Motorola G Pure vs. Moto G Play (2023): A Detailed Comparison

Looking for an affordable smartphone that gets the job done? The Motorola G Pure and the Moto G Play (2023) are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Moto G Play (2023) edges out the G Pure thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and potentially improved camera performance. Both offer basic functionality at a low price, but the G Play's incremental upgrades make it the slightly better choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola G Pure Motorola Moto G Play (2023)
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 bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 38, 40, 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 Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 -CDMA 800 / 1900
Launch
Announced2021, October 072022, December 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, October 14Available. Released 2022, December 12
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backPlastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions167.4 x 75.6 x 8.8 mm (6.59 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)167.2 x 76.5 x 9.4 mm (6.58 x 3.01 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight188 g (6.63 oz)203 g (7.20 oz)
 Water-repellent designWater-repellent coating
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~79.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 11Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm, AF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single5 MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm5 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted)Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, barometer
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsDeep IndigoDeep Indigo
ModelsXT-2163-4, XT2163-4, XT2163-6, XT2163-1, XT2163-2XT2271-1, XT2271-3, XT2271-5, XT2271-4
Price$ 63.99 / C$ 123.00$ 54.00 / C$ 129.00

Motorola G Pure

  • Extremely affordable
  • Large battery
  • Decent display for the price

  • Underpowered chipset
  • Slow charging
  • Basic camera

Motorola Moto G Play (2023)

  • Slightly better performance
  • Potentially improved camera
  • Large battery
  • Good value

  • Slow charging
  • Basic camera
  • HD+ display quality

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles for everyday use. Expect similar color accuracy and brightness levels. Neither display is particularly impressive, but they are adequate for the price point. The Moto G Play (2023) might have slightly better color calibration, but it's marginal.

Camera Comparison

The Moto G Play (2023) likely has a slightly better camera system, potentially with improved image processing and low-light performance. While both phones feature a primary camera around 13MP, the G Play's G37 chipset may allow for better HDR and detail capture. Expect decent, but not exceptional, photo quality from both.

Performance

The Moto G Play (2023)'s Helio G37 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the G Pure's Helio G25. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a generally more responsive user experience on the G Play. Both phones are best suited for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming.

Battery Life

Both phones offer a large 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life. Actual battery performance will depend on usage patterns, but both should comfortably last a full day on a single charge. Charging speeds are identical at 10W wired, which is relatively slow.

Buying Guide

The Motorola G Pure is a good option for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize affordability above all else. The Moto G Play (2023) is ideal for those seeking a bit more performance and a potentially better camera experience without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Moto G Play (2023) is slightly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset, although neither phone is a gaming powerhouse.
❓ How long does the battery last on each phone?
Both phones offer all-day battery life with moderate usage thanks to their 5000mAh batteries.
❓ What is the difference between the chipsets?
The Moto G Play (2023) uses a Helio G37, which offers a performance improvement over the G Pure's Helio G25.
❓ Are these phones 5G capable?
No, neither the Motorola G Pure nor the Moto G Play (2023) support 5G connectivity.