Hi there! If you‘re trying to decide between Motorola‘s latest budget-friendly phones, the Moto G Stylus 2022 and Moto G 5G, you‘ve come to the right place. As an experienced technology analyst, allow me to walk you through all the key details in an easy-to-understand way.
I‘ll compare everything from performance and display to camera, battery life, connectivity and beyond. My goal isn‘t to just throw specs at you – instead I‘ll use real-world examples and benchmarks so you can truly grasp the meaningful differences. Sound good? Let‘s dive in!
At a Glance: Moto G Stylus 2022 vs Moto G 5G
Before we get to the nitty gritty, here‘s a high-level features comparison:
As you can see, both deliver solid bang-for-your-buck value with mid-range specs at budget pricing. However, the Moto G 5G edges out its rival in a few key areas like processor performance and software.
Keep reading for a deeper look!
Motorola G Series Background
First, let‘s quickly touch on Motorola‘s popular G series. Launched in 2013, the Moto G lineup aims to deliver quality smartphones with nice designs and decent features without breaking the bank.
They cut costs in certain areas, but use good components where it counts most – display, camera, battery life. And they provide a clean software experience too.
The Moto G Stylus 2022 and Moto G 5G 2022 follow in the budget-friendly G series tradition. But they also demonstrate Motorola‘s commitment to improving the line versus older generations.
Design and Build Quality
In terms of aesthetics, both phones sport similar stylish designs with edge-to-edge front displays, slim bezels and rectangular rear camera bumps.
The Moto G Stylus stands a bit taller and wider due to its bigger 6.8" screen. It measures 170 x 75.8 x 8.9mm compared to 164.9 x 74.9 x 8.5mm on the more compact Moto G 5G.
At 216 grams, the curvier Moto G Stylus also weighs more than the flatter and lighter feeling 204 gram Moto G 5G body.
Both devices have plastic frames and back covers to keep costs down. However, the Moto G 5G touts an IP52 rating for limited dust and water protection. So it better withstands splashes or accidental drops compared to the standard Moto G Stylus.
As for color options, the Moto G 5G takes the cake again with availability in Moonlight Grey, Frosted Blue, Ice Green and Dark Grove palettes. The Moto G Stylus 2022 ships in either Twilight Blue or Metallic Rose only.
Display Technology Detailed Comparison
One of the biggest differences lies with the screens…
The Moto G Stylus boasts a sizable 6.8-inch 2460 x 1080 FHD+ LCD panel. By contrast, the Moto G 5G goes with a smaller 6.5" 1600 x 720 HD+ display.
Yes, they both tout modern 20:9 aspect ratios that are great for watching widescreen cinema content or playing games. And you‘ll enjoy smooth, lag-free response on either thanks to speedy 90Hz display refresh rates.
However, side-by-side, the Stylus model provides a noticeably sharper viewing experience. Its higher 1080p resolution equates to over 400 pixels-per-inch density. Whereas the Moto G 5G maxes out at only 270 pixels per inch.
What does this mean in reality? Images, videos, text and everything on-screen simply appears cleaner and more detailed on the Moto G Stylus. It‘s especially apparent when viewing photos or playing graphics-intensive games where you can clearly pick out jagged edges on the 5G model.
Both phones reach sufficient max brightness levels for decent sunlight visibility though. So no major complaints there.
But without a doubt, media buffs and mobile gamers will be far happier with the Stylus variant‘s superior FHD+ display and optics. The Moto G 5G screen gets the job done. Yet more discerning users will notice its visual compromise.
Camera Hardware and Image Quality
Onto the cameras! You‘ll find strangely similar camera arrays…
Moto G Stylus Rear Camera System:
- 50MP f/1.9 Main
- 8MP f/2.2 118° Ultrawide
- 2MP f/2.4 Depth Sensor
Moto G 5G Rear Cameras:
- 50MP f/1.9 Main
- 2MP f/2.4 Macro
- 2MP f/2.4 Depth Sensor
Interestingly, Motorola outfitted both with the same 50MP main + 2MP depth sensor combo for portraits.
However, the Stylus swaps in an 8MP ultrawide angle shooter. Whereas the 5G model gets a dedicated 2MP macro lens for extreme closeups instead.
In practice, you can expect pleasing, social media ready shots from either device when lighting is sufficient. Though colors may occasionally look more saturated versus real life.
The Moto G Stylus does benefit from OIS (optical image stabilization) technology on its 50MP camera. This enables it to counter minor hand shakes for steadier video capture and low light performance.
Meanwhile, the Moto G 5G lets you get up close and personal with its macro lens. It can magnify details as tiny as 2cm across – incredible for highlighting textures, pet fur, plants, food and other tiny subjects.
For self-portraits, the Stylus houses a 16MP front-facing camera, while the 5G variant goes with 13MP. Both produce nice social media style selfies in most situations.
All said, while very close, the Moto G Stylus probably captures better all-around shots thanks to OIS and quality optimization. But its 5G sibling still impresses plenty given the affordable price.
Image courtesy of TechDroider on YouTube
Speed and Hardware Performance
Let‘s move onto processing performance which reveals more meaningful differences…
The Moto G Stylus utilizes a MediaTek Helio G88 chip paired with 6GB RAM. Surprisingly, the 5G model features an upgraded MediaTek Dimensity 700 5G processor but drops down to just 4GB memory.
You would assume more RAM equates to snappier real-world speed. However, independent benchmark testing confirms the Dimensity 700‘s integrated 5G modem provides a healthy boost in processing grunt – up to 2x faster than the Helio G88 in some cases!
What does this mean for you?
While the Moto G Stylus chugs along just fine for everyday tasks like email, web browsing and social media usage, the Moto G 5G‘s sheer horsepower advantages shine through when pushing limits.
Apps generally load quicker, and switching between programs feels more effortless thanks to ample unused RAM reserves. This applies to gaming too where demanding 3D titles run at faster, more consistent framerates with fewer hiccups or lag spikes dragging you down.
The 5G model doubles its rival‘s base storage too with 256GB built-in (vs only 128GB on the Stylus). Though both allow adding up to 1TB more space via microSD card.
So if you covet bleeding fast speeds, snappy multitasking and ample room for games – the Moto G 5G easily justifies its moderately higher cost in the performance department!
Software Experience
A quick note about software…
The Moto G Stylus ships with Android 11, whereas the 5G model enjoys a newer Android 12 operating system out of the box.
Still, Motorola‘s My UX skin keeps bloatware at a minimum across both handsets. And you can expect relatively fast security patches plus one guaranteed major OS update for either phone.
Unique to the Moto G Stylus are some custom Moto Note apps. These let you take advantage of its built-in stylus to jot handwritten notes, easily markup screenshots or photos, sketch drawings and more.
Battery Life and Charging
With both phones utilizing the same massive 5,000 mAh batteries, multi-day usage per charge is certainly achievable unless you push them super hard.
Standby longevity is stellar too – easily lasting days with light use thanks to efficient internals that sip power versus guzzling it down quickly like less refined budget phones.
The Moto G 5G does enable faster 15 watt recharge speeds when you do occasionally need to top up. In contrast, the Stylus model peaks at just 10 watts.
But even with moderate usage, I‘d expect most users to go 1.5 days minimum between plug-ins on either device. And complete 0-100% fills should finish under 2 hours on both – so no complaints there!
Cellular Network Connectivity
This is an important area to compare for future proofing…
As its name suggests, the Moto G 5G supports speedy 5G data connectivity on supported cellular networks where coverage exists.
This gives you access to the NEXT generation of mobile data speeds beyond 4G LTE:
- Smooth 4K video streaming
- Lag-free mobile gaming
- Ultra fast downloads/uploads
- And more
Of course, the regular Moto G Stylus connects to current 4G LTE and 3G networks just fine for most users‘ needs today.
But ONLY the Moto G 5G offers that coveted 5G hardware allowing you to ride the next wave of lightning fast wireless coverage as the infrastructure continues improving in coming years.
So 5G support definitely gives it a leg up for folks wanting to prepare for the future.
Pricing and Value Comparison
Let‘s wrap up with pricing which factors heavily into the overall value equation…
The Moto G Stylus originally retailed for $299 at launch. And today routinely sells for $200-250 at major online retailers like Amazon.
For the upgraded display, stylus functionality and flagship-adjacent design – that represents a stellar bargain in my book!
Meanwhile, the 5G model debuted around $399 MSRP. But nowadays commonly sells for $299 temporarily on sale if you shop around.
So for as little as $50 more than a discounted Moto G Stylus, you‘re future proofed with way faster performance, 5G connectivity AND snag the peace of mind from superior dust/splash resistance.
That makes the Moto G 5G an easy recommendation for shoppers wanting the best overall bang-for-your-buck without breaking budget.
The Verdict – Which Moto G Phone Should You Buy?
At the end of day, choosing between the Moto G Stylus 2022 and Moto G 5G comes down to your priorities:
The Moto G Stylus 2022 makes sense if you want a super large and sharp 6.8" display alongside handy stylus functionality at an affordable $200-250 asking price. Casual users focused purely on value are well served too.
However, I suggest most buyers should invest just a little extra in the Moto G 5G. You‘ll thank yourself later for the noticeable real-world speed boost, incredibly versatile cameras and future proofed 5G support. Plus, it feels a tad more premium in-hand as well thanks to tougher construction.
Hopefully this detailed yet easy-to-grasp comparison gives you the knowledge needed to select which phone best aligns with your needs and budget situation. Let me know if any other questions pop up!
