Motorola has long been a name synonymous with reliable, budget-friendly smartphones, particularly with its Moto G series. But in 2024, Motorola has taken a bold leap with the Moto G Stylus, crafting what is arguably the best device they have ever released. This blog will dive deep into what makes the 2024 Moto G Stylus a standout in the crowded smartphone market, with a particular focus on its design, performance, and unique features that set it apart from its predecessors and competitors.

Introduction: A New Era for Motorola

Motorola has a storied history with its Moto G series, a lineup known for delivering solid performance at an affordable price. However, over the years, the Moto G line has faced criticism for lagging behind in terms of innovation and build quality. But with the 2024 Moto G Stylus, Motorola seems to have listened to its critics and delivered a device that not only meets expectations but exceeds them in many ways.

Key Highlights:

• Premium Design: A significant upgrade in materials and design.
• Enhanced Display: A 6.7-inch pOLED screen that offers vibrant colors and high refresh rates.
• Improved Performance: Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor with 8GB of RAM.
• Stylus Integration: While basic, it offers a unique user experience.
• Competitive Pricing: Offers excellent value for money, especially when compared to higher-priced stylus-equipped phones.

Design and Build Quality: A Premium Feel at a Budget Price

One of the most significant criticisms of previous Moto G devices was their budget-centric design. They often looked and felt cheap, with bulky bezels and plastic builds that left much to be desired. The 2024 Moto G Stylus changes that narrative entirely.

Premium Materials and Ergonomics

Motorola has opted for a more premium approach this year, with an eco-leather back that not only feels great in hand but also adds a touch of sophistication. This material choice is both aesthetically pleasing and functional, providing a better grip and a more comfortable experience during extended use.

Table: Design Specifications

The eco-leather material does have its drawbacks, particularly when it comes to attracting dust and debris. However, this minor inconvenience is easily overshadowed by the overall premium feel and appearance of the device.

Display: A Visual Treat

The display on the 2024 Moto G Stylus is another area where Motorola has made significant improvements. The 6.7-inch pOLED screen is a massive upgrade from previous models, offering better color accuracy, higher brightness, and a more immersive viewing experience.

Key Display Features:

• pOLED Technology: For the first time in the Moto G series, Motorola has included a pOLED panel, which allows for vibrant colors and deeper blacks.
• Resolution: The screen boasts a resolution of 2400 x 1080, ensuring sharp and clear visuals.
• Refresh Rate: A 120Hz refresh rate makes for smoother scrolling and a more responsive touch experience.
• Screen-to-Body Ratio: Slimmer bezels and a better screen-to-body ratio make for a more immersive experience.

The result is a display that rivals those found in much more expensive devices. Whether you’re streaming videos, playing games, or simply browsing the web, the Moto G Stylus delivers a top-tier visual experience.

Performance: Powerful Enough for Most Users

While the Moto G Stylus may not boast the most powerful specs on the market, it offers a balanced performance that should satisfy the needs of most users.

Processor and RAM: A Solid Combination

Under the hood, the 2024 Moto G Stylus is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM. This combination ensures that the device can handle everyday tasks with ease, from multitasking to running demanding apps and games.

Performance Benchmarks:

• Geekbench Scores: The Moto G Stylus performs admirably in benchmark tests, with scores that place it well within the mid-range category.
• Multitasking: The 8GB of RAM allows for smooth multitasking, with little to no lag when switching between apps.
• Gaming: While not a gaming powerhouse, the Moto G Stylus can handle most games at medium to high settings without significant issues.

Storage Options and Expandability

The Moto G Stylus comes with either 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, providing ample space for apps, photos, and videos. For those who need even more storage, the device also includes a microSD card slot, allowing for easy expansion.

Storage Options:

• Base Model: 128GB of storage
• Upgraded Model: 256GB of storage
• Expandable: Up to 1TB via microSD card

This flexibility is particularly valuable in an era where many manufacturers are moving away from expandable storage options, making the Moto G Stylus a great choice for those who value storage capacity.

Stylus Integration: A Niche Feature with Practical Use

The stylus is the defining feature of the Moto G Stylus series, and while it may not be as advanced as the S Pen found in Samsung’s Note series, it still offers a unique and practical user experience.

Basic but functional

The stylus itself is a simple metal stick with a soft mesh tip. It doesn’t offer the advanced features of a smart stylus, such as pressure sensitivity or Bluetooth connectivity, but it does provide a precise and responsive input method.

Stylus Features:

• Placement: Stored in the bottom right corner of the device, easily accessible.
• Functionality: Can be used for note-taking, drawing, and navigating the interface.
• Shortcut Menu: Launches a customizable shortcut menu when the stylus is removed, allowing for quick access to apps and tools.

While the stylus may not be for everyone, it’s a nice addition for those who enjoy taking notes by hand or need a more precise input method for certain tasks.

The Stylus Experience

The experience of using the stylus on the Moto G Stylus is straightforward and functional. It’s ideal for those who want to jot down quick notes, draw sketches, or even use it as a more precise input tool for navigating the device. The lack of advanced features like pressure sensitivity or Bluetooth connectivity means that the stylus is more of a convenience feature rather than a necessity. However, for a phone in this price range, the inclusion of a stylus at all is a notable feature.

Camera System: Decent, But Room for Improvement

Motorola has equipped the Moto G Stylus with a dual-camera setup that includes a 50-megapixel main sensor and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor. While the camera system may not be the phone’s strongest selling point, it still offers decent performance for everyday photography.

Camera Specifications:

• Main Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 aperture, PDAF
• Ultra-Wide Camera: 12MP, f/2.2 aperture, 123-degree field of view
• Selfie Camera: 32MP, f/2.0 aperture

The camera performance is satisfactory for most users, particularly in good lighting conditions. However, it does struggle in low-light scenarios, and the image processing can sometimes result in over-processed photos.

Strengths:

• Ultra-Wide Lens: Offers a wider field of view, perfect for landscape photography.
• High-Resolution Selfies: The 32MP front camera is great for capturing detailed selfies.

Weaknesses:

• Low-Light Performance: Struggles in darker environments.
• Image Processing: Can be overly aggressive, leading to less natural-looking photos.

Battery Life and Charging: Reliable, But Not Revolutionary

The Moto G Stylus is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, which is standard for most devices in its class. This battery size should easily get most users through a full day of use, even with moderate to heavy usage.

Charging Capabilities

Motorola has included support for 30W fast charging and 15W wireless charging with the Moto G Stylus. However, the device does not come with the necessary accessories to take full advantage of these features, so users will need to purchase their fast-charging bricks and wireless chargers separately.

Battery and Charging Specifications:

• Battery Capacity: 5,000mAh
• Fast Charging: 30W (wired)
• Wireless Charging: 15W

This charging setup is adequate for most users, though it would have been nice to see Motorola include the appropriate chargers in the box, particularly given the phone’s positioning as a more premium device in the Moto G lineup.

Software Experience: Familiar, But Limited Updates

Motorola’s software experience on the Moto G Stylus remains largely unchanged from previous models. The device runs a near-stock version of Android, with some Motorola-specific customizations and pre-installed apps.

Limited Software Support

One of the main criticisms of Motorola’s devices has been their lack of long-term software support. The Moto G Stylus is expected to receive only one major Android update, which is a significant drawback for users who want to keep their device up-to-date with the latest features and security patches.

Software Experience:

• Operating System: Android 13 out of the box.
• User Interface: Near-stock Android with Motorola-specific customizations.
• Pre-Installed Apps: Includes several Motorola-branded apps like Moto Actions and Moto Display.

While the software experience is generally clean and user-friendly, the limited software support is a potential downside. Users looking for long-term updates may need to consider other options, as Motorola’s track record for software updates is not as robust as that of some competitors.

Connectivity and Additional Features: Modern Essentials

The 2024 Moto G Stylus covers all the basics when it comes to connectivity and other essential features. However, it doesn’t offer any groundbreaking innovations in this department.

5G Connectivity

The inclusion of 5G support ensures that the Moto G Stylus is future-proofed for faster data speeds, making it a viable option for those looking to take advantage of next-gen networks.

Connectivity Features:

• 5G Support: Ensures fast and reliable data speeds.
• Wi-Fi 6: Offers improved wireless connectivity, ideal for streaming and gaming.
• Bluetooth 5.2: Provides a stable connection with wireless accessories.
• USB-C: Standard charging and data transfer port.

Security Features

Security is another area where the Moto G Stylus plays it safe. The device includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which doubles as the power button, as well as support for facial recognition.

Security Specifications:

• Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted for easy access.
• Facial Recognition: Basic 2D facial recognition for unlocking the device.

Both security options work reliably, though they are not as advanced as the in-display sensors or 3D facial recognition found on more premium devices.

Pricing and Value: A Competitive Offering

One of the most compelling aspects of the 2024 Moto G Stylus is its pricing. Motorola has positioned the device as a budget-friendly option with premium features, making it an attractive choice for those looking for value without compromising too much on performance or design.

Competitive Pricing

The Moto G Stylus is priced competitively, especially when compared to other stylus-equipped phones on the market. It offers a solid blend of features and performance, making it a great option for those who want the functionality of a stylus without breaking the bank.

Pricing Breakdown:

• Base Model (128GB): Priced around $299
• Upgraded Model (256GB): Priced around $349

This pricing makes the Moto G Stylus a strong contender in the mid-range market, offering more value for money than many of its competitors.

Value Proposition

When considering the overall package, the 2024 Moto G Stylus offers excellent value. It provides a premium design, solid performance, and unique features like the stylus, all at a price point that undercuts many of its rivals.

Final Verdict: The Best Moto G Yet?

The 2024 Moto G Stylus is a significant step forward for Motorola, addressing many of the criticisms that plagued its predecessors. With a premium design, a vibrant display, and a solid performance package, it offers excellent value for money.

Pros:

• Premium Design: The eco-leather back and slim profile give it a sophisticated look and feel.
• Vibrant Display: The pOLED screen is a standout feature, offering great color accuracy and a high refresh rate.
• Stylus Functionality: While basic, the stylus adds a layer of versatility not found in many budget phones.
• Competitive Pricing: Offers great value for the features it provides.

Cons:

• Limited Software Updates: Only one major Android update is expected.
• Average Camera Performance: The camera system is decent but not exceptional, particularly in low-light conditions.
• Lack of Included Accessories: Fast charging brick and wireless charger are not included in the box.

Should You Buy the 2024 Moto G Stylus?

If you’re in the market for a mid-range smartphone that offers a premium design, a good display, and the added functionality of a stylus, the 2024 Moto G Stylus is hard to beat. Its competitive pricing and solid feature set make it one of the best options in its category, especially for those who value the stylus integration.

However, if long-term software support or top-tier camera performance is a priority for you, there may be other devices that better meet your needs. Overall, the Moto G Stylus stands out as a well-rounded device that delivers on its promises, making it a worthy consideration for anyone looking for a versatile and affordable smartphone in 2024.