The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Cubot X19 and Motorola Moto G8 Plus represent two distinct approaches to delivering value. The X19 relies on a slightly older, but aggressively clocked Mediatek Helio P23, while the Moto G8 Plus opts for Qualcomm’s more efficient Snapdragon 665. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone offers the best experience for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G8 Plus is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 665 chipset, built on an 11nm process, provides a more balanced and efficient experience than the Cubot X19’s Helio P23. While the X19 attempts to compensate with higher clock speeds, the G8 Plus delivers superior sustained performance and a more refined user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 600/100 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020. Released 2020 | 2019, October 24. Released 2019, October 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 155 x 74.7 x 9.6 mm (6.10 x 2.94 x 0.38 in) | 158.4 x 75.8 x 9.1 mm (6.24 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~407 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.93 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~78.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6763T Helio P23 (16 nm) | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF
2 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash | Laser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm (ultrawide), dedicated video camera (1080p)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 25 MP, f/2.0, 0.9µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30/120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes (market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gradient, Black | Dark Blue, Dark Red |
| Models | - | XT2019, XT2019-2 |
| Price | - | About 270 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.88 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.2dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 87h |
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1505:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 79dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 80dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 168699 (v8)
GeekBench: 5641 (v4.4), 1385 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Cubot X19
- Potentially higher peak CPU performance (on paper)
- Lower price point (likely)
- May appeal to users prioritizing raw clock speed
- Less efficient chipset (16nm vs 11nm)
- Likely to experience thermal throttling
- Unknown display quality
- Limited software support
Motorola Moto G8 Plus
- More efficient Snapdragon 665 chipset
- Better sustained performance
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Qualcomm ISP for potentially better image quality
- 15W fast charging
- Slightly lower peak CPU clock speed
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The Motorola Moto G8 Plus boasts a measured peak brightness of 581 nits and a 1505:1 contrast ratio, indicating a significantly more vibrant and visible display in bright conditions compared to the Cubot X19 (no display specs provided). While the contrast ratio is nominally the same, the higher brightness of the G8 Plus translates to a better outdoor viewing experience. Without detailed specs on the X19’s panel, it’s difficult to assess color accuracy or viewing angles, but the G8 Plus’s display is a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo' cameras, which is unhelpful. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details for either device, a meaningful comparison is impossible. However, given the market positioning, it’s likely both phones feature relatively basic camera systems. We can assume the G8 Plus benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), which generally provides better image quality and faster processing than Mediatek’s equivalent. The absence of detail suggests neither phone will excel in low-light photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Cubot X19’s Mediatek MT6763T Helio P23 (2.5 GHz Cortex-A53) relies on older Cortex-A53 cores and a larger 16nm manufacturing process. The Motorola Moto G8 Plus’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) utilizes more modern Kryo cores built on an 11nm process. This translates to better power efficiency and sustained performance for the G8 Plus. While the X19’s higher clock speed *appears* advantageous, the Snapdragon 665’s architecture and process node allow it to maintain higher frame rates for longer periods, especially in demanding applications. The G8 Plus will handle multitasking and gaming more smoothly.
Battery Life
Both the Cubot X19 and Motorola Moto G8 Plus achieve an endurance rating of 87 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life. However, the Snapdragon 665’s superior efficiency in the G8 Plus means it achieves this endurance with less strain on the battery, potentially leading to longer battery longevity over time. The G8 Plus also supports 15W wired charging, while charging speed for the X19 is unknown. Faster charging is a convenience factor that favors the Motorola.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot X19 if you prioritize raw CPU clock speed and are willing to accept potential thermal throttling during extended use. It's a reasonable option for very light users who primarily need a phone for basic communication. Buy the Motorola Moto G8 Plus if you value a more efficient processor, better sustained performance, and a more polished software experience. It’s ideal for users who enjoy occasional gaming, social media, and streaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Cubot X19 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio P23 chipset, built on a 16nm process, is prone to thermal throttling under sustained load. While it may offer high initial performance, expect frame rate drops and reduced performance during prolonged gaming. The Motorola Moto G8 Plus’s Snapdragon 665 is much better equipped to handle extended gaming without significant throttling.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 665 in the Moto G8 Plus handle multitasking compared to the Helio P23?
The Snapdragon 665’s Kryo cores and more efficient architecture provide a smoother multitasking experience. It can handle more apps in the background without significant slowdowns. The Helio P23, while capable, will likely struggle with numerous open applications, leading to app reloading and lag.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Moto G8 Plus a significant advantage?
While not incredibly fast by today's standards, 15W charging is a noticeable improvement over potentially slower charging on the Cubot X19 (charging speed is unknown). It allows for a quicker top-up when you're short on time, reducing downtime and keeping you connected.
