The Motorola Moto G9 (India) and Realme 7i represent compelling options in the fiercely competitive sub-$200 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, they diverge significantly in their core hardware – specifically, their chipsets. This comparison dissects the Snapdragon 662-powered Moto G9 against the Helio G85-equipped Realme 7i, revealing which device offers the best balance of performance, efficiency, and features for the average user.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G9 (India) emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Snapdragon 662, built on a more efficient 11nm process, provides a smoother overall experience and potentially better long-term performance due to improved thermal management. While the Realme 7i offers reverse charging, the Moto G9’s chipset advantage is more impactful for daily tasks and light gaming.
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 24. Released 2020, August 31 | 2020, December 22. Released 2020, December 23 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | 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) | 164.5 x 75.9 x 9.8 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 208 g (7.34 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ), 560 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| 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, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 18W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Forest Green, Sapphire Blue | Glory Silver, Victory Blue |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 190 EUR |
Motorola Moto G9 (India)
- More efficient Snapdragon 662 chipset
- Faster 20W wired charging
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Lacks reverse charging functionality
- Camera performance likely similar to Realme 7i
Realme 7i (Global)
- Convenient 5W reverse wired charging
- Helio G85 offers decent gaming performance
- Competitive price point
- Less efficient Helio G85 chipset
- Potential for thermal throttling under load
- Slower charging speed compared to Moto G9
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood. While specific display specs are missing, the chipset choice impacts the display’s responsiveness. The Snapdragon 662’s more capable GPU can contribute to smoother scrolling and animations. The Realme 7i’s Helio G85, while decent, may exhibit slight stutters in demanding UI transitions. Bezels are expected to be similar on both, and color accuracy will likely be standard for budget phones.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones focusing on providing acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions. The absence of detailed sensor information makes a precise comparison difficult. However, the image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 662 is generally considered more refined, potentially leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction. The Realme 7i’s Helio G85 ISP is capable, but may not match the Snapdragon’s processing prowess. Expect both to include standard features like HDR and portrait modes, but don't anticipate flagship-level image quality. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests limited utility for detailed close-up photography.
Performance
The core battleground is the chipset. The Motorola Moto G9’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) and the Realme 7i’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm) represent different design philosophies. The 11nm process of the Snapdragon 662 generally translates to better power efficiency and thermal performance compared to the 12nm Helio G85. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 662 utilizes a Kryo 260 architecture with a split core configuration (2.0GHz + 1.8GHz), potentially offering a slight edge in sustained performance. The Helio G85’s Cortex-A75 cores (2.0GHz) are powerful, but the larger process node may lead to more throttling under prolonged load. This benefits users who engage in extended gaming sessions or multitasking.
Battery Life
The Realme 7i’s 18W charging is slightly slower than the Moto G9’s 20W wired charging. While the difference isn’t massive, it translates to a marginally faster 0-100% charge time on the Moto G9. The Realme 7i’s inclusion of 5W reverse wired charging is a unique feature, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices. However, this convenience comes at the cost of potentially slightly lower battery life due to the overhead of the reverse charging circuitry. The actual battery capacity isn’t specified, but both are likely in the 5000mAh range, offering all-day battery life for moderate users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto G9 (India) if you prioritize consistent performance, a potentially cooler running phone during extended use, and a generally smoother user experience. Buy the Realme 7i (Global) if you frequently need to top up other devices wirelessly (thanks to its 5W reverse charging) and are willing to potentially accept slightly more thermal throttling during demanding tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme 7i’s Helio G85 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions like PUBG?
The Helio G85 is a capable gaming chip, but its 12nm process node is less efficient than the Snapdragon 662’s 11nm node. This means the Realme 7i is more likely to experience thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, potentially leading to frame rate drops and a less consistent experience. While playable, it won't maintain peak performance as long as the Moto G9.
❓ How useful is the 5W reverse charging on the Realme 7i in real-world scenarios?
The 5W reverse charging is a niche feature, best suited for emergencies or topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or a smartwatch. It’s too slow to significantly charge a smartphone, but it can provide a small boost when you’re without a power outlet. It's a convenience feature, not a primary selling point.
❓ Does the Motorola Moto G9 (India) support VoLTE on all Indian carriers?
While the Snapdragon 662 supports VoLTE, carrier compatibility can vary. It's crucial to check with your specific carrier (Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea) to confirm VoLTE support on the Moto G9 before purchasing, as regional variations can exist.
