TCL Stylus vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025): A Deep Dive into Performance and Battery Life

The stylus-equipped smartphone niche remains surprisingly active, offering a blend of productivity and convenience. We pit the TCL Stylus, a more established budget option, against the newer Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025), which promises a significant leap in processing power and charging speed. This comparison will dissect the key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset and blazing-fast 68W charging significantly outperform the TCL Stylus's older Dimensity 700 and 18W charging. However, the TCL Stylus remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL Stylus Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025)
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 bands2, 4, 5, 12, 25, 26, 41, 66, 711, 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 bands25, 41, 66, 77 SA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2022, June 022025, April 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, June 02Available. Released 2025, April 17
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), silicone polymer (eco leather) back, plastic frame
Dimensions169.6 x 76.5 x 9 mm (6.68 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)162.2 x 74.8 x 8.3 mm (6.39 x 2.94 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight213 g (7.51 oz)191 g (6.74 oz)
 Stylus-
Display
ProtectionNEGCorning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density)1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~444 ppi density)
Size6.81 inches, 110.1 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 500 nits (typ)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR, 3000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 710
OSAndroid 12, TCL UI 4.0Android 15, up to 2 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM128GB 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
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm-
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 5 MP, 115˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm32 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos)
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.4, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioUnspecifiedNo
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/6e, tri-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired68W wired 15W wireless
TypeLi-Ion 4000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsLunar BlackPantone: Gibraltar sea, Surf the Web
ModelsT779WXT2517-1
PriceAbout 240 EUR$ 299.99 / C$ 368.17
SAR1.25 W/kg (head)     1.25 W/kg (body)-

TCL Stylus

  • Lower price point makes it accessible.
  • Functional stylus for basic note-taking.
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks.

  • Outdated chipset limits performance.
  • Slow 18W charging.
  • Likely dimmer display.

Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025)

  • Significantly faster Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset.
  • Ultra-fast 68W wired and 15W wireless charging.
  • Bright 1870 nit display for excellent outdoor visibility.

  • Higher price compared to the TCL Stylus.
  • May not offer a dramatically improved camera experience over the TCL.
  • Larger size may not appeal to all users.

Display Comparison

The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1870 nits. This is a substantial improvement over what we'd expect from the TCL Stylus, making it far more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. While the TCL Stylus's display specs are not provided, it's likely to fall considerably short of this brightness level. The Motorola's brightness also suggests a more modern panel technology, potentially with better color accuracy and viewing angles. We can assume the Motorola will have a higher contrast ratio as well.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the TCL Stylus, a direct comparison is limited. However, 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 neither phone is expected to compete with flagship camera systems, the Motorola's ISP will likely deliver better dynamic range and noise reduction. We can assume the Motorola will have a more capable main sensor, given its positioning in the market.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) utilizes the Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, built on a power-efficient 4nm process. This contrasts sharply with the TCL Stylus's Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm). The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 features a more modern CPU architecture – Cortex-A78 cores (2.4 GHz) versus the TCL's Cortex-A76 (2.2 GHz) – resulting in a noticeable performance uplift in CPU-intensive tasks. The 4nm process also translates to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. The Motorola will offer a smoother experience with multitasking and demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) shines in battery and charging. Its active use score of 10:05h demonstrates excellent endurance. Crucially, it supports 68W wired charging, allowing for a full charge in a fraction of the time compared to the TCL Stylus's 18W charging. The Motorola also adds 15W wireless charging, a feature absent on the TCL Stylus. While battery capacity isn't specified for either device, the faster charging speed of the Motorola effectively mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the TCL Stylus if you need a functional stylus experience on a very limited budget and aren't demanding in terms of performance. It's ideal for basic note-taking and light tasks. Buy the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) if you prioritize a smoother, more responsive user experience, faster charging, and a brighter display – especially if you frequently use demanding apps or enjoy mobile gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 in the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) powerful enough for gaming?
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 is a capable mid-range chipset. While it won't deliver flagship-level gaming performance, it can handle most popular mobile games at medium to high settings. The 4nm process also helps to minimize thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, providing a more consistent experience.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to fully charge the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) with the 68W charger?
While exact times vary based on usage, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) can typically charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 45-60 minutes with the included 68W charger. This is a substantial improvement over the TCL Stylus's slower 18W charging, which could take over two hours for a full charge.
❓ Does the TCL Stylus support palm rejection for handwriting?
Details on the TCL Stylus's stylus features are limited. However, most stylus-equipped phones at this price point offer basic palm rejection, but it may not be as refined or accurate as on higher-end devices like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Expect some accidental marks if you aren't careful.
❓ What kind of stylus technology does the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) use?
Motorola typically employs a capacitive stylus technology. This means the stylus interacts with the touchscreen in a similar way to your finger, but with finer precision. It's suitable for note-taking, sketching, and navigating the interface, but doesn't offer pressure sensitivity like active styluses found on more expensive devices.