TCL 60 XE NxtPaper vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023): Which Budget 5G Phone Reigns Supreme?

The TCL 60 XE NxtPaper and Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) represent compelling options in the crowded sub-$300 5G smartphone market. The TCL focuses on eye comfort with its NxtPaper display, while the Motorola prioritizes a built-in stylus and a more mainstream user experience. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and a versatile feature set, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, built on a more efficient 4nm process, delivers a noticeable performance edge and better thermal management compared to the TCL's Dimensity 6100+.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL 60 XE NxtPaper 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, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 41, 42, 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 bands1, 2, 3, 5, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 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
Announced2025, March 032023, May 30
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, MayAvailable. 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-SIM + eSIMNano-SIM
Weight199.5 g (7.02 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 (2x2.4 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 15Android 13, planned upgrade to Android 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF
FeaturesLED flash, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single32 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
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, 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), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired Reverse wired20W wired
Type5010 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSpace BlueCosmic Black, Rose Champagne
ModelsT705M, T705M1XT2315-1, XT2315-4
Price$ 199.00$ 93.43
SAR1.30 W/kg (head)     1.13 W/kg (body)-

TCL 60 XE NxtPaper

  • Unique NxtPaper display for reduced eye strain
  • Anti-glare coating enhances outdoor visibility
  • Reverse wired charging adds convenience

  • Less powerful Dimensity 6100+ chipset
  • 6nm process less efficient than Snapdragon's 4nm
  • Potentially slower app loading and multitasking

Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)

  • More efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm)
  • Integrated stylus for note-taking and creativity
  • Faster 20W wired charging

  • Standard LCD display lacks the NxtPaper’s unique texture
  • May not be as comfortable for extended reading sessions
  • No reverse wireless charging

Display Comparison

The TCL 60 XE NxtPaper’s defining feature is its namesake display, designed to mimic the texture of paper. While specific brightness nits aren’t provided, the focus is on reducing eye strain. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) likely features a standard LCD panel, prioritizing color accuracy and brightness over the unique texture of the TCL. The TCL’s anti-glare coating is a significant advantage for outdoor visibility, while the Motorola’s display will likely offer more vibrant colors. The absence of high refresh rates on either device suggests a focus on power efficiency rather than fluid animations.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed sensor specifications, a direct camera comparison is challenging. However, Motorola typically focuses on computational photography, aiming for balanced and realistic images. The TCL, while likely offering decent image quality, may lean towards more saturated colors. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests a reliance on software stabilization. The usefulness of a 2MP macro camera on either phone is questionable, as image quality is often subpar. The larger main sensor (if present on the Motorola) would likely capture more light and detail.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the TCL 60 XE NxtPaper utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm), while the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm). The Snapdragon’s 4nm fabrication process provides a clear advantage in power efficiency and thermal management. While both CPUs are octa-core, the Snapdragon features four Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, offering superior single-core performance compared to the TCL’s two Cortex-A76 cores at 2.4 GHz. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking on the Motorola. The Snapdragon’s Adreno GPU also provides a more capable graphics experience.

Battery Life

The TCL 60 XE NxtPaper 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 likely result in slightly faster 0-100% charge times. The actual battery life will depend on usage patterns, but the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s 4nm efficiency should contribute to longer runtimes on the Motorola, even with similar battery capacities. The TCL’s NxtPaper display *could* offer some battery savings due to its lower brightness requirements, but this advantage may be offset by the less efficient Dimensity 6100+.

Buying Guide

Buy the TCL 60 XE NxtPaper if you spend extended periods reading on your phone and prioritize eye comfort above all else. The NxtPaper display is genuinely unique and reduces blue light exposure. Buy the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) if you value a more responsive user experience, benefit from the integrated stylus for note-taking and creative tasks, and want a phone that handles multitasking and gaming with greater ease.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 6100+ in the TCL 60 XE NxtPaper struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Dimensity 6100+ is a capable chipset for everyday tasks, but it will likely struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact. Expect lower frame rates and the need to reduce graphics settings significantly. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Motorola will provide a smoother gaming experience.
❓ How useful is the stylus on the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) for a typical user?
The stylus is surprisingly versatile. It's excellent for quick note-taking, sketching, and navigating the interface with precision. While not a replacement for a dedicated graphics tablet, it adds a unique dimension to the phone's functionality, particularly for students or professionals who frequently jot down ideas.
❓ Is the NxtPaper display on the TCL 60 XE NxtPaper suitable for viewing HDR content?
The NxtPaper display is optimized for reading and eye comfort, not for vibrant HDR content. While it may display HDR videos, you won't experience the same dynamic range and color accuracy as on a traditional HDR-certified display. The Motorola's LCD panel, while not HDR certified, will likely offer a more standard viewing experience for videos.