LG K31 vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G: A Detailed Comparison for Budget 5G Buyers

The LG K31 and Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G represent different approaches to the budget smartphone market. The K31, an older model, focuses on affordability, while the Moto G Stylus 5G brings 5G connectivity and a built-in stylus to a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 480 chipset, built on an 8nm process, delivers significantly better performance and 5G capabilities than the LG K31’s older Helio P22. While the K31 is cheaper, the G Stylus 5G’s improved efficiency and future-proofing justify the price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names LG K31 Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 25, 26, 41, 66, 711, 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-2, 5, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 / 1900 -
Launch
Announced2020, August 21. Released 2020, August 212021, June 09
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, June 14
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions147.8 x 71.1 x 8.6 mm (5.82 x 2.80 x 0.34 in)169.5 x 77.5 x 9.4 mm (6.67 x 3.05 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight146 g (5.15 oz)217.5 g (7.69 oz)
 MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditionsStylus Water-repellent design
Display
Resolution720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~295 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)
Size5.7 inches, 81.1 cm2 (~77.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
ChipsetMediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Adreno 619
OSAndroid 10, LG UX 9.1Android 11, upgradable to Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 2GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm-
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0, 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single5 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoUnspecified
USBmicroUSB 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometerFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity
Battery
Charging-10W wired
TypeLi-Ion 3000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGrayCosmic Emerald
ModelsLM-K300Q, LMK300, LGL355DLXT2131, XT2131DL, XT2131-1, XT2131-3, XT2131-4
PriceAbout 130 EUR€ 189.97 / $ 74.98 / £ 179.95

LG K31

  • Lowest possible price point
  • Simple and straightforward user experience
  • Potentially longer standby time due to less demanding hardware

  • Outdated chipset with limited performance
  • No 5G connectivity
  • Likely poor gaming performance

Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G

  • 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
  • More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 480 chipset
  • Built-in stylus for added functionality

  • Slow 10W charging
  • Higher price than the LG K31
  • May not compete with higher-end phones in camera quality

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, the lack of detailed display specs for the K31 makes a direct comparison difficult. The Moto G Stylus 5G benefits from a larger screen size, which is advantageous for media consumption. The K31’s display resolution is likely 720p, while the Moto G Stylus 5G is 1080p, resulting in a sharper image on the Motorola device. The 8nm Snapdragon 480 in the Moto G Stylus 5G allows for more efficient display power management.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is likely similar in real-world scenarios, given the focus on affordability for both devices. Detailed camera specs are missing for the LG K31, but it likely features a basic sensor setup. The Moto G Stylus 5G’s camera system, while not flagship-level, benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 480, offering improved image processing capabilities. The Moto G Stylus 5G likely has a larger main sensor, resulting in better low-light performance. The inclusion of 5G connectivity on the Motorola device also allows for faster uploads of photos and videos.

Performance

The performance gap is substantial. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm) is a clear upgrade over the LG K31’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm). The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 480 translates to better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling under sustained loads. The Snapdragon 480’s Kryo 460 cores, with their 2x2.0 GHz and 6x1.8 GHz configuration, offer a more sophisticated architecture than the K31’s Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 setup. This means faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience on the Motorola device. Gamers will find the Moto G Stylus 5G capable of handling less demanding titles, while the K31 will struggle with anything beyond basic games.

Battery Life

The Moto G Stylus 5G’s 10W charging is slow by modern standards, but the Snapdragon 480’s efficiency helps offset this. The Helio P22 in the K31, being a less efficient chip, will likely drain the battery faster under similar usage. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the Moto G Stylus 5G’s more efficient chipset will likely provide comparable or better real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity. The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 480 contributes significantly to this improved efficiency.

Buying Guide

Buy the LG K31 if you absolutely need the lowest possible upfront cost and 5G isn't a priority. It's suitable for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G if you want a more responsive experience, 5G connectivity for faster data speeds, and the added functionality of a stylus for note-taking and creative tasks. It’s the better long-term investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 480’s 8nm process and Qualcomm’s thermal management features help mitigate overheating. While it won’t deliver flagship-level gaming performance, the Moto G Stylus 5G should handle moderate gaming sessions without significant throttling, unlike the LG K31’s Helio P22 which is more prone to overheating.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Moto G Stylus 5G actually useful?
The usefulness of 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. However, even in areas with limited 5G availability, the Moto G Stylus 5G will fall back to 4G LTE. The primary benefit is future-proofing, ensuring you’re ready to take advantage of faster speeds as 5G networks expand. The LG K31 lacks this future-proofing.
❓ How does the stylus on the Moto G Stylus 5G enhance the user experience?
The built-in stylus allows for precise note-taking, sketching, and navigation. It’s particularly useful for users who prefer handwriting over typing or need to annotate documents on the go. The LG K31 lacks any stylus support.