The HTC Desire 20+ and Motorola Moto G9 Plus represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. While both devices aim for affordability, they take slightly different approaches. The Desire 20+ features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 720G, while the Moto G9 Plus opts for the Snapdragon 730G. This comparison dives deep into the nuances of each device to determine which offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus emerges as the better choice. Its 30W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the Snapdragon 730G, while not a massive leap, offers a slight performance edge. The identical endurance ratings mean battery life is comparable, making the faster charging a key differentiator.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 Brazil |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A, Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 19 | 2020, September 07. Released 2020, September 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, October 22 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 75.7 x 9 mm (6.49 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 170 x 78.1 x 9.7 mm (6.69 x 3.07 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 203 g (7.16 oz) | 223 g (7.87 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
5 MP, f/2.4, (depth) | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (standard) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | - | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired, QC4 | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dawn Orange, Twilight Black, Blue | Rose Gold, Indigo Blue |
| Models | - | XT2087-1 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 136h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1356:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.0 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 253105 (v8)
GeekBench: 1695 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
HTC Desire 20+
- Potentially cleaner software experience (regional dependent)
- Slightly higher CPU clock speeds in prime cores
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G chipset
- Slower 15W charging
- Less powerful chipset compared to the Moto G9 Plus
Motorola Moto G9 Plus
- Faster 30W wired charging
- Snapdragon 730G offers a slight performance boost
- Brighter display (522 nits)
- Software experience can be cluttered with bloatware
- Identical battery endurance to the Desire 20+
Display Comparison
Both the HTC Desire 20+ and Motorola Moto G9 Plus share a contrast ratio of 1356:1, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Moto G9 Plus boasts a measured peak brightness of 522 nits, providing a noticeably brighter viewing experience, especially outdoors. While neither device specifies panel technology (LCD is assumed), the higher brightness of the Moto G9 Plus makes it more usable in direct sunlight. The lack of high refresh rate panels on either device is typical for this price point, but impacts smoothness during scrolling.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size or megapixel count. Given the market positioning, it’s likely both employ similar sensor configurations. Without further data, it’s difficult to definitively assess camera quality. However, the Snapdragon 730G in the Moto G9 Plus offers a more advanced Image Signal Processor (ISP), potentially leading to better image processing, especially in low-light conditions. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization.
Performance
The Motorola Moto G9 Plus’s Snapdragon 730G (8nm) offers a marginal performance advantage over the HTC Desire 20+’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm). The 730G features slightly higher clock speeds in its Kryo 470 Gold cores (2.2 GHz vs 2.3 GHz), but the core architecture is similar. This translates to a small boost in CPU-intensive tasks and potentially better sustained performance due to the 730G’s slightly improved thermal characteristics. Both devices utilize an 8nm process, meaning power efficiency is comparable, but the 730G’s architecture is a generation newer.
Battery Life
Both the HTC Desire 20+ and Motorola Moto G9 Plus achieve an endurance rating of 136 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Moto G9 Plus’s 30W wired charging capability is a significant advantage over the Desire 20+’s 15W charging. This means the G9 Plus can replenish its battery much faster, reducing downtime. While both offer similar longevity, the G9 Plus’s charging speed provides a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Desire 20+ if you prioritize a potentially cleaner software experience (depending on regional variations) and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Plus if you value faster charging, a slightly more powerful chipset for demanding tasks, and a proven track record of battery endurance. The G9 Plus is ideal for users who frequently find themselves needing to top up their phone throughout the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 730G in the Moto G9 Plus handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 730G is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty, but you'll likely need to lower graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. The chipset isn't a flagship performer, so expect some frame drops during intense action. The Desire 20+'s 720G will perform similarly, but potentially with slightly lower sustained frame rates due to thermal limitations.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to fully charge the Motorola Moto G9 Plus with the 30W charger?
While Motorola claims fast charging, real-world 0-100% charge times for the Moto G9 Plus with the included 30W charger typically range from 65-75 minutes. This is a substantial improvement over the Desire 20+'s 15W charging, which can take over two hours to fully replenish the battery.
❓ Is the software on the Motorola Moto G9 Plus heavily customized with bloatware?
Motorola's software is relatively close to stock Android, but it does include some pre-installed apps (bloatware). However, many of these can be uninstalled, and the overall software experience is generally considered cleaner than some other Android skins. HTC's software experience varies significantly by region.
