Motorola’s Moto G series has long been a go-to choice for those seeking an affordable yet capable smartphone. Two of Motorola’s latest offerings in this lineup are the Moto G Pure and the Moto G Play.
While both phones share some similarities, there are also some key differences that are worth examining when deciding between these two budget-friendly devices.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Moto G Pure | Moto G Play |
| Price | $159.99 | $169.99 |
| Display | 6.5″ HD LCD | 6.5″ HD LCD |
| Processor | MediaTek Helio G25 | MediaTek Helio G25 |
| RAM | 3/4GB | 3/4GB |
| Storage | 32/64GB | 32/64GB |
| Rear Camera | 13MP + 2MP depth | 16MP + 2MP macro + 2MP depth |
| Front Camera | 5MP | 8MP |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging Speed | 10W | 10W |
| Biometrics | Rear fingerprint | Rear fingerprint |
| Water Resistance | IP52 | IP52 |
| Extras | Google Assistant button, dual SIM | Macro lens, stereo speakers, FM radio |
Overview And Design
The Moto G Pure and Moto G Play were both released in 2021 as updates to Motorola’s low-cost G series smartphone line.
Moto G Pure – The Moto G Pure features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with 720p resolution. It has a teardrop notch at the top for the front-facing camera. On the back is a dual camera setup with a 13MP main lens and 2MP depth sensor. The G Pure measures 6.49 x 2.99 x 0.35 inches and weighs 6.52 ounces. It has a plastic body and is available in single color options of near-black or silver.
Moto G Play – The Moto G Play also has a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with 720p resolution. It’s virtually the same size as the G Pure, measuring 6.47 x 2.96 x 0.35 inches and weighing 6.51 ounces. The G Play has a triple rear camera setup consisting of a 16MP main lens, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth sensor. It also comes in near-black and silver color options with a plastic body construction.
Both phones have a similar overall design ethos – plastic construction to keep costs down, with a teardrop front camera and rear fingerprint sensor. The main difference in terms of design is the G Play’s extra camera lens.
Display
As mentioned above, both the Moto G Pure and G Play have 6.5” IPS LCD displays with 720×1600 pixel resolution. This works out to about 270 pixels per inch density on both screens.
The displays on both phones support up to 60Hz refresh rate. While not as smooth as 90 or 120Hz found on more expensive phones, a 60Hz refresh rate is pretty standard in this price range.
In terms of display quality, the two phones are quite comparable. You can expect decent color reproduction and brightness suitable for indoor and some outdoor use. However, don’t expect anything amazing in terms of vibrancy or sharpness at this price point. Both displays are acceptable for casual use but may leave you wanting more if you consume a lot of media on your phone.
Overall, the displays on the Moto G Pure and G Play are essentially the same. There’s no clear winner here.
Camera
One area where these two budget phones differ is in their camera setup:
Moto G Pure – Has a dual rear camera with 13MP main + 2MP depth sensors. On the front is a 5MP selfie camera.
Moto G Play – Has a triple rear camera with 16MP main + 2MP macro + 2MP depth sensors. The front selfie camera is 8MP.
So on paper, the Moto G Play’s camera setup looks more versatile with the addition of a dedicated macro lens.
In real-world usage however, the cameras on both phones produce very similar looking shots. They work decently well for the price, but don’t expect stellar image quality.
The extra macro lens on the G Play does allow you to take decent close up shots. But the overall image quality is not hugely better than the G Pure.
For casual everyday use, the cameras on both phones are solid. The G Play does provide more flexibility with its triple lens setup. But if you’re just posting to social media, the G Pure’s camera is certainly adequate.
Performance And Battery Life
Under the hood, the Moto G Pure and Moto G Play share a lot in common:
- MediaTek Helio G25 processor
- 3GB or 4GB RAM options
- 32GB or 64GB storage
- microSD card slot for expansion
- Rear fingerprint sensor
- 5,000 mAh battery
- 10W charging
Performance between the two phones is comparable. The Helio G25 chipset and 3/4GB RAM provides enough power for everyday tasks, social media, videos, etc. Gaming performance is also decent for casual games, but more graphic intensive games may show some lag.
Battery life is a major highlight on both phones. The big 5,000 mAh battery easily provides 1.5-2 days of use per charge. Standby time is excellent as well.
Charging speed could be faster at just 10W. But the battery itself will last long enough for most users.
Overall, there is no clear winner in terms of performance and battery life. Both phones deliver solid quality for the affordable price point.
Also Read: Is Motorola G Power Better Than Motorola G Stylus?
Software
The Moto G Pure and Moto G Play both run a near stock version of Android 11 out of the box. Motorola uses a very light touch with their software customization.
You get useful additions like Moto Gestures and Moto Actions that add conveniences like twisting to launch the camera, chopping to turn on the flashlight, and more. But the overall experience stays close to Google’s Pixel Android.
Software support is a bit lacking on both phones. Motorola guarantees just one major OS update and two years of bi-monthly security updates. So you may not see Android 12 on either device.
If fast updates are important to you, Nokia and Samsung offer better support in this price range. But Motorola’s clean Android skin is still preferable for many over heavily customized UIs.
Once again, the Moto G Pure and Moto G Play are evenly matched when it comes to software. Motorola offers a clean and stable Android experience on both handsets.
Unique Features
Here are a few extra features worth mentioning on each phone:
Moto G Pure
- SD card slot for expandable storage
- Dual SIM card slots
- Rear fingerprint reader
- IP52 dust and water resistance
- Google Assistant button
Moto G Play
- SD card for expandable storage
- Triple rear camera with macro lens
- Rear fingerprint reader
- Dual stereo speakers
- IP52 dust and water resistance
- Google Assistant button
- FM radio
These extras add some nice functionality to each phone. The Moto G Play stands out with its dedicated macro camera and stereo speakers. But both models cover the basics like expandable storage, fingerprint unlock, and water resistance.
Pricing And Value
The Moto G Pure starts at $159.99, while the Moto G Play retails for $169.99. Those are excellent prices considering the features and performance you’re getting.
At just $10 more, the Moto G Play does offer better camera versatility and audio quality. But the Moto G Pure remains a fantastic value for budget buyers, undercutting even some of Motorola’s own past G series models.
Rest assured you’re getting excellent bang for your buck with either phone. For the lowest possible price, go with the Moto G Pure. But the Moto G Play adds just enough extra camera and audio features to justify spending a little more. Also watch the video!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No, the Moto G Play and Moto G Pure are different phones in Motorola’s budget smartphone lineup. They share similar designs and specs but there are some hardware differences, mainly with the camera setups.
No, the Moto G Pure and G Play were both released in 2021. The Moto G Pure is not a newer model.
Yes, the Moto G Pure provides excellent value for a budget smartphone. For under $160 you get capable performance, long battery life, decent cameras, and a big HD display. It makes an excellent affordable phone.
The Moto G Play and Moto G Pure are among the best current Moto G models for their low prices. If you can spend a little more, the Moto G Power (2022) adds faster performance and a 50MP camera for around $200. But the G Play and G Pure are great budget options under $170.
Also Read: Comparison Between Samsung Galaxy S21 And S21 Plus.
Conclusion
Overall, the Moto G Pure and Moto G Play are extremely similar phones that both offer excellent value.
The Moto G Play costs slightly more but includes a third macro camera lens and improved speakers. Yet the Moto G Pure remains an incredible budget purchase, even beating the Play on battery life in some tests.
Both phones share the same core specs like processor, display quality, battery capacity, and memory options. Either device will handle daily needs just fine.
The Moto G Pure makes the most sense if price is your absolute top priority. But the Moto G Play adds just enough extra camera and audio features to possibly warrant spending $10 more.
In the end, you can’t go wrong with either of these sub-$200 smartphones. Motorola continues to dominate the affordable phone space with exceptional quality and performance. Pick the Moto G phone that best matches your budget and feature needs.