The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) and the HMD Bold represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive budget 5G smartphone space. While both aim to deliver essential features at accessible price points, they diverge significantly in their core processing power and overall architecture. This comparison dissects these differences, helping you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) is the superior choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, built on a more efficient 4nm process, delivers noticeably better performance and thermal management compared to the HMD Bold’s Unisoc T7200, making it the better option for multitasking and gaming.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2023, May 30 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2023, June 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | - | 162.8 x 73.8 x 9.2 mm (6.41 x 2.91 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~262 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.1 cm2 | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T7200 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 13, planned upgrade to Android 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 20W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, user replaceable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black; other colors | Cosmic Black, Rose Champagne |
| Models | - | XT2315-1, XT2315-4 |
| Price | About 80 EUR | $ 93.43 |
HMD Bold
- Potentially cleaner software experience (depending on HMD's implementation)
- May offer a lower price point
- Stock Android experience for faster updates (potentially)
- Significantly weaker processor performance
- Less efficient chipset leading to shorter battery life
- Inferior GPU performance for gaming
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
- More powerful Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor
- Superior power efficiency and thermal management
- Integrated stylus for enhanced productivity
- Motorola’s software can include bloatware
- May be slightly more expensive
- Potential for slower software updates compared to stock Android
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Without specific display specs, we can assume both utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. However, the performance difference between the chipsets will impact UI smoothness, making the Moto G Stylus 5G feel more responsive during scrolling and animations. Bezels are likely comparable, and color accuracy will be dictated by software calibration, a potential area where Motorola’s software optimizations could provide a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, it’s difficult to make definitive claims. However, Motorola typically focuses on computational photography, leveraging its software to enhance image quality. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is more advanced than the Unisoc T7200’s, potentially leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction. We can assume both phones will include a primary camera, but the Motorola is more likely to offer better image processing capabilities, especially in low-light conditions. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the Motorola would be a significant advantage, but is unconfirmed.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) utilizes the Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm), featuring four Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz. This architecture is significantly more powerful than the HMD Bold’s Unisoc T7200 (12nm) with its two Cortex-A75 cores at 1.6 GHz. The 4nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 translates to superior power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling, crucial for sustained performance. While both are octa-core CPUs, the A78 cores in the Motorola offer a substantial performance uplift in CPU-intensive tasks. The Snapdragon's Adreno GPU will also provide a better gaming experience.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 20W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds. The actual battery capacity is unknown, but the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s superior power efficiency will likely result in longer real-world battery life for the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023). The 4nm process allows the phone to accomplish more per watt, meaning less energy is wasted during operation. While a larger battery on the HMD Bold could offset some of this, the efficiency advantage of the Snapdragon is likely to prevail.
Buying Guide
Buy the HMD Bold if you prioritize a simple, stock Android experience and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) if you need a more responsive device capable of handling demanding apps, moderate gaming, and benefit from the integrated stylus for note-taking and creative tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T7200 in the HMD Bold struggle with demanding apps like video editors or graphically intensive games?
Yes, the Unisoc T7200 is a budget-focused chipset. While it can handle basic tasks, it will likely exhibit noticeable lag and slowdowns when running demanding applications. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) is significantly better equipped for these workloads due to its more powerful CPU and GPU.
❓ How much of a difference will the 4nm process of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 make in real-world battery life compared to the 12nm Unisoc T7200?
The 4nm process is a substantial improvement in efficiency. It means the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 consumes less power for the same level of performance. Expect to see a noticeable difference in battery life, potentially adding several hours of usage on a single charge compared to the HMD Bold, even with similar battery capacities.
❓ Is the stylus on the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) just a gimmick, or is it genuinely useful?
The stylus is a genuinely useful feature for users who take notes, sketch, or prefer precise control over the touchscreen. It opens up possibilities for creative tasks and enhances productivity, making it a standout feature of the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023).
