ASUS ROG Phone 9 vs Motorola Moto G Power (2023)
The Verdict
These phones target entirely different user segments, making direct comparison challenging. The ASUS ROG Phone 9 is a flagship gaming beast with a 6.78-inch 185Hz LTPO AMOLED display outputting 2500 nits of brightness, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and 16GB RAM. Its 50MP main camera with OIS and Sony IMX906 sensor delivers superior image quality, while 8K video recording at 24fps showcases cutting-edge capabilities. The 5800mAh battery with 65W charging ensures sustained performance. Meanwhile, the Moto G Power 2023 prioritizes longevity and affordability. Its 6.5-inch IPS LCD panel refreshes at 120Hz with modest 500-nit brightness, while the MediaTek Dimensity 930 processor and 4GB RAM handle basic tasks adequately. The 50MP camera lacks OIS and produces noticeably softer images, capped at 1080p video recording. Battery capacity matches at 5000mAh, though charging is slower at 18W. Build quality differs significantly: the ROG features aluminum framing and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 versus plastic construction on the Moto. For mobile gaming, content creation, and demanding apps, the ROG Phone 9 excels decisively. For messaging, social media, and everyday use on a tight budget, the Moto G Power 2023 remains practical. Your choice depends entirely on performance requirements and budget constraints rather than overall superiority.
Who Should Buy
Buy the ASUS ROG Phone 9 if…
- →185Hz display refresh rate is the highest on any smartphone
- →Snapdragon 8 Elite with advanced cooling sustains peak gaming performance
- →5800 mAh battery handles extended gaming sessions
Buy the Motorola Moto G Power (2023) if…
- →120Hz display is smooth for a budget phone
- →5G connectivity at an affordable price
- →5000 mAh battery provides reliable two-day endurance
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
ASUS ROG Phone 9
Pros
- 185Hz display refresh rate is the highest on any smartphone
- Snapdragon 8 Elite with advanced cooling sustains peak gaming performance
- 5800 mAh battery handles extended gaming sessions
- AniMe Vision LED dot-matrix display on the back for notifications
- AirTrigger ultrasonic shoulder buttons enhance mobile gaming controls
Cons
- Heavy at 227 g — feels chunky as a daily driver
- 65W charging is slow compared to Chinese gaming phone rivals
- Camera is competent but not flagship-level for the price
- Gaming-focused design is too aggressive for many users
Motorola Moto G Power (2023)
Pros
- 120Hz display is smooth for a budget phone
- 5G connectivity at an affordable price
- 5000 mAh battery provides reliable two-day endurance
- Near-stock Android 13 is clean and fast
- IP52 splash resistance for basic protection
Cons
- Only 18W charging is very slow
- 4 GB RAM is restrictive for multitasking
- 2 MP macro and depth cameras add no value
- IPS LCD lacks AMOLED vibrancy
- Only one OS update promised by Motorola
Full Specifications
| Spec | ASUS ROG Phone 9 | Motorola Moto G Power (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 15 | Android 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 227 g | 184 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Plastic frame and back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP52 |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 77.0 x 8.9 mm | 162.7 x 74.7 x 8.35 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.9, OIS (Sony IMX906) | 50 MP, f/1.8, PDAF |
| Front camera | 32 MP, f/2.4 | 16 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP, f/2.2, 120-degree | — |
| Depth | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Macro | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 16 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 64 GB, 128 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5800 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 65W wired | 18W wired (TurboPower) |
| Wireless charging | — | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.78 inches | 6.5 inches |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 185Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2500 | 500 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz + 6x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 830 | IMG BXM-8-256 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | MediaTek Dimensity 930 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.1 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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