TCL Ion X vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G: A Detailed Comparison

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the TCL Ion X and the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 480 5G chipset, 5G connectivity, and generally better software experience outweigh the TCL Ion X's potential price advantage. While both are budget options, the Moto G Stylus 5G offers a more modern and capable device.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL Ion X Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands2, 4, 5, 12, 25, 26, 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 bands-2, 5, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, January 262021, June 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, January 26Available. Released 2021, June 14
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions156.5 x 75.2 x 8.9 mm (6.16 x 2.96 x 0.35 in)169.5 x 77.5 x 9.4 mm (6.67 x 3.05 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight177.4 g (6.24 oz)217.5 g (7.69 oz)
 -Stylus Water-repellent design
Display
Resolution720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~268 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~78.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
ChipsetMediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Adreno 619
OSAndroid, TCL UIAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 3GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0, 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single13 MP, (wide) 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single5 MP, (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioUnspecifiedUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB 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, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometerFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired
TypeLi-Ion 3000 mAh, removableLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackCosmic Emerald
Models-XT2131, XT2131DL, XT2131-1, XT2131-3, XT2131-4
PriceAbout 100 EUR€ 189.97 / $ 74.98 / £ 179.95

TCL Ion X

  • Potentially lower price
  • Decent battery life
  • Basic functionality

  • Weak processor
  • Limited features
  • Lower quality display
  • No 5G

Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G

  • 5G connectivity
  • Stylus integration
  • More powerful processor
  • Better camera
  • Larger display

  • Potentially higher price
  • LCD display (not OLED)
  • 10W charging is slow

Display Comparison

The Moto G Stylus 5G typically features a larger display (around 6.8 inches) with a higher resolution than the TCL Ion X (likely around 6.5 inches and HD+). While both use LCD panels, the Moto G Stylus 5G's larger size and potentially better color accuracy give it an edge. The stylus integration is a unique selling point for the Moto G Stylus 5G.

Camera Comparison

The Moto G Stylus 5G generally boasts a more versatile camera system, often including a higher resolution main sensor and potentially ultrawide lens. While both phones offer decent image quality in good lighting, the Moto G Stylus 5G's superior processing and hardware will result in better photos, especially in low-light conditions. Expect better video recording capabilities as well.

Performance

Here's where the Moto G Stylus 5G shines. The Snapdragon 480 5G is significantly more powerful than the Helio G25. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the Moto G Stylus 5G. The Ion X will likely struggle with demanding apps and games.

Battery Life

Both phones likely offer large batteries (around 5000mAh), providing all-day battery life. However, the Moto G Stylus 5G's more efficient chipset may result in slightly better battery performance overall.

Buying Guide

The TCL Ion X is best suited for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and don't need 5G. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G is ideal for those seeking a more future-proof device with 5G connectivity, a stylus for note-taking and drawing, and a smoother overall performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the TCL Ion X support 5G?
No, the TCL Ion X does not support 5G connectivity.
❓ Is the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G stylus included?
Yes, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G comes with a built-in stylus.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor.
❓ What is the charging speed of both phones?
Both phones utilize 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow.