iPhone 15 Plus • Unlocked vs Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) • Unlocked

iPhone 15 Plus • Unlocked
iPhone 15 Plus • Unlocked
Starting at

Refurbished price:$389.99

Versus $829.00 new

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Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) • Unlocked
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) • Unlocked
Starting at

Refurbished price:$102.00

Versus $499.99 new

See options

Ratings

The iPhone 15 Plus, released in September 2023, and the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2022, launched in April 2022, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While both devices offer large displays and robust battery performance, they cater to different user preferences through their operating systems, display technologies, and unique features. The iPhone operates on Apple's iOS, known for its integrated ecosystem, whereas the Motorola device runs on Android, offering more customization and a signature built-in stylus.

Scores

Durability

The expected practical lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical durability features.

  • Release Timeline: The iPhone 15 Plus was released in September 2023, making it a more recent device compared to the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2022, which launched in April 2022. This difference in release date inherently provides the iPhone 15 Plus with a longer potential period of software support from its manufacturer.
  • Software Longevity: Apple typically provides extensive iOS updates for its devices, often spanning five to six years or more from the release date, ensuring the iPhone 15 Plus will receive new features and security patches for a considerable duration. In contrast, Motorola generally offers a more limited update commitment for its devices, often including one major Android OS upgrade and a few years of security updates for the Moto G Stylus 5G 2022.
  • Physical Durability: The iPhone 15 Plus features a Ceramic Shield front cover, a color-infused glass back, and an aluminum design, contributing to its overall resilience. It also boasts an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, allowing it to withstand submersion in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2022, while featuring a plastic body, offers a water-repellent design, which provides some protection against splashes but does not carry an official IP rating for water and dust immersion.

Release Year

2023

2022

Last OS Compatibility

Yes

No

OS

iOS

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance in daily use is shaped by a device's internal components, affecting app responsiveness, multitasking capabilities, and battery endurance.

  • System Responsiveness: The iPhone 15 Plus is equipped with a powerful current-generation processor, enabling smooth navigation, rapid app loading, and efficient handling of demanding applications and graphics-intensive games. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 features a capable processor that handles everyday tasks and general usage effectively, though it may exhibit more noticeable delays with very demanding applications or extensive multitasking compared to higher-end chipsets.
  • Multitasking and Storage: The iPhone 15 Plus typically comes with 6GB of RAM, providing ample capacity for running multiple applications simultaneously without significant slowdowns. It offers storage options up to 512GB, which is non-expandable. The Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 is available with various RAM configurations, including 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB, with 8GB being a common variant, supporting reasonable multitasking. It offers up to 256GB of internal storage and includes a microSD card slot for expandable storage, providing flexibility for users who need more space for media and files.
  • Battery Behavior: The iPhone 15 Plus is known for its exceptional battery life, often lasting well over a full day of heavy use, with up to 26 hours of video playback. It supports fast wired charging, achieving a 50% charge in about 30-35 minutes with a compatible adapter, and also features wireless charging capabilities. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 also offers excellent battery endurance, thanks to its large 5000 mAh battery, frequently providing more than a day of usage. It supports Quick Charge 3.0 for faster charging, but typically includes a 10W charger in the box, resulting in slower full charge times, and it does not support wireless charging.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on a smartphone is largely determined by its display technology, resolution, and brightness capabilities.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone 15 Plus features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, which delivers deep blacks, high contrast, and vibrant colors, contributing to a rich viewing experience. Its resolution of 2796x1290 pixels results in a sharp image with a pixel density of 460 PPI. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 comes with a 6.8-inch IPS LCD display, offering a large viewing area and good color reproduction. Its 2460x1080 pixel resolution provides a clear image with a pixel density of 395 PPI.
  • Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The iPhone 15 Plus offers impressive brightness levels, reaching up to 1000 nits typical brightness and a peak outdoor brightness of 2000 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright sunlight. The Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 has a maximum brightness of around 550 nits, which is generally sufficient for indoor use and decent for outdoor viewing, though it may be less legible under direct, intense sunlight compared to the iPhone.
  • Refresh Rate and Smoothness: The iPhone 15 Plus features a standard 60 Hz refresh rate, providing a consistent visual experience for most daily tasks. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 offers a higher 120 Hz refresh rate, which results in smoother scrolling, more fluid animations, and a more responsive feel during interactions like gaming or browsing.

Resolution

1290 x 2796

1080 x 2460

Screen type

Super Retina XDR OLED

IPS LCD

Audiovisual

Camera capabilities are a significant factor for many users, encompassing photo and video quality across various conditions.

  • Rear Camera System: The iPhone 15 Plus features an advanced dual-camera system, including a 48MP main sensor with a wide f/1.6 aperture, sensor-shift optical image stabilization, and 100% Focus Pixels, capable of capturing detailed 24MP and 48MP photos. It also includes a 12MP ultra-wide camera with a 120-degree field of view and a 2x telephoto option enabled by the main sensor. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 is equipped with a triple camera setup, featuring a 50MP main sensor with OIS and PDAF, an 8MP ultra-wide camera that also functions for macro shots, and a 2MP depth sensor.
  • Photography Performance: The iPhone 15 Plus excels in various lighting conditions, offering strong low-light performance, advanced portrait modes with depth control, and features like Photonic Engine and Smart HDR 5 for enhanced image processing. The Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 delivers decent daytime photos with good detail and natural colors. However, its low-light performance is less robust, with images potentially appearing washed out or noisy in challenging conditions.
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: The iPhone 15 Plus supports 4K Dolby Vision HDR video recording at up to 60 frames per second, along with Cinematic mode for depth-of-field effects and Action mode for stabilized footage. Its 12MP TrueDepth front camera features autofocus and is capable of 4K video recording. The Motorola device records video at up to 1080p and features a 16MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls.

Main camera

48 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

16 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and device utility.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data speeds. The iPhone 15 Plus includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, and notably features a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, replacing the proprietary Lightning connector. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 supports Wi-Fi (a, b, g, n, ac) and Bluetooth 5.0. It also uses a USB-C port for charging and data, and uniquely retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, offering more audio connectivity options.
  • Sensors and Biometrics: The iPhone 15 Plus relies on Face ID for secure facial recognition and authentication. It includes a range of sensors such as an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, barometer, gyroscope, and proximity sensor. The Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometric security. It also includes common sensors like proximity, light, accelerometer, compass, and gyroscope.
  • Design and Handling: The iPhone 15 Plus measures 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm and weighs 201 grams, featuring a sleek design with rounded edges. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 is slightly larger and heavier at 168.9 x 75.8 x 9.3 mm and 215 grams, partly due to its integrated stylus. The Motorola device's standout feature is its built-in stylus, which allows for note-taking, drawing, and precise navigation directly on the screen.

Weight

201 oz

7 oz

Screen size (inches)

6.7

6.8

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

eSIM

Physical SIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The iPhone 15 Plus and the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 offer distinct experiences tailored to different user priorities. User feedback for the iPhone 15 Plus often praises its exceptional battery life, with many reporting it comfortably lasts through a full day of heavy use and often into a second day. Its vibrant OLED display and advanced camera system, particularly for low-light photography and video, are also frequently highlighted as strong points. Some users, however, note the 60Hz refresh rate as a potential drawback compared to devices with smoother displays.

For the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2022, common praise centers on its impressive battery longevity and the utility of its integrated stylus for productivity and creative tasks. The 120Hz refresh rate of its large display is also appreciated for providing a fluid user experience. Criticisms often point to its camera performance in challenging lighting conditions and the relatively slower charging speeds. The limited software update commitment from Motorola is also a frequent concern for users seeking long-term OS support.

Users prioritizing a highly integrated ecosystem, a powerful and efficient processor for demanding tasks, superior camera capabilities, and extended software support will find the iPhone 15 Plus well-suited to their needs. Its robust build and high-quality OLED display also appeal to those seeking a premium visual and tactile experience. Conversely, users who value a large, high-refresh-rate display, exceptional battery life, the unique functionality of a built-in stylus, and expandable storage will likely lean towards the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2022. This device is particularly appealing for those who frequently take notes, sketch, or prefer the flexibility of the Android operating system.

Both devices are available as quality-assured refurbished options, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers looking to make sustainable choices.

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