The Lenovo K10 Note and Motorola Moto G9 Plus represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. While both aim for affordability, they diverge in key areas like chipset generation and charging speed. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 730G chipset, built on a more efficient 8nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the K10 Note’s Snapdragon 710. The 30W fast charging is a significant advantage, offsetting the identical battery endurance ratings.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 Brazil |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September 05. Released 2019, September 16 | 2020, September 07. Released 2020, September 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.6 x 74.3 x 7.9 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.31 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 | 164 g (5.78 oz) | 223 g (7.87 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.7% 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 (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM710 Snapdragon 710 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), ZUI 11 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 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 |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom
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, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (standard) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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, recording | 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, DLNA | 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 | 18W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4050 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Knight Black, Stardust Blue | Rose Gold, Indigo Blue |
| Models | PAFR0026IN, PAFR0026, PAFR0033IN, PAFR0033, PAFR0013IN, PAFR0013 | XT2087-1 |
| Price | About 180 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) |
Lenovo K10 Note
- Potentially lower price point
- Decent battery endurance
- Reliable Snapdragon 710 performance for basic tasks
- Older Snapdragon 710 chipset
- Slower 18W charging
- Likely less optimized camera processing
Motorola Moto G9 Plus
- More powerful Snapdragon 730G chipset
- Faster 30W charging
- Improved camera processing capabilities
- Better sustained performance due to 8nm process
- May be slightly more expensive
- Identical battery endurance to K10 Note
Display Comparison
Both the Lenovo K10 Note and Motorola Moto G9 Plus feature displays with a 1356:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Moto G9 Plus boasts a measured peak brightness of 522 nits, which will translate to better outdoor visibility compared to the K10 Note, whose brightness is not specified. While both are likely LCD panels given the price bracket, the G9 Plus’s higher brightness is a tangible advantage for users who frequently use their phones in sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, given the market positioning, it’s reasonable to assume both feature multi-camera setups. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. Focusing on the chipset, the 730G’s image signal processor (ISP) is more advanced, offering improved image processing capabilities, potentially leading to better low-light performance and dynamic range on the Moto G9 Plus. The presence of a dedicated 'G' in the 730G designation signifies gaming optimizations, which can also extend to camera processing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto G9 Plus utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G, fabricated on an 8nm process, while the Lenovo K10 Note features the older Snapdragon 710 built on a 10nm process. The 730G’s Kryo 470 Gold cores run at 2.2 GHz, matching the K10 Note’s Kryo 360 Gold cores, but the 730G’s improved architecture and smaller node size result in better power efficiency and sustained performance. This means less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The G9 Plus will handle demanding apps and games with greater ease.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 136 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus has a significant advantage in charging speed with its 30W wired charging capability, compared to the Lenovo K10 Note’s 18W charging. This translates to a much faster 0-100% charge time for the G9 Plus, minimizing downtime and maximizing usability. While both last a day, the G9 Plus gets you back to 100% much quicker.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo K10 Note if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are comfortable with a slightly older chipset. It’s a reasonable option for basic smartphone tasks. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Plus if you value faster performance for gaming and multitasking, and appreciate the convenience of significantly quicker charging times. It’s the better all-rounder for demanding users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 730G in the Moto G9 Plus handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 730G is specifically designed for gaming. Its Kryo 470 cores and Adreno 618 GPU provide sufficient power for smooth gameplay at medium to high settings in popular titles like PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile. The 8nm process also helps prevent overheating and throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How long does it actually take to fully charge the Motorola Moto G9 Plus with the 30W charger?
While Motorola doesn't provide an exact figure, the 30W charging capability of the Moto G9 Plus is expected to fully charge the device from 0% to 100% in approximately 60-75 minutes, a significant improvement over the Lenovo K10 Note’s slower 18W charging.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Snapdragon 710 and 730G noticeable in everyday use?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference may be subtle. However, when multitasking, running demanding apps, or playing games, the Snapdragon 730G in the Moto G9 Plus will provide a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience due to its improved architecture and processing power.
