itel P40+ vs Motorola Moto G Play (2023): A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Choices

The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the itel P40+ and the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the itel prioritizing faster charging and a slightly different chipset architecture, while the Motorola focuses on a more established brand presence and a different processor.

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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing quick top-ups and potentially slightly smoother multitasking, the itel P40+ is the better choice. Its 18W charging significantly outperforms the Moto G Play’s 10W, and the Unisoc T606’s Cortex-A75 cores offer a performance edge in demanding tasks. However, the Moto G Play benefits from Motorola’s software support.

PHONES
Phone Names	itel P40+	Motorola Moto G Play (2023)

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 LTE	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
	-	CDMA 800 / 1900

Launch
Announced	2023	2022, December 08
Status	Available. Released 2023	Available. Released 2022, December 12

Body
Build	-	Plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	8.9 mm thickness	167.2 x 76.5 x 9.4 mm (6.58 x 3.01 x 0.37 in)
SIM	Dual SIM	Nano-SIM
Weight	-	203 g (7.20 oz)
	-	Water-repellent coating

Display
Resolution	720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density)	720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size	6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2	6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~79.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 90Hz	IPS LCD, 90Hz

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
Chipset	Unisoc T606 (12 nm)	Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm)
GPU	Mali-G57 MP1	PowerVR GE8320
OS	Android 12 or 13	Android 12

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	128GB 4GB RAM	32GB 3GB RAM
	-	eMMC 5.1

Main Camera
Features	LED flash	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	13 MP Auxiliary lens	-
Triple	-	16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30/60fps

Selfie camera
Features	-	HDR
Single	8 MP	5 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.12µm
Video	Yes	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	-	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	Yes	5.0, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	No
Positioning	GPS	GPS, GLONASS
Radio	Unspecified	No
USB	USB Type-C	USB Type-C 2.0
WLAN	Yes	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, barometer

Battery
Charging	18W wired	10W wired
Type	7000 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Force Black, Ice Cyan	Deep Indigo
Models	‎P683L	XT2271-1, XT2271-3, XT2271-5, XT2271-4
Price	-	$ 54.00 / C$ 129.00

itel P40+

Faster 18W charging for quicker top-ups
Unisoc T606 offers better CPU architecture for multitasking
Potentially smoother app performance due to Cortex-A75 cores

Less established brand recognition than Motorola
Software updates may be less frequent

Motorola Moto G Play (2023)

Motorola’s reputation for reliable software
Established brand with wider service network
Potentially cleaner Android experience

Slower 10W charging
Helio G37’s older CPU architecture may limit performance
Less efficient CPU cores

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely utilizing LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Detailed specs like resolution and peak brightness are missing, but we can assume they are similar – around 720p+ and modest brightness levels. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic usability. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, contributing to a larger overall footprint.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is likely to be similar, and largely dependent on software processing. Both devices will likely feature a primary camera and potentially a depth or macro sensor (often of limited utility). Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Unisoc T606’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) may offer slightly better image processing capabilities, potentially leading to more detailed photos in good lighting conditions. Expect both to struggle in low-light scenarios.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The itel P40+ uses the Unisoc T606, featuring a dual-cluster configuration with 2x 1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture provides a noticeable boost in single-core performance compared to the Motorola’s MediaTek Helio G37. The G37 utilizes four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.3 GHz and another four at 1.8 GHz. While the G37’s higher clock speed *sounds* better, the older A53 architecture is less efficient and offers lower IPC (Instructions Per Clock) than the A75 cores in the Unisoc chip. This translates to potentially smoother app switching and faster response times on the itel, especially with multiple apps open. Both are 12nm chips, so thermal efficiency will be comparable.

Battery Life

Both phones likely house batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range, a common capacity for this segment. However, the itel P40+’s 18W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Moto G Play’s 10W charging. This means the itel can replenish its battery much faster, reducing downtime. While a larger battery capacity *sounds* better, the faster charging of the itel P40+ can effectively mitigate the impact of a slightly smaller battery, as users can quickly top up throughout the day.

Buying Guide

Buy the itel P40+ if you need faster charging speeds and a chipset with more capable high-performance cores for occasional gaming or multitasking. This phone is ideal for users who frequently find themselves needing to quickly replenish battery life. Buy the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) if you prefer the reliability of a well-known brand like Motorola and value a potentially cleaner software experience, even if it means sacrificing charging speed and a small performance advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Unisoc T606 in the itel P40+ struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?

While the Unisoc T606 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it should be capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. The Cortex-A75 cores provide a performance boost over the Moto G Play’s Helio G37, but don’t expect a flagship gaming experience. Lowering graphics settings will be necessary for smoother gameplay.

❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) with its 10W charging?

With 10W charging, a full charge from 0% to 100% on the Moto G Play (2023) will likely take around 3-4 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is significantly slower than the itel P40+’s 18W charging, which could potentially achieve a full charge in around 2 hours.

❓ Does the itel P40+ receive regular software updates and security patches?

itel’s track record for software updates is less consistent than Motorola’s. While itel does provide updates, they may be less frequent and take longer to roll out. Users prioritizing timely security patches should consider this.

❓ Is the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) a good option for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls, texts, and basic social media?

Yes, the Moto G Play (2023) is well-suited for basic smartphone tasks. The Helio G37 is sufficient for everyday use, and Motorola’s software is generally clean and user-friendly. The slower charging is less of a concern for users who don’t heavily rely on their phone throughout the day.