The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and Motorola consistently offers compelling options. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Moto E6i and the Moto G Play (2021). Both aim to deliver value, but which one truly comes out on top?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Moto G Play (2021) is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 460 chipset offers significantly better performance and efficiency compared to the Unisoc SC9863A in the E6i. While both offer basic features, the G Play's improved processor makes it a more enjoyable and future-proof choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 38, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 4, 5, 12, 14, 30, 66 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 11 | 2021, January 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, February 11 | Available. Released 2021, January 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 155.6 x 73 x 8.5 mm (6.13 x 2.87 x 0.33 in) | 166.6 x 76 x 9.4 mm (6.56 x 2.99 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 204 g (7.20 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~80.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition) | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Gray, Pink | Misty Blue |
| Models | XT2053-5 | XT2093-3, XT2093-7, XT2093-DL, XT2093DL |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 60 EUR |
Motorola Moto E6i
- Very affordable
- Large display
- Decent battery life (under light use)
- Slow performance
- Weak processor
- Subpar display quality
- Limited features
Motorola Moto G Play (2021)
- Better performance
- More efficient processor
- Improved display
- Slightly better camera
- Still a budget phone
- Camera performance is basic
- Design is somewhat dated
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering adequate viewing for everyday tasks. However, the G Play (2021) often has slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to its more modern panel. The E6i's display can appear a bit washed out in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
The Moto G Play (2021) typically features a 13MP main camera with a depth sensor, while the Moto E6i has a similar setup. Image quality is generally comparable in good lighting conditions, but the G Play's image processing tends to be slightly better, resulting in more natural-looking photos. Low-light performance is weak on both devices.
Performance
This is where the G Play (2021) shines. The Snapdragon 460 provides a noticeable performance boost over the Unisoc SC9863A. Apps launch faster, multitasking is smoother, and gaming is more playable on the G Play. The E6i can feel sluggish, especially with multiple apps open.
Battery Life
Both phones offer a large 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life. However, the G Play (2021)'s more efficient Snapdragon 460 chipset allows it to stretch that battery life even further, often lasting a full day with moderate to heavy use, while the E6i might require a top-up before the end of the day.
Buying Guide
The Moto E6i is best suited for users with extremely limited budgets who primarily need a phone for basic calling, texting, and occasional light app usage. The Moto G Play (2021) is ideal for those seeking a more responsive experience, better battery life, and a slightly more modern feature set without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Moto E6i worth buying in 2024?
Only if your budget is extremely tight and you only need basic phone functionality. Otherwise, the Moto G Play (2021) offers significantly better value.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Moto G Play (2021) is considerably better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 460 chipset.
