The sub-₹11,000 (approximately $135 USD) smartphone segment is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Poco M2 and Motorola Moto G9 Plus both aim to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The Poco M2 focuses on a balance of features, while the Moto G9 Plus prioritizes faster charging and a more refined chipset.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 730G chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Poco M2’s Helio G80, and the 30W charging significantly reduces downtime. While the Poco M2 offers competitive pricing, the G9 Plus delivers a smoother, more responsive experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 Brazil |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 08 | 2020, September 07. Released 2020, September 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, September 15 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 77 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.36 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 223 g (7.87 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (standard) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio (no wired headphones required) | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 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 |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Brick Red, Pitch Black, Slate Blue | Rose Gold, Indigo Blue |
| Models | MZB9919IN, M2004J19PI | XT2087-1 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | 0.85 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) | - |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | ₹ 10,499 | - |
| 64GB 6GB RAM | ₹ 10,799 | - |
| 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) |
Xiaomi Poco M2
- Competitive pricing (₹10,499 - ₹10,799)
- Available in 64GB/128GB storage options
- Decent battery endurance (136h)
- Less powerful Helio G80 chipset
- Slower 18W charging
- Limited display information
Motorola Moto G9 Plus
- More powerful Snapdragon 730G chipset
- Faster 30W wired charging
- Brighter and higher contrast display (522 nits, 1356:1)
- Potentially higher price point (not specified)
- Limited camera details
- Endurance rating is the same as Poco M2
Display Comparison
The Moto G9 Plus boasts a measured peak brightness of 522 nits and a 1356:1 contrast ratio, suggesting a more vibrant and visible display, especially outdoors. While the Poco M2’s display specifications aren’t provided, Motorola’s measured data gives it a clear advantage in display quality. The contrast ratio, though nominal at 1356:1, indicates a good level of black reproduction. The lack of information on the Poco M2’s panel type makes a direct comparison difficult, but the G9 Plus’s brightness is a significant benefit.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the market positioning of the Moto G9 Plus suggests a more refined camera experience. The absence of detailed camera specs on both devices indicates a focus on general usability rather than photographic excellence. Users seeking high-quality mobile photography should look elsewhere.
Performance
The Motorola Moto G9 Plus’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G (8nm) is the clear winner in the performance category. Built on a more efficient 8nm process compared to the Poco M2’s Mediatek Helio G80 (12nm), the 730G offers superior CPU and GPU performance. The Snapdragon 730G’s Kryo 470 Gold cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, outperform the Helio G80’s Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a better gaming experience. The 8nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended use.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 136 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life. However, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus’s 30W wired charging is a game-changer. This allows for significantly faster charging times compared to the Poco M2’s 18W charging. While the Poco M2 might offer slightly longer screen-on time due to potentially different battery capacities (not specified), the G9 Plus’s ability to quickly top up the battery provides a more convenient user experience. A full charge from 0-100% will be considerably faster on the Moto G9 Plus.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco M2 if you prioritize maximizing value and are comfortable with slightly slower performance for basic tasks and light gaming. It’s a solid option for users who primarily use their phone for communication, social media, and media consumption. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Plus if you value performance for gaming and multitasking, and appreciate the convenience of significantly faster 30W charging. This phone is ideal for users who demand a more responsive experience and don't want to be tethered to a charger for hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G80 in the Poco M2 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G80 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 730G in the Moto G9 Plus offers a significantly better gaming experience, allowing for higher settings and more consistent performance.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Moto G9 Plus with the 30W charger?
With the included 30W charger, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus can charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 65-75 minutes. This is a substantial improvement over the Poco M2’s 18W charging, which would likely take over 2 hours for a full charge.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs on both phones a major concern?
Yes, it is. The absence of information regarding sensor size, aperture, and image processing suggests that neither phone excels in photography. If camera quality is a priority, you should consider alternatives with more detailed specifications.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 730G in the Moto G9 Plus provide a noticeable improvement in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Absolutely. The Snapdragon 730G’s superior processing power will result in faster app loading times, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive overall user experience, even during everyday tasks.
