Motorola's G-series has long been a staple in the affordable smartphone market. The Moto G9 (India) and G9 Plus represent two distinct approaches within that segment. The G9 focuses on providing a solid, everyday experience at a competitive price, while the G9 Plus aims for a step up in performance and features, albeit at a slightly higher cost. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 730G chipset delivers significantly better performance, making it more capable for gaming and demanding applications. The 30W charging is also a substantial advantage, offsetting the identical battery endurance rating. While the G9 remains a viable option for basic use, the G9 Plus offers a more future-proof experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 Brazil |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 24. Released 2020, August 31 | 2020, September 07. Released 2020, September 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.7 x 9.2 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) | 170 x 78.1 x 9.7 mm (6.69 x 3.07 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 223 g (7.87 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (standard) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Forest Green, Sapphire Blue | Rose Gold, Indigo Blue |
| Models | - | XT2087-1 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 136h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1356:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.0 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 253105 (v8)
GeekBench: 1695 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Motorola Moto G9 (India)
- More affordable price point
- Sufficient for basic smartphone tasks
- Decent battery endurance
- Significantly weaker performance compared to G9 Plus
- Slower charging speeds (20W)
- Less capable for gaming and demanding apps
Motorola Moto G9 Plus
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 730G
- Faster 30W wired charging
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Higher price compared to Moto G9
- Similar battery endurance rating to G9
- May be slightly heavier due to larger components
Display Comparison
Both the Moto G9 and G9 Plus feature displays with a 1356:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar image quality in terms of blacks and whites. However, the G9 Plus boasts a measured peak brightness of 522 nits, which will translate to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the G9 Plus’s higher brightness is a tangible benefit for outdoor users. Details regarding refresh rate and panel technology (like LTPO) are absent, suggesting standard 60Hz panels on both devices.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, the G9 Plus’s more powerful chipset likely enables better image processing and potentially faster video encoding. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. The presence of a dedicated Night Mode or HDR algorithm on the G9 Plus, powered by the 730G’s ISP, is highly probable, offering superior low-light performance. The lack of detail suggests both phones likely feature similar, basic camera setups, with the G9 Plus benefiting from its processing power.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Moto G9 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662, built on an 11nm process, while the G9 Plus features the Snapdragon 730G, fabricated on a more efficient 8nm node. This process difference, combined with the 730G’s Kryo 470 cores (2x2.2 GHz Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Silver) versus the G9’s Kryo 260 cores (4x2.0 GHz Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Silver), results in a significant performance advantage for the G9 Plus. The 730G’s Adreno 618 GPU also provides a more capable graphics experience, crucial for gaming. The G9’s 662 is adequate for everyday tasks, but will struggle with graphically intensive games.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both the Moto G9 and G9 Plus share an endurance rating of 136 hours. This suggests similar battery life in typical usage scenarios. However, the G9 Plus’s 30W wired charging is a game-changer. While the G9 offers 20W charging, the G9 Plus can replenish its battery significantly faster, reducing downtime. A full charge on the G9 Plus will take considerably less time, making it more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto G9 (India) if you prioritize affordability and only need a phone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use. Its Snapdragon 662 is sufficient for these scenarios. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Plus if you value performance for gaming, multitasking, or photography, and appreciate faster charging speeds. The Snapdragon 730G provides a noticeable upgrade in responsiveness and overall capability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 730G in the Moto G9 Plus get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 730G is known for its relatively efficient thermal management. While some heat is inevitable during extended gaming, the 8nm process node and Motorola’s thermal design should prevent significant throttling. Expect playable frame rates for most games, but sustained peak performance may decrease slightly over time.
❓ Is the 20W charging on the Moto G9 slow compared to other phones in its price range?
20W charging is becoming increasingly common in the budget segment, but it's noticeably slower than the 30W charging on the G9 Plus. Expect a full charge to take around 1.5-2 hours with the 20W charger, whereas the G9 Plus can achieve a full charge in approximately 60-75 minutes.
❓ Can the Moto G9 Plus handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high settings?
Yes, the Snapdragon 730G and its Adreno 618 GPU are capable of running PUBG Mobile at high graphics settings with smooth frame rates. You should be able to achieve 60fps gameplay with balanced settings, and potentially higher with optimized in-game configurations.
❓ What type of USB port do both phones use?
Both the Moto G9 and G9 Plus utilize a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer. This is standard for modern smartphones and offers faster data transfer speeds compared to older Micro-USB standards.
