Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G vs. Honor 90: A Practical Comparison
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | 169.5 × 77.5 × 9.4 mm, 217.5g | 161.9 × 74.1 × 7.8 mm, 183g | Honor 90 is slimmer and lighter, making it more pocket-friendly and comfortable for one-handed use. The Moto G Stylus is bulkier but may feel sturdier. |
| Display | 6.8" IPS LCD, 60Hz, 387 PPI | 6.7" AMOLED, 120Hz, 435 PPI | Honor 90 wins with deeper blacks, smoother scrolling, and better outdoor visibility (1600 nits vs. no listed brightness for Moto). The Moto G Stylus has a slightly larger screen but lacks AMOLED vibrancy. |
| Performance | Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm) | Honor 90 is 3x faster (Antutu 701K vs. 171K), meaning better multitasking, gaming, and future-proofing. Moto G Stylus is fine for basics but struggles with heavy apps. |
| RAM & Storage | 4GB RAM, 128GB (non-expandable) | 8/12/16GB RAM, 256/512GB | Honor 90 offers more RAM and storage, ideal for power users. Moto G Stylus may feel limited with only 4GB RAM. |
| Battery | 4000mAh, 10W charging | 5000mAh, 66W charging | Honor 90 lasts longer and charges much faster (66W vs. 10W). Moto G Stylus needs frequent top-ups. |
| Rear Cameras | 48MP (main) + 16MP (ultrawide) + 2MP (macro) + ToF | 200MP (main) + 12MP (ultrawide/macro) + 2MP (depth) | Honor 90 has a sharper main sensor (200MP), better for cropping and low light. Moto G Stylus has a dedicated ultrawide, but Honor’s computational photography likely outperforms. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP (f/2.0) | 50MP (f/2.4) | Honor 90 has higher resolution, but Moto’s wider aperture may help in dim lighting. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@60fps | 4K@30fps with EIS | Honor 90 supports 4K, better for content creators. Moto G Stylus maxes at 1080p. |
| Software | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 13 | Honor 90 runs newer Android, ensuring longer support. Moto G Stylus is outdated. |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0 | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 | Honor 90 has faster Wi-Fi and better Bluetooth codecs (AptX, LDAC). |
| Stylus Support | Yes | No | Moto G Stylus wins for note-takers and artists. Honor 90 lacks this feature. |
| Security | Rear fingerprint sensor | Under-display fingerprint | Honor 90’s in-display sensor is more modern, but both work reliably. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G Strengths:
✅ Built-in stylus – Great for note-taking, sketching, or precise navigation.
✅ Ultrawide camera – More versatile than Honor 90’s hybrid ultrawide/macro.
✅ Larger display – Slightly bigger screen (6.8" vs. 6.7").
Honor 90 Strengths:
✅ Superior performance – 3x faster in benchmarks, better for gaming and future-proofing.
✅ Brighter, smoother AMOLED – 120Hz refresh rate and 1600-nit brightness.
✅ Much better battery life & charging – 5000mAh + 66W vs. 4000mAh + 10W.
✅ Higher-resolution cameras – 200MP main sensor vs. 48MP, plus 4K video.
Trade-Offs:
- Moto G Stylus is bulkier (217.5g vs. 183g).
- Honor 90 lacks a stylus—a dealbreaker for some.
- Moto G Stylus runs older Android (11 vs. 13).
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Who Should Buy the Moto G Stylus 5G?
- Students & note-takers – The stylus is invaluable for annotations and sketches.
- Budget-conscious users – If stylus support is a must, this is a rare option.
- Casual users – Fine for calls, social media, and light tasks.
Who Should Buy the Honor 90?
- Power users & gamers – Faster chipset, more RAM, and smoother display.
- Photography enthusiasts – 200MP main camera and 4K video.
- Those who value battery life – 5000mAh + 66W charging is a game-changer.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Ask yourself:
- Do I need a stylus? → Yes? Moto G Stylus. No? Honor 90.
- Do I care about performance and future-proofing? → Yes? Honor 90.
- Is battery life a priority? → Yes? Honor 90.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- "I take notes daily." → Moto G Stylus.
- "I want the best camera and speed." → Honor 90.
- "I need all-day battery." → Honor 90.
Final Verdict: Which Would I Choose?
I’d pick the Honor 90.
Why?
- The performance gap is massive—Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 vs. Snapdragon 480 is night and day.
- AMOLED + 120Hz makes everything smoother and more vibrant.
- Battery life and charging speed are far superior.
- Camera quality (200MP + 4K video) is a clear win.
The only reason to pick the Moto G Stylus 5G is if you absolutely need the stylus. Otherwise, the Honor 90 is the better phone in almost every way.
Would you prioritize the stylus or overall performance? Let me know your thoughts! 🚀
