TCL 60 SE vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023): A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Value

The TCL 60 SE and Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take slightly different approaches. The TCL 60 SE prioritizes exceptional battery endurance, while the Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) focuses on a familiar user experience with its integrated stylus. This comparison will dissect their core components to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity, the TCL 60 SE emerges as the winner. Its significantly longer 49:13h battery endurance, coupled with a 1000-cycle lifespan promise, outweighs the slightly faster chipset of the Moto G Stylus. While the Motorola offers the convenience of a stylus, the TCL’s battery performance is a more impactful benefit for daily use.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL 60 SE Motorola Moto G Stylus (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, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 41, 66, 71
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2025, March 032023, May 02
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, JulyAvailable. Released 2023, May 05
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions165.6 x 76.2 x 8.3 mm (6.52 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)162.9 x 74.1 x 9.2 mm (6.41 x 2.92 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
 -Stylus Water-repellent design
Display
ProtectionMohs level 5-
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~262 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ)IPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G81 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6769 Helio G85 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Mali-G52 MC2
OSAndroid 15Android 13, planned upgrade to Android 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal512GB 8GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro)
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, PDAF-
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximityFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired15W wired
Type5200 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsObsidian Black, Blizzard WhiteBlue, Rose Gold
ModelsT517H-
PriceAbout 170 EURAbout 200 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery49:13h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass B-
Free fallClass B (180 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

TCL 60 SE

  • Exceptional 49:13h battery life
  • 1000 charge cycle battery lifespan
  • Faster 18W wired charging
  • Potentially better value for money

  • Potentially lower display quality to prioritize battery
  • Slightly less powerful chipset compared to the Moto G Stylus

Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023)

  • Integrated stylus for note-taking and navigation
  • Slightly more powerful Helio G85 chipset
  • Familiar Motorola user experience
  • Potentially improved image processing

  • Shorter battery life compared to the TCL 60 SE
  • Slower 15W wired charging
  • Stylus functionality may not be essential for all users

Display Comparison

Both devices utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting similar power draw and thermal characteristics. However, display specifications are not provided, so a direct comparison is limited. We can infer that both likely employ LCD panels given their price points. The TCL 60 SE’s value proposition hinges on its battery, suggesting potential compromises in display quality to achieve that endurance. The Moto G Stylus, while offering the stylus, may also prioritize cost-effectiveness in its display selection.

Camera Comparison

Camera specifications are not provided beyond the chipsets' ISP capabilities. Given the budget nature of both devices, we can expect competent but not exceptional camera performance. The Helio G85 in the Motorola may offer slightly improved image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. However, without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to assess the true camera quality. The presence of a stylus on the Motorola could also be leveraged for camera features like remote shutter control or photo editing.

Performance

Both the TCL 60 SE and Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) are powered by octa-core CPUs featuring the same core configuration: 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55. However, the Motorola utilizes the Mediatek Helio G85 chipset, while the TCL employs the Helio G81. While seemingly minor, the G85 generally offers a slight performance edge due to optimizations in the GPU and image signal processor. This translates to marginally faster app loading times and smoother graphics in less demanding games. However, the difference is unlikely to be noticeable in everyday tasks. Both rely on the same CPU architecture, meaning the core processing power is comparable.

Battery Life

The TCL 60 SE truly shines in battery endurance, boasting an impressive 49:13h of usage time. This is a significant advantage over what we would expect from a phone in this price range. The Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023), while respectable, lags behind with an unspecified, but likely shorter, endurance. The TCL also benefits from a stated 1000 charge cycle lifespan, indicating long-term battery health. The Motorola’s 15W charging is slower than the TCL’s 18W wired charging, meaning the TCL will reach a full charge slightly faster, further enhancing its convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the TCL 60 SE if you need a phone that will reliably last through a full day – and then some – of heavy use, and if battery longevity is your primary concern. This is the phone for travelers, commuters, or anyone who dislikes frequent charging. Buy the Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) if you frequently take handwritten notes, sketch, or prefer the added functionality of a stylus for navigation and quick interactions. The stylus is the key differentiator, but comes at the cost of battery performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the TCL 60 SE's battery degrade quickly over time?
The TCL 60 SE is advertised with a 1000 charge cycle lifespan, suggesting a robust battery designed to maintain a significant portion of its capacity even after extended use. This is a key advantage over phones with less durable batteries.
❓ Is the performance difference between the Helio G81 and G85 noticeable in everyday tasks?
While the Helio G85 in the Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) offers a slight performance advantage, the difference is unlikely to be noticeable during typical usage like browsing, social media, or messaging. Both chipsets are capable of handling these tasks smoothly.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the TCL 60 SE with the 18W charger?
While a precise charging time isn't available, the 18W charging should be noticeably faster than the Motorola's 15W. Expect a full charge to take approximately 2-2.5 hours, depending on the initial battery level.
❓ Is the stylus on the Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) compatible with all apps?
Stylus compatibility varies by app. While it works seamlessly with Motorola's note-taking app and some drawing applications, support in third-party apps is inconsistent. It functions as a general touch input in most cases, but advanced features may not be available.