Budget phones have always lived in this strange pocket of expectation where everyone wants everything, but nobody wants to spend beyond a certain line. And somehow, every year, one or two devices step into the spotlight and make you rethink what fifteen thousand rupees can actually buy. This time, the Moto G67 Power and the Samsung Galaxy M17 are the ones doing that.
SurveyI’ve been switching between both for a few days now, trying to get a feel of each phone. These are two devices sitting roughly at the same price. Motorola is leaning heavily into practicality: battery, software, endurance and a slightly nostalgic sense of familiarity. Samsung is doing what Samsung usually does well: polish the experience until it feels like you paid more than you did. Let’s see how tight this matchup turned out to be.
Design and in-hand feel
On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy M17 almost feels like it belongs to a different category altogether. Flatter, lighter at 192 grams, and noticeably sleeker. It looks more modern, almost minimalist, without trying too hard. The plastic back is clean but plain; no texture, no surprises. Yet the refinement comes through in places like the Gorilla Glass Victus at the front and the IP54 rating. You rarely see Victus on a phone at this price, and it silently elevates the M17’s presence.
The Moto G67 Power has that unmistakable Motorola warmth to it. Curved sides. A soft eco-leather back. Colours that feel like they were picked by someone who still enjoys picking colours. The texture gives it a subtle fabric-like feel, and it does a solid job of staying smudge-free even after long use. Yes, 210 grams is on the heavier side, but the weight is balanced. It sits in the hand with a certain confidence. Add IP64 protection and Gorilla Glass 7i, and you get the sense that Motorola didn’t cut corners in the places that actually matter.
There’s no wrong pick here. The Moto feels rugged, textured and familiar, while the Samsung feels effortless and neat.
Moto G67 Power vs Samsung Galaxy M17: Displays
On paper, the Moto’s 6.7-inch IPS LCD almost feels like it’s walking into a fight it shouldn’t win. But once you look at the numbers, it’s clear Motorola took the display seriously. A Delta E of 1.0 is genuinely impressive, with colour coverage touching 99%, peak brightness around 1030 nits and consistent white balance. It’s one of those screens that surprises you because you weren’t expecting an LCD to behave this well. It still can’t match OLED blacks, but in actual use, it feels tuned, clean, and comfortable.
The Galaxy M17 swings the conversation the moment it lights up. Samsung knows AMOLED better than almost anyone, and even a budget Samsung panel carries that signature pop. Blacks look perfect, contrast jumps immediately, and at 1450 nits peak brightness, you never struggle outdoors. Sure, the refresh rate is 90Hz instead of 120Hz, but unless you’re deliberately looking for the difference, the smoothness feels more than adequate. A Delta E of 1.3 is also solid, though Samsung leans into saturation because they know most people enjoy the extra punch.
Performance and Responsiveness
The Moto G67 Power runs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, and you can feel the extra muscle right away. The moment you start switching between apps or scrolling aggressively, the phone responds with ease. Gaming is where the difference gets louder. In BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile, the frame rates stay steadier on the Moto, and even longer sessions don’t heat it up the way many budget phones tend to. Benchmarks reflect the same story with higher numbers across CPU and GPU, but more importantly, a smoother experience when it actually matters.
Samsung’s Exynos 1330 isn’t trying to compete with that. It’s built for efficiency and predictability. Daily tasks such as social media, videos, calls, and minor multitasking, everything moves without trouble. But open a graphics-heavy game, or switch too quickly between demanding apps, and you’ll feel the slight hesitation. The phone doesn’t fail, it just doesn’t feel as assertive.
Software Experience and Support
Software makes this split even wider. Moto’s Hello UI tries to keep things clean and light, close to stock Android. That simplicity is nice, though this is the first time I’ve seen Motorola bundle this many pre-installed apps. It’s still manageable, but noticeable.
Samsung’s One UI 7 is the opposite. Rich, detailed, full of features and customisation options. It’s heavier, but it gives you more control over how you want the phone to feel day to day. And then comes Samsung’s biggest trump card in this comparison: six years of OS updates, which is unheard of at this price. Suddenly, the performance difference of today feels smaller when you think about which phone might age gracefully over the next half-decade.
Battery Life and Endurance
Motorola stuffed a 7000 mAh battery in here, and it shows. I’ve been getting close to 18 hours of screen-on time, and the G67 Power just refuses to die. It stretches into the second day, even when you’re pushing it, and that alone makes it a rare breed in this segment.
Samsung’s 5000 mAh battery is decent but predictable. You’ll get about a day, sometimes a little more if you’re careful. It’s reliable, but it’s not rewriting expectations the way Moto is. Charging speeds are similar, and both take roughly 90 minutes to fully charge, but the endurance gap is massive.
Moto G67 Power vs Samsung Galaxy M17: Cameras
The Moto G67 Power tries to stay loyal to reality. Colours are neutral. Greens lean slightly muted, and skies are sometimes softer than they should be. HDR is the weak point here; shooting against strong light often blows out highlights. Portraits are pleasing, but sometimes lack edge definition, especially in complex backgrounds.
The Samsung Galaxy M17 is a crowd-pleaser. It enhances colours, brightens skies, and adds a warm touch to skin tones. It may not always be accurate, but it looks good. HDR performance is stronger too, pulling back skies and recovering shadows with ease. Close-ups are punchier, portraits sharper, and selfies generally more flattering.
Which One Makes More Sense for You? (Verdict)
The Moto G67 Power is for people who value reliability. It focuses on consistency: great battery, strong performance, near-stock software, rugged design. It’s the kind of phone that feels dependable, steady, always ready.
The Samsung Galaxy M17 is built for users who want a bit more finesse. The AMOLED display adds delight to everyday use. The cameras feel social-ready out of the box. The design looks sleeker without trying too hard. And that long software support makes you feel like your money is being respected.
For me, the Moto wins the raw battle. It gives you more for your money if you only measure the numbers. But Samsung wins the experiential battle. It feels nicer in moments when you aren’t counting specs and when you’re watching something, shooting a quick photo, or just unlocking the phone to check a message.
Both phones win in completely different aspects, but what you value decides your champion.
Follow Us
Siddharth Chauhan
Siddharth reports on gadgets, technology and you will occasionally find him testing the latest smartphones at Digit. However, his love affair with tech and futurism extends way beyond, at the intersection of technology and culture. View Full Profile
