vivo Y20s [G] vs. Motorola Moto G9 Plus: A Detailed Comparison

The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y20s [G] and Motorola Moto G9 Plus both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The Moto G9 Plus leans on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 730G for performance, while the Y20s [G] opts for MediaTek’s Helio G80. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and faster charging, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 730G chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a noticeable advantage over the Y20s [G]'s Helio G80, and the 30W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the Y20s [G] remains a viable option for casual users.

PHONES
Phone Names	vivo Y20s [G]	Motorola Moto G9 Plus

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 Brazil
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE

Launch
Announced	2021, April 10	2020, September 07. Released 2020, September 07
Status	Available. Released 2021, April 10	Discontinued

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame	Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions	164.4 x 76.3 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)	170 x 78.1 x 9.7 mm (6.69 x 3.07 x 0.38 in)
SIM	Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	192.3 g (6.77 oz)	223 g (7.87 oz)

Display
Resolution	720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size	6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio)	6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	IPS LCD, HDR10

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver)
Chipset	Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm)	Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm)
GPU	Mali-G52 MC2	Adreno 618
OS	Android 11, Funtouch 11	Android 10, upgradable to Android 11

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
	eMMC 5.1	-

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, 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
Single	8 MP, f/1.8, (wide)	-
Triple	13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth)	-
Video	1080p@30fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	-	HDR
Single	8 MP, f/1.8, (wide)	16 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (standard)
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	-	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	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, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity

Battery
Charging	18W wired	30W wired
Type	Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Obsidian Black, Purist Blue	Rose Gold, Indigo Blue
Models	V2038	XT2087-1
Price	About 170 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 Y20s [G]

Potentially lower price point
Reliable performance for basic tasks
Decent battery endurance

Inferior chipset compared to Snapdragon 730G
Slower 18W charging
Limited performance headroom for demanding apps

Motorola Moto G9 Plus

More powerful Snapdragon 730G chipset
Faster 30W wired charging
Higher peak display brightness

May be slightly more expensive
Similar battery endurance to Y20s [G]
IPS LCD display lacks high refresh rate

Display Comparison

Both phones share a contrast ratio of 1356:1, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Moto G9 Plus boasts a measured peak brightness of 522 nits, which will translate to better outdoor visibility compared to the Y20s [G], for which brightness data is unavailable. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the G9 Plus’s higher brightness gives it an edge in real-world usability, especially under direct sunlight. The lack of high refresh rate support on either device is typical for this price bracket.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Snapdragon 730G’s image signal processor (ISP) is generally more advanced than the Helio G80’s, potentially leading to better image processing, dynamic range, and low-light performance on the Moto G9 Plus. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are largely marketing features and unlikely to deliver significant photographic value.

Performance

The Motorola Moto G9 Plus’s Snapdragon 730G (8nm) represents a significant architectural advantage over the vivo Y20s [G]’s Helio G80 (12nm). The 730G’s Kryo 470 Gold cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, outperform the G80’s Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz in both single-core and multi-core tasks. The 8nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, meaning the G9 Plus is less likely to throttle under sustained load. While both CPUs feature a 6x Cortex-A55 cluster at 1.8 GHz, the overall system performance favors the Snapdragon 730G, making it the superior choice for gaming and multitasking.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 136 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus’s 30W wired charging is a game-changer. This allows for significantly faster top-ups compared to the vivo Y20s [G]’s 18W charging. While both will likely last a full day for moderate users, the G9 Plus minimizes downtime, making it more convenient for those who frequently use their phones throughout the day.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Y20s [G] if you need a reliable daily driver for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media, and prioritize a lower initial cost. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Plus if you prefer a smoother experience with more demanding apps, enjoy mobile gaming, and value the convenience of significantly faster 30W charging. The G9 Plus is the better choice for power users on a budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 730G in the Moto G9 Plus get noticeably warmer than the Helio G80 during extended gaming sessions?

While both chipsets will generate heat, the Snapdragon 730G’s 8nm process is more efficient. This means the Moto G9 Plus is likely to maintain higher sustained performance for longer periods before thermal throttling kicks in, resulting in a smoother gaming experience with less heat buildup compared to the Y20s [G].

❓ How much faster is the 30W charging on the Moto G9 Plus compared to the 18W charging on the vivo Y20s [G] in real-world use?

The 30W charging on the Moto G9 Plus can realistically shave off 30-60 minutes of charging time compared to the Y20s [G]. Expect a full charge from 0-100% in approximately 60-75 minutes on the G9 Plus, versus 90-120 minutes on the Y20s [G]. This difference is particularly noticeable for quick top-ups.

❓ Are the camera differences between these phones significant for casual social media users?

For casual social media use, the camera differences are likely to be minimal. Both phones will produce acceptable photos in good lighting conditions. However, the Moto G9 Plus’s more advanced ISP may offer better results in challenging lighting scenarios, such as indoors or at night.