OnePlus Nord N300 vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023): Which Budget 5G Phone Reigns Supreme?

The sub-$300 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord N300 and Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) are two strong contenders. The Nord N300 prioritizes fast charging and a bright display, while the Moto G Stylus 5G focuses on a more efficient chipset and integrated stylus functionality. This comparison dives deep into the specs to determine which phone delivers the best value.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord N300 offers a more compelling package. Its significantly brighter display (623 nits) and faster 33W charging outweigh the Moto G Stylus 5G’s slightly more efficient chipset. However, users who heavily rely on a stylus will find the Moto G Stylus 5G indispensable.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Nord N300 Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
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, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71
5G bands2, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat13 390/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2022, October 242023, May 30
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, November 03Available. Released 2023, June 02
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions163.8 x 75.1 x 8 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.31 in)162.8 x 73.8 x 9.2 mm (6.41 x 2.91 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)202 g (7.13 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density)
Size6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 710
OSAndroid 12, OxygenOSAndroid 13, planned upgrade to Android 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.2-
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GALILEO
RadioUnspecifiedFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging33W wired20W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight JadeCosmic Black, Rose Champagne
ModelsCPH2389XT2315-1, XT2315-4
PriceAbout 230 EUR$ 93.43
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 114h -
Display Contrast ratio: 1506:1 (nominal)-
Performance AnTuTu: 335440 (v9) GeekBench: 1780 (v5.1) GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

OnePlus Nord N300

  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility
  • Faster 33W wired charging
  • Potentially better single-core performance

  • Less efficient chipset
  • Larger process node (6nm vs 4nm)

Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)

  • More efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset
  • Integrated stylus for note-taking and navigation
  • Likely better low-light camera performance

  • Slower 20W wired charging
  • Dimmer display

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord N300 boasts a notably brighter display, reaching a measured 623 nits, compared to the Moto G Stylus 5G’s unlisted brightness (estimated around 400-500 nits based on Motorola’s typical offerings). This makes the Nord N300 far more usable outdoors. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Nord N300’s 1506:1 contrast ratio suggests better color reproduction. The Moto G Stylus 5G’s larger screen size (6.6 inches vs. 6.56 inches) may appeal to some, but the Nord N300’s superior brightness is a significant advantage.

Camera Comparison

Neither phone is a camera powerhouse, but the Moto G Stylus 5G likely has an advantage due to its larger main sensor (50MP vs. the Nord N300’s 48MP). While megapixel count isn’t everything, a larger sensor generally captures more light, resulting in better low-light performance. Both phones likely feature similar image processing algorithms, focusing on enhancing colors and details. The inclusion of a stylus on the Moto G Stylus 5G could also be utilized for more precise camera control and editing.

Performance

The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm), a more modern and efficient chipset than the OnePlus Nord N300’s MediaTek Dimensity 810 (6nm). The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s Cortex-A78 cores (4x2.2 GHz) offer a performance edge over the Dimensity 810’s Cortex-A76 cores (2x2.4 GHz) in multi-threaded tasks. However, the Dimensity 810’s higher clock speeds on its prime cores might provide a slight advantage in single-core performance. The 4nm process of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 should translate to better thermal management and sustained performance under load, though real-world differences may be minimal in everyday use.

Battery Life

The OnePlus Nord N300 boasts an endurance rating of 114 hours, suggesting solid battery life. However, the Moto G Stylus 5G’s more efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset could potentially offer comparable or even slightly better real-world battery performance despite lacking specific endurance data. The Nord N300’s 33W wired charging is a significant advantage, allowing for much faster top-ups compared to the Moto G Stylus 5G’s 20W charging. This difference in charging speed is crucial for users who frequently need to quickly replenish their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus Nord N300 if you prioritize a vibrant display for media consumption, need rapid charging to minimize downtime, and don't require a stylus. Buy the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) if you frequently take notes, sketch, or navigate with a stylus, and value a more power-efficient processor for potentially longer sustained performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 810 in the Nord N300 throttle under sustained gaming loads?
The Dimensity 810, while capable, is more prone to throttling than the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 due to its 6nm process. Expect some performance dips during extended gaming sessions, but it should still handle most mobile games at medium settings.
❓ How useful is the stylus on the Moto G Stylus 5G for everyday tasks?
The stylus is particularly useful for taking quick notes, sketching, and precise navigation. It also allows for remote camera shutter control and can be helpful for users with larger hands who struggle with on-screen typing.
❓ What kind of storage and RAM do these phones use, and does it impact performance?
Both phones typically ship with UFS 2.2 storage and 8GB of RAM. While not the fastest available (UFS 3.1 or LPDDR5X), this configuration is adequate for smooth multitasking and app loading in this price range. Faster storage would improve app launch times and overall responsiveness.
❓ Are either of these phones water resistant?
Neither the OnePlus Nord N300 nor the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) have an official IP rating for water resistance. They are likely splash-resistant at best, so it's best to avoid exposing them to significant amounts of water.