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

The Motorola Moto G Play (2023) and G Pure are both entry-level smartphones aiming to deliver affordability and essential features. But with subtle differences in their hardware, which one offers the better value? This comprehensive comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Moto G Play (2023) edges out the G Pure thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and potentially improved software experience. While both are budget options, the G Play offers a bit more performance for everyday tasks, making it the marginally better choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G Play (2023) Motorola G Pure
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, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA 800 / 1900 -
Launch
Announced2022, December 082021, October 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, December 12Available. Released 2021, October 14
Body
BuildPlastic frame, plastic backGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions167.2 x 76.5 x 9.4 mm (6.58 x 3.01 x 0.37 in)167.4 x 75.6 x 8.8 mm (6.59 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight203 g (7.20 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
 Water-repellent coatingWater-repellent design
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 (~79.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 12Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 3GB RAM32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual-13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm, AF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single5 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.12µm5 MP, f/2.4, 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), accelerometer, proximity, barometerFingerprint (rear-mounted)
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsDeep IndigoDeep Indigo
ModelsXT2271-1, XT2271-3, XT2271-5, XT2271-4XT-2163-4, XT2163-4, XT2163-6, XT2163-1, XT2163-2
Price$ 54.00 / C$ 129.00$ 63.99 / C$ 123.00

Motorola Moto G Play (2023)

  • Slightly better performance (Helio G37)
  • Potentially improved display
  • Good battery life
  • Clean Android experience

  • 10W charging is slow
  • Camera performance is basic
  • Limited storage options

Motorola G Pure

  • Very affordable
  • Large battery
  • Clean Android experience

  • Lower performance (Helio G25)
  • Basic camera
  • Slow charging
  • Can feel sluggish

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles for their price range. However, the Moto G Play (2023) may have slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to potential display panel improvements, though this is difficult to confirm without direct testing. Expect similar resolution and pixel density on both.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is generally modest on both devices. The Moto G Play (2023) likely has a slightly better main camera sensor, potentially resulting in marginally improved image quality in good lighting conditions. Both phones will struggle in low light, producing noisy and blurry images. Expect similar front-facing camera capabilities on both.

Performance

The Moto G Play (2023)'s Helio G37 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the G Pure's Helio G25. The G37's higher clock speeds and slightly more efficient architecture translate to snappier app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness. The G Pure will feel sluggish by comparison, especially when handling multiple apps or demanding tasks.

Battery Life

Both devices offer a large 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life. However, the Moto G Play (2023)'s more efficient chipset could translate to slightly better battery endurance, especially under moderate usage. The shared 10W charging speed means neither phone charges particularly quickly.

Buying Guide

The Motorola Moto G Play (2023) is ideal for users prioritizing a smoother experience for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. The Motorola G Pure is a good option for those on an extremely tight budget who primarily need a phone for calls, texts, and essential apps, and are less concerned with performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has more RAM?
The Moto G Play (2023) typically comes with 3GB or 4GB of RAM, while the G Pure usually has 2GB or 3GB. This contributes to the G Play's better multitasking capabilities.
❓ Are the software experiences different?
Both phones run a near-stock version of Android, which is a plus for Motorola users. However, the Moto G Play (2023) may receive slightly longer software support and updates due to its newer chipset.