Motorola has long held a unique position in the smartphone market by consistently delivering value-driven devices, and the Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) continues this tradition. As the name implies, it’s one of the few budget smartphones equipped with a built-in stylus — a feature typically reserved for flagship models like the Samsung Galaxy S Ultra series. For creatives, note-takers, and productivity-minded users who don’t want to break the bank, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) might just be the perfect blend of function and affordability.
This review takes a deep dive into Motorola’s latest stylus-toting mid-ranger, evaluating everything from design and display to performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and software experience. Let’s find out if this phone lives up to the expectations set by its predecessors — and whether it’s a worthy pick in today’s competitive market.
1. Design and Build Quality: Practical with a Touch of Elegance
Motorola hasn’t gone wild with aesthetics here, but there’s a sense of sophistication in the 2025 edition of the Moto G Stylus 5G. The phone features a matte-finished polycarbonate back that resists fingerprints and smudges better than glossy alternatives. Available in subtle yet stylish colors like Graphite Black and Midnight Teal, it gives off a refined look that punches above its weight class.
The stylus is housed in the bottom right corner, popping out smoothly with a satisfying click. It’s slimmer than the Galaxy S Ultra’s S Pen but still quite functional for note-taking, drawing, and basic navigation. The overall build is solid, with tactile buttons and a satisfying heft at 196 grams.
Notably, it carries an IP52 rating for dust and water resistance — enough for accidental splashes and light rain but nothing more. That’s expected in this price segment.
Pros:
- Premium feel for a mid-range phone
- Solid stylus integration
- Splash-resistant (IP52)
Cons:
- Plastic back (though durable)
- No Gorilla Glass protection
2. Display: A Decent Canvas for Stylus Work
The Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) features a 6.7-inch Full HD+ OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate — a substantial upgrade from the LCD panels used in older G Stylus models. This improvement alone elevates the device’s day-to-day experience, offering deeper blacks, punchier colors, and smoother animations.
The resolution of 2400 x 1080 ensures crisp visuals for everything from streaming to doodling. The 120Hz refresh rate helps with stylus input latency, though it’s not quite S Pen levels of responsiveness. Still, for a device under $400, it’s impressive.
Brightness peaks around 1000 nits, making outdoor visibility reasonably good. It’s not flagship-tier, but usable in most conditions.
Pros:
- OLED panel with great contrast
- 120Hz refresh rate improves responsiveness
- Good brightness for outdoor use
Cons:
- Slight stylus input delay under fast movement
- No HDR10+ support
3. Stylus Functionality: The Budget Note-Taker’s Dream
Motorola has worked hard to give the stylus purpose beyond just being a gimmick. With the 2025 model, the stylus software suite has been upgraded. You can now:
- Instantly start writing when you pull out the stylus
- Convert handwriting to text
- Sketch or annotate screenshots
- Quickly launch customizable shortcuts
While it doesn’t offer pressure sensitivity like Samsung’s S Pen, it handles most daily stylus tasks very well. Artists and hardcore note-takers may feel limited, but casual users will find this stylus quite handy.
Motorola’s new “Smart Notes” app syncs with Google Drive and Microsoft OneNote, making it a productivity ally, especially for students and professionals.
Pros:
- Useful stylus software enhancements
- Instant stylus actions improve workflow
- Seamless integration with productivity apps
Cons:
- No pressure sensitivity or tilt detection
- Limited stylus accessories or tips
4. Performance: Surprisingly Capable for the Price
Under the hood, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset. Paired with 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD), it offers a robust setup for a mid-tier device.
In daily usage, the phone performs admirably — smooth app launches, decent multitasking, and respectable gaming performance. Titles like Call of Duty: Mobile and Genshin Impact run well on medium settings. You’ll experience occasional hiccups in very intensive tasks, but nothing that ruins the experience.
Motorola also includes its clean MyUX software on top of Android 14, which contributes to the smoothness. There’s very little bloatware and no unnecessary gimmicks, which is refreshing in the Android landscape.
Pros:
- Efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset
- Generous 8GB RAM for multitasking
- Clean, near-stock Android experience
Cons:
- Not ideal for high-end gaming
- UFS 2.2 storage — slower than flagship speeds
5. Cameras: Good in Daylight, Average at Night
Motorola upgraded the primary camera to a 50MP f/1.8 sensor with OIS, a welcome change that enhances sharpness and stability. The secondary is an 8MP ultrawide lens, and there’s a 16MP front-facing camera for selfies.
In well-lit conditions, the main camera captures detailed, vibrant images with good dynamic range. Colors tend to be on the warmer side, but not unnaturally so. Portrait mode works decently, with edge detection that’s acceptable for the price point.
Low-light performance is average. The Night Mode helps a bit, but there’s visible noise and a loss of detail. The ultrawide camera performs well enough during the day but lacks detail and consistency in low light.
Video recording tops out at 4K @ 30fps with EIS. Stabilization is decent, though nothing exceptional.
Pros:
- 50MP sensor with OIS takes solid daytime shots
- Ultrawide lens adds flexibility
- 4K video support
Cons:
- Struggles in low light
- Ultrawide and selfie camera are just average
6. Battery Life and Charging: A Two-Day Warrior
Battery life has always been a Moto G strength, and the 2025 Stylus 5G is no different. Equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, it easily powers through a full day and often into a second with moderate use. Streaming video, gaming, or stylus-heavy tasks do draw more juice, but this phone rarely leaves you scrambling for a charger before bedtime.
Motorola includes 30W TurboPower fast charging, which brings the device from 0% to 50% in about 30 minutes. There’s no wireless charging — but at this price, that’s forgivable.
Pros:
- Excellent battery life
- Decent 30W fast charging
- Efficient power management
Cons:
- No wireless charging
- Charger not included in all regions
7. Software and Updates: Clean but Limited Support
Running Android 14 out of the box, Motorola keeps things clean with its lightly skinned MyUX interface. There are useful gestures like double-chop for the flashlight and twist-to-launch camera. Stylus-specific features are nicely tucked into the UI without bloat.
However, Motorola’s Achilles’ heel continues to be its update policy. The company promises one major Android update and two years of security patches, which lags behind brands like Samsung or Google.
This could be a dealbreaker for users who prioritize long-term software support. However, if you tend to upgrade your phone every two years, it may not be a significant concern.
Pros:
- Clean and intuitive UI
- Useful Moto gestures
- No bloatware
Cons:
- Only one Android OS upgrade promised
- Limited security update duration
8. Audio, Connectivity, and Extras
Audio:
The Moto G Stylus 5G includes dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support. The sound is loud and clear, making it great for videos or casual music listening. There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming rare in 2025.
Connectivity:
It supports full sub-6GHz 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2. The connection is stable, call quality is strong, and there’s support for eSIM alongside the physical nano SIM slot.
Fingerprint and Face Unlock:
A side-mounted fingerprint scanner built into the power button is snappy and reliable. Face unlock is also available but software-based and less secure.
Storage Expansion:
MicroSD card support up to 1TB is a huge plus for media-heavy users, especially with stylus-generated content.
Verdict: Who Should Buy the Moto G Stylus 5G (2025)?
The Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) is a compelling device for users who value stylus input, clean software, and great battery life — all at a sub-$400 price. It may not have flagship-level performance or camera prowess, but it covers the essentials exceedingly well and throws in a stylus to sweeten the deal.
Perfect for:
- Students and professionals who take notes
- Digital doodlers and light sketchers
- Budget-conscious buyers who still want 5G and a quality display
Not for:
- Mobile photographers or videographers
- Gamers seeking top-tier performance
- Users wanting long-term software updates
Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) – At a Glance
| Feature | Specs |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.7″ FHD+ OLED, 120Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 |
| RAM & Storage | 8GB RAM, 128/256GB + microSD |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP (OIS) + 8MP ultrawide |
| Front Camera | 16MP |
| Battery | 5,000mAh, 30W fast charging |
| OS | Android 14 (1 major update promised) |
| Stylus | Built-in with Smart Notes integration |
| Price (est.) | $399 USD |
Final Score: 8.2/10
Motorola has created a niche device that delivers real utility at an attractive price. If you’re someone who appreciates the convenience of a stylus but doesn’t want to pay flagship money, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) deserves serious consideration.
Would you like a comparison with other mid-range stylus or productivity phones next?