The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Cubot X20 and Motorola Moto G8 Plus represent two distinct approaches to delivering value. The X20 relies on a slightly older, but still capable, Mediatek Helio P23, while the Moto G8 Plus opts for Qualcomm’s 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 noticeable performance and efficiency advantage over the Cubot X20’s 16nm Helio P23. While both phones offer similar battery endurance, the G8 Plus’s more refined software and potentially better camera processing give it the edge.
| 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, 3, 7, 8, 19, 20 | 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 frame, glass back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 157.1 x 74.6 x 8.1 mm (6.19 x 2.94 x 0.32 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 | 240 g (8.47 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.1% 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 MT6763 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 |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Laser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 12 MP, (wide), 1/2.9", AF
8 MP, 125˚ (ultrawide)
20 MP, (depth), 1/2.78" | 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 | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3.06" | 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 | USB Type-C, 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 | 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 | Blue, Gold, 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 X20
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable performance for basic tasks
- Decent battery endurance
- Less efficient chipset (Helio P23)
- Likely inferior camera performance
- Potentially limited software support
Motorola Moto G8 Plus
- More efficient Snapdragon 665 chipset
- Better performance for gaming and multitasking
- Likely superior camera image processing
- Faster 15W charging
- May be slightly more expensive
- Software updates may still be limited (Motorola's track record)
- Larger size compared to some competitors
Display Comparison
The Motorola Moto G8 Plus boasts a measured peak brightness of 581 nits and a 1505:1 contrast ratio, suggesting a more vibrant and visible display, especially outdoors. While the Cubot X20’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to offer lower brightness and contrast. The G8 Plus’s higher brightness is a significant advantage for users who frequently use their phones in direct sunlight. The contrast ratio, while nominally the same, suggests better black levels on the Motorola device due to potentially superior panel calibration.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having a 'Photo' camera, which is unhelpful. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, Motorola generally invests more in image processing algorithms. The Moto G8 Plus likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), which is known for its excellent noise reduction and dynamic range. The Cubot X20’s camera performance is likely to be more basic, relying heavily on software enhancements. It's reasonable to assume the G8 Plus will deliver more consistent and higher-quality photos, particularly in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto G8 Plus’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm) is architecturally superior to the Cubot X20’s Mediatek Helio P23 (16nm). The Snapdragon 665 utilizes a combination of Kryo 260 Gold and Silver cores, offering a more balanced approach to performance and power efficiency. The Helio P23’s all-Cortex-A53 core configuration, while octa-core, is less efficient. The 11nm process node of the Snapdragon 665 further enhances efficiency, leading to less heat generation and potentially less throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to a smoother experience for gaming and multitasking on the Moto G8 Plus.
Battery Life
Both the Cubot X20 and Motorola Moto G8 Plus achieve an endurance rating of 87 hours, indicating comparable battery life. However, the Snapdragon 665’s superior efficiency means the Moto G8 Plus can likely maintain that endurance with more demanding usage. The Moto G8 Plus also supports 15W wired charging, while the Cubot X20’s charging speed is unknown. Faster charging is a convenience factor, allowing users to quickly top up their battery when needed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot X20 if you prioritize absolute lowest cost and are willing to accept compromises in performance and software support. It’s a viable option for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the Motorola Moto G8 Plus if you value a smoother user experience, better performance for multitasking and gaming, and a more reliable software update path. It’s the superior choice for users who demand more from their smartphone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 665 in the Moto G8 Plus handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 665 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with a stable frame rate. While it won't deliver the highest graphical fidelity, it provides a playable and enjoyable gaming experience. The Helio P23 in the Cubot X20 will struggle with consistent performance in PUBG Mobile, likely requiring lower settings and potentially experiencing frame drops.
❓ How does Motorola’s software support compare to Cubot’s for security updates?
Motorola’s software support is generally better than Cubot’s, though still not exemplary. Motorola typically provides at least one major Android update and a few security patches. Cubot’s update schedule is less predictable, and users may receive fewer updates over the device’s lifespan. This is a crucial consideration for long-term security and functionality.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Moto G8 Plus a significant advantage?
While not the fastest charging available, 15W charging is a noticeable improvement over slower charging speeds. It allows you to replenish a significant portion of the battery in a reasonable amount of time, reducing downtime. The Cubot X20’s charging speed is unknown, but it’s likely to be slower, requiring longer to fully charge the device.
