Motorola One Fusion+ vs. Moto G Stylus (2021): A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

Motorola's mid-range offerings often present a compelling value proposition, but navigating the lineup can be tricky. The Motorola One Fusion+ and the Moto G Stylus (2021) both aim for affordability, but target slightly different users. The Fusion+ prioritized a more powerful chipset, while the G Stylus focused on the integrated stylus and a lower price point. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing performance and display quality, the Motorola One Fusion+ is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 730G chipset delivers a noticeably smoother experience, especially in demanding tasks. While the Moto G Stylus (2021) offers the convenience of a stylus and longer battery endurance, it compromises significantly on processing power.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola One Fusion+ Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 InternationalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 38, 40, 41 - Europe, India1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 29, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - APEMCDMA 800 / 1900
Launch
Announced2020, June 08. Released 2020, June 082021, January 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, January 14
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions162.9 x 76.4 x 9.6 mm (6.41 x 3.01 x 0.38 in)169.8 x 77.9 x 9 mm (6.69 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight210 g (7.41 oz)213 g (7.51 oz)
 Water-repellent coatingStylus Water-repellent coating
Display
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 112.2 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, HDR10IPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730 (8 nm) - EuropeQualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) - IndiaQualcomm SDM678 Snapdragon 678 (11 nm)
GPUAdreno 618Adreno 612
OSAndroid 10Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens48 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
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, (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, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioFM radio (market/region dependent)Unspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB 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
Battery
Charging15W wired10W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMoonlight White, Twilight BlueAurora Black, Aurora White
ModelsPAKF0002INXT2115, XT2115-1
PriceAbout 300 EURAbout 90 EUR
SAR0.52 W/kg (head)     1.43 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 136h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1423:1 (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -27.9 LUFS (Good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 267980 (v8) GeekBench: 1705 (v5.1) GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Motorola One Fusion+

  • Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 730G)
  • Brighter and higher contrast display
  • More responsive user experience

  • Slower charging speed (15W)
  • Potentially higher price

Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021)

  • Integrated stylus for note-taking and drawing
  • Potentially longer battery life due to efficient chipset
  • Lower price point

  • Significantly slower processor (Snapdragon 678)
  • Likely lower display quality
  • Slower charging speed (10W)

Display Comparison

The Motorola One Fusion+ boasts a superior display experience, achieving a measured peak brightness of 562 nits and a 1423:1 contrast ratio. While the Moto G Stylus (2021) display specifications aren't provided, it's reasonable to assume a lower peak brightness and contrast ratio given its lower price point and chipset. This translates to better visibility outdoors and more vibrant colors on the Fusion+. The lack of detailed display specs for the G Stylus suggests a more basic panel, likely prioritizing cost savings over visual fidelity.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific details are absent. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the Fusion+'s positioning as a slightly more premium device, it's likely to have a more capable camera system. The Moto G Stylus (2021) likely focuses on providing adequate image quality for everyday use, while the Fusion+ may offer more features and better low-light performance. The absence of details suggests neither phone is a standout camera performer.

Performance

The core difference between these two devices lies in their chipsets. The Motorola One Fusion+ utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 (or 730G in India), built on an 8nm process. This chipset features an octa-core CPU with 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver cores. In contrast, the Moto G Stylus (2021) is equipped with the Snapdragon 678, fabricated on an 11nm process. The 730’s smaller node and more powerful core configuration result in significantly better CPU and GPU performance. This means faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Fusion+. The 11nm process of the 678, while efficient, simply can't compete with the 8nm process of the 730 in terms of raw power.

Battery Life

The Motorola One Fusion+ achieves an impressive endurance rating of 136 hours, indicating excellent battery life. The Moto G Stylus (2021) battery capacity isn't specified, but its Snapdragon 678 chipset is more power-efficient. However, the Fusion+’s 15W wired charging is slower than what competitors offer, and the G Stylus (2021) charges even slower at 10W. While the G Stylus may last longer on a single charge due to the more efficient chipset, the Fusion+’s endurance is still very competitive, and the difference may not be substantial for typical users.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola One Fusion+ if you need a phone capable of handling moderate gaming, multitasking, and content creation without significant lag. It’s ideal for users who value a brighter, more vibrant display and a more responsive user experience. Buy the Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021) if you prioritize battery life above all else and frequently utilize a stylus for note-taking, sketching, or precise navigation. It’s a practical choice for students or professionals who rely on these features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 678 in the Moto G Stylus (2021) struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 678 is a budget-oriented chipset and will likely struggle to run PUBG Mobile at high settings. You'll likely need to lower the graphics settings and frame rate to achieve a playable experience. The Motorola One Fusion+ with its Snapdragon 730G will provide a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ Is the stylus on the Moto G Stylus (2021) comparable to the S Pen on Samsung Galaxy devices?
No, the stylus on the Moto G Stylus (2021) is a basic capacitive stylus. It lacks the advanced features and pressure sensitivity of Samsung's S Pen. It's primarily intended for basic note-taking and navigation, not for detailed drawing or artistic creation.
❓ Does the Motorola One Fusion+ support fast charging beyond 15W?
While the Motorola One Fusion+ supports 15W wired charging, it does not support faster charging protocols like Quick Charge or Power Delivery. This means you won't see significantly faster charging speeds even with a more powerful charger.