Looking for a budget-friendly Android phone? The Vodafone Smart Ultra 6 and Motorola Moto G9 Plus are both contenders, offering a range of features at accessible price points. But which one truly delivers the best experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Motorola Moto G9 Plus emerges as the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 730G chipset provides significantly better performance, coupled with a longer-lasting battery and faster charging. While the Vodafone Smart Ultra 6 might be slightly cheaper, the Moto G9 Plus offers a superior overall package.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 Brazil |
| EDGE | Yes | - |
| GPRS | Yes | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, June. Released 2015, June | 2020, September 07. Released 2020, September 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 154 x 77 x 8.4 mm (6.06 x 3.03 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 |
| Weight | 159 g (5.61 oz) | 223 g (7.87 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~70.3% 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 (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.1 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | 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 |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (standard) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Silver | Rose Gold, Indigo Blue |
| Models | Smart ultra 6 | XT2087-1 |
| Price | About 170 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) |
Vodafone Smart ultra 6
- Potentially lower price
- Decent for basic tasks
- Outdated chipset
- Likely shorter battery life
- Slower charging
- Lower performance
- Less capable camera
Motorola Moto G9 Plus
- Superior performance (Snapdragon 730G)
- Longer battery life
- Faster charging (30W)
- Better camera
- Brighter display
- Slightly higher price (compared to Ultra 6)
Display Comparison
The Moto G9 Plus boasts a brighter display (522 nits vs. likely lower on the Ultra 6) and a similar contrast ratio (1356:1). While both offer decent viewing experiences, the Moto G9 Plus's higher brightness makes it more usable outdoors. The Ultra 6 likely has a slightly smaller screen size, but specific dimensions are hard to confirm.
Camera Comparison
The Moto G9 Plus generally offers a better camera experience. While both have 'Photo/Video' capabilities listed, the 730G's image signal processor (ISP) allows for better image processing and potentially higher resolution photos and videos. The Ultra 6's camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots, but the Moto G9 Plus will provide more detail and better low-light performance.
Performance
Here's where the Moto G9 Plus shines. The Snapdragon 730G is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 615 in the Ultra 6. Expect noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Moto G9 Plus. The Ultra 6's chipset is adequate for basic tasks but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Moto G9 Plus dominates in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 136 hours. The Ultra 6's battery life is likely shorter, though specific figures are unavailable. The Moto G9 Plus also features 30W fast charging, a significant advantage over the Ultra 6's likely slower charging speeds.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Vodafone Smart Ultra 6? Users prioritizing the absolute lowest price and basic functionality. Who should buy the Motorola Moto G9 Plus? Those seeking a smoother experience, better camera performance, longer battery life, and faster charging – all without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Vodafone Smart Ultra 6 still worth buying?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and only need a phone for basic tasks like calls and messaging. Otherwise, the Moto G9 Plus offers significantly better value.
❓ What is the difference between the Snapdragon 615 and 730G?
The Snapdragon 730G is a much newer and more powerful chipset, offering significantly improved performance, efficiency, and camera capabilities compared to the older Snapdragon 615.
