TCL 50 XE NxtPaper vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023): A Detailed Comparison

The TCL 50 XE NxtPaper and Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) represent compelling options in the crowded sub-$300 5G smartphone market. The TCL prioritizes a unique paper-like display experience, while the Motorola focuses on a more traditional experience with the added utility of a built-in stylus. This comparison dives deep into their core components to determine which device delivers the best overall value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and efficiency, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, built on a 4nm process, offers a noticeable advantage in thermal management and overall responsiveness compared to the TCL’s Dimensity 6100+.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL 50 XE NxtPaper Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 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, 5, 25, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77 SA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, June2023, May 30
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, JulyAvailable. Released 2023, June 02
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.1 x 75 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.95 x 0.33 in)162.8 x 73.8 x 9.2 mm (6.41 x 2.91 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight185 g (6.53 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 (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm)Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 710
OSAndroid 14Android 13, planned upgrade to Android 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, (ultrawide) 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
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C, 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
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), gyro, accelerometer, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired20W wired
Type5010 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSpace BlueCosmic Black, Rose Champagne
ModelsT614J, T614WSXT2315-1, XT2315-4
Price-$ 93.43
SAR1.19 W/kg (head)     1.10 W/kg (body)-

TCL 50 XE NxtPaper

  • Unique NxtPaper display for eye comfort
  • Potentially longer battery life due to display technology
  • Competitive price point

  • Less powerful chipset compared to the Snapdragon
  • Slower charging speed (18W)
  • Potentially lower display brightness

Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)

  • More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset
  • Faster 20W wired charging
  • Integrated stylus for note-taking and creativity

  • May lack the eye comfort features of the NxtPaper display
  • Potentially slightly shorter battery life under heavy load
  • Stylus may not be useful for all users

Display Comparison

While both devices likely feature LCD panels (data not provided), the TCL 50 XE NxtPaper’s defining feature is its NxtPaper technology, aiming to mimic the texture of paper for reduced eye strain. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) likely offers a more standard, brighter display. The TCL’s focus on a paper-like experience may result in lower peak brightness and potentially less vibrant colors, but could be preferable for extended reading sessions. Without specific nit ratings, it's difficult to quantify the brightness difference, but the Motorola will likely be more visible outdoors.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of a stylus on the Motorola, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Motorola’s brand history suggests a focus on computational photography, potentially offering better image processing. The TCL’s camera performance will likely be adequate for casual use, but may struggle in low-light conditions. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and apertures makes a definitive judgment impossible, but the Motorola is likely to offer a more refined camera experience.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) boasts a more efficient architecture than the TCL’s MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm). The Snapdragon utilizes 4x Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, offering a performance edge over the TCL’s 2x Cortex-A76 cores at 1.8 GHz. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Motorola. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during prolonged gaming or demanding tasks. While both use Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency, the Snapdragon’s overall architecture is more modern and capable.

Battery Life

The TCL 50 XE NxtPaper features 18W wired charging, while the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) supports 20W wired charging. While the difference isn’t massive, the faster charging on the Motorola will result in quicker top-ups. Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns and optimization, but the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s superior efficiency should translate to slightly longer battery life for the Motorola, even if the TCL has a larger capacity (data not provided). The 2W charging difference will likely shave off 15-30 minutes from a full charge on the Motorola.

Buying Guide

Buy the TCL 50 XE NxtPaper if you prioritize eye comfort and a unique reading experience, and are willing to trade some raw processing power for the NxtPaper display technology. Buy the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) if you value a more responsive user experience, better sustained performance for gaming and multitasking, and the added functionality of a stylus for note-taking and creative tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 6100+ in the TCL 50 XE NxtPaper struggle with graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Dimensity 6100+ is capable of running many games, but Genshin Impact and similar titles will likely require significant graphics settings reductions and may still experience occasional frame drops. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Motorola will provide a smoother experience with these games due to its more powerful GPU and efficient architecture.
❓ How does the stylus integration on the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) compare to the S Pen on Samsung Galaxy devices?
The Motorola stylus is a more basic implementation compared to Samsung’s S Pen. It lacks the advanced features like air gestures and pressure sensitivity found on the S Pen. However, it still provides a convenient way to take notes, sketch, and navigate the interface, making it a useful tool for productivity and creativity.
❓ Is the NxtPaper display on the TCL 50 XE NxtPaper suitable for watching videos and movies?
While the NxtPaper display excels at reading, its lower peak brightness and potentially less vibrant colors may not provide the optimal viewing experience for videos and movies. The Motorola’s display will likely offer a more immersive and visually appealing experience for multimedia consumption.