Moto G Power vs. Moto G Stylus (2023): Which Motorola is Right for You?

Motorola's G-series consistently delivers value in the budget smartphone space. The Moto G Power prioritizes exceptional battery life, while the Moto G Stylus (2023) adds the convenience of a built-in stylus and a slightly more modern chipset. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two devices to determine which best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity, the Moto G Power remains a strong contender due to its focus on maximizing battery runtime. However, the Moto G Stylus (2023) offers a noticeable performance uplift with its Helio G85 chipset and the added utility of the stylus, making it the better all-around choice for those willing to trade a bit of battery life.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G Power Motorola Moto G Stylus (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, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 41, 66, 71
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 600/100 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2020, February 07. Released 2020, April 172023, May 02
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2023, May 05
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, aluminum frame (6000 series)Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions159.9 x 75.8 x 9.6 mm (6.30 x 2.98 x 0.38 in)162.9 x 74.1 x 9.2 mm (6.41 x 2.92 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
 Water-repellent coatingStylus Water-repellent design
Display
Resolution1080 x 2300 pixels (~399 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 100.7 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.5% 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 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)Mediatek MT6769 Helio G85 (12 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Mali-G52 MC2
OSAndroid 10Android 13, planned upgrade to Android 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro)
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)50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30/120fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioNo
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, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximityFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging10W wired15W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSmoke BlackBlue, Rose Gold
ModelsXT2041DL-
Price-About 200 EUR

Motorola Moto G Power

  • Exceptional battery life due to efficient chipset and likely larger battery capacity.
  • More affordable price point, making it accessible to budget-conscious consumers.
  • Proven reliability and software support from Motorola.

  • Older chipset limits performance in demanding applications.
  • Slower 10W charging takes longer to replenish the battery.

Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023)

  • More powerful Helio G85 chipset delivers a smoother user experience.
  • Integrated stylus adds versatility for note-taking and creative tasks.
  • Faster 15W charging reduces downtime.

  • Battery life may be shorter compared to the Moto G Power.
  • Potentially higher price tag than the Moto G Power.

Display Comparison

Both devices likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price segment. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) aren't provided, the focus here is on the chipset's ability to drive the display efficiently. The G Stylus's Helio G85, built on a 12nm process, should offer slightly better graphics performance, potentially resulting in smoother animations and a more responsive feel when scrolling. However, without knowing the panel characteristics, it's difficult to assess color accuracy or peak brightness differences.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the G Stylus (2023) likely benefits from the improved image signal processor (ISP) within the Helio G85 chipset, potentially leading to better image processing and noise reduction. The presence of a stylus also suggests a focus on creative applications, potentially influencing software features related to image editing and annotation. It's reasonable to assume both phones will include a standard set of camera modes, but the G Stylus may offer slightly faster processing and improved image quality in challenging lighting conditions.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Moto G Power utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm), while the G Stylus (2023) features the MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm). While both are octa-core CPUs, the Helio G85 employs a more modern CPU architecture – 2x Cortex-A75 cores alongside 6x Cortex-A55 cores versus the Snapdragon 665’s 4x Kryo 260 Gold and 4x Kryo 260 Silver. This translates to a performance advantage for the G Stylus, particularly in tasks demanding sustained processing power. The 12nm process of the Helio G85 is slightly less efficient than the 11nm Snapdragon 665, but the architectural improvements likely offset this, offering a better overall experience.

Battery Life

The Moto G Power is renowned for its large battery capacity (specific mAh not provided), and its 10W charging is a compromise for maximizing runtime. The Moto G Stylus (2023) features a 15W charging capability, offering a faster recharge time, but likely with a smaller battery capacity. The Snapdragon 665’s 11nm process contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting the G Stylus’s faster charging. Users prioritizing absolute longevity will lean towards the G Power, while those valuing quicker top-ups will prefer the G Stylus.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto G Power if you absolutely need the longest possible battery life and primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. You'll benefit from fewer charging cycles and extended uptime. Buy the Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) if you value a more responsive user experience, enjoy taking notes or sketching with a stylus, and appreciate a slightly more modern processor for smoother multitasking and gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio G85 in the Moto G Stylus (2023) handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G85 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it offers a noticeable improvement over the Snapdragon 665 for gaming.
❓ How much faster is the 15W charging on the Moto G Stylus (2023) compared to the 10W charging on the Moto G Power?
While a precise time difference depends on battery capacity, the 15W charging on the G Stylus (2023) will significantly reduce charging time. Expect a 30-60 minute reduction for a full charge compared to the G Power, assuming similar battery sizes.
❓ Is the stylus on the Moto G Stylus (2023) pressure sensitive for drawing and note-taking?
While Motorola doesn't heavily advertise pressure sensitivity, the stylus does offer a degree of responsiveness for basic note-taking and sketching. It's not on par with the S Pen on Samsung Galaxy devices, but it's functional for everyday use.