Moto G Play (2023) vs LG Q Stylo 4: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Performance

The LG Q Stylo 4, while older, remains available in some markets, presenting a potential budget option. However, the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) offers a more modern chipset and design. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device delivers the best experience for the price.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Helio G37 chipset, built on a more efficient 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the LG Q Stylo 4’s Snapdragon 450, making it better suited for everyday tasks and light gaming.

PHONES
Phone Names LG Q Stylo 4 Motorola Moto G Play (2023)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 38, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 -CDMA 800 / 1900
Launch
Announced2018, June. Released 2018, June2022, December 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2022, December 12
Body
Build-Plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions160 x 77.7 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 3.06 x 0.32 in)167.2 x 76.5 x 9.4 mm (6.58 x 3.01 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight172 g (6.07 oz)203 g (7.20 oz)
 StylusWater-repellent coating
Display
Resolution1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~390 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.2 inches, 99.2 cm2 (~79.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~79.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm)Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm)
GPUAdreno 506PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 8.1 (Oreo), LG UX 7Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 2GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.4, PDAF-
Triple-16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single5 MP5 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.12µm
Video720p1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, barometer
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired
TypeLi-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsAurora BlackDeep Indigo
ModelsLM-Q710(FGN), LM-Q710.FGN, Q710AL, LML713DL, Q710PLXT2271-1, XT2271-3, XT2271-5, XT2271-4
PriceAbout 250 EUR$ 54.00 / C$ 129.00
SAR1.12 W/kg (head)     1.22 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Display 240 USD-

LG Q Stylo 4

  • Potentially lower initial cost
  • Familiar LG user interface (for existing LG users)
  • May be readily available in specific regions

  • Older chipset (Snapdragon 450)
  • Less efficient 14nm process
  • Likely limited software support

Motorola Moto G Play (2023)

  • More powerful and efficient Helio G37 chipset
  • 12nm process for better thermal management
  • Likely longer software support lifecycle

  • May be slightly more expensive upfront
  • Motorola's software can be perceived as 'bloated' by some users
  • Build quality may be primarily plastic

Display Comparison

Both devices share a similar display price point of $240, but detailed display specs are unavailable. Given the Q Stylo 4's age, it likely utilizes an older IPS LCD panel. The Moto G Play (2023) likely benefits from more recent display technology, potentially offering improved color accuracy and viewing angles. Without specific nit brightness or resolution data, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the newer device likely has a slight edge.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications are lacking for both devices. However, given the market positioning, it's safe to assume both feature basic camera setups. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is impossible. The LG Q Stylo 4's age suggests its camera technology is likely less advanced than the Moto G Play (2023).

Performance

The Motorola Moto G Play (2023) boasts a significant advantage in processing power. Its Mediatek Helio G37, fabricated on a 12nm process, features an octa-core CPU with a faster clock speed configuration (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) compared to the LG Q Stylo 4’s Snapdragon 450 (octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53). The 12nm process node is more efficient than the Snapdragon 450’s 14nm node, translating to better thermal management and potentially longer sustained performance. This means the Moto G Play (2023) will handle multitasking and app loading more smoothly.

Battery Life

Both phones offer 10W wired charging. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Moto G Play (2023)'s more efficient chipset (Helio G37 on 12nm) will likely result in better battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the LG Q Stylo 4. The improved efficiency means less power is consumed during typical usage, extending the time between charges.

Buying Guide

Buy the LG Q Stylo 4 if you prioritize a potentially lower upfront cost and are primarily using the phone for very basic tasks like calls and texts, and aren't concerned with future software updates. Buy the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) if you want a more responsive experience, better performance for apps and multitasking, and a device that will likely receive more consistent software support.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Moto G Play (2023) struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio G37 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it's capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings. Expect some frame drops during intense action, but it's a playable experience. The Snapdragon 450 in the LG Q Stylo 4 will likely struggle significantly more with the same game.
❓ How long will the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) receive software updates?
Motorola typically provides at least one major Android update and a few years of security patches for its G Play series. While not as extensive as Samsung or Google, it's significantly better than the likely limited support for the older LG Q Stylo 4, which may no longer receive updates.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 450 and Helio G37 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is quite noticeable. The Helio G37's faster CPU cores and more efficient process node result in snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall user experience compared to the LG Q Stylo 4.