The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 and Motorola Moto G9 Plus represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The Redmi Note 9 focuses on endurance and a familiar MIUI experience, while the Moto G9 Plus prioritizes faster charging and a more streamlined Android build. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a brighter display and faster charging, the Motorola Moto G9 Plus is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 730G chipset also provides a noticeable performance edge. However, the Redmi Note 9 remains a strong contender for those valuing long battery life and a lower initial cost.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 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, April 30 | 2020, September 07. Released 2020, September 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, May 12 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 77.2 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.04 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 | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 223 g (7.87 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| 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 (~83.5% 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 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | 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 3GB RAM, 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/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 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 | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.3, 29mm (standard), 1/3.1", 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 | Yes (market/region dependent)M2003J15SG (Yes); M2003J15SS (No) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio, built-in antenna | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
9W reverse wired | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5020 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Forest Green, Midnight Grey, Polar White | Rose Gold, Indigo Blue |
| Models | M2003J15SC, M2003J15SG, M2003J15SS | XT2087-1 |
| Price | € 88.99 / $ 85.68 / £ 136.28 | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | 0.84 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.80 W/kg (head) 1.14 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 125h | Endurance rating 136h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1242:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1356:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-30.1 LUFS (Below average) |
-29.0 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 200414 (v8)
GeekBench: 1292 (v5.1) |
AnTuTu: 253105 (v8)
GeekBench: 1695 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9
- Longer battery endurance rating
- Potentially lower price point
- MIUI offers extensive customization
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Dimmer display (370 nits)
- Less powerful chipset (Helio G85)
Motorola Moto G9 Plus
- Faster charging (30W)
- Brighter display (522 nits)
- More powerful chipset (Snapdragon 730G)
- Slightly shorter battery endurance rating
- May have a higher initial cost
- Stock Android may lack some advanced features
Display Comparison
The Motorola Moto G9 Plus boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 522 nits compared to the Redmi Note 9’s 370 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. Both displays share a similar 1242-1356:1 contrast ratio, providing adequate black levels, but the G9 Plus’s higher brightness enhances overall image vibrancy. While neither phone features a high refresh rate, the G9 Plus’s superior brightness makes it the clear winner for media consumption and outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is limited. However, the Snapdragon 730G’s image signal processor (ISP) in the Moto G9 Plus generally provides better image processing capabilities, resulting in more detailed and dynamic photos, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. While both phones offer photo and video recording, the G9 Plus’s superior processing power likely translates to better video stabilization and low-light performance. Without specific sensor size data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a camera winner, but the chipset advantage favors the Moto G9 Plus.
Performance
The Motorola Moto G9 Plus leverages the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G (8nm) chipset, while the Redmi Note 9 utilizes the MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm). The Snapdragon 730G, built on a smaller 8nm process, offers superior power efficiency and thermal management. Its Kryo 470 Gold cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, outperform the Helio G85’s Cortex-A75 cores (2.0 GHz) in both single-core and multi-core benchmarks. This difference is noticeable in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, where the G9 Plus delivers a smoother experience. The 8nm process also means less throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Motorola Moto G9 Plus offers a 136-hour endurance rating, slightly exceeding the Redmi Note 9’s 125-hour rating. However, the key differentiator is charging speed. The G9 Plus supports 30W wired charging, significantly faster than the Redmi Note 9’s 18W charging. This means the G9 Plus can replenish its battery much quicker, minimizing downtime. While the Redmi Note 9’s slightly longer endurance rating is beneficial, the G9 Plus’s faster charging effectively mitigates any potential battery life concerns for most users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 if you need maximum battery life and prefer a highly customizable, albeit sometimes cluttered, software experience. It’s ideal for users who prioritize longevity and aren’t demanding gamers. Buy the Motorola Moto G9 Plus if you prefer a cleaner Android experience, faster charging speeds, and a brighter, more vibrant display. This phone suits users who frequently consume media and appreciate quicker top-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G85 in the Redmi Note 9 struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Helio G85 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty, but you may need to lower graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 730G in the Moto G9 Plus offers a more comfortable gaming experience at higher settings due to its superior GPU and thermal management.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging time between the 18W and 30W chargers?
The 30W charger on the Moto G9 Plus can significantly reduce charging time. While exact times vary, you can expect a full charge in approximately 60-75 minutes, compared to 90-120 minutes for the Redmi Note 9’s 18W charger. This is a substantial difference for users who need a quick top-up.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 522 nits of the Moto G9 Plus is noticeably brighter than the Redmi Note 9’s 370 nits, especially when viewing content outdoors or in brightly lit environments. The G9 Plus’s screen will appear more vibrant and easier to read in these conditions.
❓ Does the Moto G9 Plus's stock Android offer timely software updates?
Motorola's update track record is generally slower than Xiaomi's. While the Moto G9 Plus benefits from a cleaner software experience, it may receive fewer and slower Android version and security updates compared to the Redmi Note 9.
