vivo Y51s vs Motorola Moto G9 Plus: Which Budget Champion Reigns Supreme?

The vivo Y51s and Motorola Moto G9 Plus represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches. The Y51s leverages Samsung’s Exynos 880, while the Moto G9 Plus opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 730G. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus emerges as the better choice. Its 30W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the Snapdragon 730G provides a consistently smooth experience. While the Exynos 880 in the Y51s offers a slight CPU advantage, the G9 Plus’s overall package is more compelling.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Y51s Motorola Moto G9 Plus
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 Brazil
5G bands1, 41, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G (3.6+ Gbps DL)HSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA-
Launch
Announced2020, July 24. Released 2020, July 292020, September 07. Released 2020, September 07
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions162 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm (6.38 x 3.02 x 0.33 in)170 x 78.1 x 9.7 mm (6.69 x 3.07 x 0.38 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)223 g (7.87 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A77 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver)
ChipsetExynos 880 (8 nm)Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MP5Adreno 618
OSAndroid 10, Funtouch 10.5Android 10, upgradable to Android 11
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED 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
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (standard)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity
Battery
Charging18W wired30W wired
Type4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, WhiteRose Gold, Indigo Blue
ModelsV2002AXT2087-1
PriceAbout 250 EURAbout 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 Y51s

  • Potentially slightly faster CPU performance in benchmarks
  • Modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A77)
  • Compact and lightweight design (likely)

  • Slower 18W charging
  • Limited battery endurance information
  • Potentially less optimized software

Motorola Moto G9 Plus

  • Faster 30W charging
  • Excellent 136-hour endurance rating
  • Proven Snapdragon 730G performance

  • Slightly slower CPU clock speeds
  • Larger form factor (potentially)
  • Image processing may not appeal to all users

Display Comparison

Both devices feature displays with a 1356:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Moto G9 Plus boasts a measured peak brightness of 522 nits, offering better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Y51s, which lacks published brightness data. While both are likely IPS LCD panels, the G9 Plus’s higher brightness is a tangible advantage for outdoor use. Bezels are comparable, and neither device is expected to offer high refresh rates at this price point.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specifics are limited. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the market segment suggests both will rely on primary sensors around the 48MP mark. The Moto G9 Plus’s image processing is generally tuned for natural colors, while vivo often employs more vibrant, saturated profiles. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).

Performance

The Motorola Moto G9 Plus’s Snapdragon 730G (8nm) and the vivo Y51s’s Exynos 880 (8nm) are both 8nm chips, but their CPU architectures differ. The G9 Plus utilizes 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold cores alongside 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver cores, while the Y51s features 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A77 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Cortex-A77 in the Y51s is generally considered slightly more powerful per clock cycle, but the Snapdragon 730G’s optimized software and GPU often translate to a smoother overall experience, particularly in gaming. Thermal management is a key consideration; the Snapdragon 730G is known for its efficiency, potentially leading to less throttling during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life

The Motorola Moto G9 Plus boasts an endurance rating of 136 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the Y51s’s battery capacity is unknown, the G9 Plus’s 30W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Y51s’s 18W charging. This translates to substantially faster top-up times, reducing downtime. A full charge on the G9 Plus will likely take under 90 minutes, while the Y51s could require over two hours.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Y51s if you prioritize a potentially slightly faster CPU for basic multitasking and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Plus if you value faster charging, consistent performance, and a proven track record for battery endurance. The G9 Plus is ideal for users who heavily rely on their phone throughout the day and need quick top-ups.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 880 in the vivo Y51s tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 880 is an 8nm chip, it's known to be less efficient than the Snapdragon 730G. This means it's more likely to throttle performance under sustained load, potentially leading to frame drops and a warmer device during extended gaming. The Moto G9 Plus is generally better suited for longer gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro cameras on both the vivo Y51s and Motorola Moto G9 Plus are largely marketing features. The low resolution and lack of autofocus result in images that are often soft and lack detail. They are unlikely to provide a significant improvement over using the main camera in standard photo mode.
❓ Can the Motorola Moto G9 Plus reliably maintain 60fps in popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 730G in the Moto G9 Plus is capable of running PUBG Mobile at 60fps with medium to high graphics settings. However, achieving a consistently smooth experience will depend on the specific device configuration and background processes. Expect some occasional frame drops during intense action sequences.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Motorola Moto G9 Plus with the included 30W charger?
The Motorola Moto G9 Plus, with its 30W charging, can typically go from 0% to 100% in approximately 75-90 minutes. This is a significant advantage over the vivo Y51s’s 18W charging, which could take over two hours for a full charge.