Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) vs. Moto G42: A Head-to-Head Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Moto G42 edges out the Stylus (2023) thanks to its more efficient chipset, smoother display, and slightly better camera performance. However, the Stylus offers a built-in stylus and larger battery, making it ideal for note-takers and power users. Ultimately, it depends on your priorities.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) | Motorola Moto G42 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 26, 28, 40, 41, 66 - LATAM, Brazil |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - India | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 02 | 2022, June 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May 05 | Available. Released 2022, June 28 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.9 x 74.1 x 9.2 mm (6.41 x 2.92 x 0.36 in) | 160.4 x 73.5 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Stylus Water-repellent design | Water-repellent design | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769 Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 13, planned upgrade to Android 14 | Android 12, planned upgrade to Android 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) | 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Blue, Rose Gold | Atlantic Green, Metallic Rose |
| Models | - | XT2233-2 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023)
- Large 6.8-inch display
- Built-in stylus for note-taking and drawing
- Long battery life (5000mAh)
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Less efficient chipset
- IPS LCD display (not as vibrant as AMOLED)
- Slower performance compared to G42
- 15W charging is slow
Motorola Moto G42
- Vibrant AMOLED display
- Efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Slightly better camera performance
- Compact and lightweight design
- 18W charging
- Smaller display (6.4 inches)
- No stylus support
- Shorter battery life than Stylus (in some scenarios)
- 60Hz refresh rate
Display Comparison
The Moto G42 boasts a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Moto G Stylus (2023) features a larger 6.8-inch IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. While the Stylus has a higher refresh rate, the G42's AMOLED panel provides a superior viewing experience overall due to its better contrast and color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer decent camera systems for their price range. The Moto G42 generally captures slightly better images, particularly in low-light conditions, thanks to its optimized image processing. The Stylus has a higher resolution main sensor, but image quality isn't always better. Both offer respectable video recording capabilities.
Performance
The Snapdragon 680 in the Moto G42 is significantly more efficient than the Helio G85 in the Moto G Stylus (2023). This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness. The Stylus, while capable, can sometimes feel sluggish under heavy load.
Battery Life
The Moto G Stylus (2023) has a larger 5000mAh battery, providing longer battery life than the Moto G42's 5000mAh battery. However, the G42's more efficient chipset means it can often last longer on a single charge in real-world usage.
Buying Guide
The Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) is perfect for users who value a large display, stylus functionality for note-taking and drawing, and extended battery life. The Motorola Moto G42 is a great choice for those prioritizing a smoother display, efficient performance, and a more refined camera experience in a compact design.