The Oppo A33 (2020) and Motorola Moto G9 Play represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device offers the best value for your money, focusing on performance, display quality, and everyday usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G9 Play emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 662 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Oppo A33’s Snapdragon 460, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. While the Oppo A33 offers a slightly faster charging speed, the Moto G9 Play’s brighter display and superior processing power make it the more well-rounded device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | - | Class 10 |
| GPRS | - | Class 10 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 28. Released 2020, October 01 | 2020, August 24. Released 2020, August 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 165.2 x 75.7 x 9.2 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, ColorOS 7.2 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 gear 3 (one-lane) | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 1.3 MP |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 |
|---|
| Browser | - | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (PocketIE) |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Moonlight Black, Mint Cream | Forest Green, Sapphire Blue, Spring Pink |
| Models | CPH2137 | XT2083, XT2083-1 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 430 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1944:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 170064 (v8)
GeekBench: 1402 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo A33 (2020)
- Slightly faster charging (18W)
- Potentially lower price point
- Clean and simple software experience (typical of Oppo)
- Less powerful Snapdragon 460 chipset
- Display specifications largely unknown
- Likely less responsive user experience
Motorola Moto G9 Play
- More powerful Snapdragon 662 chipset
- Brighter display (465 nits)
- Better overall performance for multitasking and gaming
- Slightly slower charging (20W)
- Motorola’s software can include bloatware
- Potentially higher price point
Display Comparison
The Motorola Moto G9 Play boasts a significant advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 465 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a common pain point for budget phones. Both devices share a 1944:1 contrast ratio, indicating similar levels of black depth and color vibrancy. However, the Oppo A33’s display specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison of panel technology (IPS, TFT) impossible. The G9 Play’s higher brightness makes it the clear winner for users who frequently use their phones outdoors or in brightly lit environments.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack detailed camera specifications. Without information on sensor size, aperture, or image processing algorithms, a definitive comparison is difficult. However, given the market positioning, it’s likely both rely on relatively basic camera setups. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on many phones in this segment is often more of a marketing gimmick than a genuinely useful feature. The Moto G9 Play’s brand reputation suggests slightly more refined image processing, but this remains speculative without further data.
Performance
The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The Motorola Moto G9 Play is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm), featuring a more powerful octa-core CPU configuration with 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores. This contrasts with the Oppo A33’s Snapdragon 460 (11nm) with its 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 and 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240 cores. The Snapdragon 662’s higher clock speeds and more efficient core architecture translate to a demonstrably smoother experience in everyday tasks and a better ability to handle graphically intensive applications. While both are 11nm chips, the 662 is a generation newer and more capable. The G9 Play will offer a more fluid experience for multitasking and gaming.
Battery Life
The Oppo A33 (2020) supports 18W wired charging, while the Motorola Moto G9 Play steps it up to 20W. While a 2W difference may seem minor, it can translate to a slightly faster 0-100% charge time. Battery capacity is not specified for either device, making a direct comparison of endurance challenging. However, the Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G9 Play is generally more power-efficient than the Snapdragon 460, potentially offsetting any capacity differences. The faster charging of the G9 Play, combined with its more efficient chipset, gives it a slight edge in overall battery usability.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A33 (2020) if you prioritize a slightly faster charging experience and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Play if you value a more responsive user experience, a brighter and more visible display, and the ability to handle more demanding applications and occasional gaming without significant slowdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Motorola Moto G9 Play struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 662 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it's capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. Expect some occasional stuttering, but it's a significantly better gaming experience than the Oppo A33's Snapdragon 460.
❓ Does the Oppo A33 (2020) have a fast charging protocol beyond 18W?
No, the Oppo A33 (2020) supports standard 18W wired charging. While it's not the fastest charging available, it's adequate for a budget device. It does not support any proprietary fast charging standards like VOOC or SuperVOOC.
❓ Is the software experience significantly different between the two phones?
Yes. Motorola typically offers a near-stock Android experience with minimal bloatware, though it does include some Motorola-specific apps. Oppo's ColorOS is more heavily customized and includes a wider range of pre-installed apps and features, which some users may find intrusive.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G9 Play compare to the Snapdragon 460 in the Oppo A33 for everyday tasks?
The Snapdragon 662 offers a noticeable improvement in responsiveness for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and app switching. The Oppo A33's Snapdragon 460 can handle these tasks, but you may experience occasional lag or slowdowns, especially with multiple apps open.
