Motorola Moto E6 vs. Moto G7 Play: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Choices

Motorola's E and G series consistently deliver value in the budget smartphone space. The Moto E6 and G7 Play represent distinct approaches within that segment. The E6 prioritizes extreme affordability, while the G7 Play aims for a more balanced experience with a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Motorola Moto G7 Play is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 632 chipset offers a significantly smoother experience, especially with multitasking and moderately demanding apps, justifying the likely price premium. While both phones share similar battery endurance, the G7 Play’s improved performance makes it the better all-rounder.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto E6 Motorola Moto G7 Play
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 bands2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 25, 26, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat7 300/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat7 300/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO - Verizon1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 41, 66, 71 - USA
Launch
Announced2019, July. Released 2019, August2019, February. Released 2019, March
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions149.7 x 72.3 x 8.6 mm (5.89 x 2.85 x 0.34 in)147.3 x 71.5 x 8 mm (5.80 x 2.81 x 0.31 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight159 g (5.61 oz)149 g (5.26 oz)
 Splash resistantSplash resistant (market dependent)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3 (market dependent)
Resolution720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~296 ppi density)720 x 1512 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~294 ppi density)
Size5.5 inches, 76.5 cm2 (~70.7% screen-to-body ratio)5.7 inches, 81.4 cm2 (~77.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM435 Snapdragon 435 (28 nm)Qualcomm SDM632 Snapdragon 632 (14 nm)
GPUAdreno 505Adreno 506
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal16GB 2GB RAM32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Single13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRLED flash
Single5 MP, f/2.0, 1/5.0", 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.2, 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video-1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, LE4.2, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct or Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging-10W wired
TypeLi-Ion 3000 mAh, removableLi-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsStarry Black, Navy BlueDeep indigo, Fine Gold, Starry Black
ModelsXT2005-3, XT2005-1, XT2005DLXT1952-4, XT1952-5
PriceAbout 130 EURAbout 160 EUR
SAR1.16 W/kg (head)     1.43 W/kg (body)0.74 W/kg (head)     1.40 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.84 W/kg (head)     0.85 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -90.0dB / Crosstalk -92.9dB
Battery life-Endurance rating 103h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1468:1 (nominal), 3.180 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker- Voice 66dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 81dB
Performance- AnTuTu: 97230 (v7) GeekBench: 4154 (v4.4) GFXBench: 7.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola Moto E6

  • Lowest possible price point
  • Acceptable battery life for basic use
  • Compact and lightweight design

  • Significantly slower performance
  • Likely lower quality display
  • Limited camera capabilities

Motorola Moto G7 Play

  • Noticeably faster performance with Snapdragon 632
  • More efficient chipset for longer battery life under load
  • Potentially better display quality

  • Higher price than the Moto E6
  • Still a budget device with limitations
  • Charging speed is relatively slow (10W)

Display Comparison

Both the Moto E6 and G7 Play feature displays with a contrast ratio of 1468:1 (nominal) and 3.180 (sunlight). This suggests similar outdoor visibility. However, the specifics of panel technology (IPS vs. TFT) and resolution are not provided. Given the E6’s lower price point, it likely utilizes a less refined panel. The G7 Play, benefiting from its slightly higher position in the lineup, may offer better color accuracy and viewing angles. The lack of detailed display specs makes a definitive judgment difficult, but the G7 Play’s overall component quality suggests a slight advantage.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific details are absent. Given the market positioning, expect modest camera performance from both. The E6 likely features a simpler camera system with a lower-resolution primary sensor. The G7 Play, while still not a camera powerhouse, may benefit from slightly better image processing and potentially a larger sensor. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess the true camera capabilities, but the G7 Play’s more powerful chipset could contribute to faster image processing and improved low-light performance. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is unlikely to provide significant benefit.

Performance

The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Moto E6’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 435, built on a 28nm process, is an entry-level chipset. Its octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU clocked at 1.4 GHz is adequate for basic tasks but will struggle with demanding applications. In contrast, the Moto G7 Play boasts the Snapdragon 632, fabricated on a more efficient 14nm process. Its CPU configuration – four Kryo 250 Gold cores at 1.8 GHz and four Kryo 250 Silver cores at 1.8 GHz – provides a significant performance uplift, particularly in multi-threaded workloads. This translates to smoother app launches, faster web browsing, and a more responsive overall experience. The 632’s Adreno 509 GPU also offers a considerably better gaming experience than the E6’s Adreno 308.

Battery Life

Both the Moto E6 and G7 Play achieve an endurance rating of 103 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Snapdragon 632 in the G7 Play is more power-efficient than the Snapdragon 435 in the E6. This means the G7 Play can deliver similar endurance with potentially more demanding tasks. The G7 Play also supports 10W wired charging, while the E6’s charging speed is unspecified, likely being slower. While both offer all-day battery life for moderate users, the G7 Play’s efficiency and charging support provide a slight edge.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto E6 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and your smartphone usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. It’s a functional device for first-time smartphone users or as a reliable backup. Buy the Motorola Moto G7 Play if you value a more responsive user experience, enjoy occasional gaming, or frequently switch between apps. The Snapdragon 632 provides a noticeable performance boost that enhances everyday usability.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Moto G7 Play handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 632 in the Moto G7 Play can run PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to use lower graphics settings for a smooth experience. The Moto E6’s Snapdragon 435 will struggle significantly with PUBG, even on the lowest settings.
❓ Is the battery life on either phone significantly impacted by heavy app usage?
While both phones have a 103-hour endurance rating, the Moto G7 Play’s more efficient Snapdragon 632 will maintain battery life better under heavy usage. Expect a more noticeable drain on the Moto E6 when running multiple apps or playing games.
❓ What kind of storage options are available on each device?
Storage configurations are not specified in the provided data. However, based on typical market offerings for these devices, the Moto E6 likely starts with 32GB of storage, while the Moto G7 Play may offer 32GB or 64GB options. Both likely support microSD card expansion.
❓ Does the Moto G7 Play support fast charging beyond the 10W specification?
No, the Moto G7 Play is officially rated for 10W wired charging. While some third-party chargers might offer slightly faster speeds, the phone itself is limited to 10W input.