The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo S1 Prime and Motorola Moto G9 Plus both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The S1 Prime focuses on a streamlined experience, while the G9 Plus prioritizes performance and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus is the better buy. Its Snapdragon 730G chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the S1 Prime’s Snapdragon 665, and the 30W charging significantly reduces downtime. While both offer similar battery endurance ratings, the G9 Plus’s faster charging is a crucial advantage.
| 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, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 Brazil |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 12. Released 2020, August 12 | 2020, September 07. Released 2020, September 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.3 x 75.2 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.34 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 | 190.2 g (6.70 oz) | 223 g (7.87 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.2 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 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 | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Nebula Blue, Jade Black | Rose Gold, Indigo Blue |
| Models | V1937 | XT2087-1 |
| Price | About 240 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 S1 Prime
- Potentially simpler software experience (brand reputation)
- May be more readily available in certain regions
- Slightly lower price point (potentially)
- Significantly weaker processor (Snapdragon 665)
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Likely inferior camera performance
Motorola Moto G9 Plus
- More powerful processor (Snapdragon 730G)
- Faster charging (30W)
- Brighter display (522 nits measured)
- May have more bloatware (Motorola history)
- Potentially higher price point
Display Comparison
Both phones lack detailed display specifications beyond the Moto G9 Plus’s measured 522 nits of peak brightness and 1356:1 contrast ratio. This suggests the G9 Plus will offer a more vibrant and visible display, especially outdoors. The identical contrast ratio indicates similar panel technology, likely IPS LCDs on both devices. Without knowing the S1 Prime’s brightness, the G9 Plus has a clear advantage in display quality based on available data.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering little insight. However, the chipset difference suggests the Moto G9 Plus will have superior image signal processing (ISP) capabilities. The Snapdragon 730G’s ISP is more advanced, leading to better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the G9 Plus’s processing power gives it an edge. The lack of detail suggests neither phone will excel in low-light photography.
Performance
The Motorola Moto G9 Plus’s Snapdragon 730G (8nm) represents a significant upgrade over the vivo S1 Prime’s Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The 730G’s Kryo 470 Gold cores run at 2.2 GHz, compared to the S1 Prime’s 2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold cores. This, combined with the more efficient 8nm process, translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The 730G’s Adreno 618 GPU also outperforms the 665’s Adreno 504. Users who play graphically intensive games or frequently switch between apps will greatly benefit from the G9 Plus.
Battery Life
Both the vivo S1 Prime and Motorola Moto G9 Plus boast an endurance rating of 136 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the G9 Plus’s 30W wired charging is a game-changer. The S1 Prime’s 18W charging will take considerably longer to fully recharge the battery. This means the G9 Plus offers less downtime and greater convenience, especially for users who frequently use their phones throughout the day. The faster charging effectively mitigates any potential battery life differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S1 Prime if you prioritize a simple, uncluttered software experience and are primarily focused on basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Plus if you want a phone capable of handling more demanding apps, occasional gaming, and appreciate the convenience of significantly faster charging speeds. The G9 Plus is the better choice for users who value performance and efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 730G in the Moto G9 Plus handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 730G is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship-level gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother experience than the Snapdragon 665 in the S1 Prime, especially during prolonged gaming sessions due to its more efficient thermal design.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Moto G9 Plus with the 30W charger?
With the included 30W charger, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus can charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 65-75 minutes. This is a substantial improvement over the vivo S1 Prime’s 18W charging, which would likely take over 2 hours for a full charge. This faster charging is a key advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does the Motorola Moto G9 Plus have a lot of pre-installed bloatware?
Motorola phones have historically included some pre-installed apps, often referred to as bloatware. However, the amount has decreased in recent years. While you may find a few extra apps, most can be uninstalled, and Motorola generally provides a relatively clean Android experience compared to some other brands.
