TCL 50 XL vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023): Which Budget 5G Phone Reigns Supreme?

The TCL 50 XL and Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$300 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a feature-rich experience without breaking the bank, they take distinctly different approaches to core components, particularly their chipsets. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best balance of performance, efficiency, and features.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and slightly faster charging, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, built on a more efficient 4nm process, provides a noticeable edge in multi-tasking and gaming, despite the TCL 50 XL's Cortex-A76 cores.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL 50 XL Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 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 bands25, 41, 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, June 262023, May 30
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, July 05Available. Released 2023, June 02
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions167.6 x 75.5 x 8.2 mm (6.60 x 2.97 x 0.32 in)162.8 x 73.8 x 9.2 mm (6.41 x 2.91 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight195 g (6.88 oz)202 g (7.13 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 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 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, (wide), PDAF 2 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-bandWi-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
ColorsSlate GrayCosmic Black, Rose Champagne
ModelsT702WXT2315-1, XT2315-4
PriceAbout 90 EUR$ 93.43
SAR1.22 W/kg (head)     0.87 W/kg (body)-

TCL 50 XL

  • Potentially larger display for immersive media consumption.
  • Competitive price point.
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks.

  • Less efficient 6nm Dimensity 6100+ chipset.
  • May experience more throttling under heavy load.
  • Slower charging speed (18W).

Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)

  • More efficient 4nm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset.
  • Faster 20W charging.
  • Integrated stylus for enhanced productivity and creativity.

  • Potentially smaller display.
  • May be slightly more expensive.
  • Stylus may not be useful for all users.

Display Comparison

Neither TCL nor Motorola provide detailed display specs beyond resolution. However, the TCL 50 XL's larger size suggests a focus on media consumption. The Moto G Stylus 5G likely prioritizes usability with the stylus. The absence of high refresh rates on both devices indicates a cost-saving measure. Color accuracy and peak brightness are unknown, but likely similar given the price bracket. The TCL 50 XL's larger screen will be more immersive for video, while the Moto G Stylus 5G's display is optimized for stylus interaction.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely employ similar budget-oriented camera setups. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) may benefit from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), potentially offering slightly better image processing and low-light performance. The TCL 50 XL may focus on software enhancements to compensate. The presence of a stylus on the Motorola could also be leveraged for creative camera features. We anticipate both phones will include a standard wide, ultrawide, and potentially a macro lens, but image quality will largely depend on sensor size and software optimization.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) utilizes the Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm), featuring four Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz. This architecture is demonstrably more efficient and offers higher single-core performance than the TCL 50 XL’s Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm) with its two Cortex-A76 cores at 2.2 GHz. The 4nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon gives it a significant advantage in thermal management, reducing throttling during prolonged use. While the Dimensity 6100+ has six Cortex-A55 cores versus the Snapdragon’s four, the architectural superiority of the A78 cores in the Motorola will translate to a smoother experience in most scenarios. The Snapdragon's integrated Adreno GPU will also provide a better gaming experience.

Battery Life

The TCL 50 XL charges at 18W, while the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) supports 20W wired charging. While the difference isn't massive, the 20W charging on the Motorola will result in slightly faster top-ups. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s 4nm process contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting any capacity differences. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the Motorola has a slight edge due to its more efficient chipset.

Buying Guide

Buy the TCL 50 XL if you prioritize a larger screen and are primarily focused on everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and streaming. Its Dimensity 6100+ is capable, but best suited for lighter workloads. Buy the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) if you value smoother performance in demanding apps, enjoy mobile gaming, or frequently use the integrated stylus for note-taking and creative tasks. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 offers a more responsive experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) handle demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 isn't a flagship chipset, it's capable of running Genshin Impact at lower settings (medium or low) with acceptable frame rates. The 4nm process helps mitigate thermal throttling, allowing for more sustained performance compared to the TCL 50 XL's Dimensity 6100+ during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How much faster is the 20W charging on the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) compared to the TCL 50 XL's 18W charging?
The difference isn't dramatic, but the 20W charging on the Motorola will likely shave off around 15-20 minutes from a full 0-100% charge. More importantly, the faster charging rate provides a quicker boost when you only have a short window to top up the battery.
❓ Is the stylus on the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) just a gimmick, or is it genuinely useful?
The stylus is a genuinely useful feature for users who take notes, sketch, or edit photos on their phone. Motorola provides software features specifically designed to leverage the stylus, such as quick note-taking and screenshot annotation. It adds a layer of functionality not found on the TCL 50 XL.
❓ Does the Dimensity 6100+ in the TCL 50 XL get noticeably hot during prolonged use?
The 6nm process of the Dimensity 6100+ is reasonably efficient, but it's less so than the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1's 4nm process. Expect some degree of heat buildup during extended gaming or video recording, which could lead to performance throttling. The Motorola is likely to remain cooler under similar workloads.