Moto G Stylus vs. Moto G Power: Full Comparison & Which is Better?

The Moto G Stylus and Moto G Power are two of Motorola‘s most popular budget-friendly smartphones. Released in 2020, these large-screen devices share some key specs but also have important differences that may make you lean toward one over the other.

In this in-depth feature comparison, we‘ll analyze how the Moto G Stylus and Moto G Power stack up across 10 key categories. By the end, you‘ll have the knowledge to select which of these Motorola phones better fits your needs and preferences.

Side-by-Side Specs

Before we dive into the details, here is an at-a-glance specs comparison between the Moto G Stylus and Power:

From the above table, we can see the Moto G Power has a distinct battery life advantage with its huge 5,000 mAh capacity compared to the 4,000 mAh battery in the Moto G Stylus.

However, the Moto G Stylus sports a better main rear camera, higher resolution display, and double the internal storage space out of the box.

Now let‘s analyze 10 key comparison factors in greater depth.

1. Design and Build Quality

• The Moto G Stylus measures 6.24 x 3.00 x 0.36 inches and weighs 6.77 ounces with its plastic body and frame construction. Despite the light weight, it still feels solid and durable in the hand. The rear plastic does pick up fingerprints easily though.

• At 6.29 x 2.98 x 0.38 inches and 6.93 ounces, the Moto G Power is nearly identical in size and heft. It shares the same plastic build that also attracts fingerprints on the backside.

• Both models have a hole punch front camera in the top left corner, rear fingerprint sensor, headphone jack, and external microSD slots.

• With their over 6-inch displays and nearly 7 ounce weights, these phones are quite large and bulky compared to premium models. However, given their budget price tags, Motorola did not cut corners on materials and the Moto G series still sports a polished premium aesthetic.

2. Display Size, Quality & Refresh Rate

• The Moto G Stylus features a generous 6.4-inch LTPS LCD with a resolution of 1080 x 2300 pixels in a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. Everything looks crisp and colors pop nicely on this bright 460 nit Full HD+ panel.

• On the other hand, the Moto G Power equips a lower resolution 6.4-inch LTPS LCD with only 720 x 1600 pixels and a 19:9 ratio. Content still looks good but you will notice more pixelation compared to Full HD displays. It also maxes out at 400 nits brightness.

• Both utilize 60Hz refresh rates without any option to upgrade to faster 90 or 120Hz panels. But this tradeoff helps preserve battery life.

• While the displays share an equivalent 6.4 inch size, the Moto G Stylus clearly provides a better viewing experience with its Full HD resolution and 60 extra nits of peak brightness.

3. Cameras

On the critical camera front, the Moto G Stylus once again outperforms the Moto G Power:

Rear Camera Hardware

• Moto G Stylus: 48MP main + 2MP macro + 16MP 118° ultrawide
• Moto G Power: 16MP main + 2MP macro + 8MP 118° ultrawide

With a quad-pixel 48MP sensor compared to a standard 16MP, the Moto G Stylus can capture higher resolution shots with improved low light sensitivity. It also includes a superior 16MP ultrawide versus 8MP for improved dynamic range and detail on landscape images. Both provide 2MP macros and lack optical stabilization or telephoto lenses.

Photo and Video Quality

• In well-lit conditions, the Moto G Stylus produces pleasing photos with natural colors and plenty of detail with the main sensor. Ultrawide performance matches up well and macros are decent in good lighting too. Video tops out at 4K 30fps.

• Moto G Power images still look nice for a budget smartphone but can‘t match the dynamic range and detail capture as effectively as the Moto G Stylus. Ultrawide shots are a noticeable downgrade as well. For video, it maxes out at 1080p 60fps.

• For night photography and challenging light scenarios, neither device excels but the Moto G Stylus fares better with less noise and truer color reproduction compared to the Moto G Power.

• On the front selfie camera, both output 16MP photos. Again, the Moto G Stylus ekes out a small quality lead here.

All in all, while no match for premium flagship phone cameras, the Moto G Stylus handily outperforms the Moto G Power on the imaging front.

4. Performance & Hardware

Surprisingly, Motorola equipped both budget phones with the very same octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor and Adreno 610 GPU. You also get 4GB RAM in both models.

Therefore, general performance feels almost identical between the Moto G Stylus and Moto G Power:

• The Snapdragon 665 chip won‘t break any speed records but it handles most everyday tasks without frustration. Streaming HD video content also proceeds mostly smoothly.

• That said, the entry-level processor and 4GB RAM shows its limitations if you try heavy multitasking or fire up graphics-intensive games. Slowdowns, longer load times, and frame drops occur more frequently than on premium phones.

• Both models ship with Android 10 out of the box but should see at least one future OS update to Android 11.

The only hardware difference lies in internal storage:

• Moto G Stylus – 128GB
• Moto G Power – 64GB

Fortunately, you can expand storage on both via microSD cards up to 2TB so running out of room for apps, photos, or media is unlikely.

5. Battery & Charging

This is where these two Motorola handsets differ the most. Let‘s break down what‘s under the hood:

• Moto G Stylus – Packs a 4,000 mAh battery which Motorola claims will last 40 hours of mixed usage on a full charge. Supports 10W rapid charging via the USB-C port.

• Moto G Power – Houses an absolutely massive 5,000 mAh capacity battery, 25% larger than the Moto G Stylus. As a result, Motorola cites an incredible 3 day battery life, or 60 hours of run time per full charge. 10W rapid charging is also supported over USB-C.

In real world testing, both phones deliver on those battery longevity claims:

• The Moto G Power in particular can stretch up to 3 days per charge including over 8 hours screen on time for most users.
• The Moto G Stylus lasts around 1.5-2 days of typical usage on a full battery.

If marathon battery life is critical for you, the Moto G Power is the undisputed long-distance champ. But the Moto G Stylus still offers impressive uptime from its 4,000 mAh cell. Both charge from 0 to 100% in approximately 2 hours with the included 10W adapters.

6. Special Features

The most obvious unique feature between these two phones comes down to one key element – the stylus included with the Moto G Stylus.

• This handy input device slides right into the phone casing when not in use. It charges automatically while docked.

• Motorola built in robust stylus support directly into the Moto G Stylus software along with Microsoft apps for note taking. You can hand write notes, annotate screenshots, create drawings, edit photos manually, navigate UI elements with more precision, and more.

• The bundled Notes app proves particularly useful for capturing handwritten memos or sketches on the go without needing paper. Results sync automatically with Google Keep too.

• Power users may still prefer an active stylus paired with a tablet but the free practical functionality adds worthwhile everyday value, especially for students, artists, or creative types.

Beyond the stylus, both phones share software experiences:

• Moto Gestures like twisting to launch the camera fast.
• Moto Actions to customize device behavior.
• Moto Display wakes screen quickly when notifications arrive.

If you‘ll appreciate and use the stylus often, the Moto G Stylus brings that special added functionality. But the software experience otherwise mimics what you‘ll find on the Moto G Power.

7. Audio

Neither model includes stereo speakers – you get a single mono speaker and earpiece for audio playback. Sound quality is mediocre at best from the integrated drivers. However, volume output levels prove sufficiently loud for personal listening or video calls.

Thankfully, Motorola retained the universally appreciated 3.5mm headphone jack on both the Moto G Stylus and G Power. When plugging in headphones, you‘ll enjoy clean stereo separation and improved fidelity.

This allows you to bypass the weak integrated speakers in favor of a superior wired listening experience. Bluetooth headphones also pair easily if you want to cut the cord.

8. Security & Durability

Motorola outfitted both phones with rear mounted fingerprint readers for secure biometric authentication and app unlocking. In testing, the sensors prove accurate and offer quick recognition times similar to premium phone experiences.

While not officially IP rated for dust and water resistance, Motorola states these Moto G series phones feature a water repellant design that protects against moderate exposure to rain, splashes, or sweat. Just don‘t intentionally submerge them in water when possible.

Finally, the plastic body and Gorilla Glass 3 front screen on both models help absorb and withstand reasonable impacts or drops without failing. However, cracked screens remain a possibility so protective cases prove worthwhile investments for clumsy owners.

9. 5G, Networks, & Carriers

Neither the Moto G Stylus nor Moto G Power offer 5G network connectivity. You are limited to 4G LTE speeds on supporting GSM or CDMA carriers.

Specific LTE frequency band support includes:

• FDD-LTE: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 66
• TDD-LTE: 41
• plus 2G and 3G backwards compatibility

In the USA, that allows you to activate the unlocked Moto G Stylus or Moto G Power on any major carrier like Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile without issue. International travel roaming will work as well to regions with compatible LTE bands.

10. Pricing & Value

Available unlocked, the Moto G Stylus and Moto G Power offer exceptional value in their respective price ranges:

Phone	Launch MSRP	Typical Street Price
Moto G Stylus	$299	$200 – $250
Moto G Power	$249	$150 – 200

For under $300 MSRP and often discounted lower, either Motorola option packs impressive specifications most budget phone shoppers only dream about. All without forcing you into a long term carrier contract or upgrade fees either when purchased unlocked.

The Moto G Power does retail for $50 less than the Moto G Stylus. But given its larger display, enhanced triple camera setup, faster processor, and doubled internal storage – the Moto G Stylus easily justifies its small premium for the extra multitasking muscle and versatile stylus functionality.

Which Should You Buy: Moto G Stylus or Moto G Power?

So when comparing the Moto G Stylus vs the Moto G Power, which affordable Motorola phone reigns supreme?

The short answer depends mainly on your priorities:

Buy the Moto G Stylus If You Want:

• Best photo, video, and display quality
• Built-in stylus for precision input
• Sleek modern design
• 128GB internal storage

Buy the Moto G Power If You Want:

• Absolute longest battery life (up to 3 day runtimes)
• Big screen for media consumption
• Cheapest upfront price
• Don‘t need a stylus

Either way, both handsets provide exceptional overall value that outclasses any other sub-$300 smartphone offering. Unless you specifically desire the exclusive stylus support or best-in-class photography chops, most shoppers eyeing these budget Motorolas will be perfectly happy saving $50 and going with the marathon battery life and solid performance provided by the Moto G Power.