The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y90 and Motorola Moto G7 Play represent two distinct approaches to delivering value. The Y90 prioritizes a newer design and potentially software support, while the G7 Play leans on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 632 for a performance edge. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best experience for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G7 Play is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 632 chipset provides significantly more processing power than the vivo Y90’s Helio A22, resulting in a smoother user experience and better app performance. While both phones offer similar battery endurance, the G7 Play’s superior performance justifies its slight price premium.
| 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, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat7 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 41, 66, 71 - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, July. Released 2019, July | 2019, February. Released 2019, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 155.1 x 75.1 x 8.3 mm (6.11 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 147.3 x 71.5 x 8 mm (5.80 x 2.81 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 163.5 g (5.78 oz) | 149 g (5.26 oz) |
| | - | Splash resistant (market dependent) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 (market dependent) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1512 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 81.4 cm2 (~77.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM632 Snapdragon 632 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo), Funtouch 4.5 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF | 13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.8 | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 4030 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold | Deep indigo, Fine Gold, Starry Black |
| Models | 1908, 1823 | XT1952-4, XT1952-5 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | 1.28 W/kg (head) 0.61 W/kg (body) | 0.74 W/kg (head) 1.40 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.84 W/kg (head) 0.85 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -90.0dB / Crosstalk -92.9dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 103h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1468:1 (nominal), 3.180 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 81dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 97230 (v7)
GeekBench: 4154 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 7.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Y90
- Potentially newer software updates (vivo's track record is improving)
- May have a more modern design aesthetic
- Very affordable price point
- Significantly weaker performance due to Helio A22 chipset
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Lack of detailed specifications
Motorola Moto G7 Play
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 632
- Smoother multitasking and app experience
- Defined 10W charging
- Older chipset compared to current offerings
- May receive fewer software updates
- Design may feel dated
Display Comparison
Both the vivo Y90 and Motorola Moto G7 Play share a similar contrast ratio of 1468:1 (nominal) and 3.180 (sunlight), suggesting comparable outdoor visibility. However, detailed display specs like resolution and panel type are missing for the Y90. Given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The G7 Play’s display, while not exceptional, benefits from the Snapdragon 632’s image signal processor for potentially more accurate color reproduction. The lack of detailed display information for the Y90 makes a definitive comparison difficult, but the G7 Play’s chipset offers a slight advantage in image processing.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or features like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). Given the price bracket, image quality will likely be similar – adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions. The Snapdragon 632’s image signal processor in the G7 Play *may* offer slightly better image processing, particularly in low-light scenarios, but this is speculative without further information. The absence of detailed camera specs makes a direct comparison challenging; users shouldn't expect flagship-level photography from either device.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Motorola Moto G7 Play’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 (14nm) features an octa-core CPU (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Silver), offering a substantial advantage over the vivo Y90’s MediaTek Helio A22 (12nm) quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53. The Snapdragon 632’s architecture, with its mix of performance and efficiency cores, allows for smoother multitasking and more demanding applications. The Helio A22 is geared towards basic functionality and will struggle with anything beyond simple tasks. This translates to a noticeably snappier experience on the G7 Play, especially when switching between apps or browsing the web.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Y90 and Motorola Moto G7 Play boast an impressive endurance rating of 103 hours, indicating similar battery life. However, the G7 Play’s 10W wired charging is a known quantity, while charging details for the Y90 are unavailable. The Snapdragon 632’s 14nm process, while not the most efficient, is well-optimized for power management. The similar endurance ratings suggest that despite the performance difference, both phones can comfortably last a full day on a single charge with moderate use. The G7 Play’s charging speed, while slow by modern standards, is at least defined.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y90 if you prioritize a very basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and are on an extremely tight budget. Buy the Motorola Moto G7 Play if you want a phone that can handle multitasking, moderate gaming, and a more responsive user interface without breaking the bank. The G7 Play is the better option for anyone who doesn’t want to constantly fight with lag.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the vivo Y90 struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
The Helio A22 chipset in the vivo Y90 is a low-end processor. While it can run basic apps like Facebook and WhatsApp, you may experience noticeable lag and slowdowns, especially when multitasking or using the apps for extended periods. The Motorola Moto G7 Play’s Snapdragon 632 will provide a much smoother experience.
❓ Is the Motorola Moto G7 Play capable of playing mobile games?
The Motorola Moto G7 Play’s Snapdragon 632 is capable of playing many popular mobile games, albeit at lower settings. Demanding titles like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile will likely require reduced graphics settings and frame rates for a playable experience. The vivo Y90’s Helio A22 is not well-suited for gaming and will struggle with even less demanding titles.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Motorola Moto G7 Play?
With its 10W charging, the Motorola Moto G7 Play will take approximately 3-4 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%. This is relatively slow compared to modern fast-charging technologies, but it’s a known quantity and the battery endurance is good enough to mitigate this.
❓ Does the vivo Y90 support software updates?
Vivo has been improving its software update support in recent years, but the Y90, being a budget device, may receive fewer updates than more expensive models. The exact update schedule is uncertain. The Motorola Moto G7 Play is also likely to have limited future updates.
