Umidigi A9 Pro 2021 vs. Motorola Moto G Power (2021): Which Budget Champion Reigns Supreme?

The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Umidigi A9 Pro 2021 and the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches, particularly in their core processing power and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and slightly faster charging, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 662, built on an 11nm process, offers a more efficient and capable experience than the Umidigi A9 Pro’s Helio P60, despite the latter’s slightly higher CPU clock speeds on some cores.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi A9 Pro 2021 Motorola Moto G Power (2021)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 41, 66, 71
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021. Released 20212021, January 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, January 14
Body
BuildAluminum frameGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions158.7 x 74.9 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.95 x 0.34 in)165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm (6.51 x 2.99 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight205 g (7.23 oz)206.5 g (7.30 oz)
 -Water-repellent coating
Display
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density)
Size6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Helio P60 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Adreno 610
OSAndroid 11Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM
 -eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", AF 16 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Triple-48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single24 MP, f/2.0, (wide)8 MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C, 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, thermometer (skin temperature)Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging10W wired15W wired
Type4150 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsOnyx Black, Forest GreenFlash Gray, Polar Silver
Price-About 60 EUR

Umidigi A9 Pro 2021

  • Potentially lower purchase price.
  • Slightly higher CPU clock speeds on some cores (theoretical benefit).
  • May offer more RAM/storage configurations at a given price point.

  • Less efficient Helio P60 chipset.
  • Slower 10W charging.
  • Likely inferior image processing.

Motorola Moto G Power (2021)

  • More efficient Snapdragon 662 chipset.
  • Faster 15W charging.
  • Superior image processing capabilities.
  • Better sustained performance.

  • Potentially higher purchase price.
  • May have less RAM/storage for the same price.
  • Motorola’s software update track record is not always the fastest.

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood: processing power impacts UI responsiveness. While neither spec sheet details peak brightness or color accuracy, the Moto G Power’s more capable chipset will contribute to smoother animations and faster app loading, indirectly improving the perceived display experience. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning.

Camera Comparison

Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but details are scarce. Focusing on the primary sensors is crucial. Without specific sensor size information, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner. However, Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 662 generally offers superior image processing capabilities, resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction compared to the ISP found in the Helio P60. The prevalence of low-resolution auxiliary cameras (often 2MP) on budget phones suggests these are largely marketing features and should be disregarded when evaluating camera quality.

Performance

The core battleground is the chipset. The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm), while the Umidigi A9 Pro 2021 uses the MediaTek Helio P60 (12nm). While the Helio P60’s Cortex-A73 cores reach 2.0 GHz, the Snapdragon 662’s Kryo 260 Gold cores, coupled with the more efficient 11nm process, provide a more sustained and balanced performance. The Snapdragon 662’s architecture is better suited for handling modern apps and multitasking. The 12nm process of the Helio P60 will likely result in more heat generation under load, potentially leading to thermal throttling. This impacts gaming and prolonged app usage.

Battery Life

The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) supports 15W wired charging, while the Umidigi A9 Pro 2021 is limited to 10W. While battery capacity isn’t specified, Motorola’s ‘Power’ branding emphasizes battery life. The Snapdragon 662’s power efficiency further contributes to longer runtimes. The 15W charging, while not fast by modern standards, will replenish the battery significantly quicker than the A9 Pro’s 10W charging, reducing downtime. The efficiency gains of the Snapdragon 662 will likely offset any potential capacity differences.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi A9 Pro 2021 if you prioritize a lower initial cost and are willing to accept some performance compromises for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) if you value smoother multitasking, a more responsive user experience, and the benefit of Qualcomm’s optimized power efficiency, even if it means spending a bit more upfront.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Umidigi A9 Pro struggle with demanding apps like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio P60, while capable of running PUBG Mobile, will likely require significantly reduced graphics settings and may experience noticeable frame drops and thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G Power offers a smoother and more consistent gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Motorola Moto G Power compared to the Umidigi A9 Pro?
The 15W charging on the Moto G Power will significantly reduce charging times compared to the A9 Pro’s 10W charging. Expect a noticeable difference in how quickly you can top up the battery, especially when starting from a low charge level.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 662 offer any advantages for future software updates?
Qualcomm chipsets generally receive better software support and optimization from developers compared to MediaTek. This could translate to smoother performance and access to newer features with future Android updates on the Moto G Power.