Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 Review: The Best Mid-Range Phone with a Stylus?

In the competitive mid-range smartphone market, finding a device that stands out can be challenging. However, Motorola’s Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 offers a unique proposition with its built-in stylus, making it a compelling choice for users who prioritize note-taking, drawing, and other stylus-related functions. As a North American exclusive, the Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 aims to blend performance, style, and functionality into an affordable package. This detailed review will cover all aspects of the phone, from design and build quality to performance, battery life, and camera capabilities, helping you decide if this device is right for you.

Moto G Stylus 5G Design and Build Quality

The Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 retains a design language reminiscent of Motorola’s recent Edge series, yet it carves out its own identity with several unique touches.

• Eco-Leather Back: The back panel is covered in eco-leather, giving it a premium feel and a comfortable grip. This material choice sets it apart from many plastic or glass-backed smartphones in its price range.
• Flat Plastic Frame: Unlike the curved edges of some of its siblings, this model features a flat plastic frame, which adds to its sturdiness and gives it a modern, minimalist look.
• Integrated Stylus: The device includes a stylus that tucks neatly inside the phone. While similar in size to Samsung’s S Pen, it lacks Bluetooth connectivity and functional buttons, making it a passive tool. Despite these limitations, it offers a decent level of precision and responsiveness for note-taking and drawing.

Key Takeaway: The Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 offers a robust and premium feel with practical design elements, particularly the inclusion of a neatly integrated stylus. The eco-leather back provides a touch of elegance and durability, making the phone comfortable to hold and use.

Moto G Stylus 5G Display and Audio

The display and audio capabilities of a smartphone are crucial for an immersive user experience, and the Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 delivers well in this regard.

• 6.7-inch OLED Display: The phone features a 6.7-inch OLED panel with a resolution of 1080p. The display supports a 120Hz refresh rate, which provides smooth interactions and vibrant visuals. The high refresh rate is particularly beneficial for tasks involving the stylus, as it makes writing and drawing feel more natural and responsive.
• Brightness: With a maximum brightness of 550 nits in manual mode and up to 1,400 nits in auto mode, the screen remains visible even in bright outdoor conditions. This makes it easy to use the phone in various lighting environments, whether you’re indoors or out in the sun.
• Color and Contrast: The display supports 10-bit color depth, ensuring rich and accurate colors. However, it does not support HDR video playback, which is a minor drawback for those who enjoy high-quality streaming content.
• Audio: The device comes with a headphone jack and stereo speakers equipped with Dolby Atmos. The speakers deliver good loudness and clear vocals but lack substantial bass. This audio setup is adequate for most users, offering a decent experience for music, videos, and calls.

Display and Audio Highlights:

• 6.7-inch OLED display
• 1080p resolution
• 120Hz refresh rate
• Dolby Atmos stereo speakers
• 550-1,400 nits brightness

Moto G Stylus 5G Software and Performance

Under the hood, the Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, coupled with Moto’s Hello UI on top of Android 14.

• User Interface: Moto’s Hello UI is akin to stock Android, with added Moto features organized in the Moto app. The app has been revamped, consolidating functionalities such as Smart Connect, which was previously known as Ready For. This interface is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for users to navigate and customize their experience.
• Performance: The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 provides a smooth and lag-free user experience. While not a powerhouse, it handles everyday tasks and moderate gaming well. Benchmarks indicate modest but adequate performance for its class. This chipset ensures that the phone can manage multitasking efficiently, run popular apps, and handle some light gaming without significant issues.
• Updates: Motorola promises three years of OS updates and four years of security patches, ensuring the device remains current and secure. This commitment to software updates is a significant advantage, providing users with peace of mind regarding the phone’s longevity and security.

Performance Metrics:

• Chipset: Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
• Operating System: Android 14 with Hello UI
• Storage Options: 128GB or 256GB, expandable via microSD

Moto G Stylus 5G Stylus Features

The stylus is a central feature of the Moto G Stylus 5G 2024, providing a range of functionalities that enhance productivity and creativity.

• Note-Taking: Users can take notes with the stylus even when the screen is off. The stylus and screen are highly responsive, making note-taking smooth and efficient. This feature is particularly useful for students, professionals, and anyone who frequently needs to jot down ideas quickly.
• Floating Menu: Removing the stylus activates a customizable floating menu with several options, including a handwriting calculator and screen-free writing. This menu can be tailored to include the most-used apps and functions, making it a convenient tool for quick access.
• Customization: The floating menu is highly customizable, allowing users to tailor it to their specific needs. This level of personalization ensures that the stylus can be an integral part of the user’s daily workflow, enhancing productivity.

Stylus Capabilities:

• Passive stylus (no Bluetooth or buttons)
• Floating menu with customizable options
• Handwriting calculator
• Screen-off note-taking

Moto G Stylus 5G Battery and Charging

Battery life and charging capabilities are critical aspects for any modern smartphone, and the Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 aims to deliver on these fronts.

• Battery Life: Equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery, the phone offers a commendable battery life of approximately 12 hours and 43 minutes of active use. This endurance makes it a reliable choice for users who need their phone to last throughout the day without frequent recharging.
• Charging: The device supports 30W fast charging, although it does not include a charger in the box. With a compatible charger, it can reach 53% in 30 minutes and a full charge in about an hour and a half. Wireless charging is also supported, adding convenience for users who prefer cable-free charging.

Battery and Charging Details:

• 5,000 mAh battery
• 30W fast charging support
• Wireless charging capability
• No charger included in the box

Moto G Stylus 5G Camera Performance

The Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 is equipped with a capable camera system, ensuring versatile photography options for various scenarios.

• Main Camera: The 50MP main camera delivers vibrant colors, high contrast, and ample detail. It performs well in both daylight and low-light conditions, although night shots may be slightly overprocessed. This camera is suitable for everyday photography, capturing clear and detailed images.
• Ultra-Wide Camera: The 13MP ultra-wide camera with autofocus can also take macro close-ups. It captures accurate colors, high contrast, and decent detail. This versatility makes it ideal for landscape shots, group photos, and close-up photography.
• Video Recording: The main camera supports 4K video recording, providing good dynamic range and color accuracy, though detail may be lacking. Electronic stabilization is recommended for smoother footage. While the video quality is adequate for casual recording, it may not satisfy users who require professional-grade video capture.
• Selfie Camera: The 32MP front camera, utilizing pixel binning, produces 8MP selfies with natural skin tones and excellent dynamic range. This camera ensures that selfies are clear and well-exposed, making it a great choice for social media enthusiasts.

Camera Specifications:

• Main Camera: 50MP
• Ultra-Wide Camera: 13MP with autofocus
• Selfie Camera: 32MP (8MP output)
• Video Recording: 4K

Moto G Stylus 5G Pros and Cons

Every device has its strengths and weaknesses, and the Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 is no exception.

Pros:

• Integrated stylus with practical features
• Solid build quality with eco-leather back
• Smooth and vibrant OLED display
• Good battery life and charging options
• Reliable camera performance in various conditions
• Promises of long-term software updates

Cons:

• Lacks HDR video playback support
• No IP rating for water resistance
• No Bluetooth connectivity for the stylus
• Charger not included in the box

Moto G Stylus 5G Comparison with Competitors

When comparing the Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 to its competitors, it becomes clear where this device excels and where it might fall short.

• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: This premium device offers a more advanced stylus experience with Bluetooth connectivity and additional features. It also includes superior camera performance and an IP rating for water resistance. However, it comes at a significantly higher price point, making it less accessible to budget-conscious consumers.
• Moto Edge 50 Fusion: Sharing many similarities with the Moto G Stylus 5G 2024, this device lacks the integrated stylus but offers HDR video support and a more refined design. It is a good alternative for those who prioritize media consumption over stylus functionality.

Conclusion

The Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 stands out in the mid-range segment with its unique offering of a stylus, combined with a well-rounded set of features. It’s an excellent choice for those who need the functionality of a stylus without breaking the bank. While it has a few shortcomings, such as the lack of HDR support and IP rating, its overall performance, design, and battery life make it a compelling option for many users.

For those looking at alternatives, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers a more premium stylus experience, and the Moto Edge 50 Fusion provides similar features without the stylus. However, at around $400, the Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 delivers a value-packed mid-range experience that’s hard to beat.

Final Verdict: If you’re in the market for a mid-range phone with stylus capabilities, the Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 is an excellent choice, blending practicality, performance, and affordability in a sleek package.

Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 Specifications:

By providing a comprehensive review with detailed insights into the design, performance, camera, and unique stylus features, this blog aims to help potential buyers make an informed decision about the Moto G Stylus 5G 2024. With its blend of utility and value, it’s a strong contender in the mid-range smartphone market.