Motorola Moto G Stylus 2022 vs. 2021: A Head-to-Head Comparison

The Motorola Moto G Stylus series is known for its large displays, integrated stylus, and affordable price point. But with a new model released, is the 2022 version a worthy upgrade over the already solid 2021 edition? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Moto G Stylus 2021 edges out the 2022 model thanks to its slightly faster processor and more efficient chipset. While the 2022 offers minor improvements, the 2021 provides better overall performance for the price, making it the smarter buy for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G Stylus (2022) Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021)
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, 20, 25, 26, 29, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 -CDMA 800 / 1900
Launch
Announced2022, February 032021, January 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, February 17Available. Released 2021, January 14
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions170.2 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm (6.70 x 2.99 x 0.37 in)169.8 x 77.9 x 9 mm (6.69 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight216 g (7.62 oz)213 g (7.51 oz)
 Stylus Water-repellent coatingStylus Water-repellent coating
Display
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 109.3 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 112.2 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm)Qualcomm SDM678 Snapdragon 678 (11 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Adreno 612
OSAndroid 11Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0, 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0, 1.12µm Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoUnspecified
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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximityFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsTwilight Blue, Metallic RoseAurora Black, Aurora White
Models-XT2115, XT2115-1
Price$ 90.99About 90 EUR

Motorola Moto G Stylus (2022)

  • Slightly newer design
  • Potentially improved software updates
  • Integrated stylus

  • Less powerful processor than 2021
  • 10W charging is slow
  • Helio G88 chipset isn't as efficient

Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021)

  • Faster Snapdragon 678 processor
  • More efficient chipset for better battery life
  • Generally better value for money
  • Integrated stylus

  • Older design
  • Potentially fewer software updates in the future

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a large 6.8-inch FHD+ display, offering ample screen real estate for productivity and entertainment. While the 2022 might have slightly improved color accuracy, the difference is minimal and unlikely to be noticeable for most users. Both offer a comfortable viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones typically feature a 48MP main camera, along with ultrawide and macro lenses. Image quality is comparable, with both producing decent photos in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is average on both devices. The 2022 might have slightly improved software processing, but the hardware is largely similar.

Performance

The 2021 model's Snapdragon 678 chipset generally outperforms the 2022's Helio G88. The Snapdragon's Kryo 460 cores offer a noticeable speed advantage in everyday tasks and gaming. The Helio G88 is adequate, but the 678 provides a smoother, more responsive experience.

Battery Life

Both phones boast a large 5,000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life. However, the Snapdragon 678 in the 2021 model is generally more power-efficient than the Helio G88 in the 2022, potentially leading to slightly longer battery life in real-world usage.

Buying Guide

The Motorola Moto G Stylus (2022) is ideal for users prioritizing a slightly newer design and potentially improved software experience, but not heavily reliant on raw processing power. The Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021) is a better choice for budget-conscious buyers seeking strong performance and a reliable stylus experience without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Moto G Stylus 2022 worth the upgrade from the 2021?
Not significantly. The 2021 offers better performance and value. The 2022's improvements are minor and don't justify the price difference for most users.
❓ What is the charging speed of both phones?
Both the 2021 and 2022 Moto G Stylus models have a slow 10W wired charging speed.