Lenovo K12 Pro vs Motorola Moto G9 Power: A Deep Dive into Budget Snapdragon Performance

The Lenovo K12 Pro and Motorola Moto G9 Power both target the budget-conscious smartphone user, relying on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 chipset for their processing power. However, despite sharing a core component, these phones diverge in areas like display quality, battery endurance, and pricing, making a direct comparison crucial for informed buyers.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Motorola Moto G9 Power offers superior value, primarily due to its exceptional 155-hour endurance rating. While the Lenovo K12 Pro offers 20W reverse wired charging, the G9 Power’s longevity and significantly lower price (especially the 128GB variant at $149.99) make it the more practical choice.

PHONES
Phone Names Lenovo K12 Pro Motorola Moto G9 Power
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe, APEM
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 28, 66 - LATAM
Launch
Announced2020, December 09. Released 2020, December 122020, November 05. Released 2020, December 05
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 2), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions172.1 x 76.8 x 9.7 mm (6.78 x 3.02 x 0.38 in)172.1 x 76.8 x 9.7 mm (6.78 x 3.02 x 0.38 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight221 g (7.80 oz)221 g (7.80 oz)
 Water-repellent coatingWater-repellent coating
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 2
Resolution720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density)720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 610
OSAndroid 10Android 10, upgradable to Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, f/2.6, 1/3", AF
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro), AF Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.2, 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.2, 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximityFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity
Battery
Charging20W wired 2.5W reverse wired20W wired
Stand-by-Up to 590 h (2G) / Up to 790 h (3G)
Talk time-Up to 21 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 11 h 40 min (3G)
TypeLi-Po 6000 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsElectric Violet, Metallic SageElectric Violet, Metallic Sage
ModelsXT2091-8, XT2091-7XT2091-3, XT2091-4
PriceAbout 130 EURAbout 260 EUR
SAR-0.55 W/kg (head)     1.49 W/kg (body)    
SAR EU-0.21 W/kg (head)    
Pricing
128GB 4GB RAM-$ 149.99
64GB 4GB RAM-$ 485.00
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -90.3dB / Crosstalk -92.6dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 155h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1680:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -28.6 LUFS (Average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 182875 (v8) GeekBench: 1374 (v5.1) GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Lenovo K12 Pro

  • Offers 2.5W reverse wired charging for accessories.
  • 20W wired charging is relatively quick for the price range.
  • Potentially more readily available in certain markets.

  • Battery life is likely inferior to the Moto G9 Power.
  • Display brightness is unknown and potentially lower.
  • Camera specifications are vague.

Motorola Moto G9 Power

  • Exceptional 155-hour battery endurance.
  • 521 nits peak brightness for better outdoor visibility.
  • Significantly lower price, especially the 128GB/4GB RAM model.

  • Lacks reverse wireless charging.
  • Camera details are limited.
  • Design may appear dated compared to newer models.

Display Comparison

Both devices feature displays with a 1680:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Motorola Moto G9 Power boasts a measured peak brightness of 521 nits, a tangible advantage over the Lenovo K12 Pro, which lacks published brightness data. This higher brightness translates to better outdoor visibility. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the G9 Power’s brightness gives it an edge in real-world usability.

Camera Comparison

Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing. This suggests a focus on basic photography rather than advanced features. The lack of detail makes a meaningful comparison impossible; it's reasonable to assume both offer adequate, but not exceptional, camera performance for casual use. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the G9 Power is likely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit.

Performance

Both the Lenovo K12 Pro and Motorola Moto G9 Power are powered by the Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores. This means performance will be largely identical for everyday tasks and light gaming. The absence of information regarding RAM type (LPDDR4X is likely) and storage speed on both devices prevents a deeper analysis of performance nuances. Thermal management will likely be similar, as both utilize the same chipset and target a similar price point.

Battery Life

The Motorola Moto G9 Power shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 155 hours. While the Lenovo K12 Pro’s battery capacity is not specified, its 20W wired charging and 2.5W reverse wired charging are its key differentiators. The G9 Power’s endurance rating suggests a significantly larger battery capacity, prioritizing longevity over faster charging speeds. The K12 Pro’s reverse charging is a niche feature, useful for topping up accessories but unlikely to be a primary purchase driver.

Buying Guide

Buy the Lenovo K12 Pro if you prioritize the convenience of reverse wireless charging to top up accessories, and are willing to accept slightly shorter battery life. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Power if you value long-lasting battery performance above all else, and are seeking the best possible value for your money, particularly given its competitive pricing options.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Motorola Moto G9 Power's battery life truly as good as the 155-hour rating suggests?
The 155-hour endurance rating is based on Motorola's testing methodology, which simulates typical usage patterns. Real-world battery life will vary depending on individual usage, but the G9 Power consistently outperforms competitors in battery tests, making it a reliable choice for users prioritizing longevity.
❓ Does the shared Snapdragon 662 chipset mean both phones will perform identically in gaming?
While both phones utilize the same Snapdragon 662, performance can be affected by factors like RAM speed and thermal management. However, for most casual games, the difference will be negligible. Demanding titles may exhibit slight variations, but neither phone is designed for high-end gaming.
❓ What is the practical benefit of the Lenovo K12 Pro's reverse wired charging?
The 2.5W reverse wired charging allows you to use the K12 Pro as a power bank to charge accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches. However, the charging speed is slow, making it best suited for small devices and emergency situations.