Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G 5G vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 169.5 × 77.5 × 9.4 mm | Moto G Stylus 5G is slightly taller and wider but thinner. The G 5G might feel more compact in hand. |
| Weight | 212g | 217.5g | G 5G is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for long usage. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Both offer large screens; the 0.1" difference is barely noticeable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have sharp displays for detailed viewing. |
| PPI | 393 | 387 | Both have similar pixel density, meaning a similar viewing experience. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Standard LCD; good color accuracy and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Standard smoothness; no high refresh rate for ultra-smooth scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is not specified; hard to assess outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G 5G | Snapdragon 480 5G | G 5G offers significantly better performance, making it faster for gaming and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 390,000 | 171,000 | The G 5G is notably faster; apps load quicker, better performance in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 610 | G 5G provides better graphics performance, improving gaming and video rendering. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4000mAh | G 5G offers a significantly larger battery, likely to last longer on a single charge. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 10W fast charging | G 5G charges faster; less time plugged into a wall. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 48MP, f/1.7 | 48MP, f/1.7 | Both offer similar performance from the main sensor. |
| Selfie | 16MP, f/2.2 | 20MP, f/2.0 | Stylus 5G has a higher-resolution and wider aperture selfie camera; better in low light. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.2 | Stylus 5G has higher resolution ultra-wide photos |
| ToF 3D Sensor | No | Yes | Stylus 5G has better depth perception for enhanced portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.2 | Stylus 5G has wider aperture; slightly better macro performance |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | 1080p@60fps | G 5G can record higher quality videos with 4K recording capability. |
| Slow-motion | 60 fps | 120 fps | Stylus 5G captures smoother slow-motion video. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Stylus 5G offers a newer OS and will likely receive more software updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Both support similar Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | G 5G has a newer Bluetooth standard for more efficient connections. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 128 GB | Both offer a decent amount of storage, but the Moto G 5G has a lower storage variant. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 4 GB | G 5G with 6GB RAM handles multitasking slightly better. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage via MicroSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Basic audio | G 5G has better voice capture quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Rear Fingerprint | Rear Fingerprint | Both provide standard fingerprint security. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | G 5G offers a compass, which can be useful for navigation. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 750G chipset provides much better performance for gaming, multitasking, and app loading. This is a significant advantage for demanding users.
- Better Video Recording: 4K recording offers higher video quality for capturing more detailed videos.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: 5000mAh battery combined with 20W charging offers longer battery life and quicker refills, ideal for power users.
- Slightly Better Audio: Dual microphones for better voice clarity during calls or voice recordings.
- Compass Sensor: Useful for navigation and some AR applications.
- Potentially more RAM: Option for 6GB of ram for more efficient multitasking
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G Advantages:
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) for a more up-to-date experience and potentially longer software support.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture for better selfies, especially in low light.
- Higher resolution ultra-wide camera: Better photos from ultrawide lens.
- Dedicated ToF 3D Sensor: Improves portrait mode photos with better depth perception.
- Faster Slow-Motion: 120fps slow-motion capabilities, better for capturing dynamic content.
- Wider Macro Lens Aperture: Slightly better macro shots due to a slightly wider aperture.
Trade-offs:
- The Moto G 5G trades better camera features and a newer OS for significantly better performance, battery life, and charging speed.
- The Moto G Stylus 5G prioritizes camera features and a newer OS at the expense of processing power, battery life, and charging speed.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance for gaming, multitasking, or general app usage. People who need long battery life and fast charging on the go.
- Use Cases: Gaming, heavy social media use, professional use (emails, documents), extensive GPS navigation.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a better performance-to-price ratio for users needing speed and battery life, assuming a similar price.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who value camera features, a more up-to-date OS, and the included stylus. Casual users who prioritize a decent camera and stylus functionality over raw performance.
- Use Cases: Photography, note-taking, drawing, content creation, and casual media consumption.
- Price-to-Value: Provides value for those seeking enhanced camera and stylus capabilities. However, the price needs to be attractive, given its less powerful processor.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance or Camera? Do you prioritize speed and responsiveness, or do you need higher camera quality and a more recent OS?
- Battery Life or Portability? Is long battery life more important than a lighter and potentially more comfortable device?
- Software Updates? Is the most recent version of Android crucial for your needs?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you are a gamer or multitasker: Choose the Motorola Moto G 5G for its better performance and battery life.
- If you are a photography enthusiast or use the stylus frequently: Choose the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G for its improved camera and stylus capabilities.
- If you prioritize value and performance: Choose the Motorola Moto G 5G.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Moto G 5G.
My reasoning is based on a few key factors:
- Performance: The significantly superior Snapdragon 750G chipset is a huge advantage. It offers a more fluid and responsive experience in day-to-day use, and also handles gaming better.
- Battery: The larger 5000mAh battery combined with 20W fast charging makes it more convenient for heavy users like me, ensuring that it lasts through the day without needing constant recharges.
- Video Quality: I also appreciate the 4k video recording option, which will be helpful to shoot high quality video content.
- Value: While the Stylus offers an interesting feature set, I believe that, generally, the performance and battery advantages of the Moto G 5G are more impactful and offer better value, especially for those who want a phone that can keep up with their usage.
While the Stylus 5G's newer OS and camera features are appealing, my primary needs focus on smooth performance and long battery life. The Moto G 5G aligns better with these priorities.
