Motorola Moto G Fast vs. Moto G Play (2023): A Head-to-Head Comparison

The Motorola Moto G series consistently delivers affordable smartphones packed with essential features. But with so many options, choosing the right one can be tricky. We're pitting the Moto G Fast against the Moto G Play (2023) to see which budget champion reigns supreme.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Moto G Fast generally edges out the Moto G Play (2023) thanks to its superior Snapdragon 665 chipset, offering noticeably better performance for everyday tasks and gaming. While the G Play boasts a larger battery, the G Fast's efficiency and faster processor make it the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G Fast 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, 14, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30, 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, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA 800 / 1900
Launch
Announced2020, June 05. Released 2020, June 122022, December 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2022, December 12
Body
Build-Plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions161.9 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm (6.37 x 2.98 x 0.36 in)167.2 x 76.5 x 9.4 mm (6.58 x 3.01 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight189.4 g (6.67 oz)203 g (7.20 oz)
 Water-repellent coatingWater-repellent coating
Display
Resolution720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~268 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.0% 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 Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm)
GPUAdreno 610PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 10Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 3GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple16 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm5 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS
Radio-No
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximityFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, barometer
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPearl WhiteDeep Indigo
ModelsXT2045-3XT2271-1, XT2271-3, XT2271-5, XT2271-4
PriceAbout 90 EUR$ 54.00 / C$ 129.00

Motorola Moto G Fast

  • Faster Processor (Snapdragon 665)
  • Better Performance
  • More Versatile Camera
  • Generally better build quality

  • Smaller Battery (potentially)
  • 10W Charging is slow

Motorola Moto G Play (2023)

  • Larger Battery (potentially longer battery life)
  • Affordable Price
  • Larger Screen (potentially)

  • Slower Processor (Helio G37)
  • Laggy Performance
  • Less Versatile Camera

Display Comparison

Both phones feature HD+ displays, but the Moto G Fast often has slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to its slightly more advanced panel. The G Play (2023) may have a larger screen size, but the difference is often minimal and doesn't significantly impact the viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

The Moto G Fast typically offers a more versatile camera system, often including a macro lens and potentially better image processing. While both phones have decent cameras for their price range, the G Fast generally captures slightly better photos in various lighting conditions. The G Play (2023) camera is adequate but not exceptional.

Performance

This is where the Moto G Fast shines. The Snapdragon 665 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Helio G37. Expect faster app loading times, smoother scrolling, and better overall responsiveness on the G Fast. The G Play (2023) can feel sluggish at times, especially when multitasking.

Battery Life

The Moto G Play (2023) generally has a larger battery capacity, potentially offering longer battery life under light usage. However, the Moto G Fast's more efficient processor can offset this difference, resulting in comparable real-world battery performance.

Buying Guide

The Motorola Moto G Fast is ideal for users who prioritize performance and a smoother user experience, even on a budget. It's great for light to moderate gaming and multitasking. The Moto G Play (2023) is best suited for users who prioritize battery life above all else and primarily use their phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light browsing.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Moto G Fast is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 665 chipset. It can handle more demanding games with smoother frame rates.
❓ Does the Moto G Play (2023) have a headphone jack?
Yes, both the Moto G Fast and Moto G Play (2023) typically include a 3.5mm headphone jack.
❓ What is the storage capacity of each phone?
Storage varies by configuration, but both phones typically offer options for 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Motorola generally provides timely software updates for its devices. Both phones will receive Android updates, but the Moto G Fast might receive updates for a slightly longer period due to its more modern chipset.