Motorola’s cell phones are widely regarded by many, but it's tough to know when a new smartphone is worth the hype. If you're looking to upgrade to a phone with 5G connectivity, the Moto G Stylus 5G could be the perfect device for your preferences.
Read on for more information about the Moto G Stylus 5G, its key features, and who it is best for.
What Is the Moto G Stylus 5G?
The Moto G Stylus 5G is a modern and 5G speed-compatible smartphone device. It's about middling in price, as it's available for $499.99. Unlike most other stylus-compatible smartphones, however, the Moto G Stylus 5G features a built-in stylus, so you don’t have to pay extra for that accessory.
The Moto G Stylus 5G uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 CPU and features a 6.8-inch screen with 1080 x 2460 P resolution. With four cameras in total (50 megapixels, 8 megapixels, 2 megapixels, and 60 megapixels, respectively) and the Android 12 operating system, it’s a versatile and robust device that can be used for gaming, media viewing, work, and anything else you can imagine.
It features powerful Wi-Fi calling and Bluetooth connectivity, a NANO Sim card, a MicroSD card slot, and a high mAh battery with a 10W charger. It even allows you to make a Wi-Fi hotspot, and is available in a few colors, like steel blue.
What Are the Pros of the Moto G Stylus 5G?
There’s a lot to like about the Moto G Stylus 5G, which may make it a great choice for a new smartphone if you're in the market.
Long Battery Life
The Moto G Stylus 5G benefits from a fantastic 5000mAh battery, which exceeds most expectations. You’ll find that the battery lasts for over 13 hours from start to finish. However, if you set the display to 60 Hz instead of 120 Hz for the refresh rate, you could see the battery last even longer, sometimes up to a few days of battery life. It’s even better than the Moto G Power or other 4G LTE models.
Sleek Design
Of particular note is the sleek design of this stylus-equipped smartphone. The Moto G Stylus 5G looks fantastic, even though it’s a bit large at 6.6 x 3 x 0.4”. It weighs 7.6 ounces, but the slick and stylish screen offers excellent resolution and a 120 Hz refresh rate (which is pretty impressive given the price). The max vision display looks great even in bright sunlight.
The handset’s design further features a speaker at the bottom alongside a USB-C port, a headphone jack, and a slot for the above-mentioned stylus. You can easily take your stylus with you whenever you like by slotting it into this convenient holster.
A fingerprint reader built right into the power button adds even more functionality to this phone. The stylus itself is well optimized and precise; you should be able to use it for anything you imagine without difficulty.
Multiple Camera Options
The Moto G Stylus 5G does offer several camera options, which is good because the available cameras are decent but not incredible. The primary camera has a 50-megapixel sensor and can improve low-light performance.
Meanwhile, the 2MP depth sensor and 8MP ultralight angle camera give you macro photo-taking capabilities and a wide 118° field-of-view. Many devices, such as the iPhone 13 Pro, the Google Pixel 6, and similar models, will produce better photos in low-light environments and in bright daylight than the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G’s camera system can manage.
But if you just like taking casual photos with your friends and family members, or if you like to take selfies, the Moto G Stylus 5G has you covered. The 16-megapixel rear camera, in particular, takes decent photos while in portrait mode.
What Are the Cons of the Moto G Stylus 5G?
But while the Moto G Stylus 5G has many advantages, there are some downsides to this refreshed smartphone to keep in mind before you buy.
Narrow Customization Options
Unfortunately, the Moto G Stylus 5G is not very customizable. You can pick between two different models: one that includes sub-6Ghz 5G and mmWave but that is locked to Verizon, and another with sub-6GHz 5G in the unlocked setting, meaning you can opt for service from AT&T or T-Mobile, for example.
Essentially, if you want to benefit from mmWave’s performance increases, you’ll need to stick with Verizon for the duration of your phone’s lifespan (unless you want to unlock it illegally and break your warranty). So you may feel bound to Verizon if you want everything the Moto G Stylus 5G has to offer.
Less Processing Power
The Snapdragon 695 5G CPU is decent but not the best compared to other phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G. If you want to view media or text and do work simultaneously, you’ll be fine. But you might run into some occasional stuttering or lag if you try to use multiple apps simultaneously or if you like downloading and playing some of the most graphically intensive mobile phone games on the market.
Slow Charging
While the Moto G Stylus 5G’s battery is very high-quality and long-lasting, the phone’s charging leaves a lot to be desired. Out-of-the-box, you’ll only get a 10W charger, which takes nearly three hours to charge from empty to 100%.
Therefore, if you want your phone to be ready more quickly, you’ll have to pick up a separate Quick Charge 3.0 adapter, forcing you to spend even more on this already $500 phone.
Is the Moto G Stylus 5G Worth It?
Your preferences and budget limitations will ultimately determine whether the Moto G Stylus 5G is worth the hype. Remember, it’s over $500 when you account for tax.
The Moto G Stylus 5G is a good and well-rounded smartphone device. Its Internet connectivity, processing responsiveness, and screen design range from excellent to decent. The stylus and holster are the real major selling points.
With most other smartphones, you have to purchase a stylus and a separate case that holds the stylus, adding to the overall total for the phone. The Moto G Stylus 5G bakes the cost of the stylus into its initial asking price. The stylus itself is thin and very easy to use, and the screen seems designed to respond to the stylus’s inputs very quickly and consistently.
The Moto G Stylus 5G is worth it if you’re in the market for a midrange phone for less than $600 and if you love using styluses. It's also an excellent choice if you want a phone that will last all day and then some on a full battery charge.
However, other models may suit you better if you're looking for a phone with the absolute best CPU performance or top-tier photo-taking capabilities.
The Bottom Line
The Moto G Stylus 5G is a versatile and reliable device, though it does have some downsides. It could be a great choice if you want to guarantee your new phone has 5G connectivity and download speeds. But if you’re interested in a phone that can multitask better than ever, you may wish to look elsewhere.
If that’s the case, check out Navi’s Phone Navigator service. With this service, we allow you to compare dozens of different phones and find the perfect new mobile device for your needs in no time.
