The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Realme C15 and Motorola Moto G9 Play represent compelling options, but cater to slightly different priorities. The C15 emphasizes affordability, while the G9 Play aims for a balance of features and performance. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G9 Play is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 662 chipset offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Realme C15’s Helio G35, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While the C15 offers a slightly larger battery, the G9 Play’s faster 20W charging mitigates this difference.
| 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, 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, July 28. Released 2020, July 28 | 2020, August 24. Released 2020, August 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 75.9 x 9.8 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.39 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 | 209 g (7.37 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP B/W, f/2.4
2 MP, f/2.4 | - |
| Single | - | 1.3 MP |
| Triple | - | 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, panorama | 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 | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | 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 | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Marine Blue, Seagull Silver | Forest Green, Sapphire Blue, Spring Pink |
| Models | RMX2180 | XT2083, XT2083-1 |
| Price | About 160 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) |
Realme C15
- Potentially longer battery life (assuming larger capacity)
- Lower price point (likely)
- Simple and straightforward software experience
- Inferior processor performance
- Slower charging speeds
- Likely lower display brightness
Motorola Moto G9 Play
- More powerful Snapdragon 662 processor
- Faster 20W charging
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Potentially shorter battery life
- May be slightly more expensive
- Motorola's software update track record is inconsistent
Display Comparison
The Motorola Moto G9 Play boasts a measurable advantage in display quality, achieving 465 nits of peak brightness. While both phones share a 1944:1 contrast ratio, the higher brightness of the G9 Play ensures better visibility outdoors. Realme provides no brightness data for the C15, suggesting it will likely struggle in direct sunlight. Both displays are likely LCD panels, common in this price bracket, and lack high refresh rates.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Moto G9 Play’s Qualcomm ISP generally offers superior image processing capabilities compared to MediaTek’s equivalent. The Realme C15’s camera system is likely focused on maximizing megapixels at the expense of image quality, a common tactic in this segment. We can assume the G9 Play will deliver more consistent and detailed photos, particularly in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto G9 Play’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) is architecturally superior to the Realme C15’s MediaTek Helio G35 (12nm). The Snapdragon 662 utilizes a combination of Kryo 260 Gold and Silver cores, offering a more efficient and balanced performance profile. The Helio G35 relies solely on Cortex-A53 cores, which are older and less powerful. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 662’s 2.0 GHz clock speed on its performance cores provides a tangible boost in responsiveness and application loading times. The 11nm process node of the Snapdragon 662 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
The Realme C15’s battery capacity is not specified, but it is likely larger than the Moto G9 Play’s. However, the G9 Play compensates with 20W wired charging, significantly faster than the C15’s 18W charging. This means the G9 Play can replenish its battery more quickly, minimizing downtime. While the C15 might offer slightly longer screen-on time, the convenience of faster charging on the G9 Play is a significant advantage for many users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C15 if your primary need is absolute affordability and you prioritize maximizing battery life over raw performance. It’s a solid option for basic communication and light social media use. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Play if you value a more responsive user experience, enjoy occasional gaming, and appreciate faster charging speeds. It’s the better all-rounder for users who demand more from their smartphone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G35 in the Realme C15 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Helio G35 is an entry-level chipset. While it can run PUBG Mobile, you’ll likely need to use low graphics settings and may experience frame drops during intense gameplay. The Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G9 Play offers a significantly smoother gaming experience.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Motorola Moto G9 Play with the 20W charger?
With the included 20W charger, the Motorola Moto G9 Play can typically charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is considerably faster than the Realme C15’s 18W charging.
❓ Does the Motorola Moto G9 Play support software updates and security patches regularly?
Motorola's software update track record is historically inconsistent. While they have improved in recent years, updates may be slower to arrive compared to Realme. Check online forums and Motorola's official website for the latest update information for the G9 Play.
