Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) vs. Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: A Detailed Comparison

The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) aims to deliver productivity with its integrated stylus, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus focuses on a clean software experience and distinctive design. This comparison dissects their core specifications to determine which device best suits your needs, focusing on performance, battery life, and display quality within the competitive mid-range market.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing battery life and a streamlined experience, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the stronger choice. Its significantly longer 16:34 active use score outweighs the Moto G Stylus 5G (2025)'s stylus functionality for most consumers. However, the Motorola offers faster charging and a brighter display.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 711, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, April 082024, July 31
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, April 17Available. Released 2024, August 03
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), silicone polymer (eco leather) back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions162.2 x 74.8 x 8.3 mm (6.39 x 2.94 x 0.33 in)161.7 x 76.3 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight191 g (6.74 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~444 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR, 3000 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 710Mali-G610 MC4
OSAndroid 15, up to 2 major Android upgradesAndroid 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76"
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps4K@30fps
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos)Yes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes, 360˚
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging68W wired 15W wireless50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min
Type5000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPantone: Gibraltar sea, Surf the WebBlack, Grey
ModelsXT2517-1A142P
Price$ 299.99 / C$ 368.17€ 269.90 / ₹ 22,599

Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025)

  • Integrated Stylus for note-taking and drawing
  • Significantly brighter display (1870 nits)
  • Faster 68W wired charging

  • Significantly shorter battery life (10:05h active use)
  • Potentially slower performance due to older CPU cores

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus

  • Exceptional battery life (16:34h active use)
  • More powerful CPU (Dimensity 7350 Pro)
  • Fast 50W charging with quick top-ups

  • Less bright display (1097 nits)
  • Lacks integrated stylus functionality

Display Comparison

The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1870 nits, making it more legible outdoors under direct sunlight. In contrast, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus peaks at 1097 nits. While the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely employs a high refresh rate panel (spec not provided), the Motorola’s brightness advantage is substantial. Both devices utilize a 4nm process, suggesting similar power efficiency in display operation, but the Motorola’s higher peak brightness will draw more power when needed. The lack of LTPO on either device means refresh rate adjustments are likely less dynamic, impacting battery savings.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market positioning, it’s reasonable to assume both phones feature multi-camera systems. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s image processing is known for its natural color reproduction, while Motorola typically leans towards more saturated images. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and optical image stabilization (OIS) makes it difficult to assess low-light performance. We can assume both phones will include a standard wide, ultrawide, and potentially a macro lens, but the quality will depend heavily on the sensor and software optimization.

Performance

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro, features a CPU configuration of 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 cores. This contrasts with the Motorola’s Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, utilizing 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Dimensity 7350 Pro’s newer Cortex-A715 cores generally offer a performance advantage over the A78 cores in the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, particularly in multi-threaded tasks. Both chipsets are built on a 4nm process, ensuring comparable efficiency, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is expected to handle demanding applications and gaming more smoothly. The lack of LPDDR5x RAM specification for the Motorola raises concerns about potential memory bandwidth limitations.

Battery Life

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus delivers a remarkable 16:34 hours of active use, significantly outperforming the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025)'s 10:05 hours. This difference is substantial and highlights the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s superior battery optimization. While the Motorola offers faster 68W wired charging, and 15W wireless, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 50W wired charging (0-50% in 21 minutes, 100% in 56 minutes) is still competitive. The larger battery life advantage of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus mitigates the slower charging speed for most users.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) if you frequently take handwritten notes, sketch, or require a built-in stylus for precise input. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prioritize all-day battery life, a clean and efficient software experience, and a unique, minimalist aesthetic. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the better option for media consumption and general productivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus exhibit thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 7350 Pro is a capable chipset, sustained performance under heavy load is always a concern. The 4nm process helps mitigate heat, and Nothing's software optimization likely includes thermal management features. However, without dedicated testing, it's difficult to definitively say if throttling will occur, but it's less likely than with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 due to the newer CPU architecture.
❓ How useful is the stylus on the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) for everyday tasks beyond note-taking?
The stylus can be beneficial for precise photo editing, navigating the UI with greater accuracy, and signing documents digitally. However, its utility depends heavily on individual usage patterns. Users who frequently interact with small UI elements or require precise input will find it more valuable than those who primarily use the phone for media consumption.
❓ What type of wireless charging standard does the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) support, and is it compatible with all Qi-certified wireless chargers?
The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) supports Qi wireless charging at 15W. It should be compatible with most Qi-certified wireless chargers, but charging speeds may vary depending on the charger's output. Using a charger rated for 15W or higher is recommended for optimal charging speeds.