The Vodafone Smart Platinum 7 and Motorola Moto G9 Play are both contenders in the budget smartphone arena. Both offer compelling features at an accessible price point, but which one truly delivers the best experience? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their key aspects to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Moto G9 Play edges out the Platinum 7 thanks to its newer, more efficient Snapdragon 662 chipset and brighter display. While the Platinum 7 boasts faster charging, the G9 Play's overall performance and modern features make it the slightly better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | Yes | Class 10 |
| GPRS | Yes | Class 10 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, June. Released 2016, June | 2020, August 24. Released 2020, August 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 154 x 75.7 x 7 mm (6.06 x 2.98 x 0.28 in) | 165.2 x 75.7 x 9.2 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 155 g (5.47 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) | - |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~534 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A72 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8976 Snapdragon 652 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 510 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.6", 1.12µm, PDAF | 1.3 MP |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | Hi-Fi audio
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 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 |
|---|
| Browser | - | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (PocketIE) |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC3, 50% in 30 min | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Forest Green, Sapphire Blue, Spring Pink |
| Models | VFD 900 | XT2083, XT2083-1 |
| Price | About 380 EUR | About 430 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1944:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 170064 (v8)
GeekBench: 1402 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Vodafone Smart Platinum 7
- Faster charging (QC3)
- Potentially more premium design (based on typical Vodafone branding)
- Older chipset (Snapdragon 652)
- Lower display brightness
- Less efficient processor
Motorola Moto G9 Play
- Newer, more efficient chipset (Snapdragon 662)
- Brighter display
- Generally smoother performance
- Slower charging compared to Platinum 7 (though still 20W)
- Design may be more basic
Display Comparison
The Moto G9 Play features a measured 465 nits max brightness, offering a noticeably more vibrant and visible display, especially outdoors. Both phones boast a high 1944:1 contrast ratio, ensuring deep blacks and rich colors. The Platinum 7's display is likely adequate, but the G9 Play's brightness gives it a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is subjective and depends on usage. Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specs are missing. However, the newer Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G9 Play often translates to better image processing and low-light performance. The Platinum 7's camera is likely adequate for basic photography.
Performance
The Moto G9 Play's Snapdragon 662 (11nm) is a significant upgrade over the Platinum 7's Snapdragon 652 (28nm). The newer chipset offers improved efficiency and performance, resulting in smoother multitasking and faster app loading times. While both have octa-core CPUs, the G9 Play's Kryo 260 cores are generally more powerful.
Battery Life
Both phones offer respectable battery life. The Platinum 7 has a slight edge in charging speed with 18W QC3 support, allowing it to reach 50% in 30 minutes. The Moto G9 Play supports 20W wired charging. Real-world battery life will depend on usage patterns, but both should comfortably last a full day.
Buying Guide
The Vodafone Smart Platinum 7 is a good option for users prioritizing fast charging and a slightly more premium design. The Motorola Moto G9 Play is ideal for those seeking a reliable, everyday phone with a modern chipset, decent camera, and long battery life, especially if display brightness is important.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both offer good battery life, but the Moto G9 Play's more efficient chipset might give it a slight edge in overall longevity.
❓ Is the Vodafone Platinum 7 worth buying if fast charging is a priority?
If fast charging is your absolute top priority, the Platinum 7's QC3 support is a plus. However, consider the trade-offs in performance and display quality.
