The vivo iQOO U3 and Motorola Moto G9 Power represent two distinct approaches to the budget smartphone market. The iQOO U3 prioritizes processing power with its Mediatek Dimensity 800U, while the Moto G9 Power focuses on maximizing battery life and offering a dependable, if less flashy, experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right phone for your priorities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and responsiveness, the iQOO U3 is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 800U chipset delivers a significantly smoother experience for gaming and demanding apps. However, the Moto G9 Power excels in battery endurance, making it ideal for users who need a phone that lasts well beyond a single day.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe, APEM |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | Class 10 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 28, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, December 14. Released 2020, December 18 | 2020, November 05. Released 2020, December 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 2), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 75.4 x 8.4 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) | 172.1 x 76.8 x 9.7 mm (6.78 x 3.02 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185.5 g (6.56 oz) | 221 g (7.80 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, HDR10, 460 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, IQOO UI 1.5 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes | - |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 1.3 MP | 8 MP, f/2.6, 1/3", AF |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.2, 1.0µm |
| 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 (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 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 |
|---|
| Games | Yes | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, IM | - |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 20W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 600 h | Up to 590 h (2G) / Up to 790 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 5 h | Up to 21 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 11 h 40 min (3G) |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Gray, Aurora | Electric Violet, Metallic Sage |
| Models | V2061A | XT2091-3, XT2091-4 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.55 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.21 W/kg (head) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 149.99 |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 485.00 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -90.3dB / Crosstalk -92.6dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 155h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1680:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.6 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 182875 (v8)
GeekBench: 1374 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo iQOO U3
- Significantly faster processor for gaming and multitasking
- More efficient 7nm chipset
- Likely better camera image processing
- Charging speed is slower than the Moto G9 Power
- Battery life likely shorter than the Moto G9 Power
Motorola Moto G9 Power
- Exceptional battery life (155h endurance rating)
- Faster 20W wired charging
- More affordable price point (especially the 128GB/4GB RAM model)
- Slower processor struggles with demanding tasks
- Less responsive user experience
Display Comparison
The Motorola Moto G9 Power boasts a measured peak brightness of 521 nits and a 1680:1 contrast ratio. While respectable, this is a fairly standard LCD panel. The iQOO U3’s display specifications are not provided, but given its focus on performance, it likely prioritizes refresh rate or color accuracy over absolute brightness. The G9 Power’s contrast ratio, while nominal at 1680:1, provides adequate image clarity for everyday use. Without further details on the iQOO U3’s panel type, the G9 Power’s brightness is a known quantity, offering a more predictable viewing experience in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack detailed camera specifications. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning suggests the iQOO U3 likely prioritizes image quality with more advanced processing algorithms, leveraging the processing power of the Dimensity 800U. The Moto G9 Power likely focuses on providing a functional camera experience without significant investment in advanced features. The absence of details makes it difficult to assess the real-world performance of either camera system.
Performance
The iQOO U3’s Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Motorola Moto G9 Power’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm). The Dimensity 800U’s Cortex-A76 cores, clocked at 2.4GHz, offer significantly higher single-core performance than the Snapdragon 662’s Kryo 260 Gold cores at 2.0GHz. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface. The 7nm process node of the Dimensity 800U also contributes to better power efficiency, despite the higher performance. The Snapdragon 662 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding games or heavy multitasking.
Battery Life
The Motorola Moto G9 Power’s standout feature is its impressive endurance rating of 155 hours. This suggests a highly optimized power management system and a large battery capacity (specific mAh not provided). While the iQOO U3 offers 18W wired charging, the Moto G9 Power counters with 20W wired charging. However, the G9 Power’s longevity isn’t solely about charging speed; it’s about maximizing usage time between charges. The Dimensity 800U’s 7nm process helps with efficiency, but the G9 Power’s focus on endurance gives it a clear advantage for users who prioritize long-lasting battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO U3 if you frequently game, stream videos, or use resource-intensive applications and need a phone that can keep up. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Power if your primary concern is battery life and you need a reliable device that can last for two days on a single charge, even with moderate usage. The G9 Power is also a better fit for users who prefer a simpler, less software-heavy experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G9 Power sufficient for playing PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 662 can run PUBG Mobile, but likely at lower graphics settings and frame rates to maintain a stable experience. Expect some stuttering and reduced visual fidelity compared to devices with more powerful chipsets like the iQOO U3’s Dimensity 800U.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Moto G9 Power with the 20W charger?
While the Moto G9 Power supports 20W charging, a full 0-100% charge will likely take around 2-3 hours, depending on usage during charging. The focus is on maximizing battery life, not necessarily the fastest charging speed.
❓ Will the iQOO U3 get noticeably hotter during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 800U’s 7nm process helps mitigate heat generation, but prolonged gaming will inevitably cause some warming. The iQOO U3’s thermal management system will likely throttle performance to prevent overheating, potentially reducing frame rates after extended play.
❓ What type of storage does the Moto G9 Power use (eMMC or UFS)?
The Moto G9 Power likely uses eMMC storage, which is slower than the UFS storage commonly found in higher-end devices. This can impact app loading times and overall system responsiveness, contributing to the slower performance compared to the iQOO U3.
