Motorola Edge+ (2023) vs. Moto G Stylus 5G: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Motorola Edge+ (2023) is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset delivers significantly faster processing and graphics capabilities, coupled with blazing-fast 68W charging. However, the Moto G Stylus 5G remains a compelling option for budget-conscious users who value stylus functionality.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G | Motorola Edge+ (2023) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | 2, 5, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 41, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 09 | 2023, May 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 14 | Available. Released 2023, May 19 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 169.5 x 77.5 x 9.4 mm (6.67 x 3.05 x 0.37 in) | 161.2 x 74 x 8.6 mm (6.35 x 2.91 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 217.5 g (7.69 oz) | 203 g (7.16 oz) |
| Stylus Water-repellent design | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 512GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 4.0 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| 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 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/1.6, (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, DisplayPort 1.4 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| - | Ready For 3.5 support | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 68W wired 15W wireless 5W reverse wired 5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Cosmic Emerald | Interstellar Black |
| Models | XT2131, XT2131DL, XT2131-1, XT2131-3, XT2131-4 | - |
| Price | € 189.97 / $ 74.98 / £ 179.95 | $ 298.99 |
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G
- Integrated Stylus for note-taking and creativity
- Affordable price point
- 5G connectivity
- Significantly slower processor
- Slow 10W charging
- Lower-quality display
Motorola Edge+ (2023)
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
- Ultra-fast 68W wired charging
- Premium build quality and features
- Higher price tag
- No integrated stylus
- Potentially larger size and weight
Display Comparison
While both phones feature large displays, the specifics are missing. However, given the Edge+'s flagship status, it likely incorporates a higher-quality panel with features like a higher refresh rate and potentially LTPO technology for variable refresh rates, improving battery efficiency. The Moto G Stylus 5G, targeting a lower price point, likely uses a standard LCD or lower-tier OLED panel. Bezels are expected to be slimmer on the Edge+, contributing to a more immersive viewing experience. Color accuracy is also likely superior on the Edge+ due to its more advanced display calibration.
Camera Comparison
Details on camera sensors are absent, but the Edge+’s flagship positioning suggests a more sophisticated camera system. We can expect a larger main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) for improved low-light performance and sharper images. The Edge+ likely features more advanced image processing algorithms for better dynamic range and color accuracy. The Moto G Stylus 5G likely features a more basic camera setup, prioritizing affordability over image quality. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors on either device should be considered marketing features with limited real-world utility.
Performance
The performance disparity is the most significant difference. The Motorola Edge+ (2023) is powered by the Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm), an octa-core processor with a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz. This architecture provides a substantial leap in CPU and GPU performance compared to the Moto G Stylus 5G’s Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm). The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 translates to significantly improved thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. The Edge+ will handle demanding games and applications with ease, while the G Stylus 5G will struggle with graphically intensive tasks. The Edge+ likely utilizes faster LPDDR5x RAM, further enhancing performance.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified, but the Edge+ (2023) boasts a significant advantage in charging speed with 68W wired charging, allowing for a full charge in under 40 minutes. It also includes 15W wireless and 5W reverse wireless charging. The Moto G Stylus 5G is limited to 10W wired charging, resulting in a considerably longer charging time. While the G Stylus 5G might have a larger battery capacity, the Edge+'s faster charging and potentially more efficient processor could result in comparable real-world battery life for many users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G if you need a large-screen phone with integrated stylus support for note-taking and creative tasks, and your budget is under $300. You're willing to compromise on raw performance and charging speed for affordability and the convenience of a stylus. Buy the Motorola Edge+ (2023) if you prefer a flagship experience with top-tier performance for gaming, demanding apps, and seamless multitasking, and you value fast charging and a premium build quality. You're prepared to pay a premium for the best Motorola has to offer.