Both the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro (India) and Motorola Moto G9 Plus target the competitive mid-range smartphone market, but they approach it with different strengths. The Redmi Note 9 Pro focuses on a well-rounded experience, while the Moto G9 Plus prioritizes faster charging and a slightly more powerful chipset. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity and a balanced feature set, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus emerges as the better choice. Its 30W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the Snapdragon 730G offers a modest performance edge, offsetting the Redmi Note 9 Pro’s slightly better endurance rating.
| 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, March 12. Released 2020, March 17 | 2020, September 07. Released 2020, September 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.8 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.53 x 3.02 x 0.35 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 | 209 g (7.37 oz) | 223 g (7.87 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro), AF
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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 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, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5020 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Black | Rose Gold, Indigo Blue |
| Models | M2003J6A1I | XT2087-1 |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.48 W/kg (body) | - |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 4GB RAM | ₹ 14,499 | - |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | ₹ 14,499 | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 127h
| Endurance rating 136h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1389:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1356:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-27.8 LUFS (Good)
|
-29.0 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 254000 (v8)
GeekBench: 1785 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 26fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 253105 (v8)
GeekBench: 1695 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro (India)
- Proven reliability and software support from Xiaomi.
- Competitive pricing, especially for the 64GB/4GB RAM variant.
- 64MP main camera sensor for detailed photos.
- Slower 18W charging.
- Less powerful chipset compared to the Moto G9 Plus.
Motorola Moto G9 Plus
- Faster 30W charging for quicker top-ups.
- More powerful Snapdragon 730G chipset for smoother performance.
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- Motorola’s software update track record is less consistent than Xiaomi’s.
- Limited camera details available in the provided context.
Display Comparison
Both devices feature nominally similar contrast ratios around 1356:1 to 1389:1, suggesting comparable black levels and color depth. However, the Moto G9 Plus boasts a measured peak brightness of 522 nits, a significant advantage over the Redmi Note 9 Pro’s unspecified peak brightness, making it more usable in direct sunlight. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the G9 Plus’s higher brightness is a tangible benefit for outdoor users. The lack of high refresh rate support on either device is typical for this price segment.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a multi-camera setup, but detailed sensor information beyond 'Photo / Video' is lacking for the Moto G9 Plus. The Redmi Note 9 Pro’s camera system is more widely documented, but without specific sensor details for the G9 Plus, a direct comparison is difficult. It’s reasonable to assume both phones will offer similar performance in good lighting conditions, but the G9 Plus’s potential for better image processing, given the more powerful chipset, could provide an edge in low-light scenarios. The inclusion of a 64MP main sensor on the Redmi Note 9 Pro suggests a higher level of detail in well-lit shots.
Performance
The Motorola Moto G9 Plus is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G, built on an 8nm process, while the Redmi Note 9 Pro utilizes the Snapdragon 720G, also on an 8nm process. The 730G’s Kryo 470 Gold cores run at 2.2 GHz, slightly slower than the 720G’s 2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold cores, but the 730G’s architecture offers improved sustained performance and efficiency. This translates to a smoother experience during prolonged gaming sessions and multitasking. Both phones feature 4GB of RAM in the base configurations, which is adequate for everyday tasks, but may show limitations with heavy app usage.
Battery Life
The Motorola Moto G9 Plus boasts a 136-hour endurance rating, slightly exceeding the Redmi Note 9 Pro’s 127-hour rating. However, the key differentiator is charging speed. The Moto G9 Plus supports 30W wired charging, significantly faster than the Redmi Note 9 Pro’s 18W charging. This means the G9 Plus can replenish its battery much quicker, minimizing downtime. While the Redmi Note 9 Pro’s slightly higher endurance rating suggests marginally longer battery life under typical usage, the convenience of faster charging on the G9 Plus is a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro (India) if you need a consistently reliable device with a proven track record and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Plus if you prefer faster charging, a slightly more powerful processor for demanding tasks, and a brighter display for outdoor visibility. Both phones offer excellent value, but cater to slightly different priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 730G in the Moto G9 Plus get noticeably hotter than the Snapdragon 720G during extended gaming sessions?
While both chipsets are built on an 8nm process, the Snapdragon 730G’s architecture is designed for sustained performance. This means it *may* run slightly warmer under heavy load, but it’s also less likely to throttle performance as quickly, providing a more consistent gaming experience. Thermal management will also depend on the phone’s cooling system.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Moto G9 Plus compatible with standard USB-PD chargers?
The Moto G9 Plus utilizes Motorola’s proprietary TurboPower charging technology. While it may charge at a slower rate with a standard USB-PD charger, it’s recommended to use the included charger to achieve the full 30W charging speed. Using a non-TurboPower charger will still charge the device, but will take considerably longer.
❓ How does Motorola’s software update policy compare to Xiaomi’s for these devices?
Xiaomi generally provides more frequent software updates and a longer support lifecycle for its devices compared to Motorola. While Motorola has improved its update cadence in recent years, Xiaomi typically offers quicker access to new Android versions and security patches.
