The Motorola Moto G9 Plus and the vivo Y3 represent distinct approaches to the budget smartphone market. The Moto G9 Plus aims for a balance of features and performance with a more powerful chipset, while the vivo Y3 focuses on affordability with a more basic processor. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best experience for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus is the superior choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G chipset provides significantly better performance than the vivo Y3’s MediaTek Helio P35, and its 30W fast charging is a substantial advantage. While both phones offer similar battery endurance ratings, the G9 Plus’s faster charging and superior processing power make it the clear winner.
| 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 Brazil |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 400/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October. Released 2019, October | 2020, September 07. Released 2020, September 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.4 x 76.7 x 8.9 mm (6.28 x 3.02 x 0.35 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 223 g (7.87 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1544 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.35 inches, 99.6 cm2 (~81.5% 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 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.0 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | 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 |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8 | 16 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (standard) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ink blue, Jade Red | Rose Gold, Indigo Blue |
| Models | - | XT2087-1 |
| Price | About 140 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 Y3 (4GB+64GB)
- More affordable price point
- Decent battery endurance
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Significantly weaker processor
- Slower charging speed
- Likely lower quality display
Motorola Moto G9 Plus
- Superior processor performance (Snapdragon 730G)
- Faster 30W charging
- Brighter and potentially more accurate display
- Higher price compared to the vivo Y3
- Similar battery endurance rating to the Y3
- May be slightly larger and heavier
Display Comparison
The Motorola Moto G9 Plus boasts a brighter display, measured at 522 nits, compared to the vivo Y3’s unspecified brightness. Both displays share a 1356:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color depth and black levels. However, the G9 Plus’s higher peak brightness will translate to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While neither manufacturer specifies panel technology, the G9 Plus’s superior brightness suggests a higher-quality IPS panel, offering wider viewing angles and more accurate color reproduction.
Camera Comparison
Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Snapdragon 730G’s image signal processor (ISP) is significantly more advanced than the Helio P35’s, enabling better image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range. While both likely feature a standard multi-camera setup, the G9 Plus will likely produce superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The presence of a dedicated ISP on the Snapdragon 730G also suggests potential for features like 4K video recording, which is unlikely on the Y3.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is significant. The Motorola Moto G9 Plus utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G (8nm), featuring a Kryo 470 CPU with a dual-core 2.2 GHz Gold configuration and a hexa-core 1.8 GHz Silver configuration. This contrasts sharply with the vivo Y3’s MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm) which employs an octa-core setup with a split configuration of 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Snapdragon 730G’s 8nm process and more efficient CPU architecture deliver superior performance and thermal management, making it better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. The G9 Plus will exhibit noticeably faster app loading times and smoother multitasking.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Y3 and Motorola Moto G9 Plus achieve an endurance rating of 136 hours, indicating similar overall battery life under typical usage. However, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus has a clear advantage in charging speed with its 30W wired charging capability, compared to the vivo Y3’s 18W charging. This translates to significantly faster top-up times, reducing downtime and providing greater convenience. While both phones will likely last a full day on a single charge, the G9 Plus’s faster charging mitigates the impact of heavy usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y3 (4GB+64GB) if you prioritize absolute affordability and only need a phone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Plus if you value smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, faster charging, and a brighter, more vibrant display, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Motorola Moto G9 Plus handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 730G in the Moto G9 Plus is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship-level gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience than the Helio P35-powered vivo Y3.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Motorola Moto G9 Plus with the 30W charger?
With the included 30W charger, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus can typically charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 65-75 minutes. This is a substantial improvement over the vivo Y3’s 18W charging, which will likely take over 2 hours for a full charge.
❓ Is the camera on the Motorola Moto G9 Plus good enough for casual photography and social media?
Yes, the Moto G9 Plus’s camera, powered by the Snapdragon 730G’s ISP, is well-suited for casual photography and social media sharing. While it doesn’t compete with flagship camera systems, it delivers good image quality in well-lit conditions and performs noticeably better in low light than the vivo Y3.
❓ What type of storage does the vivo Y3 use, and is it expandable?
The vivo Y3 comes with 64GB of internal storage. While the context data doesn't specify the storage type, it's likely eMMC. It also supports microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase storage capacity for photos, videos, and other files.
