Released in different markets and with distinct approaches to flagship features, the Motorola Moto Z4 Force and the Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G both center around Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 series. This comparison dissects the nuances between the standard 855 in the Moto Z4 Force and the overclocked 855+ in the Mi 9 Pro 5G, alongside their differing approaches to battery technology and ecosystem features.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and future-proofing with 5G, the Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G is the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 855+ offers a slight performance edge, coupled with significantly faster 40W wired and 30W wireless charging. However, the Moto Z4 Force’s Moto Mods compatibility provides unique expandability.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 41 - China |
| 5G bands | - | 41, 78, 79 NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2019, September. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Cancelled | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame (7000 series) |
| Dimensions | - | 157.2 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm (6.19 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| | Splash and dust resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 10, MIUI 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.0, (telephoto)
13 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 48 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.2, 54mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom
16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm, AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 25 MP, f/1.9 | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, EDR | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, magnetic connector | 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, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Moto Mods snap-on accessories | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 40W wired, QC4
30W wireless
10W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Dream White, Titanium Black |
| Price | - | About 600 EUR |
Motorola Moto Z4 Force
- Moto Mods compatibility offers unique expandability.
- Potentially more natural color reproduction in photos.
- Generally cleaner software experience.
- Snapdragon 855 is less powerful than the 855+.
- Slower charging speeds.
- Lacks 5G connectivity.
Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G
- Snapdragon 855+ provides a performance boost.
- 40W wired and 30W wireless charging are exceptionally fast.
- Integrated 5G connectivity for future-proofing.
- Xiaomi’s MIUI software can be heavily customized.
- Potentially more aggressive image processing.
- No Moto Mods compatibility.
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Mi 9 Pro 5G’s positioning as a flagship, it likely features a higher-resolution panel and potentially a higher peak brightness than the Moto Z4 Force. Motorola historically focuses on color accuracy, while Xiaomi often prioritizes vibrant, saturated colors. The absence of refresh rate data suggests both likely operate at a standard 60Hz.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, Xiaomi flagships typically emphasize high megapixel counts and advanced computational photography. The Mi 9 Pro 5G likely features a more sophisticated camera system with larger sensors and more advanced image processing algorithms than the Moto Z4 Force. Motorola tends to focus on simplicity and natural-looking images, while Xiaomi often aims for vibrant, shareable photos. The absence of information regarding OIS or aperture sizes hinders a deeper analysis.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto Z4 Force utilizes the Snapdragon 855, clocked at 2.84 GHz, while the Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G boasts the Snapdragon 855+, with a peak clock speed of 2.96 GHz. This 100MHz difference, combined with slightly higher GPU clocks on the 855+, translates to a measurable, though not massive, performance uplift for the Mi 9 Pro 5G in sustained workloads. Both phones share the same Kryo 485 core architecture, but the 855+ benefits from a refined 7nm process, offering improved thermal efficiency. The Mi 9 Pro 5G’s superior thermal management will likely result in less throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G significantly outpaces the Moto Z4 Force in charging capabilities. Its 40W wired charging, utilizing Quick Charge 4 (QC4), allows for a full charge in under an hour. The addition of 30W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging provides unparalleled convenience. While the Moto Z4 Force’s battery capacity is unknown, it likely lacks the rapid charging speeds of the Mi 9 Pro 5G. The Mi 9 Pro 5G’s charging prowess is a major advantage for users who prioritize minimizing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto Z4 Force if you value modularity and the potential to expand functionality with Moto Mods. This is ideal for users who want a customizable smartphone experience. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G if you prioritize raw performance, exceptionally fast charging speeds, and 5G connectivity, making it a better fit for power users and those heavily invested in mobile gaming or content creation.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 855+ in the Mi 9 Pro 5G offer a noticeable gaming advantage over the Snapdragon 855 in the Moto Z4 Force?
While not a night-and-day difference, the Snapdragon 855+ in the Mi 9 Pro 5G provides a measurable performance boost, particularly in sustained gaming scenarios. The improved thermal efficiency of the 855+ allows it to maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods, resulting in smoother frame rates and less throttling.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between the two phones for daily use?
The difference is substantial. The Mi 9 Pro 5G’s 40W wired charging can top up the battery from 0-100% in approximately 60-75 minutes, while the Moto Z4 Force likely takes considerably longer. This makes the Mi 9 Pro 5G ideal for users who frequently need to quickly recharge their device.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Mi 9 Pro 5G a worthwhile feature if 5G coverage is limited in my area?
Even with limited current coverage, the Mi 9 Pro 5G’s 5G capability future-proofs the device. As 5G networks expand, you’ll be ready to take advantage of faster speeds without needing to upgrade your phone. It also supports sub-6GHz 5G, which is more widely deployed than mmWave.
