The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y20a and Motorola Moto G9 Power both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, but they take different approaches. The Y20a focuses on a streamlined experience with a basic chipset, while the Moto G9 Power prioritizes extended battery life and a more capable processor. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G9 Power is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 662 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Y20a’s Snapdragon 439, and the 20W charging significantly reduces downtime. While both offer similar battery endurance ratings, the G9 Power’s faster charging and more powerful processor make it the more versatile option.
| 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, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe, APEM |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 28, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, December 30. Released 2021, January 02 | 2020, November 05. Released 2020, December 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 2), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 76.3 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 3.00 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 | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 221 g (7.80 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 11 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.6, 1/3", AF |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (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 | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 20W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 590 h (2G) / Up to 790 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 21 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 11 h 40 min (3G) |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dawn White, Nebula Blue | Electric Violet, Metallic Sage |
| Models | V2052, V2054, V2070, V2101, V2034 | XT2091-3, XT2091-4 |
| Price | About 130 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 Y20a
- Potentially lower price point (depending on retailer)
- Simple and streamlined user experience
- Decent battery endurance (155h rating)
- Significantly weaker processor (Snapdragon 439)
- Slow 10W charging
- Likely limited multitasking capabilities
Motorola Moto G9 Power
- More powerful processor (Snapdragon 662)
- Faster 20W charging
- Better display brightness (521 nits)
- Slightly higher price (depending on configuration)
- Similar battery endurance rating to Y20a
- May include bloatware (typical for Motorola)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 1680:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Moto G9 Power boasts a measured peak brightness of 521 nits, a significant advantage over the Y20a, which lacks published brightness data. This higher brightness translates to better outdoor visibility. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the G9 Power’s superior brightness makes it the more comfortable option in bright environments. The lack of high refresh rate support on either device is typical for this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the price point, image quality will likely be similar in good lighting conditions. However, the Moto G9 Power’s potential for better image processing, thanks to the more powerful chipset, could provide an edge in low-light scenarios. The absence of detailed sensor information makes a definitive comparison difficult, but the G9 Power’s processor offers more headroom for computational photography techniques. It's safe to assume both phones will include basic camera features, but don't expect flagship-level performance.
Performance
The Motorola Moto G9 Power’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) represents a clear upgrade over the vivo Y20a’s Snapdragon 439 (12nm). The 662 features Kryo 260 Gold and Silver cores clocked up to 2.0 GHz, compared to the Y20a’s Cortex-A53 cores peaking at 1.95 GHz. This translates to approximately 30-40% faster CPU performance in benchmarks, and a more substantial improvement in GPU capabilities. The 11nm process node of the 662 also contributes to better power efficiency. While both phones have 4GB of RAM in some configurations, the more powerful chipset in the G9 Power will utilize it more effectively, resulting in smoother multitasking and app loading times.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Y20a and Motorola Moto G9 Power achieve an endurance rating of 155 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Moto G9 Power’s 20W wired charging is a game-changer. The Y20a is limited to 10W charging, meaning significantly longer charging times. A full charge on the Y20a could take upwards of 3 hours, while the G9 Power can likely reach 100% in around 1.5-2 hours. This faster charging capability mitigates any potential battery life differences, making the G9 Power the more convenient option for users who need to quickly top up their device.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y20a if you prioritize simplicity and minimal app usage, primarily needing a phone for calls, texts, and light social media. It’s a suitable option for first-time smartphone users or those on a very tight budget. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Power if you value performance for multitasking, occasional gaming, and faster charging. It’s ideal for users who want a phone that can handle more demanding tasks without constantly needing to be plugged in.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Motorola Moto G9 Power struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While not a dedicated gaming phone, the Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G9 Power can handle PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. Expect some occasional frame drops during intense action, but it's a playable experience. The Snapdragon 439 in the Y20a will likely struggle even at the lowest settings.
❓ How much does the charging speed difference *really* matter between these two phones?
The difference is substantial. The Y20a’s 10W charging will take over 3 hours for a full charge, while the G9 Power’s 20W charging can achieve a full charge in approximately 1.5-2 hours. This means less time tethered to an outlet and more time using your phone, especially important for users who frequently forget to charge overnight.
❓ Does the Moto G9 Power have a lot of pre-installed bloatware?
Motorola phones are known to include some pre-installed apps, often referred to as bloatware. While most can be uninstalled, it's a common complaint. The Y20a may also have pre-installed apps depending on the region, but Motorola is generally more prone to including them.
