The Infinix Zero 8i and Motorola Moto G9 Plus represent compelling options in the competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take distinctly different approaches. The Zero 8i prioritizes raw processing power with its MediaTek Helio G90T, while the Moto G9 Plus focuses on a balanced package with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G and a focus on endurance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing gaming and demanding tasks, the Infinix Zero 8i offers a noticeable performance edge thanks to its Helio G90T chipset. However, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus provides a more refined, all-around experience with its efficient Snapdragon 730G and comparable battery life, making it the better choice for everyday users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 Brazil |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | India | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, December 03. Released 2020, December 09 | 2020, September 07. Released 2020, September 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 168.7 x 76.1 x 9.1 mm (6.64 x 3.00 x 0.36 in) | 170 x 78.1 x 9.7 mm (6.69 x 3.07 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 210.5 g (7.44 oz) | 223 g (7.87 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~392 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.85 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lenses | 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@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
8 MP, f/2.2, 105˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (standard) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver Diamond, Black Diamond | Rose Gold, Indigo Blue |
| Models | X687B | XT2087-1 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | 0.40 W/kg (head) 0.95 W/kg (body) | - |
| 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) |
Infinix Zero 8i
- Faster charging with 33W support
- Potentially higher peak gaming performance
- Helio G90T optimized for gaming workloads
- 12nm process may lead to more heat generation
- Battery life may be slightly lower due to higher power draw
- Display details are lacking
Motorola Moto G9 Plus
- More power-efficient Snapdragon 730G (8nm)
- Good display brightness (522 nits)
- Balanced performance for everyday tasks
- Slightly slower charging speed (30W)
- May not match the Zero 8i in demanding games
- Camera specs are unknown
Display Comparison
The Motorola Moto G9 Plus boasts a display capable of reaching 522 nits of peak brightness, a measured value that suggests good visibility outdoors. Both phones share a 1356:1 contrast ratio, indicating similar levels of black depth and color vibrancy. However, the context data lacks specifics on the Zero 8i’s display, making a direct comparison difficult. We can infer, based on the Zero 8i’s market positioning, that it likely prioritizes screen size and refresh rate over absolute color accuracy, while the Moto G9 Plus aims for a more balanced visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is absent. Given the market segment, it’s reasonable to assume both phones feature multi-camera setups. However, without specifics on megapixel counts, sensor sizes, or aperture values, a meaningful comparison is impossible. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device would be a significant advantage, but this information is not provided. We can assume both phones will offer acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance will likely be a differentiating factor dependent on sensor size and image processing algorithms.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Infinix Zero 8i’s MediaTek Helio G90T (12nm) features a dual-cluster CPU configuration with two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. This architecture is geared towards maximizing performance in gaming. Conversely, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G (8nm), employing two Kryo 470 Gold cores at 2.2 GHz and six Kryo 470 Silver cores at 1.8 GHz. The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 730G offers superior power efficiency, potentially leading to less thermal throttling during sustained workloads. While the Zero 8i may exhibit higher peak performance, the G9 Plus is likely to maintain consistent performance over longer periods.
Battery Life
Both the Infinix Zero 8i and Motorola Moto G9 Plus achieve an endurance rating of 136 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the charging speeds differ. The Zero 8i supports 33W wired charging, while the Moto G9 Plus offers 30W. This 3W difference translates to a potentially faster 0-100% charge time for the Zero 8i, a benefit for users who prioritize quick top-ups. The Snapdragon 730G’s efficiency may offset the slightly slower charging speed, resulting in similar real-world usage times.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Zero 8i if you need a phone primarily for mobile gaming, video editing, or other resource-intensive applications and are willing to trade some battery life for that performance. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Plus if you prefer a phone that excels at everyday tasks, offers reliable battery life, and provides a smoother, more consistent user experience without the need for peak performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G90T in the Infinix Zero 8i overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G90T is a powerful chip, but its 12nm process can generate more heat than the Snapdragon 730G's 8nm process. While the Zero 8i likely has thermal management features, extended gaming at maximum settings may lead to some throttling to prevent overheating.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 730G in the Moto G9 Plus handle multitasking and app switching?
The Snapdragon 730G is well-suited for multitasking. Its efficient architecture and ample RAM (spec not provided, but typical for this segment) allow for smooth app switching and handling multiple applications simultaneously without significant slowdown.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Infinix Zero 8i significantly faster than the 30W charging on the Moto G9 Plus?
While 33W is faster on paper, the difference in real-world charging times will likely be minimal – perhaps 10-15 minutes for a full charge. Both phones offer relatively fast charging compared to older standards.
❓ Does the Moto G9 Plus support software updates and security patches regularly?
Motorola's software update track record is generally good, but not as consistent as some other brands. Expect to receive at least one major Android update and regular security patches for a reasonable period, but long-term support cannot be guaranteed.
