The new year has barely settled in, and if you’re shopping for a budget 5G phone, a familiar question arises: do you prioritise toughness, or a better screen and entertainment experience? That trade-off sits at the centre of the Moto G57 Power and the Redmi Note 15 5G.
Both phones are built for cost-conscious users — students, everyday commuters, and anyone who wants solid performance without overspending. But they take noticeably different paths. Motorola leans into durability and reliability with the G57 Power, while Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 15 5G focuses on a more modern design and a richer multimedia experience.
In this guide, we’ll compare both devices to see which one best suits your needs and your pocket.
David Adubiina
/1. Display
The Redmi Note 15 5G comes with a 6.77-inch high-contrast AMOLED panel. Colours pop, brightness reaches up to 3,600 nits, and everything from watching Instagram Reels to streaming on Netflix feels vibrant. Thanks to its high-frequency PWM dimming, late-night scrolling is easier on the eyes. It also features a 120Hz refresh rate, making scrolling and animations feel smooth.
The Moto G57 Power takes a different approach. It also offers a 120Hz refresh rate, but uses an IPS LCD. While it delivers better colour accuracy, colours aren’t as vibrant as on the Note 15 5G. The screen is slightly smaller at 6.72 inches, with peak brightness of around 1,050 nits, well below the Note 15 5G.
/2. Performance
The Redmi Note 15 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset. It handles everyday tasks, multitasking, and casual gaming well, but it isn’t a performance powerhouse. Running Xiaomi’s HyperOS, it offers decent storage options, though not as much flexibility as the Moto G57 Power.
The Moto G57 Power delivers solid mid-range performance and stands out for battery endurance. Powered by the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4, slightly more capable than the Note 15’s chip, it handles daily tasks smoothly and manages light to moderate gaming well, though heavier sessions can cause some warmth. It also uses RAM Boost for extra virtual memory and runs Android 16.
/3. Battery and Charging
The Redmi Note 15 5G packs a 5,520mAh battery with 45W fast charging. With light usage, it can comfortably last a full day, but heavier use may have you reaching for the charger before nightfall.
The Moto G57 Power dominates this category with a massive 7,000mAh battery. Charging is slower at 30W/33W TurboCharge, but the payoff is longevity. On moderate to light use, it can last two to three days, and even heavy users can expect a full day.
/4. Cameras
The Redmi Note 15 5G shines with a 108MP main camera featuring optical image stabilisation (OIS) and 4K video recording. It also includes an ultrawide lens for wide-angle shots and a 20MP selfie camera that delivers sharp, share-ready photos. Overall, it produces detailed images and solid videos suitable for platforms like Instagram, X, and Facebook.
While the Moto G57 Power offers good value for its price. Its 50MP main camera delivers sharp daylight shots with natural colours and decent dynamic range, supported by an 8MP ultrawide and an 8MP selfie camera. Low-light performance shows some noise, and ultrawide shots lose detail, making it a capable but less camera-focused option.
/5. Software and extra features
The Redmi Note 15 5G runs HyperOS 2 based on Android 15 and includes several AI-powered features. Xiaomi promises up to four years of OS updates and six years of security patches. AI tools include Google Gemini, Circle to Search, AI call noise reduction, and gallery features like object eraser and background blur.
The Moto G57 Power runs Android 16 with Motorola’s clean MyUX. It includes signature gestures like chop-chop flashlight and twist-to-camera, Smart Connect for PC integration, AI RAM Boost, and durability backed by MIL-STD-810H certification. Motorola typically offers one major Android update and three years of security updates.
/6. Memory & Storage
The Redmi Note 15 5G offers 6GB or 8GB of RAM, paired with 128GB or 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage, expandable via microSD. Some regions also offer higher configurations.
The Moto G57 Power comes with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, expandable up to 24GB using RAM Boost, and 128GB or 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. It also supports microSD expansion up to 1TB.
/7. Price and Availability
The Redmi Note 15 5G is available in select markets like India, with prices starting around $200.
The Moto G57 Power is also available in India, starting at around $320 for the 8GB/128GB model via Amazon and Flipkart.
Conclusion
The choice between the Redmi Note 15 5G and the Moto G57 Power depends on what you need most. The Redmi Note 15 5G is better suited for users who want a brighter display, stronger cameras, longer software support, and a lower price. It’s the better pick for media, social apps, and everyday use on a budget.
The Moto G57 Power focuses on endurance and reliability. Its massive battery, clean Android experience, and durable build make it ideal for users who value long battery life and practicality over flashy features.
Both phones play to different strengths. Pick the Redmi if you care about experience and value, or the Moto if battery life and durability matter more to you.
Ogbonda Chivumnovu
