Alright, let's break down these two Motorola contenders and see which one comes out on top for different users. We'll go beyond just listing specs and get into how these phones will feel and perform in your hands.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Motorola Moto G71 5G | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.2 x 73.9 x 8.5 mm | 162.6 x 74.8 x 8.3 mm | The G Stylus is slightly taller and a bit wider, but thinner. These are subtle differences that you might not notice day-to-day |
| Weight | 179g | 190g | The G71 is lighter by 11g; noticeable during extended use, especially if you're using one-handed. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | The G Stylus provides a bit more screen real estate, good for watching videos or multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have sharp screens, so you get crisp text and images. |
| PPI | 411 | 395 | These numbers are close enough that you won't perceive a difference in pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; AMOLED is generally more power-efficient, but the difference is negligible. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The G Stylus will feel significantly smoother when scrolling, gaming, or generally moving around the UI. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | The G Stylus will be much easier to see outdoors in direct sunlight. The G71's brightness spec is clearly incomplete and should be treated as a major potential downside. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) | The G Stylus is built on a newer and more efficient architecture, resulting in faster performance in daily tasks and gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 396,564 | 514,000 | The G Stylus scores higher on benchmarks, translating into snappier app loading and more responsive multi-tasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 710 | The Adreno 710 in the G Stylus offers better graphics rendering for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones should offer good all-day battery life for most users. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging, 15W Wireless Charging | The G71 charges slightly faster, but the G Stylus adds the convenience of wireless charging, a valuable feature for those with compatible accessories. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable, 15W wireless charging | The G Stylus has a small feature-based advantage here, offering both wireless charging and reverse charging |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP (f/1.8, 1/2.76") | 50MP (f/1.8, 1/1.56") | The G Stylus's larger sensor should mean better low-light photos and a wider dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP (f/2.2) | 32MP (f/2.45) | The G Stylus has a higher resolution sensor which will result in more detailed selfies, despite the slightly narrower aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP (f/2.2) | None | The G71 has a dedicated ultra-wide lens for more flexible shooting. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | None | The G71 has a separate macro lens for close-up detail shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP (f/2.2) | The G Stylus has a single lens that acts as both, simplifying the camera setup. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@60fps, Slow-motion: Yes, 60 fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps, Slow-motion: Yes, 240 fps | The G Stylus offers much higher quality 4K video recording and faster slow-motion capabilities. |
| Camera Features | Optical Zoom, Triple Camera, Laser Autofocus, RAW | Time-Lapse, 4K Video, Optical Stabilization, Continuous Autofocus, Dual Capture, Night Mode | The G71 has additional camera features which are rarely useful (Optical zoom, Laser Autofocus) compared to the G Stylus' more useful features (Time-Lapse, 4K Video, OIS, Night Mode). |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 14 (upgradable to 15) | The G Stylus ships with a more modern and feature-rich version of Android, and will likely get longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5, Dual-Band | Wi-Fi 6E, Dual-Band, MIMO | The G Stylus is equipped with the most recent WiFi technology and provides faster speeds, better latency, and performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC | The G Stylus has a newer version of Bluetooth as well as better codec support for better wireless audio experiences. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | The G Stylus supports more satellite navigation systems which means faster and more accurate positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + eSIM) | The G Stylus gives you the option for an eSIM which can be convenient for frequent travelers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB | 256GB | The G Stylus provides twice the built-in storage, which will likely be necessary considering you cannot expand the storage. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 8GB | Both should handle multitasking well, but the G Stylus' 8GB of RAM should provide better headroom for more demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither of the devices support expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The G Stylus offers stereo speakers for a more immersive audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones come with a fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have an unknown level of protection on the screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The G Stylus comes with a compass sensor which can be helpful for mapping. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G71 5G: Strengths
- Slightly Lighter: Noticeably lighter which makes it more comfortable for one-handed use.
- Dedicated Wide and Macro Lens: Offers more flexibility with its camera system using dedicated wide and macro lenses.
- Slightly Faster Charging: Minimal 3W difference, not a significant improvement.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024): Strengths
- Significantly Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate makes a huge difference in fluidity of the UI and gaming.
- Much Brighter Display: 1200 nits of brightness is a massive improvement for outdoor visibility.
- Faster Performance: The newer Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is a clear step up, providing snappier performance.
- Better Main Camera Sensor: Larger sensor size for better image quality in all conditions.
- Higher Resolution Front Camera: More detailed selfies.
- Higher Quality Video Recording: 4K and 120FPS slow-motion recording.
- Wireless Charging: A convenient feature that’s hard to pass up if you own other wireless charging products.
- Stereo Speakers: Improved audio immersion compared to the G71.
- More Modern Software: Comes with Android 14 out of the box and likely will get more OS updates.
- Faster Connectivity: Features the newest WiFi standard for faster connection speeds and lower latency.
- More Storage: Comes with double the storage for users who need the space to keep media and files.
Trade-offs
- Moto G71 5G: The main trade-offs are its older software, slower processor, less impressive display, and overall a less future-proof device.
- Moto G Stylus 5G (2024): The trade-offs are its lack of separate macro and wide-angle lenses and is slightly heavier.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Moto G71 5G
- Budget-Conscious Users: It offers reasonable performance at a lower price point than the G Stylus.
- Users Who Want Dedicated Wide and Macro Lens: Although not a deal-breaker, users who value these lenses may prefer the G71.
- Users Who Prioritize Weight: The G71 is slightly lighter than the G Stylus.
- Users with Less Demanding Needs: If you're primarily using your phone for basic tasks and don't need advanced features, the G71 will suffice.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)
- Media Consumers: Its larger, brighter 120Hz display and stereo speakers make it excellent for watching videos, browsing, and casual gaming.
- Mobile Photographers: The improved main camera sensor, better video capabilities, and high-resolution selfie camera make this the better option for mobile photography.
- Power Users: The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset and 8GB of RAM make this phone snappier and more responsive in all tasks.
- Future-Proof Buyers: The newer software and hardware make this phone a better investment for the long term.
- Users who value convenience: Wireless charging gives users an added convenience that should not be overlooked.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to ask yourself:
- How important is display smoothness and visibility to me? If you value a smooth and bright screen for daily use, the G Stylus is a clear choice.
- Do I prioritize performance and future-proofing? For better overall performance and the latest software, the G Stylus is preferable.
- Am I comfortable with not having a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens? If you want a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens, the G71 has them but the G Stylus offers more useful features in its camera system.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User, Light Budget:
- Recommendation: The Motorola Moto G71 5G would be acceptable if you're on a strict budget and only need a phone for the basics.
- Scenario 2: Media Enthusiast, Casual Gamer:
- Recommendation: The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024). It’s superior display, audio, and performance make it a great option for media consumption and gaming.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast:
- Recommendation: The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024). It has a better sensor for low-light, and the higher quality video recording for capturing memories.
- Scenario 4: Power User, Long-Term Investment:
- Recommendation: The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024). Its newer hardware, software, and features will keep it relevant for longer.
My Choice
Personally, I'd go with the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024). The significantly brighter 120Hz display, much faster performance, better main camera, higher resolution selfie camera, wireless charging, updated software, better wireless audio codecs, and double the storage are just too compelling to pass up. The lack of dedicated wide and macro lenses is a trade-off I'm willing to make for the overall improvement in other areas. Given that the G71's brightness information is missing I cannot recommend that device to anyone as its screen might not even be usable. The G Stylus provides a more well-rounded experience and a much better device for the long term, therefore I would pick it in a heartbeat.
