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

The Motorola Moto G 2022 and the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 are both smartphones released in the spring of 2022, offering distinct features for different user preferences. While both devices operate on the Android platform and share a similar design philosophy, the Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 distinguishes itself with an integrated stylus and a more advanced display, alongside a different internal processing unit. The Moto G 2022 focuses on core smartphone functionalities with a robust battery and a smooth display for everyday use.

Both the Motorola Moto G 2022 and the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 were released around April 2022, meaning they launched with Android 12. Motorola's policy for its budget and mid-range devices typically includes one major Android OS upgrade and two years of bi-monthly security patches. This suggests that both phones would likely receive an upgrade to Android 13 and continue to get security updates for a period following their release.

• Software Support: Users can expect a similar duration of software support for both models, generally encompassing one major Android update and two years of security patches from their release.
• Repairability: Information on specific repairability scores is not readily available for these models, but Motorola devices in this category are generally designed for practical use, suggesting a standard approach to component accessibility.
• Practical Lifespan: Given their release timeline and typical software support, both devices are designed to offer a practical lifespan of several years for general smartphone tasks, with the Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 potentially offering a slightly more future-proof experience due to its more capable internal components.

When evaluating performance, the internal components of these two Motorola smartphones present a notable difference, impacting how smoothly they handle various applications and multitasking. Both devices are equipped to manage daily tasks, but the Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 offers a more responsive experience for demanding applications.

• Processing Capabilities: The Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 features a processing unit that delivers a more fluid experience, particularly noticeable when running multiple applications simultaneously or engaging in more graphically intensive activities. The Moto G 2022, while capable for everyday use, may exhibit slower performance in comparison, especially with heavier workloads.
• Multitasking and Storage: The Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 typically comes with 8GB of RAM, allowing for more seamless transitions between apps and better retention of background processes. The Moto G 2022 usually offers 4GB or 6GB of RAM, which is sufficient for general use but may lead to more frequent app reloads during heavy multitasking. Both models offer expandable storage options, providing flexibility for users with large media libraries.
• Battery Behavior: Both phones are equipped with a 5000 mAh battery, which generally translates to extended usage times. Users of both models often report that the battery can last through a full day of moderate to heavy use, with some experiencing up to two days on lighter usage.

The display is a significant differentiating factor between these two Motorola devices, influencing the visual experience for media consumption, browsing, and daily interactions. The Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 offers a larger and more detailed screen with a higher refresh rate.

• Display Technology and Resolution: Both phones utilize IPS LCD technology. However, the Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 features a 6.8-inch FHD+ display with a resolution of 2460x1080 pixels, providing sharper images and more detailed content. The Moto G 2022 has a 6.5-inch HD+ display with a resolution of 1600x720 pixels, which is suitable for general viewing but offers less clarity.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: The Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, resulting in noticeably smoother scrolling and more fluid animations, enhancing the overall user interface experience. The Moto G 2022 offers a 90Hz refresh rate, which is still an improvement over standard 60Hz displays, providing a reasonably smooth visual experience for most users.
• Brightness and Viewing Experience: While both are IPS LCDs, user feedback suggests that the Moto G Stylus 5G 2022's screen, despite its higher resolution and refresh rate, may not be exceptionally bright for outdoor visibility. The Moto G 2022's display, with its lower resolution, also offers a functional viewing experience, though neither are designed for peak brightness in direct sunlight.

The camera systems on the Motorola Moto G 2022 and Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 share some similarities in their main sensor but diverge in their secondary lenses and overall performance, particularly in challenging lighting conditions.

• Rear Camera Systems: Both phones feature a 50MP main camera, which uses pixel-binning technology to produce detailed 12.5MP images in good lighting. The Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 includes an 8MP ultrawide camera that also functions for macro shots, and a 2MP depth sensor. In contrast, the Moto G 2022 opts for dedicated 2MP macro and 2MP depth sensors, lacking an ultrawide option. The Moto G Stylus 5G 2022's main camera also benefits from optical image stabilization (OIS), which helps reduce blur in photos and videos.
• Low-Light and Video Performance: User reviews indicate that both devices perform adequately in well-lit environments, capturing accurate colors. However, low-light performance is a common area of criticism for both, with images often showing increased noise and less detail. Video recording on the Moto G 2022 is limited to 1080p at 30fps, while the Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 can record 1080p at up to 60fps.
• Front Camera and Audio: The Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 is equipped with a 16MP front-facing camera, offering higher resolution selfies compared to the 13MP front camera on the Moto G 2022. Both phones include a 3.5mm headphone jack, and their speaker output is generally considered adequate for casual media consumption, though the Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 has a single bottom-firing speaker.