The Xiaomi Mi CC9e and Motorola Moto G8 Plus represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both devices leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chipset, promising similar performance. However, subtle differences in display technology, battery endurance, and charging speeds differentiate these contenders, making the choice less straightforward than it appears.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing display quality and slightly longer battery life, the Motorola Moto G8 Plus is the better choice. While both phones share the same chipset and CPU, the G8 Plus’s brighter 581 nit display and 87-hour endurance rating provide a tangible advantage. However, the Mi CC9e remains a strong contender for those seeking a more compact form factor.
| 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE (2CA) 450/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 600/100 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, July. Released 2019, July | 2019, October 24. Released 2019, October 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 153.5 x 71.9 x 8.5 mm (6.04 x 2.83 x 0.33 in) | 158.4 x 75.8 x 9.1 mm (6.24 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 173.8 g (6.14 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~286 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.01 inches, 88.7 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), MIUI 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | 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 |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 25 MP, f/2.0, 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes (market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4030 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Dark Blue, Dark Red |
| Models | - | XT2019, XT2019-2 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 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) |
Xiaomi Mi CC9e
- Potentially more compact design
- Faster 18W charging (marginally)
- Xiaomi’s MIUI offers extensive customization options
- Likely lower display brightness
- Potentially shorter battery life
- Less information available on camera specs
Motorola Moto G8 Plus
- Brighter 581 nit display for outdoor visibility
- Excellent 87-hour battery endurance
- Motorola’s near-stock Android experience
- Slower 15W charging
- Potentially larger and heavier form factor
- Less customization options compared to MIUI
Display Comparison
The Motorola Moto G8 Plus boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 581 nits, compared to the Mi CC9e’s unspecified brightness. This difference is crucial for outdoor visibility, where the G8 Plus will remain readable in direct sunlight. Both displays share a 1505:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color depth and black levels. However, without knowing the panel technology used in the Mi CC9e, it’s difficult to assess potential differences in viewing angles or color accuracy. The G8 Plus’s higher brightness is a clear advantage for users who frequently use their phones outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having a 'Photo' camera, which is unhelpful. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a meaningful comparison. However, the market positioning of the Moto G8 Plus suggests a greater emphasis on camera capabilities. While both likely feature a primary sensor, the G8 Plus may offer more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The lack of information regarding aperture sizes and optical image stabilization (OIS) makes a definitive assessment impossible. It's safe to assume both phones will struggle in low-light conditions without dedicated night modes.
Performance
Both the Xiaomi Mi CC9e and Motorola Moto G8 Plus are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores. This means performance will be virtually identical for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. The 11nm process node contributes to reasonable power efficiency. Neither device specifies RAM speed or configuration, but given the price point, LPDDR4X is likely used in both. Thermal management will likely be similar, with both phones capable of handling moderate workloads without significant throttling.
Battery Life
The Motorola Moto G8 Plus claims an endurance rating of 87 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the Mi CC9e’s battery life isn’t explicitly stated, the G8 Plus’s rating suggests a clear advantage. The G8 Plus supports 15W wired charging, while the Mi CC9e supports 18W wired charging. This means the Mi CC9e *should* charge slightly faster, but the difference is unlikely to be substantial. The G8 Plus’s larger battery capacity and efficient chipset contribute to its impressive endurance, making it a better choice for users who prioritize all-day battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Mi CC9e if you prioritize a more compact and lightweight device, potentially offering better one-handed usability. Buy the Motorola Moto G8 Plus if you value a brighter, more visible display in outdoor conditions and want the peace of mind of slightly longer battery life between charges. Both are excellent choices for users on a tight budget who don't require flagship-level performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 665 in either phone struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 665 is a capable chipset for casual gaming, but it will likely struggle with demanding titles like PUBG Mobile at high settings. Expect to play at medium settings with moderate frame rates for a smoother experience on both the Mi CC9e and Moto G8 Plus.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera information a major concern for photo enthusiasts?
Yes, the limited camera specifications are a significant drawback. Without knowing sensor sizes, apertures, or the presence of OIS, it’s difficult to assess the camera’s capabilities. Both phones are likely to perform adequately in good lighting conditions, but expect limited performance in low-light scenarios.
❓ Which phone is better for watching videos outdoors?
The Motorola Moto G8 Plus is the clear winner for outdoor video viewing due to its significantly brighter display (581 nits). This higher brightness ensures better visibility even in direct sunlight, while the Mi CC9e’s display may be difficult to see in the same conditions.
