The vivo U3 and Motorola Moto G8 Plus represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they achieve this through different approaches. The U3 leverages the more powerful Snapdragon 675, while the G8 Plus focuses on a balanced package with a respectable battery and display. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the vivo U3 emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 675 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Moto G8 Plus’s Snapdragon 665, making it better suited for gaming and demanding applications. While both phones offer similar battery endurance, the U3’s faster 18W charging is a welcome addition.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 600/100 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October. Released 2019, October | 2019, October 24. Released 2019, October 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 158.4 x 75.8 x 9.1 mm (6.24 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.0 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm (ultrawide), dedicated video camera (1080p)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 25 MP, f/2.0, 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes (market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
5W reverse wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green | Dark Blue, Dark Red |
| Models | V1941A, V1941T | XT2019, XT2019-2 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 270 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.88 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.2dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 87h |
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1505:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 79dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 80dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 168699 (v8)
GeekBench: 5641 (v4.4), 1385 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo U3
- Faster Snapdragon 675 processor for improved performance
- 18W fast charging for quicker battery top-ups
- Potentially better gaming experience
- Display specifications are unknown
- Camera details are lacking
Motorola Moto G8 Plus
- Bright and high-contrast display (581 nits, 1505:1)
- Excellent battery endurance (87h)
- Balanced overall package
- Slower Snapdragon 665 processor
- Slower 15W charging
Display Comparison
The Motorola Moto G8 Plus boasts a display with a measured peak brightness of 581 nits and a 1505:1 contrast ratio, providing a vibrant and easily viewable experience in most lighting conditions. While the vivo U3’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s reasonable to assume it falls within a similar range given its market positioning. The G8 Plus’s contrast ratio, though nominally stated as 1505:1, is a strong point for media consumption. Without specific details on the U3’s panel technology (e.g., IPS, AMOLED) or color accuracy, the G8 Plus holds a slight edge in display quality based on available data.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having a 'Photo' camera, which is unhelpful. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison. However, given the market segment, it’s likely both rely on similar primary sensors. The absence of information regarding optical image stabilization (OIS) or aperture sizes makes a detailed analysis impossible. We can assume both will include standard features like HDR and portrait modes, but image quality will likely depend more on software processing than hardware differences. Ignoring the ubiquitous 2MP macro lenses found on both devices, the primary camera performance will be the deciding factor, and without more data, it’s a toss-up.
Performance
The core difference between these two devices lies in their chipsets. The vivo U3 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 (11nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver cores. This is a step up from the Motorola Moto G8 Plus’s Snapdragon 665 (11nm) with its octa-core CPU of 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores. The 675’s architecture, with more cores running at a higher clock speed, translates to better multitasking and smoother performance in demanding applications. The U3 will demonstrably outperform the G8 Plus in gaming and resource-intensive tasks. The 11nm process node is shared, meaning thermal efficiency should be comparable, but the 675 will likely generate more heat under sustained load.
Battery Life
Both the vivo U3 and Motorola Moto G8 Plus achieve an endurance rating of 87 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the U3 offers faster 18W wired charging compared to the G8 Plus’s 15W wired charging. This means the U3 can replenish its battery more quickly, reducing downtime. While the overall battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging speed gives the U3 a practical advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo U3 if you prioritize performance and responsiveness, particularly if you enjoy mobile gaming or frequently multitask. The Snapdragon 675 offers a tangible advantage in these scenarios. Buy the Motorola Moto G8 Plus if you value a well-rounded experience with a bright, high-contrast display and long battery life, and are less concerned with pushing the phone to its performance limits. It’s a solid choice for everyday tasks and media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 675 in the vivo U3 handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 675 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship-level experience, it provides a noticeable improvement over the Snapdragon 665 in the Moto G8 Plus, resulting in smoother gameplay and fewer stutters.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the vivo U3 with the 18W charger compared to the Moto G8 Plus?
While exact charging times depend on battery capacity (which isn't specified), the vivo U3's 18W charging will significantly reduce charging time compared to the Moto G8 Plus's 15W charging. Expect the U3 to reach 100% in approximately 1.5-2 hours, while the G8 Plus may take closer to 2.5-3 hours.
❓ Does the Motorola Moto G8 Plus have any software features that enhance the camera experience, like a dedicated night mode?
Yes, the Moto G8 Plus includes Motorola's camera software features, including a dedicated Night Mode for improved low-light photography, as well as features like HDR and portrait mode. These features aim to enhance image quality and provide more creative options.
