1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 162.6 × 74.8 × 8.3 mm | The G Stylus is more compact and noticeably thinner, making it more pocketable and comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 190g | The G Stylus is significantly lighter, which reduces fatigue during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | The G Stylus has a slightly larger screen, providing a bit more viewing area. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The G Stylus has a much sharper and clearer display with more pixels, resulting in a better visual experience, especially for text and videos. |
| PPI | 266 | 395 | The G Stylus provides significantly crisper images and text due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | P-OLED | The G Stylus has superior display tech, offering better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The G Stylus provides smoother scrolling and animations, which improves the overall responsiveness and fluidity of the display. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | The G Stylus is drastically better for outdoor visibility and use in bright conditions due to the significantly higher screen brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) | The G Stylus has a much newer and more powerful chip, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better performance in demanding games and tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 514,000 | The G Stylus demonstrates significantly better benchmark performance, indicative of a much faster overall experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 710 | The G Stylus has a more powerful GPU, leading to improved graphics performance in games and other graphics-intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 30W fast charging | The G Stylus charges much faster, reducing the time spent tethered to an outlet. |
| Features | 10W charger in-box | 15W wireless charging, Reverse charging | The G Stylus offers wireless charging and reverse charging capabilities for convenience and versatility. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1.00µm, Sony LYT-700C sensor | The G Stylus has a slightly higher resolution sensor with larger pixels and a more advanced sensor, likely resulting in better low-light performance and overall image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | 32MP, f/2.45, 0.70µm | The G Stylus has a significantly higher resolution selfie camera for more detailed and sharper selfies. |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | None | The G Power has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. The G Stylus relies on software for portrait mode which could be less effective. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | None | The G Power has a dedicated macro camera lens. The G Stylus uses the ultrawide lens as a macro lens which typically is not as effective. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | The G Stylus has an ultrawide lens capable of macro. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, OIS | The G Stylus offers significantly better video recording capabilities, including 4K resolution, higher frame rates and optical image stabilization. |
| Features | Triple camera, LAF | Dual camera, OIS, Night Mode | The G Stylus camera has many advanced features that enable a better overall user experience. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | The G Stylus ships with a much newer version of Android providing updated features, security updates, and a potentially longer support lifespan. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6E | The G Stylus supports faster and more reliable WiFi connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC | The G Stylus supports higher quality audio codecs, improving the wireless audio experience. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, L1+L5, E1+E5a, NavIC | The G Stylus offers more precise location tracking due to additional GPS systems. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | The G Stylus supports dual SIM functionality and eSIM support allowing you to have two phone numbers with the option to switch between carriers digitally. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64 GB | 256 GB | The G Stylus offers significantly more storage for apps, media and files. |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 8 GB | The G Stylus provides better multitasking and smoother app performance due to more RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 Mics | The G Stylus offers a superior audio experience with stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos support, and improved audio capture from multiple mics. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | The G Power has a side mounted fingerprint sensor while the G Stylus just has a basic one which is likely on the power button. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | The type of screen protection is unknown for both devices. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Both devices have a suite of sensors that provides a good user experience. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Camera: It has dedicated macro and depth sensors, offering more direct options for close-up shots and portrait photos.
- Slightly Wider Standard Camera Aperture: The slightly wider aperture (f/1.7 vs. f/1.8) could result in slightly better low light images.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: This is generally easier and more intuitive to use than other basic fingerprint sensors, offering a better user experience.
Practical Implications:
- The G Power offers dedicated hardware features for portrait mode and macro photography.
- The fingerprint sensor might provide a more seamless way to access your phone.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, pixel density, P-OLED technology, 120Hz refresh rate, and much higher brightness resulting in a significantly better visual experience.
- Much Faster Performance: A much more powerful processor, GPU and more RAM allows for a faster, smoother overall experience, especially for gaming and multitasking.
- Enhanced Camera System: Better standard and selfie cameras, improved video recording capabilities with higher resolution and OIS, and an ultrawide lens with macro functionality.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: 30W fast charging with wireless charging support.
- Up-to-date Software: Ships with Android 14 which provides newer features, security and a longer potential lifespan.
- Superior Audio Quality: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos and 2 microphones that give better audio.
- Connectivity Advantages: Supports WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1, and more precise GPS systems for better wireless connectivity and location accuracy.
- Dual SIM & eSIM: Supports using two SIM cards simultaneously, and eSIM capability for easy digital carrier switching.
- Significantly more storage: Comes with 256GB of storage versus 32/64GB in the G Power.
Practical Implications:
- The G Stylus is significantly faster and more responsive, providing a smoother user experience.
- The display is significantly better for media consumption and outdoor visibility.
- The camera system produces better overall photos and videos.
- The faster charging and wireless charging enhance convenience.
- Newer software and connectivity features make it more future-proof.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The G Power has a dedicated macro and depth camera, while the G Stylus combines macro into its ultrawide lens which may not be as high of quality. The G Stylus doesn't have a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode and instead relies on software which may not be as effective.
- The fingerprint sensor on the G Power is a bit more advanced, while the Stylus uses a basic sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals seeking an affordable smartphone with a long-lasting battery.
- Users Prioritizing a basic user experience: Users who prioritize simplicity and reliability over advanced features.
- Users who like side-mounted fingerprint sensors: If you prefer your fingerprint sensor on the side, this is the phone to get.
Use Cases:
- Basic daily tasks (calls, texts, web browsing)
- Users who need a phone that will last all day with long battery life.
- Occasional casual photography with a dedicated macro and depth sensor.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) Ideal Users:
- Users Seeking Enhanced Performance: Individuals who need a faster, more responsive smartphone for multitasking and gaming.
- Media Consumers: Users who value a high-quality display for watching videos and browsing content.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users seeking a more versatile and higher-quality camera system.
- Users that prefer Wireless Charging: Those looking for the convenience of wireless charging.
- Power users: Users who need the extra features for more productivity, such as Dual SIM and eSIM.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and other demanding applications
- High-quality photography and videography
- Frequent media consumption (streaming videos, browsing social media)
- Users who need a more future proof device with the newest connectivity and software.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) offers good value for basic smartphone users with a focus on battery life and a budget-friendly price tag.
- The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is significantly more expensive but provides a more comprehensive and cutting-edge feature set, better performance, and a much better overall user experience, making it a great value for users willing to pay extra.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The G Power is likely more affordable but comes with significant compromises. The Stylus is likely more expensive but offers a more premium experience.
- How important is performance and display quality? If you're doing demanding tasks like gaming or want to watch high-resolution content, the Stylus is clearly the better choice.
- What are your photography needs? If you want the best photos, 4k video, and a versatile camera system, the Stylus is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic User with Limited Budget: If you need a simple phone for calls, texts, and basic browsing, and you are on a very tight budget, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) will likely suffice.
- Scenario 2: User Wanting Good Performance and Features for the Price: If you are willing to spend more and want a more feature-rich phone with much better performance, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) provides a much better experience and is worth the additional cost.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Gamers & Power Users: If you need excellent performance for gaming and productivity with advanced features, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is the only suitable option.
What I would choose and why!
I would choose the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024). While the Moto G Power (2021) is a decent budget option, the improvements in the G Stylus are simply too significant to ignore. The drastically better display (higher resolution, P-OLED, 120Hz refresh rate, and much higher brightness), significantly faster performance (chipset, RAM, GPU), enhanced camera system (higher resolution, better video, OIS), and updated software with wireless charging, dual sim and more storage, make the G Stylus a much more well-rounded and future-proof device.
For me, the sharper, brighter and smoother display is a massive benefit for daily usage. The faster processor ensures smoother multitasking and better performance across the board. The superior camera and video recording capabilities are also a big selling point. While the G Power's side-mounted fingerprint sensor and dedicated macro/depth cameras are appealing, they are not enough to outweigh the massive advantages offered by the G Stylus 5G (2024).
Although the price point of the G Stylus is higher, the improved overall user experience makes it a worthwhile investment.
