Affordable and highly effective
This is the most effective Stylus mannequin Motorola has made, because of the brand new Snapdragon chipset beneath the hood. It retains the cellphone working snappy whereas nonetheless letting you squeeze out as much as two days of battery life.
ForFaster refresh-rate displayImpressive Snapdragon chipMore RAMAndroid 13Bigger batteryGood low-light cameraBetter designAgainstOnly 20W chargingUltrawide digital camera is simply okayStylus appears low cost
Another possibility
TCL needs to make a reputation for itself as an alternative choice for anybody wanting a built-in stylus pen. The TCL Stylus 5G is an effective first try, with a really succesful MediaTek chip and a few good software program to boost the expertise.
ForGreat softwareDecent camerasCheaperBetter-looking stylus penAgainstDated designShorter battery life60Hz showAndroid 12, one OS improve18W wired charging
If you are searching for a cellphone with a built-in stylus, you will not have many choices. Since LG is out of the sport, your major choices are from Motorola or Samsung. However, TCL threw itself within the ring with its personal stylus-toting smartphone, giving shoppers an alternative choice within the U.S. The cellphone was launched in 2022, making it a bit older than the newer Moto G Stylus 5G (2023). So how do the 2 telephones examine, and is the TCL mannequin nonetheless price contemplating?Despite being an older, cheaper mannequin, the TCL has some redeeming qualities that make it price a glance, no less than in the event you’re in the marketplace for a less expensive 5G smartphone. But in some ways, it might not precisely examine to the costlier Moto G Stylus 5G (2023). Still, until you are trying to splurge on a dear flagship from Samsung, these are among the many greatest choices you will have for a bit extra productiveness.Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) vs. TCL Stylus 5G: Design & displayWhy you’ll be able to belief Android Central
Our professional reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services so you’ll be able to select the most effective for you. Find out extra about how we take a look at.(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)There’s a little bit of a distinction within the design between these two smartphones. TCL is not recognized for having the best-looking smartphones, and that development continues with the TCL Stylus 5G. It’s flat on the back and front with a chamfered body that sports activities a singular ribbing that provides the cellphone an fascinating really feel. On the again is a quad-camera setup in an extended, rectangular housing that appears fairly dated.The cellphone solely is available in Lunar Black, which appears pretty boring however in any other case wonderful. It’s a matte polycarbonate chassis, so you do not actually have to fret about fingerprints.As for the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023), the cellphone is flat on the entrance, however the plastic rear curves barely into the body, which makes it a bit extra comfy in hand. The cellphone is available in two colours, Cosmic Black and Rose Champagne, that are pretty good and replicate properly within the daylight.Image 1 of two(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Both telephones have pretty massive Full HD+ LCDs, however the TCL has a bigger 6.81-inch panel, whereas the Moto sits at 6.6 inches. Motorola has the benefit, nonetheless, with a better 120Hz refresh charge. That’s double the pace of the 60Hz panel on the TCL mannequin, which makes the cellphone really feel much more outdated than its design provides off. The show is a lot brilliant, however general pales compared to the Moto cellphone.Bezels are pretty small on each however appear even smaller on the Moto. Both gadgets even have their stylus pens constructed into the underside of the cellphone, which might be taken out with a click on.Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) vs. TCL Stylus 5G: Hardware & specs(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Regarding {hardware}, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) unsurprisingly has the higher hand. The cellphone launched in 2023 with the brand new Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, which performs shockingly properly. Coupled with 6GB of RAM, the cellphone feels nearly like a flagship Android cellphone, powering by way of duties and even graphics-intensive cell video games with relative ease.By comparability, the TCL Stylus 5G is supplied with a MediaTek Dimensity 700 and 4GB of RAM. This configuration is on no account unhealthy, and the cellphone performs fairly properly, even when enjoying video games like Diablo Immortal. However, regardless of that, it nonetheless falls brief when in comparison with the Moto, a incontrovertible fact that’s conflated by the low 60Hz panel.Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategoryMoto G Stylus 5G (2023)TCL Stylus 5GOSAndroid 13 (My UX)Android 12 (TCL UI 4.0)Display6.6-inch FHD+ (2400 x 1080), LCD, 120Hz refresh charge (LTPS)6.81-inch FHD+ (2460 x 1080), LCD, 60HzChipsetSnapdragon 6 Gen 1MediaTek Dimensity 700Storage128GB (carriers), 256GB, expandable128GB (expandable)Memory4GB (carriers), 6GB4GBRear Camera 150MP extensive, f/1.88, 1.0μm, Quad-Pixel50MP extensive, f/1.8, 0.64μmRear Camera 28MP ultrawide/macro/depth, f/2.2, 1.12μm5MP ultrawide, 1.12μm, 115˚Rear Camera 3❌2MP macro, f/2.4, 1.75μmRear Camera 4❌2 MP depth, f/2.4, 1.75μmSelfie Camera16MP, f/2.45, 1.0μm13 MP, f/2.3, 1.12µmWater ResistanceWater-repellent❌Battery & Charging5,000mAh, 20W wired charging4,000mAh, 18W chargingConnectivity5G (sub-6), Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi (2.4GHz & 5GHz)5G sub-6, Wi-Fi (2.4GHz & 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.1NFC✔✔SafetyFingerprint sensor, face unlockFingerprint sensorDimensions162.83 x 73.77 x 9.19mm169.6 x 76.5 x 8.98mmWeight202g213gColorsCosmic Black, Rose ChampagneLunar BlackRelating to software program, the Moto additionally has the benefit of Android 13, whereas the TCL was launched with Android 12 and can solely be up to date to Android 13… in some unspecified time in the future. That mentioned, TCL’s software program is definitely fairly good and seems like a mash-up of the Google Pixel UI, the iOS Control Center, and the Google Home app. Motorola opts for a reasonably inventory Android expertise, just like a Pixel, but it surely has some niceties like helpful gestures and gaming controls.The software program extends to the built-in stylus pens on the backside of every machine. Both pens are passive and never energetic like Samsung’s S Pen, so there is no strain sensitivity or any particular connection between them; it simply provides you one other methodology to jot down or draw. But each firms attempt to make the most effective out of the pens with some helpful apps.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Motorola has its home-grown Moto Note app which you can robotically allow when pulling out the pen. It additionally has a sequence of apps that make the most of the pen, similar to a handwriting calculator, GIF maker, and extra. TCL takes issues a step additional with the inclusion of paid apps like Nebo, plus its handwriting recognition capabilities are fairly spectacular.Unfortunately, the expertise with the TCL pen was lower than perfect in our testing, whereas the Moto did simply wonderful.Both telephones have stereo audio system, side-mounted fingerprint sensors, and NFC. There’s no IP ranking on both, however Motorola no less than provides the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) a water-repellant coating for some safety.Then there’s battery life. The TCL Stylus 5G lasts all day on a single cost, because of the 4000mAh battery beneath. However, Motorola provides you as much as two days on a single cost with its Stylus cellphone, which is fairly good. Charging on each is fairly comparable, with 18W and 20W on the TCL and Moto, respectively.Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) vs. TCL Stylus 5G: Cameras(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)You’ll discover a first rate set of cameras on each telephones. Nothing flagship-level, however the 50MP main sensors take pretty respectable pictures in the course of the day. And whereas the TCL has a barely wider aperture, Motorola’s sensor has bigger pixels, giving it an higher hand with low-light photographs.Neither cellphone have excellent ultrawide lenses, however the Moto no less than squeezes an extra 3 million pixels, which may add additional element to a picture. Motorola additionally makes use of this digital camera because the depth and macro sensor, whereas TCL has separate 2MP sensors for each. This ends in probably higher high quality photographs from the Moto G Stylus 5G, because of the increase in decision.Below are some samples from the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023):Image 1 of 6(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Below are digital camera samples from the TCL Stylus 5G. As you’ll be able to see, the cellphone appears to have a tough time focusing and low-light is a little bit of an issue for it. Images may also seem a bit oversharpened as if making an attempt to compensate:Image 1 of 5(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Video seize on each is about what you’d anticipate on a price range Android cellphone, that means you should not anticipate a lot out of both cellphone. However, Motorola as soon as once more has the higher hand with 4K 30fps recording, whereas the TCL Stylus 5G tops out at 1080p. Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) vs. TCL Stylus 5G: Which must you purchase?(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)It’s nice to see TCL entering into the stylus recreation with its personal mannequin. The Stylus 5G is a fairly first rate cellphone for the value level. The software program and efficiency are fairly good, the digital camera is first rate, and it could final by way of the day on a single cost. It’s about what we would anticipate from a mid-range smartphone, with the additional benefit of a built-in stylus, after all.Unfortunately, the TCL Stylus 5G is already displaying its age, having launched in 2022 with no successor in sight. The cellphone nonetheless runs older Android 12 software program as most telephones are gearing as much as obtain Android 14. And if design issues to you, the cellphone appears fairly dated and… low cost.The Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) is the plain alternative right here. Sure, it prices about twice as a lot, however it’ll get you a near-flagship expertise with the highly effective new Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, battery life that lasts as much as twice as lengthy, an incredible design, and it comes with Motorola’s years of expertise making stylus-equipped telephones. And it nonetheless prices lower than half of what you’d pay for an everyday flagship.Perhaps if TCL follows up with a more moderen mannequin, that may very well be one to contemplate. However, for now, Motorola is the way in which to go right here.
The mighty pen
If you are available in the market for a smartphone with a built-in stylus, look no additional than the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023). Not solely does it have the backing of a fairly highly effective Snapdragon chip, but it surely prices lower than half that of a flagship whereas performing nearly as properly.
A great first try
The TCL Stylus 5G could also be an older cellphone, however the MediaTek chip powering it has been present in lots of our favourite inexpensive smartphones and can simply get you thru the day with out a lot fuss. TCL even throws in some fascinating software program to make the most of the stylus.