Oppo A72 vs Motorola Moto G9 Plus: A Detailed Comparison of Budget Champions

The Oppo A72 and Motorola Moto G9 Plus represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, they diverge significantly in their core hardware. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on performance, battery life, and display quality to determine which device offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 730G chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Oppo A72’s Snapdragon 665, coupled with significantly faster 30W charging. While both phones offer similar battery endurance ratings, the G9 Plus’s faster charging mitigates any potential range anxiety.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo A72 Motorola Moto G9 Plus
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 Brazil
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2020, April 21. Released 2020, April 292020, September 07. Released 2020, September 07
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions162 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.38 x 2.97 x 0.35 in)170 x 78.1 x 9.7 mm (6.69 x 3.07 x 0.38 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight192 g (6.77 oz)223 g (7.87 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3-
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 480 nits (typ)IPS LCD, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 618
OSAndroid 10, ColorOS 7.1Android 10, upgradable to Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens 2 MP B/W, f/2.464 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
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06, 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (standard)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity
Battery
Charging18W wired30W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsTwilight Black, Stream White, Sky Blue, Aurora PurpleRose Gold, Indigo Blue
ModelsCPH2067XT2087-1
PriceAbout 270 EURAbout 300 EUR
SAR EU0.48 W/kg (head)     0.92 W/kg (body)-
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)

Oppo A72

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Reliable for basic tasks
  • Clean software experience (typical of Oppo)

  • Significantly weaker performance
  • Slower charging speed
  • Less capable camera system

Motorola Moto G9 Plus

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 730G
  • Faster 30W charging
  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility

  • May be slightly more expensive
  • Motorola's software can be bloated with pre-installed apps
  • Larger size may not suit all users

Display Comparison

Both the Oppo A72 and Motorola Moto G9 Plus feature displays with a 1356:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Moto G9 Plus boasts a measured peak brightness of 522 nits, which will translate to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both manufacturers list a nominal contrast ratio, the real-world brightness advantage favors the Motorola device. Details regarding panel technology (IPS vs. VA) and color gamut coverage are absent, but given the price point, expect standard IPS LCD performance from both.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, the camera experience will likely be dictated by the image signal processor (ISP) within each chipset. The Snapdragon 730G’s ISP is more advanced, offering better noise reduction and dynamic range. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make definitive claims, but the G9 Plus’s superior processing power will likely result in better image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The presence of a dedicated Night Mode on the G9 Plus (based on typical Motorola implementations) further enhances its low-light capabilities.

Performance

The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The Motorola Moto G9 Plus utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G, built on an 8nm process, while the Oppo A72 features the Snapdragon 665, fabricated on an older 11nm node. This process difference alone indicates the 730G will be more power-efficient and capable of sustained performance. The CPU configuration further highlights this: the G9 Plus has 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold cores and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver cores, compared to the A72’s 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver. The 730G’s architecture provides a noticeable advantage in multi-core tasks and gaming. The GPU within the 730G is also significantly more powerful, making it the clear winner for graphics-intensive applications.

Battery Life

Both the Oppo A72 and Motorola Moto G9 Plus achieve an endurance rating of 136 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Moto G9 Plus supports 30W wired charging, allowing for a significantly faster 0-100% charge time compared to the Oppo A72’s 18W charging. This faster charging is a crucial advantage, minimizing downtime and providing greater convenience. While both phones offer all-day battery life for moderate users, the G9 Plus’s charging speed provides a tangible benefit.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo A72 if your primary need is a basic, reliable smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and you prioritize a potentially lower initial cost. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Plus if you value smoother multitasking, improved gaming performance, and faster charging speeds, even if it means spending slightly more upfront. The G9 Plus is the better option for users who want a phone that can keep up with a more demanding lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 665 in the Oppo A72 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 665 is a budget-oriented chipset and will likely struggle to deliver a smooth gaming experience in PUBG Mobile, even at lower graphics settings. Expect noticeable frame drops and potential lag. The Motorola Moto G9 Plus, with its Snapdragon 730G, is significantly better suited for gaming.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Motorola Moto G9 Plus with the 30W charger?
With the included 30W charger, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus can typically charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 65-75 minutes. This is a substantial improvement over the Oppo A72’s 18W charging, which will likely take over 2 hours for a full charge.
❓ Does the Motorola Moto G9 Plus have a noticeable amount of bloatware pre-installed?
Motorola is known for including some pre-installed apps (bloatware) on its devices. While the amount varies, users can typically uninstall or disable most of these apps. It's a common complaint, but generally manageable.