The Tecno Phantom 9 and Motorola One Vision Plus represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches, primarily centered around their respective chipsets: the Mediatek Helio P35 and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device offers the best overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly more refined software experience, the Motorola One Vision Plus emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 665, built on an 11nm process, offers a tangible advantage in efficiency and sustained performance over the Tecno Phantom 9’s Helio P35.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 600/100 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, July. Released 2019, July | 2020, July 10. Released 2020, July 13 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 158.5 x 75.3 x 7.9 mm (6.24 x 2.96 x 0.31 in) | 158.4 x 75.8 x 9.1 mm (6.24 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 164.4 g (5.78 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | 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 MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm (ultrawide), dedicated video camera (1080p)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 25 MP, f/2.0, 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lapland Aurora | Cosmic Blue, Crystal Pink |
| Models | AB7 | - |
| Price | About 15000 INR | About 170 EUR |
Tecno Phantom 9
- Potentially lower price point
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Likely large battery capacity (inferred from market segment)
- Less efficient Helio P35 chipset
- Inferior sustained performance
- Potentially slower charging
Motorola One Vision Plus
- More efficient Snapdragon 665 chipset
- Better sustained performance
- 15W wired charging
- Potentially higher price point
- May not offer significantly better battery life if capacity is low
- Software updates may be limited
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. Without specific display specs beyond the chipsets, we can infer both likely utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. The Motorola One Vision Plus, benefiting from Motorola’s software optimizations, may offer slightly better color calibration. The absence of high refresh rates on either device is typical for this segment, focusing instead on maximizing battery life. Bezels are likely comparable, with both aiming for a modern look without pushing into premium territory.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, Motorola generally focuses on computational photography, leveraging the Snapdragon 665’s ISP for improved image processing. The Tecno Phantom 9 likely relies more on hardware, but the Helio P35’s ISP is less sophisticated. It’s reasonable to assume the Motorola One Vision Plus will deliver more consistent image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The prevalence of 2MP macro/depth sensors on both devices suggests these are largely marketing features and won’t significantly impact overall camera performance.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola One Vision Plus’s Snapdragon 665, fabricated on an 11nm process, provides a clear architectural advantage over the Tecno Phantom 9’s 12nm Helio P35. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 665 utilizes Qualcomm’s Kryo 260 cores – specifically, 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver – which are generally more efficient and offer better sustained performance than the Helio P35’s 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 configuration. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking on the Motorola. The 11nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended use. Gamers will find the Snapdragon 665 capable of handling less demanding titles at medium settings, while the Helio P35 may struggle with more graphically intensive games.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not provided for either device. However, the Snapdragon 665’s 11nm process offers a significant efficiency advantage. This means the Motorola One Vision Plus will likely achieve comparable or better battery life with a similar capacity battery to the Tecno Phantom 9. The Motorola One Vision Plus also includes 15W wired charging, which, while not fast charging by today’s standards, is a welcome addition and likely faster than the charging capabilities of the Tecno Phantom 9, assuming it utilizes a standard 10W charger.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Phantom 9 if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Motorola One Vision Plus if you value smoother multitasking, slightly better gaming performance, and the benefits of Qualcomm’s optimized software ecosystem, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Tecno Phantom 9 struggle with demanding apps like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio P35 in the Tecno Phantom 9 will likely struggle to run PUBG Mobile smoothly at higher settings. Expect noticeable frame drops and potential lag, even on lower graphics settings. The Snapdragon 665 in the Motorola One Vision Plus offers a more playable experience, though still requiring compromises on visual fidelity.
❓ Does the Motorola One Vision Plus benefit from Qualcomm’s Quick Charge technology?
While the Motorola One Vision Plus supports 15W wired charging, it doesn't explicitly advertise support for Qualcomm’s Quick Charge. It likely utilizes a standard USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) implementation for charging, which is still faster than the typical 10W charging found on many budget devices.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates?
Motorola has a mixed track record with software updates, but generally provides at least one major Android update. Tecno’s update commitment is less predictable. Historically, Motorola has a slight edge in providing timely security patches and software improvements, though neither brand is known for extensive long-term support.
