vivo Z5i vs Motorola Moto G8 Plus: Which Budget Champion Reigns Supreme?

The vivo Z5i and Motorola Moto G8 Plus represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they achieve this through different approaches. The Z5i prioritizes processing power with the Snapdragon 675, while the Moto G8 Plus focuses on a balanced package with a respectable display and endurance. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing performance and occasional gaming, the vivo Z5i emerges as the better choice thanks to its Snapdragon 675 chipset. However, the Motorola Moto G8 Plus offers a comparable battery life and a slightly brighter display, making it a strong contender for those focused on media consumption and all-day usability.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Z5i Motorola Moto G8 Plus
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 600/100 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM
Launch
Announced2019, November. Released 2019, November2019, October 24. Released 2019, October 28
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions162.2 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)158.4 x 75.8 x 9.1 mm (6.24 x 2.98 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight193 g (6.81 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
 -Water-repellent coating
Display
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm)Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)
GPUAdreno 612Adreno 610
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.2Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
 UFS 2.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm (ultrawide), dedicated video camera (1080p) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm25 MP, f/2.0, 0.9µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX
NFCNoYes (market dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired15W wired
Type5000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsGlazed Black, Jade BlueDark Blue, Dark Red
Models-XT2019, XT2019-2
PriceAbout 230 EURAbout 270 EUR
SAR-0.59 W/kg (head)     1.58 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.59 W/kg (head)     0.88 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -93.2dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB
Battery life-Endurance rating 87h
Camera- Photo
Display- Contrast ratio: 1505:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- Voice 79dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 80dB
Performance- AnTuTu: 168699 (v8) GeekBench: 5641 (v4.4), 1385 (v5.1) GFXBench: 6.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo Z5i

  • Faster processor (Snapdragon 675)
  • Faster charging (18W)
  • Better multitasking performance

  • Display brightness likely lower than Moto G8 Plus
  • Camera specs are unknown

Motorola Moto G8 Plus

  • Brighter display (581 nits)
  • Excellent battery life (87h endurance)
  • Reliable daily driver

  • Slower processor (Snapdragon 665)
  • Slower charging (15W)

Display Comparison

The Motorola Moto G8 Plus boasts a measured peak brightness of 581 nits, a significant advantage for outdoor use compared to the vivo Z5i (brightness data unavailable, but likely lower). Both displays share a 1505:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar black levels and color pop. However, without knowing the panel technology used in the Z5i, it’s difficult to assess color accuracy or viewing angles. The G8 Plus’s higher brightness makes it the clear winner for users who spend significant time outdoors.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are described as having a 'Photo' camera, lacking specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing information, a direct comparison is impossible. However, given the market positioning, it’s likely both rely on similar budget sensors. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit. Image quality will likely depend more on software optimization than hardware prowess.

Performance

The vivo Z5i’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 (11nm) represents a clear step up in processing power compared to the Moto G8 Plus’s Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The 675 features a Kryo 460 core configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Gold cores and 6x1.7 GHz Silver cores, while the 665 utilizes 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold cores and 4x1.8 GHz Silver cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the Z5i. While both chipsets are built on the same 11nm process, the 675’s architecture provides a tangible performance benefit. The Z5i will handle demanding applications and games with greater ease.

Battery Life

Both the vivo Z5i and Motorola Moto G8 Plus achieve an endurance rating of 87 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage. However, the Z5i supports 18W wired charging, while the G8 Plus is limited to 15W. This means the Z5i will recharge faster, reducing downtime. While the difference isn’t massive, the 18W charging offers a convenience advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Z5i if you frequently multitask, play mobile games, or need a phone that feels responsive under load. Its Snapdragon 675 provides a noticeable performance advantage. Buy the Motorola Moto G8 Plus if you prioritize a consistently bright display for outdoor visibility and value long battery life above all else. It’s a reliable daily driver for basic tasks and media consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 675 in the vivo Z5i handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 675 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium settings with playable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship-level experience, it provides a significant improvement over the Snapdragon 665 in the Moto G8 Plus, offering smoother gameplay and fewer stutters.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the vivo Z5i with the 18W charger?
While a precise time isn't available, the 18W charging on the vivo Z5i should fully charge the battery in approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the battery capacity (which is not specified). This is faster than the Moto G8 Plus's 15W charging.
❓ Is the Motorola Moto G8 Plus a good choice for someone who primarily uses their phone for social media and browsing?
Absolutely. The Moto G8 Plus’s bright display and long battery life make it an excellent choice for everyday tasks like social media, web browsing, and video streaming. The Snapdragon 665 is sufficient for these activities, and the phone’s endurance ensures it will last throughout the day.