The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y51 (2020, December) and Motorola Moto G9 Plus both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches: the Y51 prioritizes a streamlined experience with a Snapdragon 665, while the G9 Plus boasts a more powerful Snapdragon 730G and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 730G chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Y51’s Snapdragon 665, and the 30W charging significantly reduces downtime. While both phones offer similar battery endurance ratings, the G9 Plus’s faster charging is a crucial 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, 8, 40 | 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, December 03. Released 2020, December 07 | 2020, September 07. Released 2020, September 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.33 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 | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 223 g (7.87 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.5% 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 (4x2.0 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 SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | 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 8GB 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 | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (standard) |
| 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 |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | 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/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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, 70% in 67 min | 30W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Sapphire, Crystal Symphony | Rose Gold, Indigo Blue |
| Models | V2030 | XT2087-1 |
| Price | About 210 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 Y51 (2020, December)
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and streamlined user experience
- Decent battery endurance
- Less powerful Snapdragon 665 chipset
- Slower 18W charging
- Likely lower display brightness
Motorola Moto G9 Plus
- More powerful Snapdragon 730G chipset
- Significantly faster 30W charging
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Potentially higher price
- May require more frequent software updates
- Larger size may not suit all users
Display Comparison
Both devices feature similar contrast ratios at 1356:1, suggesting comparable image depth. However, the Moto G9 Plus shines with a measured peak brightness of 522 nits, offering better visibility in outdoor conditions. While the Y51’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to be lower, potentially impacting outdoor usability. The lack of information on panel technology (IPS, AMOLED) for the Y51 makes a direct comparison difficult, but the G9 Plus’s brightness advantage is clear.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent for both. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the market positioning of the G9 Plus suggests a potentially more refined camera system. The Y51, being a more budget-focused device, likely employs simpler camera hardware and software. The absence of information prevents a meaningful analysis beyond acknowledging both phones offer basic photographic functionality.
Performance
The Motorola Moto G9 Plus’s Snapdragon 730G (8nm) represents a significant step up from the vivo Y51’s Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The 730G’s Kryo 470 Gold cores run at 2.2 GHz, compared to the 665’s 2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold cores, resulting in faster application loading and smoother multitasking. The 8nm process node of the 730G also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. While both are octa-core CPUs, the architectural improvements and higher clock speeds of the 730G translate to a more responsive user experience.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Y51 and Motorola Moto G9 Plus achieve an endurance rating of 136 hours, indicating similar overall battery life under typical usage. However, the G9 Plus’s 30W wired charging is a game-changer, capable of reaching 70% charge in a significantly shorter time than the Y51’s 18W charging. While both will last a full day for many users, the G9 Plus minimizes downtime, making it more convenient for those who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y51 (2020, December) if you prioritize simplicity and a lower initial cost, and your usage primarily involves basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Plus if you value smoother multitasking, occasional gaming, and the convenience of significantly faster 30W charging, even if it means a slightly higher price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 730G in the Moto G9 Plus capable of handling demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Snapdragon 730G is a capable mid-range chipset that can handle PUBG and Call of Duty at medium to high settings. While it won't deliver the same performance as flagship processors, it provides a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience for most users. The 8nm process also helps manage heat during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Motorola Moto G9 Plus with the 30W charger?
While the specifications state 70% charge in 67 minutes, a full 0-100% charge on the Motorola Moto G9 Plus with the included 30W charger typically takes around 75-90 minutes. This is still significantly faster than the vivo Y51’s 18W charging, which would likely take over 2 hours for a full charge.
❓ Does the vivo Y51 (2020) support software updates and security patches?
vivo typically provides software updates for its devices, but the longevity of support for the Y51 (2020) is limited given its age. Expect a few major Android updates, but long-term security patch support is uncertain. Motorola's update policy is also variable, but the G9 Plus may receive updates for a slightly longer period.
