iPhone 16 • Unlocked vs Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) • Unlocked

The iPhone 16, released in September 2024, and the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022), launched in April 2022, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While the iPhone 16 operates on Apple's iOS, offering a tightly integrated ecosystem, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) runs on Android, providing a more open and customizable experience. A key differentiator lies in their core features: the iPhone 16 focuses on advanced computational photography and a powerful processing unit, whereas the Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) integrates a built-in stylus for enhanced productivity and creative tasks.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support are important factors.

• Release and Software Updates: The iPhone 16, launched in late 2024, benefits from Apple's extended software support, typically receiving major iOS updates for five to six years from its release. It shipped with iOS 18 and is currently upgradable to iOS 26.4, ensuring access to the latest features and security patches for a considerable period. In contrast, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022), released in early 2022 with Android 12, generally receives a more limited number of major Android OS updates, often one or two, along with security updates for a few years.
• Physical Durability: The iPhone 16 features a Ceramic Shield front, a glass back, and an aluminum frame, offering IP68 dust and water resistance, allowing submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. Durability tests indicate its Ceramic Shield provides enhanced scratch resistance compared to previous generations. The Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) has a plastic frame and is rated IP52 for splash resistance, offering protection against light splashes but not full submersion.
• Repairability Considerations: The iPhone 16 incorporates a new electricity-sensitive battery glue, which can potentially simplify battery replacement procedures. Information regarding the specific repairability score for the Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) is less detailed, but its construction is generally considered to be in line with other mid-range Android devices.

The performance of a smartphone is largely determined by its internal components and how efficiently they handle various tasks.

• Processing Power: The iPhone 16 is equipped with a current-generation processor, featuring a hexa-core CPU and a 5-core GPU, alongside a 16-core Neural Engine. This configuration delivers substantial processing power, particularly for demanding applications, complex multitasking, and AI-driven features. Users can expect smooth operation, rapid app loading, and efficient handling of graphically intensive games. The Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) utilizes a mid-range processor from a few years prior, which provides fluid performance for everyday tasks and general usage.
• Multitasking and Storage: The iPhone 16 typically comes with 8GB of RAM and offers storage options up to 512GB, providing ample space for applications and media, and supporting seamless transitions between multiple open apps. The Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) is available with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage, with the added flexibility of expandable storage via a microSDXC card.
• Battery Performance: The iPhone 16 features a battery capacity of 3561 mAh, designed to provide solid battery life for a full day of typical use. The Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) is known for its excellent battery longevity, housing a 5000 mAh battery that often allows for one and a half to two days of use for many users.

The visual experience on a smartphone is heavily influenced by its display technology and specifications.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone 16 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and a high contrast ratio. Its resolution of 2556x1179 pixels results in a sharp image with 460 pixels per inch. The Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) comes with a larger 6.8-inch IPS LCD display, providing a spacious viewing area with a Full HD+ resolution of 2460x1080 pixels and a pixel density of 395 ppi.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The iPhone 16's display can reach a typical brightness of 1000 nits and a peak outdoor brightness of 2000 nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright sunlight. However, it maintains a standard 60Hz refresh rate. The Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) offers a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. Its display can reach over 550 nits of maximum brightness, providing decent legibility under direct sunlight.
• Special Features: The iPhone 16 includes the Dynamic Island, an interactive area around the front camera and sensors that adapts to show alerts and background activities. Both devices support HDR content, with the iPhone 16 also featuring True Tone for automatic white balance adjustment.

The camera systems on both devices offer different capabilities for capturing photos and videos.

• Rear Camera System: The iPhone 16 features an advanced dual-camera system, including a 48MP main camera with sensor-shift optical image stabilization and a 12MP ultrawide camera with autofocus and macro capabilities. This setup allows for detailed photos, improved low-light performance, and the ability to capture close-up macro shots. The Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) has a triple camera setup, with a 50MP main sensor that uses pixel binning to produce 12.5MP images, an 8MP ultrawide camera that also functions for macro photography, and a 2MP depth sensor. Its main camera performs well in good lighting conditions.
• Video Recording and Features: The iPhone 16 supports 4K video recording at up to 60 frames per second, with features like Cinematic mode and Action mode for enhanced video capture. It also includes a new Camera Control button for quick access to camera functions. The Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) relies more on electronic image stabilization for video recording.
• Front Camera: For selfies and video calls, the iPhone 16 is equipped with a 12MP front camera. The Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) features a 16MP front-facing camera.