Motorola Moto G41 vs. Realme 9 Pro: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Contenders
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 9 Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Moto G41’s MediaTek Helio G85, translating to smoother multitasking and better gaming. While battery endurance is identical, the Realme 9 Pro’s slightly faster charging and superior processing power make it the more versatile option.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola Moto G41 | Realme 9 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Europe | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat7 300/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 26, 28, 40, 66 - LATAM, Brazil | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 18 | 2022, February 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 28 | Available. Released 2022, February 23 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 73.9 x 8.3 mm (6.37 x 2.91 x 0.33 in) | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Water-repellent design | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.2 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| - | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Meteorite Black, Pearl Gold | Midnight Black, Aurora Green, Sunrise Blue |
| Models | XT2167-2 | RMX3471, RMX3472 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | € 248.86 |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 134h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1601:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - | -25.3 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 401894 (v9) GeekBench: 2020 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Motorola Moto G41
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and reliable user experience
- Decent battery endurance
- Less powerful processor
- No 5G connectivity
- Likely inferior camera performance
Realme 9 Pro
- Faster and more efficient processor
- 5G connectivity
- Brighter display
- Faster charging
- Potentially higher price
- Similar battery endurance to Moto G41
Display Comparison
Both the Moto G41 and Realme 9 Pro share a 1601:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Realme 9 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 567 nits compared to an unspecified brightness for the Moto G41. This higher peak brightness will be particularly beneficial in outdoor visibility. While neither manufacturer specifies panel technology (IPS vs AMOLED), the Realme 9 Pro’s superior brightness suggests a more advanced panel, potentially offering wider viewing angles and better color reproduction. Bezels are not specified for either device, making it difficult to assess which offers a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without information on sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization (OIS), a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Realme brand generally focuses more on camera features in its mid-range and budget offerings. It’s reasonable to assume the Realme 9 Pro will offer a more refined camera experience, potentially with better low-light performance and more advanced image processing algorithms. The absence of detail regarding the Moto G41’s camera suggests it may be a more basic implementation.
Performance
The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The Realme 9 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G, fabricated on a 6nm process, offers a clear advantage in efficiency and performance over the Motorola Moto G41’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm). The Snapdragon 695 features Kryo 660 Gold cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, compared to the Helio G85’s 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. This, combined with the smaller fabrication node, translates to better sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling during demanding tasks. The Snapdragon 695 also unlocks 5G connectivity, a feature absent in the Moto G41. While both phones feature octa-core CPUs, the architectural differences and process node give the Realme 9 Pro a significant edge.
Battery Life
Both the Motorola Moto G41 and Realme 9 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 134 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Realme 9 Pro offers slightly faster 33W wired charging compared to the Moto G41’s 30W charging. While the difference isn’t massive, it will result in quicker top-ups, reducing downtime. The efficiency gains of the Snapdragon 695 may also contribute to real-world battery performance, potentially offsetting the identical endurance rating.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto G41 if you prioritize a simple, reliable experience and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Its lower price point makes it ideal for first-time smartphone buyers or those on a very tight budget. Buy the Realme 9 Pro if you value performance, 5G connectivity, and a more responsive user experience. It’s the better choice for gamers, power users, and anyone who anticipates demanding tasks from their phone.