The vivo S20 and Motorola Moto G9 Plus represent different approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Moto G9 Plus, while older, boasts a respectable endurance rating, while the vivo S20 brings a newer Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset and significantly faster charging to the table. This comparison dissects these key differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the vivo S20 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 offers a substantial performance uplift over the Moto G9 Plus’s Snapdragon 730G, and the 90W charging is a game-changer. While the Moto G9 Plus offers comparable battery endurance, the S20’s efficiency and faster charging outweigh this advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 Brazil |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, November 28 | 2020, September 07. Released 2020, September 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, December 06 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 160.4 x 74.2 x 7.2 mm (6.31 x 2.92 x 0.28 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 | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 223 g (7.87 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch/drop-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 nits (HBM), 5000 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 720 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 15, OriginOS 5 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.55", PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 106˚ (ultrawide), AF | - |
| Features | Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDR | 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 |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), AF | 16 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (standard) |
| Video | 4K, 1080p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LHDC 5 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS (B1I+B1c) | 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/6, 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 | 90W wired, PD
Reverse wired | 30W wired |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 6500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Gold, White | Rose Gold, Indigo Blue |
| Models | V2429A | XT2087-1 |
| Price | About 300 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 S20
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor
- Ultra-fast 90W wired charging
- More efficient 4nm process node
- Display specifications are not readily available
- Potentially higher price point
Motorola Moto G9 Plus
- Excellent battery endurance (136h rating)
- More affordable price
- Decent display contrast ratio
- Older Snapdragon 730G processor
- Slower 30W charging
- Less efficient 8nm process node
Display Comparison
The Motorola Moto G9 Plus features a display with a measured peak brightness of 522 nits and a 1356:1 contrast ratio. While adequate, this is likely surpassed by the vivo S20, though specific display specs are not provided. The S20’s omission of display details suggests it may not be a primary selling point, but the newer chipset could enable more efficient display power management. The Moto G9 Plus’s contrast ratio, while nominal, is a solid baseline, but the S20’s potential for higher brightness and color accuracy would be beneficial for outdoor visibility and media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. The absence of sensor size or megapixel counts makes a direct comparison difficult. However, the newer image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 of the vivo S20 will likely deliver improved image processing, better low-light performance, and more advanced features. The Moto G9 Plus’s camera system, while functional, is likely to be limited by its older chipset and potentially smaller sensor. We can assume the S20 will offer a more refined and versatile camera experience.
Performance
The vivo S20’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4nm) represents a significant leap forward compared to the Motorola Moto G9 Plus’s Snapdragon 730G (8nm). The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling, crucial for sustained performance. The S20’s CPU configuration – a mix of Cortex-A715 cores – offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Moto G9 Plus’s Kryo 470 Gold and Silver cores. This difference will be most apparent in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The S20 is expected to handle multitasking and resource-intensive applications with greater ease.
Battery Life
The Motorola Moto G9 Plus boasts an endurance rating of 136 hours, a strong indicator of its battery life. However, the vivo S20 compensates with its 90W wired charging, a feature the Moto G9 Plus lacks with its 30W charging. While the Moto G9 Plus may last longer on a single charge, the S20 can replenish its battery much faster. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3’s 4nm process also contributes to improved power efficiency, potentially mitigating the difference in battery capacity (if any exists). The S20’s PD support also adds versatility for charging other devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S20 if you prioritize performance for demanding apps and games, and value the convenience of incredibly fast charging. This phone is ideal for users who frequently multitask, stream media, or play graphically intensive games. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Plus if you are on a very tight budget and prioritize long battery life above all else, and don't require the latest processing power for demanding tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How much faster is the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 in the vivo S20 compared to the Snapdragon 730G in the Moto G9 Plus for gaming?
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 offers a substantial performance uplift, estimated to be around 40-50% in GPU performance. This translates to higher frame rates, smoother gameplay, and the ability to run more demanding games at higher settings on the vivo S20. The 730G will still handle many games, but may require lower settings for optimal performance.
❓ Does the 90W charging on the vivo S20 significantly reduce the time to fully charge the battery compared to the Moto G9 Plus's 30W charging?
Yes, the difference is substantial. 90W charging can typically charge a phone from 0% to 100% in around 30-45 minutes, while the Moto G9 Plus’s 30W charging will likely take over 90 minutes to achieve the same result. This is a major convenience factor for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Will the vivo S20 get more software updates and security patches than the Motorola Moto G9 Plus?
Generally, vivo provides more consistent and longer-term software support than Motorola, particularly for mid-range devices. The Moto G9 Plus is an older model and may have reached the end of its major software update cycle, while the vivo S20 is likely to receive updates for a longer period.
