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Motorola’s Stylus lineup has represented the upper finish of the corporate’s midrange telephones for years. After LG’s departure, it was one of many solely different smartphones to hold a built-in stylus, other than Samsung’s premium S telephones just like the Galaxy S25 Extremely. So naturally, with the Moto G Stylus 2025, there is a little bit of stress to essentially entice clients away from a flagship cellphone that prices greater than 3 times as a lot.
Fortuitously, I believe Motorola has nailed it. The Stylus 2025 improves on final 12 months’s mannequin in methods I did not assume the corporate was prepared for, with specs that simply rival a few of the finest Android telephones. And whereas the $400 price ticket means you will not get all of the capabilities of a premium Android smartphone, the Moto G Stylus 2025 has nearly the whole lot you’d want with out all of the superfluous bells and whistles that find yourself costing you $1000 or extra.
Moto G Stylus 2025: Value, availability, and specs
The Moto G Stylus 2025 was introduced on April 8 and went on sale in the USA on April 17. The cellphone retails for $399 when bought unlocked from Motorola and retailers like Amazon and Finest Purchase.
Colour choices embody Gibraltar Sea and Surf the Net, though availability might depend upon the provider. Relying on the place you purchase it, you get 128GB or 256GB of storage, however it’ll include 8GB of RAM both means.
|
Class |
Moto G Stylus 2025 |
|---|---|
|
OS |
Android 15 (Whats up UX) |
|
Updates |
2 OS, 3 12 months of bi-monthly safety updates |
|
Show |
6.7” Tremendous HD (2712 x 1220), OLED, 120Hz refresh price |
|
Chipset |
Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 |
|
Storage |
128GB/256GB, expandable |
|
Reminiscence |
8GB LPDDR4X |
|
Rear Digital camera 1 |
50MP broad, Sony – LYTIA 700C, f/1.8, OIS, 1μm (2μm with pixel binning) |
|
Rear Digital camera 2 |
13MP ultrawide, f/2.2, 120° FOV, 1.12μm |
|
Entrance-facing Digital camera |
32MP broad, f/2.2, 0.7μm (1.4μm with pixel binning) |
|
Audio |
Twin stereo audio system, Dolby Atmos, 2 mics, FM radio |
|
Safety |
Gorilla Glass 3, IP68, MIL-STD-810H |
|
Battery & Charging |
5,000mAh, 68W wired charging, 15W wi-fi charging |
|
Connectivity |
5G (sub-6), Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 6E, NFC |
|
Safety |
Fingerprint sensor, face unlock |
|
Dimensions |
162.15 x 74.78 x 8.29mm |
|
Weight |
191g |
|
Colours |
Gibraltar Sea, Surf the Net |
Moto G Stylus 2025: What I like
I’ve beforehand famous how there are a whole lot of issues to love concerning the Moto G Stylus 2025, and after spending extra time with the cellphone, all of that also rings true. The cellphone has a splendidly easy but efficient design that mirrors a few of final 12 months’s flagships just like the Edge 50 Extremely. The digicam housing has developed to a extra stove-like design, whereas the vegan leather-based encases all the again properly. It is a gentle and really snug cellphone to carry.
It is a fairly large cellphone, with a show at 6.7 inches, however the bezels are smaller than you’d anticipate for a cellphone at this worth level. The cellphone can be a hair thinner than the Moto G Stylus 5G 2024, however the battery capability continues to be the identical, which is good.
Motorola did one thing I did not anticipate with the Stylus show, pushing it past what many midrange (and most flagships) provide by giving it a Tremendous HD decision. It isn’t a decision I’ve seen a lot on a smartphone, however it makes the OLED show seem extremely crisp.
It is shocking, given how Motorola is pushing the next decision than the bottom Galaxy S25, whereas rising brightness to three,000 nits. The result’s a pointy, shiny show that is nearly nearly as good as the brand new Razr Extremely 2025, and albeit, I’d like to see extra flagship telephones with this decision.
The cellphone is powered by a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, coupled with 8GB of RAM. I’d’ve liked to see a extra highly effective chip, possibly one thing within the 7 collection, however after utilizing the cellphone over the previous few weeks, I can fortunately report that the cellphone performs fairly properly. The software program is snappy, apps open shortly, and video games play fairly properly.
Chances are you’ll expertise some dropped frames for those who’re enjoying one thing graphically heavy like Honkai: Star Rail on the very best settings, however the cellphone is greater than able to easy gameplay on excessive settings.
The Moto G Stylus 2025 runs Android 15 out of the field. It isn’t a lot totally different from Android 14, and Motorola’s Whats up UX is a largely inoffensive tackle Android. There’s not a lot built-in customization, a minimum of on the degrees you may discover on OnePlus telephones, for instance, however I do not see this as a draw back, particularly if you wish to hold issues easy. In spite of everything, it is a $400 cellphone, so anybody shopping for this probably is not an influence person.
I recognize the noticeable lack of bloatware. Other than a random gaming folder that you could simply disable and the Look display that is turned off by default, Motorola has carried out an amazing job minimizing pointless software program on its midrange and funds telephones.
I additionally recognize that Motorola is bettering its software program replace promise, even by a bit of. The cellphone is ready to obtain two OS upgrades and three years of bi-weekly software program updates. Final 12 months’s Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 has been receiving updates fairly constantly, and the Moto G Stylus 2023 acquired Android 14 earlier than the Razr Plus 2023 did, so I am hoping Motorola can hold this up.
There may be some AI right here, however do not anticipate a Pixel 9a right here. Motorola’s Moto AI options are largely reserved for higher-end telephones, however there are nonetheless some goodies right here price mentioning. Circle to Search is considered one of my favourite options, and it is nice to see it on this cellphone.
Along with the same old Google Pictures AI enhancing capabilities, Motorola additionally included a brand new Sketch to Picture function that generates photographs in several types primarily based on what you draw. It is a neat function and works pretty equally to Samsung’s function of the identical title, though not as totally featured. Nonetheless, it is a enjoyable function to point out off and probably a good way to maintain a toddler occupied if crucial.
One other means Motorola applies AI is to the digicam expertise. The corporate upgraded the Moto G Stylus 2025 to a 50MP Sony LYTIA 700C sensor, and whereas final 12 months’s cellphone took fairly respectable photographs, I’ve not been dissatisfied with the photograph high quality from this digicam both. For probably the most half, photographs are crisp and vibrant, significantly in good lighting.
You may get some fairly good natural-looking bokeh from photographs, and the macro pictures from the ultrawide digicam are additionally surprisingly good for these of you who prefer to take close-up pictures of nature.
Picture 1 of 10
In comparison with final 12 months’s mannequin, the Stylus 2025 would not try and brighten shadows almost as a lot. However, photographs from the Stylus 2024 can generally seem a bit synthetic and have flatter colours.
The place the AI is available in is with Motion Shot, which may seize very high-speed photographs of shifting topics to scale back blur and make sure the topic is in focus. You may see from the photographs beneath how the Stylus 2025 does a a lot better job of capturing working water or a practice in movement, though it could come on the expense of some dynamic vary.
Mainly, it is a good function to have for those who personal pets or have youngsters.
Battery life is fairly nice, which is par for the course for Motorola’s G collection. I may simply get a day of use from the Stylus 2025, and you will probably get the identical or extra, relying in your use.
Motorola additionally managed to get 68W charging on a $400 cellphone, which feels too good to be true for North America, however it actually is unbelievable. From 1%, the cellphone will attain 50% in 20 minutes and 100% in 39 minutes. Somebody inform Samsung.
Moto G Stylus 2025: What I do not like
Like final 12 months’s mannequin, the Moto G Stylus 2025 makes use of an in-display fingerprint sensor. Frankly, it isn’t unhealthy, however it’s not my favourite both. It takes a second to register, and it is positioned uncomfortably low on the show. This is identical challenge I had with the Stylus 5G 2024, so it is annoying to see right here, too.
Moreover, the sensor flashes a really shiny white while you use it, which is especially jarring, particularly when utilizing the cellphone in darkish areas.
The digicam additionally has just a few quirks, which I hope Motorola can tweak or repair with future updates. The cellphone does properly in good lighting circumstances, and post-processing can generally properly improve photographs past what’s captured, however it would not appear to do too properly in trickier lighting conditions. Consequently, some photographs can seem too darkish or heavy in distinction. Once more, it is about desire, however I wish to see a minimum of some enhancements with the way it handles darker scenes.
It appears humorous that that is even a difficulty, given Motorola’s curious and seemingly pointless inclusion of a 3-in-1 mild sensor (that third “digicam” on the again).
Moreover, whereas video will be fairly respectable and secure as much as 1080p at 60fps, issues will begin to crap out when you hit 4K30. The digicam would usually crap out and utterly crash when making an attempt to file a 4K video, which is sort of a bummer.
Picture 1 of 3
On the software program entrance, it could have been good to see Motorola give the cellphone extra Moto AI options, even when they’re cloud-based, though at $400, this is not actually one thing we must always anticipate from a tool at this worth level.
Equally, with Motorola’s software program promise, which admittedly may very well be higher. We have seen the corporate provide a mid-range G-series cellphone 5 OS upgrades and 6 years of software program updates, and it could be good to see that stage of assist on what may very well be thought of the corporate’s “hero” Moto G cellphone in North America.
Lastly, whereas its good to nonetheless have a stylus cellphone aside from Samsung’s premium Galaxy S25 Extremely, it feels a bit laggy, even after Motorola alleged to enhance responsiveness by 4X.
I do like that Motorola lastly gave it some function by including the Sketch to Picture function, however I am unable to assist however marvel if Motorola can be higher off together with an lively stylus like an S Pen for probably higher usability or simply casting off it altogether and giving us an even bigger battery or one thing.
Moto G Stylus 2025: Competitors
At this worth level, the closest competitor for the Moto G Stylus 2025 can be the Samsung Galaxy A36. As a result of it is Samsung, you are getting a a lot better software program promise and a few enjoyable built-in AI options like Object Eraser. Nonetheless, charging pace continues to be slower, the display is not as sharp, there’s much less base RAM, and you aren’t getting expandable storage.
You can additionally spring for the Pixel 9a for those who do not thoughts spending a bit of extra. This fashion, you may get a greater software program promise, extra coloration choices, and tons of AI options. Nonetheless, it prices $100 extra, and you will miss out on the sooner charging speeds.
You can additionally go for the Nothing Telephone 3a or Telephone 3a Professional, each of that are equally priced and have spectacular specs. Nonetheless, they could even be onerous to come up with as they’re solely accessible via Nothing’s beta program, and provider assist is not as sturdy or dependable.
Moto G Stylus 2025: Do you have to purchase it?
You should purchase this if…
- You are available in the market for a great, reasonably priced cellphone.
- You desire a cellphone with a built-in stylus pen.
- You need good battery life and quick charging.
You should not purchase this if…
- You need all the most recent AI options from Google.
- You propose to maintain the cellphone for greater than three years.
It is robust to seek out causes to not suggest the Moto G Stylus 2025. Regardless of a few of its drawbacks, this is among the finest Android telephones beneath $400, and one you undoubtedly should not sleep on, even with costlier telephones just like the Pixel 9a looming over it.
The specs and efficiency make this an amazing cellphone for the value, and the digicam is surprisingly good, even when it wants a little bit of tweaking. And whereas the cellphone is not good, not one of the negatives really feel like dealbreakers to me, even after just a few weeks. In the end, the Moto G Stylus 2025 solidifies Motorola because the king of reasonably priced telephones in North America.
What $400 will get you
The Moto G Stylus 2025 is proof that you just need not spend a bunch of cash on a flagship when you may get the same expertise for half the value.