Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Moto G31 and the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023). Buckle up, because we're going deep, not just skimming the spec sheet. We'll break down the tech, translate it into real-world experiences, and figure out which phone might be your best bet.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at how these two Motorolas stack up, with an emphasis on what these specs mean for you:
| Feature | Motorola Moto G31 | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-12-06 | 2023-06-02 | The Stylus 5G is significantly newer, boasting newer tech. |
| Dimensions | 161.9 × 73.9 × 8.6 mm, 181g | 162.8 × 73.8 × 9.2 mm, 202g | G31 is thinner and lighter, feeling more comfortable for long sessions; Stylus is a tad bulky. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.6" | Stylus offers a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness across both; Both offer sharp visuals. |
| PPI | 411 | 399 | Both have very similar pixel density, neither will seem overly pixelated. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | G31 has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors; Stylus might have better viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Stylus provides smoother scrolling and animations, much better for responsive UI. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both should have similar visibility in varying light conditions, but we have a missing value. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Stylus boasts a significantly more powerful and efficient chip, boosting speeds and battery efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 225,154 | 565,000 | Stylus is substantially faster for apps, gaming, and multitasking, representing a huge performance gap. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 710 | Stylus offers superior graphics performance, better for gaming and graphics-intensive apps. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer all-day battery life, though efficiency varies between chipsets. |
| Charging | 10W | 20W | Stylus charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.55", 1.0µm | Stylus has a larger sensor and larger pixels, suggesting better low-light performance and more details. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 16MP, f/2.5 | Stylus has slightly better resolution; G31 has wider aperture, meaning slightly better low light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.0 | N/A | G31 has a dedicated wide-angle lens, better for group shots and scenic views. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | G31 has a dedicated macro lens, good for close-up shots, but often underutilized. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2 | Stylus combines wide-angle and macro functionality, good for versatile shooting. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, No Stabilization | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, OIS | Stylus provides higher-resolution, smoother videos, and optical image stabilization. |
| Features | O.Zoom, Triple Cam, D.I.S., LAF, RAW | D.Zoom, Dual Cam, OIS, U.S.Video | G31 offers laser autofocus and RAW capture; Stylus has OIS for stabilized shots and Night Mode. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Stylus comes with newer OS, offering more features, security patches, and better app support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (WiFi 6) | Stylus offers faster speeds, lower latency and more modern connectivity with Wi-Fi 6. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Stylus supports better codecs (APT-x, LDAC) for higher-quality wireless audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, SUPL, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Both have good GPS but support different satellite configurations. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Single SIM | G31 provides dual SIM capability. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Stylus offers more storage options, better for storing more media. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB/6 GB/8 GB | Stylus offers more RAM configurations, for smoother multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | Stylus provides better audio immersion with stereo speakers, while both have Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both offer convenient side-mounted biometric security. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accel., Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accel., Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Both share basic sensors; G31 has compass, while Stylus has Geomagnetic. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G31 Strengths
- Vibrant AMOLED Display: The G31's AMOLED screen delivers stunning visuals with excellent contrast, deep blacks, and vibrant colors.
- Dedicated Lenses: The G31 provides separate wide-angle and macro lenses for flexible photography, though it might sacrifice some image quality.
- Light and Slim Design: The phone is noticeably lighter and thinner, making it a pleasure to hold and use for extended periods.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) Strengths
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip provides a massive performance jump, making the Stylus faster and smoother in every aspect.
- High Refresh Rate Display: The 120Hz refresh rate delivers incredibly smooth animations, transforming the overall user experience, particularly in daily tasks.
- Improved Camera: The larger sensor and pixel size on the main camera, coupled with OIS, results in higher image quality and better low-light performance.
- Faster Charging: 20W charging significantly reduces charging time compared to the G31.
- Up-to-Date Software: Android 13 provides access to the latest features, security updates, and app compatibility.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers deliver a more immersive audio experience compared to a single speaker setup.
Key Trade-offs
- G31 Trade-offs: The G31 sacrifices performance, a high refresh rate, and some camera features for a slightly better display technology (AMOLED).
- Stylus Trade-offs: The Stylus has an IPS display (not as vibrant as AMOLED), and a heavier/thicker design, but benefits from an all-around better spec sheet.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Moto G31
- Best For:
- Users who prioritize display quality over raw power.
- Those who prefer a light and slim phone for comfort.
- Users who value the versatility of a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens.
- Budget-conscious users who are not heavy gamers or multitaskers.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
- Best For:
- Users who need a smooth, fast, and responsive phone.
- Those who value better camera performance, especially in low light and video.
- Users who want a device that will receive longer software support.
- Those looking for an immersive entertainment experience.
- Users who would love the added functionality of a stylus, although not mentioned in the data, it is implied by the name.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help guide your decision:
- How important is display technology to you?
- If deep blacks and vibrant colors are crucial, the G31's AMOLED might sway you.
- If smooth animations and overall smoothness is preferred, the Stylus with its 120Hz IPS is better.
- How much do you value performance?
- If you’re a light user, the G31 might be enough, but for anything more, the Stylus is a far better choice.
- If you want a phone that will handle anything you throw at it, the Stylus is the clear winner.
- Do you prefer a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens or a more versatile single lens with better low-light performance?
- The G31 provides separate lenses, but the Stylus has an overall better performing sensor.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Budget Conscious Light User: If budget is the utmost priority and you only need a phone for basic tasks, the Motorola Moto G31 will save money while having a nice looking screen, but it will be slower than the Stylus.
- Performance-Driven User: For those who want a smooth and responsive experience, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) is the obvious choice. It's a much better experience overall for a little more cash.
- Multimedia Enthusiast: If you watch a lot of videos or play some games, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) will give you a better experience with its larger screen, higher refresh rate and stereo speakers.
What I would choose and why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would absolutely pick the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023). The jump in performance with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is massive, making the phone feel significantly faster and more responsive in every aspect. The 120Hz refresh rate is also a huge advantage, making the user experience much more fluid. The better camera with a larger sensor, OIS, and 4K video is perfect for someone like me who uses their phone camera daily.
Although I love the vibrant colors of an AMOLED screen, for my personal use case, the overall better feature set of the Stylus is a no brainer, even if it means sacrificing the AMOLED screen. The faster charging is a nice bonus too, making it a much more well-rounded package for the modern smartphone user. The Stylus is an all around better experience for a reasonable jump in price, I am certain that it is worth it.
