iPhone SE (2022) • Locked Verizon vs Motorola Moto G Power 5G • Unlocked

The iPhone SE (3rd generation), released in March 2022, and the Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2024), launched in March 2024, are both smartphones designed to offer essential features for daily use. While the iPhone SE provides a compact iOS experience with a powerful internal processor, the Moto G Power 5G focuses on a larger display, extensive battery life, and the Android operating system. These devices cater to different user preferences, primarily differing in their design philosophy and software ecosystems.

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is often determined by its software support and physical resilience.

• Software Longevity: The iPhone SE (3rd generation) launched with iOS 15.4 and is expected to receive major iOS updates until at least 2028, potentially extending to 2030 for security patches. This provides a long period of access to new features and security enhancements. In contrast, the Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2024) launched with Android 14 and is expected to receive one major OS update (Android 15, which rolled out in January 2025) and three years of security updates, concluding around March 2027.
• Physical Durability: The iPhone SE features glass on both the front and back, with an aluminum frame, and offers IP67 water and dust resistance, meaning it can withstand immersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. Its repairability score is rated around 5.5 out of 10, indicating that while some components like the screen and battery are replaceable, the use of adhesive can make repairs challenging. The Moto G Power 5G (2024) has a vegan leather back and a plastic frame, which offers a different tactile experience and can be resistant to fingerprints. It lacks an official IP rating but is generally considered splash-resistant.

Performance in daily use is influenced by the internal processing power, memory, and battery optimization.

• Processing Power: The iPhone SE (3rd generation) is equipped with a powerful processor, similar to those found in more advanced iPhone models from its release year, enabling smooth operation for demanding applications and multitasking. Users report that it handles everyday tasks and even intensive gaming with responsiveness. The Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2024) utilizes a current-generation processor that provides solid performance for daily tasks such as social media, web browsing, and video playback. While capable for most users, some reports indicate it may experience slight stalls when switching between many demanding applications.
• Memory and Storage: The iPhone SE comes with 4GB of RAM and offers storage options of 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB, without expandable storage. The Moto G Power 5G (2024) includes 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, with the added flexibility of expanding storage up to 1TB using a microSD card.
• Battery Performance: The iPhone SE has a battery capacity of 2018 mAh, which users often find sufficient for a full day of moderate use but may require more frequent charging for heavy usage. The Moto G Power 5G (2024) features a larger 5000 mAh battery, consistently praised for its extended battery life, often lasting two to three days with moderate use or over 12 hours of continuous video playback.

The visual experience on a smartphone is largely defined by its display technology, resolution, and responsiveness.

• Display Technology and Size: The iPhone SE (3rd generation) features a 4.7-inch IPS LCD Retina HD display, known for its color accuracy and clarity. Its design includes noticeable bezels at the top and bottom. The Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2024) offers a larger 6.7-inch IPS LCD screen with a more modern punch-hole design, providing a more expansive viewing area.
• Resolution and Refresh Rate: The iPhone SE has a resolution of 1334x750 pixels (326 ppi) and a standard 60Hz refresh rate. The Moto G Power 5G (2024) provides a higher resolution of 2400x1080 pixels (393 ppi) and an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz, contributing to smoother scrolling and a more fluid visual experience.
• Brightness and Clarity: Both devices offer adequate brightness for indoor use. The iPhone SE has a typical maximum brightness of 625 nits. The Moto G Power 5G (2024) reaches a peak brightness of 500 nits, which is generally sufficient but may be less ideal in direct sunlight compared to some other displays.

Camera capabilities are a key consideration for many users, encompassing both still photography and video recording.

• Rear Camera System: The iPhone SE (3rd generation) features a single 12MP rear camera with an f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization (OIS). It benefits from advanced computational photography features like Smart HDR 4 and Deep Fusion, which enhance image quality in good lighting. However, it notably lacks a dedicated Night Mode, which can impact low-light performance. The Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2024) includes a dual-camera setup: a 50MP main sensor with OIS (which uses pixel-binning to produce 12.5MP images) and an 8MP ultrawide lens that also functions as a macro camera. Its main camera performs well in good lighting, though some users note colors can be overly saturated.
• Video Recording: The iPhone SE is capable of recording 4K video at up to 60 frames per second (fps) with stabilization, offering strong video quality for its segment. The Moto G Power 5G (2024) records video at 1080p at 30 or 60 fps.
• Front Camera and Audio: For selfies, the iPhone SE has a 7MP front camera that records 1080p video. The Moto G Power 5G (2024) features a 16MP front camera, also capable of 1080p video recording. Both devices offer stereo speakers, with the iPhone SE providing a loud and balanced audio output. The Moto G Power 5G (2024) also includes Dolby Atmos support for an immersive audio experience.