The vivo iQOO U1 and Motorola Moto G9 Plus represent compelling options in the competitive mid-range smartphone market. Both devices leverage Qualcomm's Snapdragon series, but target slightly different priorities. The iQOO U1 focuses on a streamlined experience, while the Moto G9 Plus emphasizes battery endurance and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus emerges as the slightly better choice. Its 30W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the Snapdragon 730G offers a modest performance edge. While the iQOO U1 is a capable device, the G9 Plus’s faster charging and slightly more powerful chipset provide a more well-rounded experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 Brazil |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 16. Released 2020, July 23 | 2020, September 07. Released 2020, September 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm (6.38 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 170 x 78.1 x 9.7 mm (6.69 x 3.07 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 223 g (7.87 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10, iQOO UI 1.0 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 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 |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.1, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (standard) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Rose Gold, Indigo Blue |
| Models | V2023A | XT2087-1 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| 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) |
vivo iQOO U1
- Clean and streamlined software experience (typical of iQOO)
- Efficient Snapdragon 720G chipset for everyday tasks
- Competitive price point
- Slower 18W charging
- Potentially less capable camera system
- Lower peak display brightness (assumed)
Motorola Moto G9 Plus
- Faster 30W wired charging
- Slightly more powerful Snapdragon 730G processor
- Higher peak display brightness for better outdoor visibility
- Software experience may include more bloatware (typical of Motorola)
- Similar battery endurance despite faster charging
- Potentially larger physical size
Display Comparison
Both the iQOO U1 and Moto G9 Plus feature displays with a 1356:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual fidelity in terms of black levels and color depth. However, the Moto G9 Plus boasts a measured peak brightness of 522 nits, which translates to better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the iQOO U1, whose brightness is not specified. While both lack high refresh rate panels, the G9 Plus’s higher brightness is a tangible advantage for outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning of the Moto G9 Plus suggests a greater emphasis on camera features, potentially including more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The absence of details on the iQOO U1’s camera system implies a more basic implementation, likely focused on adequate performance rather than standout image quality. The usefulness of any 2MP macro lenses on either device is questionable.
Performance
The Motorola Moto G9 Plus utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G, featuring a slightly higher clocked CPU (2.2 GHz vs 2.3 GHz on the iQOO U1’s Snapdragon 720G). While the core architecture is similar (both use Kryo 4xx cores), the 730G’s marginally faster clock speeds and potentially more optimized GPU offer a small performance advantage in demanding tasks and gaming. Both chipsets are built on an 8nm process, indicating comparable power efficiency, but the 730G’s Adreno 618 GPU is a step up from the 720G’s Adreno 618, providing a smoother gaming experience.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 136 hours, indicating similar overall battery life under typical usage. However, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus distinguishes itself with 30W wired charging, a significant upgrade over the iQOO U1’s 18W charging. This faster charging capability translates to substantially reduced charging times, allowing users to quickly replenish the battery and minimize downtime. While both have similar endurance, the G9 Plus’s charging speed is a clear advantage for users who prioritize convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO U1 if you prioritize a clean software experience and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a solid option for everyday tasks and light gaming. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Plus if you value rapid charging, extended battery life, and a slightly more powerful processor for demanding applications and gaming. It’s ideal for users who are frequently on the go and need a phone that can keep up.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 730G in the Moto G9 Plus handle graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 730G, paired with the Adreno 618 GPU, is capable of running PUBG Mobile at high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't deliver the absolute highest performance, it provides a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience for most users. The iQOO U1's 720G is also capable, but may require slightly lower settings for optimal performance.
❓ 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 significantly faster than the iQOO U1, which with its 18W charger, will likely take over 2 hours for a full charge. This makes the G9 Plus ideal for users who need a quick power boost.
❓ Is the software on the Motorola Moto G9 Plus heavily customized with bloatware?
Motorola's software is generally closer to stock Android than many other manufacturers, but it does include some pre-installed apps and Motorola-specific features. While not excessive, users may find some apps unnecessary and choose to uninstall them. The iQOO U1, being from vivo, typically offers a more streamlined software experience with less pre-installed software.
