellar price.
The Moto G Power may not be an expensive phone to you, but to someone else, it could be out of their spending range. Everyone’s wants and needs are different, and if your main goal is to get a smartphone that’ll keep you connected while keeping costs to a bare minimum, the Galaxy A20S fits the bill just fine.
All the right notes
Moto G Power
The budget phone that refuses to die
$230 at Amazon
$230 at Best Buy
$230 at B&H
As its name suggests, the Moto G Power has outstanding battery life. Thanks to a 5,000 mAh battery and efficient processor, it’s possible to get three days of use on a single charge. Outside of the legendary endurance, the Moto G Power also delivers a quality display, fun cameras, excellent software, and support for all U.S. carriers.
Best for less
Samsung Galaxy A20s
Do the basics without going broke
From $159 at Amazon
$180 at Walmart
$165 at B&H
Samsung’s Galaxy A20s may not be the most impressive phone we’ve ever seen, but if all you need to do is run a few apps and maybe play some light games, it’ll serve you just fine. It has a clean and modern design, three rear cameras, and very good battery life. So long as you use AT&T or T-Mobile for your service, it’s a solid choice.
