Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G vs. Nothing Phone (2): A Practical Comparison
1. Specifications Breakdown
Design & Build
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G | Nothing Phone (2) | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Dimensions | 169.5 × 77.5 × 9.4 mm | 162.1 × 76.4 × 8.6 mm | Nothing Phone (2) is more compact and easier to handle one-handed. |
| Weight | 217.5g | 201.2g | Nothing Phone (2) is noticeably lighter, reducing fatigue during long use. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, but Nothing Phone (2) has a more premium aesthetic with its transparent back and LED Glyph interface. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G | Nothing Phone (2) | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.7" | Nearly identical screen sizes, but Moto G Stylus is slightly larger. |
| Panel Type | IPS LCD | OLED | OLED on Nothing Phone (2) means deeper blacks, better contrast, and HDR support. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Nothing Phone (2) feels much smoother in scrolling and gaming. |
| Peak Brightness | Not specified | 1600 nits | Nothing Phone (2) is far better in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G | Nothing Phone (2) | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) | Nothing Phone (2) is significantly faster—better for gaming, multitasking, and future-proofing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 171,000 | 1,135,786 | Nothing Phone (2) is 6.6x faster—no contest in performance. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB/12GB | Nothing Phone (2) handles heavy apps and multitasking far better. |
| Storage | 128GB (non-expandable) | 128GB/256GB/512GB | More options on Nothing Phone (2), but neither has expandable storage. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G | Nothing Phone (2) | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP (f/1.7) | 50MP (f/1.88, Sony IMX890) | Nothing Phone (2) has a better sensor, but Moto G Stylus has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Ultrawide | 16MP | 50MP (secondary) | Moto G Stylus has a dedicated ultrawide, while Nothing Phone (2) uses a secondary 50MP sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP (f/2.0) | 32MP (f/2.45) | Nothing Phone (2) has higher resolution, but Moto G Stylus may perform better in low light. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@60fps | 4K@60fps (OIS + EIS) | Nothing Phone (2) is far superior for video with stabilization and HDR. |
| Extra Features | Macro, ToF 3D sensor | Night Mode, OIS | Moto G Stylus has more lenses, but Nothing Phone (2) has better computational photography. |
Battery & Charging
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G | Nothing Phone (2) | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4700mAh | Nothing Phone (2) lasts longer and charges faster. |
| Charging Speed | 10W | 45W (wired), 15W (wireless) | Nothing Phone (2) charges 4.5x faster and supports wireless charging. |
| Reverse Charging | No | Yes (5W) | Nothing Phone (2) can charge other devices. |
Software & Extras
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G | Nothing Phone (2) | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (up to 12) | Android 13 (up to 16) | Nothing Phone (2) has longer software support and a cleaner UI. |
| Audio | Basic | Stereo speakers, Hi-Res Audio | Nothing Phone (2) has better speakers and audio quality. |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0 | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 | Nothing Phone (2) has faster, more stable wireless connections. |
| Stylus Support | Yes | No | Moto G Stylus is the only one with a built-in stylus. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G Strengths
✅ Built-in stylus – Great for note-taking and sketching.
✅ More camera lenses – Ultrawide, macro, and ToF sensor for depth.
✅ Larger display – Slightly bigger screen for media consumption.
Nothing Phone (2) Strengths
✅ Far superior performance – Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 crushes the Snapdragon 480.
✅ Better display – OLED, 120Hz, and much brighter.
✅ Faster charging – 45W wired + 15W wireless vs. 10W on Moto.
✅ Longer software support – Android 13 with updates to Android 16.
✅ Premium design – Unique Glyph lighting and transparent back.
Trade-Offs
- Moto G Stylus is bulkier and slower but has a stylus.
- Nothing Phone (2) lacks a stylus and some extra camera lenses but is far more powerful.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Who Should Buy the Moto G Stylus 5G?
- Budget users who need a stylus (students, artists, note-takers).
- Casual users who don’t need high performance.
- Those who prefer extra camera versatility (ultrawide, macro).
Who Should Buy the Nothing Phone (2)?
- Power users who want flagship-level performance.
- Gamers & multitaskers (120Hz + Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1).
- Photography enthusiasts (better main camera, 4K video).
- Those who value fast charging & wireless charging.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Ask Yourself:
- Do I need a stylus? → Moto G Stylus 5G
- Do I want the best performance and display? → Nothing Phone (2)
- Do I care about fast charging and software updates? → Nothing Phone (2)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Student on a budget who takes notes? → Moto G Stylus 5G
- Gamer or power user? → Nothing Phone (2)
- Photographer or content creator? → Nothing Phone (2)
Final Verdict: Which Would I Choose?
I’d pick the Nothing Phone (2).
While the Moto G Stylus 5G has a stylus and extra camera lenses, the Nothing Phone (2) is in a completely different league in terms of performance, display quality, charging speed, and software support. Unless you absolutely need a stylus, the Nothing Phone (2) is the far better long-term investment.
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 120Hz OLED, 45W charging, and 4K video make it a no-brainer for most users. The Moto G Stylus 5G is only worth considering if you specifically need the stylus—otherwise, the Nothing Phone (2) is the clear winner. 🚀
