Umidigi A9 Pro vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021): A Detailed Comparison

The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Umidigi A9 Pro and Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021) both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches. This comparison dives deep into their core specifications, focusing on the critical differences in processing power and overall user experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and long-term software support, the Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021) is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 678, built on an 11nm process, offers a noticeable efficiency advantage over the Umidigi A9 Pro’s Helio P60, translating to smoother multitasking and potentially better battery life despite both phones featuring 10W charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi A9 Pro Motorola Moto G Stylus (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, 20, 25, 26, 29, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 -CDMA 800 / 1900
Launch
Announced2020. Released 20202021, January 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, January 14
Body
BuildAluminum frameGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions158.7 x 74.9 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.95 x 0.34 in)169.8 x 77.9 x 9 mm (6.69 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight205 g (7.23 oz)213 g (7.51 oz)
 -Stylus Water-repellent coating
Display
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 112.2 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Helio P60 (12 nm)Qualcomm SDM678 Snapdragon 678 (11 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Adreno 612
OSAndroid 10Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM
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 *32MP camera for the 64GB/4GB variant only48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0, 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single24 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
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, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoUnspecified
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
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired
Type4150 mAhLi-Po 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsOnyx Black, Forest GreenAurora Black, Aurora White
Models-XT2115, XT2115-1
Price-About 90 EUR

Umidigi A9 Pro

  • Potentially lower price point
  • May offer more storage for the price
  • Basic functionality for essential tasks

  • Less efficient processor (Helio P60)
  • Potentially slower app loading times
  • Less refined software experience

Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021)

  • More efficient processor (Snapdragon 678)
  • Smoother multitasking and app performance
  • Built-in stylus for added functionality
  • Better image processing

  • May be slightly more expensive
  • 10W charging is slow
  • Software updates may be limited

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 display characteristics like peak brightness or color gamut, the smoother performance of the Moto G Stylus will make its display *feel* more responsive. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, 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 megapixel counts, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement. However, Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 678 generally offers superior image processing capabilities compared to MediaTek’s ISP in the Helio P60. This translates to better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The presence of a stylus on the Moto G Stylus also opens up possibilities for creative camera use, like annotating photos directly.

Performance

The core battleground is the chipset. The Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021) utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 678 (11nm), featuring a Kryo 460 CPU with a 2x2.2 GHz Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Silver configuration. This 11nm process is more efficient than the 12nm process used in the Umidigi A9 Pro’s MediaTek Helio P60. The Helio P60’s CPU, with its 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, is theoretically comparable in clock speed, but the Snapdragon 678’s architecture and manufacturing process provide a real-world advantage in sustained performance and power efficiency. This means less throttling during extended use and potentially longer battery life for the Motorola.

Battery Life

Both devices are limited to 10W wired charging, a significant drawback compared to faster charging solutions available on some competitors. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 678’s superior power efficiency in the Moto G Stylus (2021) will likely result in longer real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar or even slightly smaller battery capacity than the Umidigi A9 Pro. Expect both phones to take several hours to fully charge from 0-100%.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi A9 Pro if you need a phone primarily for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media, and are comfortable with a potentially less refined software experience. Buy the Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021) if you prefer a more responsive user interface, better app performance, and the added utility of a built-in stylus for note-taking and quick sketches.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021) struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 678 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it can handle PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. Expect some occasional stuttering, especially during intense firefights. The Umidigi A9 Pro’s Helio P60 will likely exhibit more pronounced performance drops in the same scenario.
❓ How does the stylus on the Moto G Stylus (2021) enhance the user experience beyond note-taking?
The stylus allows for precise screenshot annotation, quick navigation, and even basic photo editing. It also enables features like quick launch of specific apps directly from the lock screen, adding a layer of convenience not found on the Umidigi A9 Pro.
❓ Is the 10W charging on both phones a dealbreaker in 2024?
Yes, 10W charging is significantly slower than the 18W or 25W charging found on many modern budget phones. Expect a full charge to take over 3 hours. This is a major compromise on both devices, but the Moto G Stylus’s better efficiency means you’ll need to charge it less frequently.