Moto G9 Power vs Galaxy M31: Which Should You Buy?

The Moto G9 Power is a Motorola phone that rivals the Galaxy M31 (Samsung) in the mid-range smartphone category. The phones stand out for their specifications, which include long-lasting battery life and 128GB storage, but have significant differences in processor and camera. Check out a comparison of the handsets’ specifications below.

Moto G9 Power vs Galaxy M31

SpecificationsMoto G9 PowerGalaxy M31
LaunchDecember 2020July 2020
Current price on Amazon$189.99$279.66
Screen6.8 inches6.4 inches
Screen resolutionHD + (1640 x 720 pixels)Full HD + (2340 x 1080 pixels)
Screen panelIPS LCDSuper AMOLED
ProcessorSnapdragon 662 (octa-core up to 2 GHz)Exynos 9611 (octa-core up to 2.3 GHz)
RAM4 GB6 GB
Storage128 GB128 GB
Memory cardyes, microSD up to 512 GByes, microSD up to 512 GB
Main cameraTriple Camera: 64, 2 and 2 MPQuadruple Camera: 64, 8, 5 and 5 MP
Front camera (selfie)16 MP32 MP
OperatingsystemAndroid 10Android 10
Battery6,000 mAh6,000 mAh
TelephonyDual SIM (nano SIM)Dual SIM (nano SIM)
Dimensions and weight174.2 x 76.8 x 9.7 mm; 221 g159.2 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm; 191 g
ColorsGreen and PurpleBlue, Black and Pink
Source: Motorola and Samsung

Screen and Design

Moto G9 Power

The differences between the phones start with the size and type of screen. The Moto G9 Power comes with a 6.8-inch display, a size that should please users who like large screens. The panel has a 21:9 aspect ratio, an elongated format similar to that of movie screens. The HD+ resolution (1640 x 720 pixels) is accompanied by 264 pixels per inch and IPS LCD technology, a set that can generate images with little definition.

Samsung’s model has a 6.4-inch screen with Super AMOLED technology, which promises more contrast quality, colors, brightness, and better autonomy. The device’s resolution is Full HD+ (2340 x 1080 pixels) with 403 PPI, which should give sharper and higher quality images than the Motorola phone. The smartphone also has Gorilla Glass 3 protection against drops and scratches.

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As for the design, the Galaxy M31 brings the selfie camera housed in a drop-shaped notch. The Moto G9 Power, on the other hand, houses the front sensor inside the screen on the left side. The rear camera for both sits in a rectangle on the back of the phone.

One point that may bother users is the weight of the Moto G9 Power, which is 221 grams. This is considered heavy by today’s standards, especially for those who hold the device in their hand for long periods. The weight of the Galaxy M31 is 191 grams.

Both models support nano-SIM. The Moto G9 Power comes in Pacific Green and Purple colors, while the Galaxy M31 is available in blue, black, and pink versions.

Camera

Samsung Galaxy M31

The Moto G9 Power comes with a triple camera consisting of a 64 MP main sensor (f/1.7 aperture), a 2 MP macro lens (f/2.4) and 83° angle, and a depth sensor also 2 MP (f/2.4) to assist in portrait mode, a feature that blurs the background of the image. The front camera is 16 MP.

The Galaxy M31, on the other hand, comes with a quad-camera, consisting of a 64 MP (f/1.8) main sensor, a 5 MP (f/2.2) macro lens, a 5 MP (f/2.4) depth sensor, and an 8 MP (f/2.2) ultra-wide camera, which captures wider images. With this, the Samsung model has the advantage when it comes to capturing photos and videos. The front camera has 32 MP.

The Moto G9 Power also has Night Vision mode, which helps capture images in low-light environments. It also features the Quad Pixel function, which groups four pixels into one to generate records with more clarity.

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On the other hand, Samsung claims that the 81° angle on the main lens and the 123° angle on the ultra-wide lens help to take better panoramic pictures. The macro and depth of field cameras allow you to adjust the depth of field before and after you take the picture. The device also comes with up to eight times digital zoom.

As for the video, both can record in 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) at 30 frames per second, but only the Galaxy M31 records in 4K on the front camera. Both come with digital video stabilization and HDR system, but neither has an optical image stabilizer.

Performance and Storage

Game booster

Another important difference between the models is the processor. The Galaxy M31 adopts the Exynos 9611, a proprietary chipset with eight cores up to 2.3 GHz. The RAM is 6 GB.

The Moto G9 Power, on the other hand, comes with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 662 (octa-core up to 2 GHz) processor and 4 GB RAM. This technical sheet should present lower performance than Samsung’s model. Motorola guarantees that the phone allows switching between several applications open at the same time, including the camera.

The Galaxy M31 also has the Game Booster function, responsible for optimizing the gaming experience. The feature promises smooth graphics, realistic movements, and learns the user’s patterns to optimize the battery, temperature, and memory of the phone during games. Both devices are 4G-only compatible and do not connect to the fifth-generation internet.

Regarding storage, both have 128 GB memory with support for microSD cards up to 512 GB.

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Battery

The big highlight of the phones is precisely the battery. Both devices come with a 6,000 mAh component, a capacity that exceeds the current industry standard for mid-range phones, which is usually 5,000 mAh.

Samsung promises up to 21 hours of 4G internet use, 26 hours of video playback, and up to 119 hours of audio playback. Motorola guarantees up to 60 hours away from the socket, that is, autonomy for more than two days.

While the smartphones tie on the big battery, the Moto G9 Power has the edge on fast charging support. The Motorola smartphone comes with a 20W charger, while the Galaxy M31 supports up to 15W. Both feature a USB-C charger input.

System and Additional Features

Android 11

Both phones leave the factory with Android 10, with the Galaxy M31 even coming with the One UI Core 2.1 interface. Recently, Samsung and Motorola announced that both phones should soon receive the update to Android 11, Google’s latest version that brings new features such as screen recording, a grouping of chat notifications, and more data protection. The Galaxy M31 is already receiving the Android 11 version in countries.

Moto G9 Power

The Moto G9 Power comes with a fingerprint on the rear, a dedicated Google Assistant button on the side, and gesture control of functions, such as instant camera and a quick flashlight. The Galaxy M31 has a fingerprint scanner on the back and also features facial recognition to unlock the device. Neither smartphone comes with NFC for making proximity payments through apps like Google Pay.

Both have Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, 5 GHz Wi-Fi and a 3.5 mm P2 headphone jack. Samsung’s cell phone also stands out for its Quick Share technology, which allows you to instantly send content such as videos and photos via Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth.

Price

The Galaxy M31 is available on Amazon official store and can be purchased for $279.69

The Moto G9 Power landed on the market in December last year and can be purchased for $189.99.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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