The sub-$300 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y20s and Motorola Moto G9 Play both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches. The Y20s focuses on a larger RAM configuration, while the G9 Play boasts a brighter display and a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G9 Play emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 662 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Y20s’ Snapdragon 460, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. While the Y20s offers more RAM in some configurations, the G9 Play’s superior processing power is more impactful for everyday tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | - | Class 10 |
| GPRS | - | Class 10 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 19. Released 2020, October 19 | 2020, August 24. Released 2020, August 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | 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) | 165.2 x 75.7 x 9.2 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192.3 g (6.77 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 10.5 or 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, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 1.3 MP |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm |
| 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 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| 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 |
|---|
| Browser | - | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (PocketIE) |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 20W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Purist Blue, Obsidian Black, Nebula Blue | Forest Green, Sapphire Blue, Spring Pink |
| Models | - | XT2083, XT2083-1 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 430 EUR |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 4GB RAM | € 264.40 | - |
| 128GB 8GB RAM | Rp 2,760,000 | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1944:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 170064 (v8)
GeekBench: 1402 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Y20s
- Higher RAM options (up to 8GB) for potential multitasking benefits.
- Competitive pricing in some markets.
- Sleek design (based on general vivo aesthetics).
- Less powerful Snapdragon 460 chipset.
- Slower charging speed (18W).
- Display specifications are unknown, potentially inferior to the G9 Play.
Motorola Moto G9 Play
- More powerful Snapdragon 662 chipset for smoother performance.
- Brighter display (465 nits) for better outdoor visibility.
- Faster charging (20W).
- May have less RAM in base configurations.
- Design may be less premium compared to some competitors.
- Camera details are limited.
Display Comparison
The Motorola Moto G9 Play features a display with a measured peak brightness of 465 nits and a 1944:1 contrast ratio. While the Y20s’ display specifications are not provided, the G9 Play’s brightness is a significant advantage for outdoor use. The contrast ratio on the G9 Play indicates good black levels and vibrant colors. Without knowing the panel type or resolution of the Y20s, it’s difficult to assess its color accuracy, but the G9 Play’s specifications suggest a more visually appealing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are described as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, focusing on the chipset, the Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G9 Play generally offers better image signal processing (ISP) capabilities than the Snapdragon 460. This means the G9 Play is likely to produce more detailed and dynamic photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the G9 Play’s chipset gives it an edge. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the vivo Y20s utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460, while the Moto G9 Play is powered by the Snapdragon 662. The 662, built on the same 11nm process, features Kryo 260 Gold and Silver cores clocked up to 2.0 GHz, compared to the Y20s’ Kryo 240 cores peaking at 1.8 GHz. This translates to approximately a 15-20% performance advantage for the G9 Play in CPU-intensive tasks. The Y20s offers configurations with up to 8GB of RAM, potentially aiding multitasking, but the 662’s superior architecture will likely offset this advantage in most scenarios. The G9 Play’s GPU is also more capable, offering a better gaming experience.
Battery Life
The vivo Y20s features 18W wired charging, while the Moto G9 Play supports 20W wired charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the G9 Play’s faster charging speed will result in quicker top-ups. A 20W charger can potentially deliver a full charge in under 2 hours, while the Y20s may take longer. The actual battery life will depend on usage patterns, but the G9 Play’s charging advantage is a practical benefit for users who need to quickly replenish their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y20s if you prioritize maximizing RAM for heavy multitasking and frequently run numerous apps simultaneously, and are comfortable with a slightly less responsive overall experience. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Play if you value a smoother, more fluid user experience, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and a chipset capable of handling more demanding applications and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Moto G9 Play struggle with graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While not a dedicated gaming phone, the Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G9 Play is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. Expect some occasional frame drops during intense action, but it's a playable experience. The Y20s’ Snapdragon 460 will likely require even lower settings and may exhibit more noticeable performance issues.
❓ Does the Motorola Moto G9 Play support fast storage like UFS 2.1 or higher?
Unfortunately, the storage type for the Moto G9 Play isn't explicitly stated. However, given its market segment, it likely utilizes eMMC 5.1 storage. While not as fast as UFS, it's still adequate for everyday tasks. The Y20s’ storage type is also unknown, but both phones will likely experience similar storage speeds.
❓ Is the difference in RAM (8GB on some Y20s models vs potentially less on the G9 Play) significant in real-world use?
While 8GB of RAM sounds impressive, the Snapdragon 662’s efficient architecture and optimized memory management in the Moto G9 Play often mitigate the need for excessive RAM. For most users, 4GB or 6GB of RAM in the G9 Play will be sufficient for smooth multitasking. The Y20s’ extra RAM may only be noticeable when running a very large number of apps simultaneously.
