When it comes to the Moto G7, should you go with Play or Power?

Everyone has something they're passionate about, and at Android Central, we're crazy about Android phones. We test and play with all of the latest devices out there to ensure you're spending your money on products that are a good fit for your lifestyle.

Most affordable

Moto G7 Play

$200 at Amazon

Pros

• Same processor as G7 Power
• Matte plastic finish
• Flash for selfie camera
• Cheapest of the two phones

Cons

• Less RAM
• Smaller display
• Weaker battery

The Moto G7 Play is for people that want a smartphone that can handle all of the basics without spending a heap of money. It's got competent specs, a solid display, expandable storage, a headphone jack, and a water-repellent coating. It's not the flashiest or most powerful handset out there, but for the price, it's one heck of a bargain.

Legendary battery

Moto G7 Power

$250 at Amazon

Pros

• Larger screen with smaller notch
• Slightly more RAM
• Massive 5,000 mAh battery
• Expandable storage

Cons

• Glossy plastic back
• No flash for selfie camera

As you'd expect with it being part of the same series, the Moto G7 Power is nearly identical to the Moto G7 Play — the most significant difference being that it has a genuinely massive 5,000 mAh battery that promises to deliver up to three days of use on just one charge. You also get a larger display, smaller notch, and 1GB of extra RAM. Just be prepared to spend a little more.

Both of these phones are great options for anyone on a budget, but for most folks, the Moto G7 Play is the way to go. It shares almost all of the same specs as the more expensive Moto G7 Power and even has the benefit of a sharper display and a dedicated flash for the selfie camera. However, if you have a little more cash to spend and want a battery that'll be impossible to kill, the Moto G7 Power is undoubtedly worth the $50 premium.

How much do you plan on using your phone?

Pictured: Moto G7 Play.

For all intents and purposes, the Moto G7 Play and G7 Power are essentially the same phone. They have the same display resolution, processor, storage, security features, and water resistance. At first glance, they even look nearly identical. And you know what? That's a good thing.

	Moto G7 Play	Moto G7 Power
Operating System	Android 9 Pie	Android 9 Pie
Display	5.7-inch IPS LCD 1512 x 720 19:9 aspect ratio	6.2-inch IPS LCD 1512 x 720 19.9 aspect ratio
Processor	Snapdragon 632 1.8GHz octa-core Adreno 506 GPU	Snapdragon 632 1.8GHz octa-core Adreno 506 GPU
RAM	2GB	3GB
Storage	32GB Expandable up to 1TB	32GB Expandable up to 1TB
Rear Camera	13MP f/2.0	12MP f/2.0
Video	1080p @ 30 fps	1080p @ 30 fps
Front Camera	8MP Selfie light	8MP
Connectivity	802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4Ghz + 5GHz Bluetooth 4.2	802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4Ghz + 5GHz Bluetooth 4.2
Battery	3,000 mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging	USB-C 10W TurboPower wired charging	USB-C 10W TurboPower wired charging
Water Resistance	Water-repellant nano-coating	Water-repellant nano-coating
Security	Rear fingerprint sensor Face unlock	Rear fingerprint sensor Face unlock
NFC	❌	❌
Dimensions	148.7 x 71.5 x 8.2mm	148.7 x 71.5 x 8.2mm
Weight	151g	198g

Qualcomm's Snapdragon 632 isn't the fastest chipset out there, but it's more than enough for apps like Twitter, Instagram, and surfing the web. The 32GB of base storage isn't much, but both phones allow you to expand up to a whopping 1TB with a microSD card. We also love the addition of the water-repellant coating, fingerprint sensors, and that Motorola went with USB-C instead of the aging Micro-USB standard that's usually found on phones in this price range.

If all you need is a phone that'll cost you as little as possible without compromising for something that'll break down the next day, you can buy the Moto G7 Play and rest assured you're getting your money's worth. It has everything you need in a smartphone, including a dedicated selfie flash that you won't find on the G7 Power, and you'll have some extra cash in your pocket to pick up some cases to keep it protected.

Pictured: Moto G7 Power.

If your budget allows for some more wiggle room and you tend to use your phone more than the average bear, it's probably worth spending more for the Moto G7 Power. Its biggest benefit? Battery life.

The G7 Power comes equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery, and according to Motorola, that's enough juice to get you up to three days of use on just one charge. Your mileage will undoubtedly vary, but if you need a phone that can keep up with your intensive usage, you'll appreciate the extra capacity.

Similarly, the G7 Power is better for power-users thanks to its 3GB of RAM over the G7 Play's 2GB. Neither of these phones are multitasking beasts, but having that extra 1GB will allow more apps to stay open in the background at once.

Most affordable

Moto G7 Play

One of the best budget phones you can buy

$200 at Amazon

If you need a quality Android phone at a budget, you'll be hard-pressed to do better than the Moto G7 Play. This has everything you need in a smartphone, including a capable processor, expandable storage, clean software, a fingerprint sensor, and water resistance. It's not the flashiest gadget out there, but it'll get you where you want to go.

Legendary battery

Moto G7 Power

For power-users that still need to stick to a budget

$250 at Amazon

The Moto G7 Power is the same as the Moto G7 Play, but for a little extra, you get a downright gigantic battery and additional RAM to improve your multitasking experience. Most people can probably stick with the Play and be happy, but if you're a power-user, the Power will suit you a bit better.