Motorola’s Moto G Stylus (2025) is the company’s most compelling budget phone in years—packing a built-in stylus, 68W TurboPower charging, and a vibrant Pantone-designed aesthetic—all for $400. But with just two Android updates, can it compete against Samsung and Google’s long-term champs?
Key Takeaways
- Built-in stylus – Pressure-sensitive & more practical than Samsung’s S Pen.
- Blazing 68W charging – 0-100% in ~1 hour (faster than any Galaxy or Pixel).
- Stunning AMOLED – 6.7″ 120Hz, 1,000+ nits brightness.
- Great cameras – 50MP (LYTIA 700C) main + 13MP ultrawide.
- Only 2 OS updates – Samsung/Galaxy offer 4-7 years.
- Plastic build – Gorilla Glass 3 (vs. Victus+ on Galaxy A36).
- No telephoto lens – Digital zoom struggles past 4x.
Design: Motorola’s Back in Color
- Pantone “Surf The Web” blue (vegan leather) or Gibraltar Sea navy.
- IP68 rating – Rare for a budget phone.
- Headphone jack + stylus slot – No compromises.
Downside: Still plastic-backed (Galaxy A36 has glass).
Performance: Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 Holds Up
- 8GB RAM + 256GB storage (expandable via microSD).
- Handles Pokémon Go, light gaming, multitasking smoothly.
- Benchmarks:
- Geekbench 6: ~900 (single-core), ~2,800 (multi-core).
- Wild Life Stress Test: ~1,200 pts (similar to Galaxy A36).
But: Falls behind Nothing Phone 3a Pro (SD 7s Gen 3).
Stylus: Surprisingly Useful
- No Bluetooth gestures (like Galaxy S Ultra), but:
- Auto-launches note-taking/screenshot tools when removed.
- Handwriting calculator & Sketch-to-Image AI.
- Lower latency than past Moto stylus phones.
Cameras: Budget Standout
- 50MP main (LYTIA 700C) – Same sensor as Motorola Edge (2025).
- Punchy colors, good detail in daylight.
- 13MP ultrawide – Minimal distortion, consistent colors.
- 32MP selfie – Solid portrait mode.
Weakness:
- No telephoto – 10x zoom is muddy.
- 4K/30fps video only (no 60fps).
VS Galaxy A36: Moto has better main cam; Samsung adds 5MP macro.
Battery & Charging: Class-Leading
- 5,000mAh battery → 6-8 hours SOT.
- 68W wired (0-100% in ~60 mins) + 15W wireless.
- Faster than Galaxy A36 (25W) and Pixel 9a (18W).
Software: Clean But Short-Lived
- Near-stock Android 15 (Hello UX).
- Minimal bloat (just 1Weather + gaming folder).
- Updates: 2 OS upgrades + 3 years security (vs. 4-7 years for rivals).
Alternatives
| Phone | Price | Why Consider It? |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy A36 5G | $400 | 4 OS updates, Gorilla Glass Victus+, macro cam |
| Pixel 9a | $499 | 7 years updates, Tensor G4, best AI features |
| Nothing Phone 3a Pro | $460 | SD 7s Gen 3, Glyph Interface, cleaner OS |
| Moto G Power (2025) | $300 | Same cameras, 30W charging, no stylus |
Final Verdict: Best Moto G Ever (But Update Support Hurts)
The Moto G Stylus (2025) nails design, charging, and stylus utility—but short update support makes it hard to recommend over the Galaxy A36 or Pixel 9a.
Buy if: You want fast charging + stylus and upgrade every 2-3 years.
Skip if: You need long-term software support or premium materials.
Rating: 4/5 – Motorola’s best budget phone, held back by its weakest habit.
