The vivo Y50 (2020) and Motorola Moto G9 Plus represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, they diverge significantly in their core hardware. This comparison dissects these differences, focusing on performance, battery life, and display quality to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus emerges as the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 730G chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Y50’s Snapdragon 665, and the 30W fast charging significantly reduces downtime. While both phones offer similar battery endurance ratings, the G9 Plus’s charging speed is a key advantage.
| 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, 7, 8, 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 | 2020, April 06. Released 2020, April 12 | 2020, September 07. Released 2020, September 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162 x 76.5 x 9.1 mm (6.38 x 3.01 x 0.36 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 | 197 g (6.95 oz) | 223 g (7.87 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~83.1% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 10.0 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 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, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, 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 | 15W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Iris Blue, Iris Blue, Pearl White | Rose Gold, Indigo Blue |
| Models | 1935, V1965A | XT2087-1 |
| Price | About 70 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 Y50 (2020)
- Potentially lower price point
- Reliable for basic tasks
- Decent battery endurance
- Less powerful Snapdragon 665 chipset
- Slower 15W charging
- Limited performance for demanding apps
Motorola Moto G9 Plus
- More powerful Snapdragon 730G chipset
- Faster 30W charging
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Potentially higher price
- Similar battery endurance to Y50
- May not be significantly better for extremely light usage
Display Comparison
The Motorola Moto G9 Plus boasts a measured peak brightness of 522 nits, offering a more visible display in outdoor conditions compared to the vivo Y50, which lacks published brightness data. Both displays share a 1356:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar black levels and color depth. However, without knowing the panel technology used in the Y50, it’s difficult to assess its color accuracy or viewing angles. The G9 Plus’s higher brightness is a clear advantage for outdoor usability.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is absent. Without specifics on sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Snapdragon 730G in the Moto G9 Plus includes a more advanced Image Signal Processor (ISP), enabling superior image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The Y50’s older chipset likely offers less sophisticated image processing capabilities. We can assume both phones will include a variety of shooting modes, but the G9 Plus is likely to deliver more refined results.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the vivo Y50 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm), while the Moto G9 Plus features the Snapdragon 730G (8nm). The 730G’s Kryo 470 Gold cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, outperform the Y50’s 2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold cores. The 8nm process node of the 730G also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to a smoother experience with demanding apps and games on the Moto G9 Plus.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Y50 and Motorola Moto G9 Plus achieve an endurance rating of 136 hours, indicating similar overall battery life under typical usage. However, the Moto G9 Plus’s 30W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Y50’s 15W charging. This means the G9 Plus can replenish its battery much faster, minimizing downtime. While both phones will likely last a full day on a single charge, the G9 Plus offers greater convenience with its faster charging capabilities.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y50 (2020) if your primary need is a basic, reliable smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and you prioritize a potentially lower initial cost. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Plus if you prioritize smoother multitasking, occasional gaming, and faster charging, even if it means spending slightly more upfront. The G9 Plus is the better option for users who demand more from their phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 730G in the Moto G9 Plus handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 730G is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. While it's not a flagship-level gaming chip, it offers a significant improvement over the Snapdragon 665 in the vivo Y50, providing a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ 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 considerably faster than the vivo Y50’s 15W charging, which would likely take over two hours for a full charge.
❓ Is the camera on the Moto G9 Plus noticeably better than the Y50 in low-light conditions?
While specific camera specs are limited, the Snapdragon 730G’s superior ISP (Image Signal Processor) in the Moto G9 Plus should result in better low-light performance. Expect less noise, more detail, and improved dynamic range in challenging lighting situations compared to the Y50.
