The Motorola Moto G9 (India) and Nokia 7.2 represent a fascinating intersection of value and features in the mid-range smartphone market. While both devices aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches to achieving this goal. The Moto G9 prioritizes a newer chipset and faster charging, while the Nokia 7.2 focuses on a refined display and a more established brand reputation. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Motorola Moto G9 (India) emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 662, built on an 11nm process, offers a slight performance edge and improved efficiency over the Nokia 7.2’s older Snapdragon 660, despite both phones sharing an endurance rating of 69 hours.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - ROW |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - ROW |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps or LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - IN |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 24. Released 2020, August 31 | 2019, September 05. Released 2019, September 23 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.7 x 9.2 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) | 159.9 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~82.4% 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 (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Zeiss optics, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Zeiss optics, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| 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, EDR, LE, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (excl. India) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Forest Green, Sapphire Blue | Cyan Green, Charcoal, Ice |
| Models | - | TA-1193, TA-1178, TA-1196, TA-1181 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 240 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.44 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 69h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1342:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.6 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 139495 (v7), 164484 (v8)
GeekBench: 5440 (v4.4), 1398 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Motorola Moto G9 (India)
- Faster 20W charging for quicker top-ups
- More efficient Snapdragon 662 chipset
- Potentially better thermal performance
- Display specifications are unknown and likely inferior to Nokia 7.2
- Camera details are lacking, making it hard to assess quality
Nokia 7.2
- Bright and high-contrast 585-nit display
- Established brand reputation for software updates
- Potentially more natural image processing
- Slower 10W charging
- Older and less efficient Snapdragon 660 chipset
- Larger process node (14nm) may lead to more heat
Display Comparison
The Nokia 7.2 boasts a display with a measured peak brightness of 585 nits and a 1342:1 contrast ratio, indicating a visually pleasing experience with deep blacks and vibrant colors. While the Moto G9’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume it doesn’t match the Nokia 7.2’s brightness. The Nokia 7.2’s contrast ratio, though nominally stated, is confirmed by measurement, suggesting a more accurate representation of visual fidelity. Users who consume a lot of media outdoors or in brightly lit environments will likely appreciate the Nokia 7.2’s superior brightness.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the absence of any mention of advanced features like OIS on either device suggests a focus on basic photography. The Nokia 7.2’s brand reputation leans towards more natural image processing, while Motorola often employs more saturated colors. Users prioritizing image quality should look to independent reviews for detailed camera comparisons.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Moto G9 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) while the Nokia 7.2 features the Snapdragon 660 (14nm). The 11nm process of the Snapdragon 662 translates to improved power efficiency and potentially better thermal management compared to the older 14nm process of the 660. Both CPUs share the same Kryo 260 Gold (2.0 GHz/2.2 GHz) and Silver (1.8 GHz) core configuration, but the Snapdragon 662’s architecture benefits from incremental improvements. This means the Moto G9 will likely handle multitasking and demanding apps slightly more smoothly. The Nokia 7.2, however, may still feel adequate for everyday use.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both the Motorola Moto G9 (India) and Nokia 7.2 share an endurance rating of 69 hours. However, the Moto G9 compensates for this with 20W wired charging, significantly faster than the Nokia 7.2’s 10W charging. This means the Moto G9 can replenish its battery much quicker, reducing downtime. While the overall battery life is similar, the faster charging speed gives the Moto G9 a practical advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto G9 (India) if you need a phone that feels more responsive for everyday tasks and light gaming, and if faster charging is a priority. Its newer chipset provides a small but noticeable performance boost. Buy the Nokia 7.2 if you value a well-calibrated display with excellent contrast and prefer the Nokia brand’s commitment to software updates and a cleaner Android experience, accepting a slightly older processor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 660 in the Nokia 7.2 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 660 can run PUBG Mobile, users should expect to play at medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The older chipset and 14nm process may lead to some throttling during extended gaming sessions, potentially impacting performance. The Moto G9’s Snapdragon 662 offers a slight advantage in this scenario.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between the Moto G9’s 20W and the Nokia 7.2’s 10W charging?
The difference is substantial. 20W charging can significantly reduce the time it takes to fully charge the Moto G9, potentially cutting charging times in half compared to the Nokia 7.2. This is a major convenience factor for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Is the Nokia 7.2 still receiving software updates?
Nokia has a strong track record of providing software updates, even for older devices. However, the Nokia 7.2 is nearing the end of its guaranteed update cycle. While it likely still receives security patches, major Android version updates are less likely. The Moto G9’s update schedule is less predictable, but Motorola has been improving in this area.
