Motorola Moto G9 Power vs. Moto G10: Which Budget Champion Reigns Supreme?

Motorola's G-series consistently delivers value in the budget smartphone space. The Moto G9 Power and G10 represent two distinct approaches: the G9 Power prioritizing fast charging and a brighter display, while the G10 focuses on a higher contrast ratio. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Motorola Moto G9 Power is the better choice. Its significantly brighter display (521 nits vs 370 nits) and faster 20W charging outweigh the G10’s higher contrast ratio, especially given the similar battery endurance ratings.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G10 Motorola Moto G9 Power
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe, APEM
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 28, 66 - LATAM
Launch
Announced2021, February 162020, November 05. Released 2020, December 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, February 27Discontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 2), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions165.2 x 75.7 x 9.2 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.36 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
Weight200 g (7.05 oz)221 g (7.80 oz)
 Water-repellent designWater-repellent coating
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 2
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm)Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 610
OSAndroid 11Android 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
Quad48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single-8 MP, f/2.6, 1/3", AF
Triple-64 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
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm16 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 2.0USB 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, gyro, proximityFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity
Battery
Charging10W 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 5000 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsAurora Grey, Iridescent PearlElectric Violet, Metallic Sage
ModelsXT2127-2XT2091-3, XT2091-4
PriceAbout 140 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 152h Endurance rating 155h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 11878:1 (nominal) Contrast ratio: 1680:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker -29.2 LUFS (Average) -28.6 LUFS (Average)
Performance AnTuTu: 140230 (v8) GeekBench: 1139 (v5.1) GFXBench: 9.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 182875 (v8) GeekBench: 1374 (v5.1) GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola Moto G10

  • Higher contrast ratio for deeper blacks
  • Slightly longer battery endurance rating
  • Potentially lower price point

  • Significantly dimmer display
  • Slower Snapdragon 460 chipset
  • Slower 10W charging

Motorola Moto G9 Power

  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility
  • Faster Snapdragon 662 chipset
  • Faster 20W charging
  • More responsive user experience

  • Lower contrast ratio
  • Potentially higher price

Display Comparison

The Moto G9 Power boasts a considerably brighter display, reaching 521 nits compared to the G10’s 370 nits. This translates to significantly improved visibility under direct sunlight. While the G10 features a higher nominal contrast ratio of 11878:1 versus the G9 Power’s 1680:1, the practical impact of this difference is less noticeable than the brightness disparity. Both displays utilize LCD technology, and neither offers high refresh rates, focusing instead on maximizing battery life. The G9 Power’s superior brightness makes it the clear winner for outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

Both the Moto G9 Power and G10 feature a similar 'Photo / Video' camera setup, lacking detailed specifications in the provided data. However, given Motorola’s typical approach in this price segment, it’s reasonable to assume both phones rely on a primary sensor for most image capture, supplemented by auxiliary lenses of limited utility. Without sensor size or aperture information, a definitive camera comparison is impossible. The G9 Power’s slightly higher price point *suggests* a potentially more refined image processing pipeline, but this remains speculative.

Performance

The Moto G9 Power’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 chipset represents a substantial upgrade over the G10’s Snapdragon 460. The 662 features Kryo 260 Gold and Silver cores clocked up to 2.0 GHz, compared to the G10’s Kryo 240 cores at 1.8 GHz. This results in noticeably faster application loading times and smoother multitasking. While both chipsets are 11nm, the architectural improvements in the 662 provide a tangible performance boost. The G9 Power is better equipped to handle demanding apps and light gaming. Both phones share 4GB of RAM in common configurations, but the chipset difference is the defining factor.

Battery Life

Both phones offer excellent battery endurance, with the G9 Power achieving 155 hours and the G10 152 hours in endurance testing. This indicates similar real-world battery life. However, the G9 Power’s 20W wired charging is a significant advantage over the G10’s 10W charging. This means the G9 Power can replenish its battery much faster, reducing downtime. While the battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed effectively mitigates any minor capacity differences.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto G10 if you prioritize a visually striking display with deep blacks and are comfortable with slower 10W charging. This phone is ideal for media consumption in dimly lit environments. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Power if you value a brighter, more visible screen outdoors, and need the convenience of faster charging, making it a better fit for users on the go.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G9 Power powerful enough for gaming?
The Snapdragon 662 is capable of handling many popular mobile games at medium settings. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it provides a smoother gaming experience than the Snapdragon 460 in the Moto G10, particularly in more demanding titles.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the Moto G9 Power with the 20W charger?
While a precise 0-100% charge time isn't specified, the 20W charging capability of the Moto G9 Power significantly reduces charging time compared to the Moto G10’s 10W charging. Expect a full charge in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on usage during charging.
❓ Does the lower contrast ratio on the Moto G9 Power noticeably affect the viewing experience?
While the Moto G10 has a higher nominal contrast ratio, the G9 Power’s significantly brighter display largely compensates for this. The brighter screen provides a more vibrant and engaging viewing experience, especially in well-lit environments, outweighing the contrast difference for most users.