TCL 501 vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025): A Detailed Comparison of Budget 5G Phones
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance, display quality, and fast charging, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset and 68W charging capabilities offer a substantial upgrade over the TCL 501’s Helio G36 and 10W charging, justifying the likely price difference.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | TCL 501 | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, February 26 | 2025, April 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April | Available. Released 2025, April 17 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), silicone polymer (eco leather) back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.5 x 74.9 x 9.7 mm (6.16 x 2.95 x 0.38 in) | 162.2 x 74.8 x 8.3 mm (6.39 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | - | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 540 x 1092 pixels (~203 ppi density) | 1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~444 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.3 cm2 (~78.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR, 3000 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 14 (Go edition) | Android 15, up to 2 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.8 | 32 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos) |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, tri-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 68W wired 15W wireless |
| Type | 3000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Glacial Blue | Pantone: Gibraltar sea, Surf the Web |
| Models | T433D | XT2517-1 |
| Price | - | $ 299.99 / C$ 368.17 |
TCL 501
- Ultra-affordable price point
- Potentially longer battery life due to less demanding hardware
- 5G connectivity
- Significantly slower performance
- Slow 10W charging
- Likely lower display quality
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025)
- Faster Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor
- Bright and vibrant display (1870 nits)
- 68W wired and 15W wireless charging
- Higher price than the TCL 501
- May require more frequent charging with heavy use
- Stylus may not be useful for all users
Display Comparison
The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 1870 nits. This is a massive advantage over what we’d expect from the TCL 501, making it far more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. While the TCL 501’s panel specifications are unknown, it’s likely to be considerably dimmer. The Moto G Stylus’s brightness also suggests a higher-quality panel overall, potentially with better color accuracy and viewing angles. The TCL 501 likely prioritizes cost savings over display fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the TCL 501, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given its price point, it’s reasonable to assume it features a simpler camera system. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, offering improved image processing capabilities. While sensor size and aperture are unknown for both, the Snapdragon’s ISP can compensate for limitations in the hardware. We can expect better dynamic range and low-light performance from the Motorola device. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the Motorola would further enhance image quality, particularly in video recording.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4nm), featuring four Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz, alongside four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. This architecture, built on a 4nm process, delivers significantly improved performance and efficiency compared to the TCL 501’s MediaTek Helio G36 (12nm). The Helio G36’s Cortex-A53 cores, even in an octa-core configuration, are older and less efficient. The 4nm node of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 translates to less heat generation under load, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended gaming or multitasking. Users who play demanding mobile games or frequently switch between apps will notice a dramatic difference.
Battery Life
The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) achieves an impressive 10:05 hours of active use, demonstrating excellent battery life. While the TCL 501’s battery capacity is unknown, its 10W wired charging is a significant disadvantage. The Motorola’s 68W wired charging allows for a full charge in under an hour, while the TCL 501 will take several hours. Furthermore, the Motorola adds 15W wireless charging, offering added convenience. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3’s efficiency also contributes to the Motorola’s longer battery life, offsetting any potential capacity difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 501 if you need a functional, ultra-affordable 5G smartphone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and battery life is paramount. Buy the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) if you prioritize a smoother user experience, a brighter and more vibrant display, the convenience of a stylus, and significantly faster charging speeds, even if it means spending a bit more.