Moto G Stylus 2025 Review: Motorola’s Affordable Note Alternative Gets Serious Upgrades

Moto G Stylus 2025 smartphone in Forest Green, showing its eco-leather back, dual camera system, and built-in stylus partially ejected.

Motorola’s take on a stylus phone is back again for 2025, and this time, the Moto G Stylus isn’t just coasting on last year’s formula. It’s been refreshed with upgraded hardware, better display specs, faster charging, and even water resistance—things you wouldn’t expect from a mid-ranger under $400. While the S Pen still reigns supreme, the Moto G Stylus offers a viable alternative for budget-conscious users who still want the benefits of a built-in stylus.

The Moto G Stylus 2025 comes with a 6.7-inch OLED screen, a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, and 256GB of expandable storage. It runs Android 15 out of the box with Motorola’s Hello UI, and stylus-centric features like freeform cropping, note-taking, and a handwriting calculator are tightly integrated.

It also adds wireless charging, stereo speakers, and an IP68 rating—big steps forward for the G Stylus line. That said, there are a few trade-offs. Battery life has taken a noticeable hit, and Motorola’s new Moto AI platform is curiously absent here.

Still, if you’re looking for an affordable device that can sketch, scribble, and take notes straight out of your pocket, the Moto G Stylus 2025 might just be your perfect daily companion.


Design and Build Quality:

Moto G Stylus 2025 smartphone in Forest Green, showing its eco-leather back, dual camera system, and built-in stylus partially ejected.

 

The Moto G Stylus 2025 continues Motorola’s tradition of clean, utilitarian design, but adds some premium touches that elevate it from previous models. The first thing you’ll notice is the eco-leather finish on the back—soft to the touch and surprisingly grippy, especially when compared to glossy or plastic-backed competitors. This faux leather panel wraps gently over the camera housing, creating a seamless and more refined appearance than last year’s model.

The phone’s frame is made of plastic, but it feels sturdy in hand. There’s a slight angularity where the back meets the edges, giving it a boxier, more modern look without compromising comfort. Despite housing a built-in stylus and a large battery, the device remains surprisingly slim and lightweight for its category.

Perhaps the biggest design win this year is the inclusion of IP68 water and dust resistance. That means the phone is now protected against accidental spills, rain, and brief submersion—features that were completely missing from the 2024 model. Motorola has also stated that the phone meets MIL-STD-810H durability standards, making it a tougher companion for outdoor or travel use.

The stylus itself is housed in a dedicated slot on the bottom right corner. It’s nearly identical in shape and size to Samsung’s S Pen, but it lacks Bluetooth functionality, so its interactions are limited to direct screen contact. Still, it fits snugly and clicks satisfyingly into place.

Button placement remains intuitive, with the power key and volume rocker on the right side. The fingerprint sensor is now embedded under the display, eliminating the need for a rear or side-mounted reader. At the bottom, you’ll find a USB-C port, a speaker grille, and the trusty 3.5mm headphone jack—an increasingly rare feature that budget-minded users will appreciate.

Overall, Motorola has blended durability, practicality, and a touch of style in the G Stylus 2025, offering a device that doesn’t feel cheap despite its mid-range status.


Display Specs and Biometrics:

 

Originals, audiobooks and podcasts—all in one place.

 

The Moto G Stylus 2025 gets a notable upgrade in the display department this year, and the improvements are immediately noticeable. At the center of the experience is a 6.7-inch OLED panel with a resolution of 1220 x 2712 pixels—a sharp jump from the 1080p screen on its predecessor. This makes text look crisper and visuals more refined, especially when watching videos or sketching with the stylus.

The display supports a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling, fluid UI animations, and reduced input lag when using the stylus. It also features 10-bit color depth, which allows for more vibrant and accurate color representation—great news for media consumption and digital note-taking alike. When idle, the refresh rate drops to 60Hz to conserve battery.

Motorola has added Gorilla Glass 3 protection to the front, helping guard against scratches and minor impacts. While this isn’t the toughest glass available, it’s an acceptable compromise for a mid-range device and still a welcome inclusion.

Brightness is another area where Motorola stepped things up. The screen pushes around 510 nits with manual brightness, but under auto-brightness in sunlight, it can reach nearly 1,900 nits. This makes it easy to view the screen even in direct outdoor light, a feature that’s typically reserved for premium smartphones.

One drawback, however, is the lack of HDR video support. Streaming services like Netflix and YouTube won’t play content in HDR, which is a bit of a letdown given the otherwise strong display credentials.

Biometric security is handled by an under-display optical fingerprint scanner. It’s quick, responsive, and consistent during daily use. Face unlock is also available, although it’s purely camera-based and therefore less secure.

Finally, the display’s responsiveness to the stylus is excellent. There’s minimal latency and no major jittering during writing or sketching. Combined with palm rejection, this makes the display experience not just great for viewing, but actively enjoyable for stylus-based interaction.

Moto G Stylus 2025 smartphone in Forest Green, showing its eco-leather back, dual camera system, and built-in stylus partially ejected.



 

Software Updates and Apps:

The Moto G Stylus 2025 ships with Android 15 out of the box, layered with Motorola’s custom Hello UI. This skin stays close to stock Android, which means the interface is clean, bloat-free, and easy to navigate. Motorola has built its reputation on simplicity, and the G Stylus 2025 continues that trend with thoughtful design and intuitive controls.

New to this year’s experience is a more polished Moto App that acts as a hub for all Moto-specific features, from gesture controls to the various stylus tools. Within the Moto App, users can access familiar shortcuts like Quick Capture (double twist for camera), Fast Flashlight (double chop), and Peek Display, which shows notifications when you wave your hand over the phone.

A dedicated Smart Connect Hub is also present, allowing seamless wireless or wired connections to PCs, tablets, or external displays—ideal for productivity-focused users. You can mirror your phone screen or use your device as a secondary input.

AI assistance is handled by Google Gemini, offering contextual suggestions, voice assistance, and smart replies. However, Motorola’s own Moto AI platform—found on higher-end Edge models—is noticeably absent here, which feels like a missed opportunity for stylus-related AI enhancements.

Stylus tools are well-integrated. Removing the stylus activates a customizable floating menu with shortcuts for note-taking, screen capture, freeform cropping, and even a handwriting calculator. You can start writing notes instantly, even from the lock screen.

Motorola promises two years of OS updates and three years of security patches. While not as robust as Samsung’s four-year commitment, it’s still a step forward from previous Moto Stylus models, which often lagged in long-term software support.


Performance and Chipsets:

Under the hood, the Moto G Stylus 2025 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3—a modest but respectable chipset that replaces last year’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1. Built on a 4nm process, it delivers better energy efficiency and thermal management while offering a small bump in overall performance.

Everyday usage is smooth and consistent. Multitasking, web browsing, social media scrolling, and basic stylus functions run without stutter. Paired with 8GB of RAM, the phone holds up well in typical mid-range tasks.

Apps open quickly, animations are fluid, and background memory management is handled smartly. You can switch between stylus-based note-taking and streaming or messaging apps without noticeable slowdowns.

In synthetic benchmarks, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 places the Moto G Stylus 2025 in the middle of the pack for mid-rangers. It’s not a performance beast, but it comfortably beats older Snapdragon 4 and lower-tier Dimensity chips.

Thermal performance is impressive. Even under sustained loads like video editing or stress testing, the phone maintains a steady frame rate with minimal heat buildup. This is crucial for stylus users who may work on lengthy sketches or notes.

Overall, this chipset keeps the Moto G Stylus zippy and efficient—perfectly matched for users who prioritize productivity over raw power.


Gaming Performance and Tests:

Gaming on the Moto G Stylus 2025 is a mostly smooth experience for casual and mid-tier titles, though it’s not built for heavy-duty mobile gaming. Thanks to the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 and 120Hz OLED display, titles like Asphalt 9, PUBG Mobile, and Call of Duty: Mobile run well on medium to high settings.

Frame rates remain stable during extended play sessions, and the device doesn’t heat up excessively—even after 30 minutes of gameplay. Motorola’s thermal design does a good job of dispersing heat through the chassis without uncomfortable hotspots.

More graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact or Diablo Immortal are playable, but you’ll need to dial settings down to medium or low for consistent performance. In these scenarios, minor stutters or frame drops can appear during intense sequences.

Touch response is solid, and the stylus can even be used in some strategy or drawing-based games, although pressure sensitivity is not supported.

Stereo speakers enhance immersion, but their lack of strong bass can make explosions or deep sound effects feel thin. Still, they’re loud enough to enjoy without needing headphones.

There’s no dedicated gaming mode, but Motorola’s GameTime overlay offers quick access to screen recording, notification blocking, and performance stats.

Overall, the Moto G Stylus 2025 isn’t a gamer’s dream, but it holds up well for casual players and doesn’t throttle under stress—making it perfectly fine for most users.

Moto G Stylus 2025 smartphone in Forest Green, showing its eco-leather back, dual camera system, and built-in stylus partially ejected.



Battery Life and Charging Speed:

The Moto G Stylus 2025 keeps the same 5,000 mAh battery size as its predecessor, but real-world battery life has unfortunately taken a step backward. In our testing, the phone delivered just 10 hours and 5 minutes of active use—significantly lower than the 2024 model and below average for its class.

Web browsing and gaming seemed to drain the battery more quickly than expected, likely due to the brighter screen and higher resolution panel. However, charging is a different story this year.

Motorola upgraded the charging speed from 30W to 68W, and with a compatible charger (sold separately), you can go from 0 to 81% in just 30 minutes, with a full charge taking only 41 minutes. Wireless charging is also supported—still a rarity in the mid-range space.

So while the battery life is underwhelming, faster charging helps balance the equation for users who don’t mind topping up mid-day.


Connectivity:

The Moto G Stylus 2025 offers a strong range of connectivity options that cater well to both productivity users and general consumers. As expected from a mid-range device, it supports 5G networks with both Sub-6GHz and low-band compatibility, ensuring decent coverage and data speeds in supported regions.

Wi-Fi 6 support makes its debut on this model, providing faster and more stable wireless performance for streaming, large downloads, or casting content. Bluetooth 5.2 is also included for improved connectivity with wireless accessories, offering lower latency and better energy efficiency.

A pleasant surprise is the inclusion of NFC, which enables tap-to-pay through Google Wallet and makes it easier to pair with supported accessories. It’s a small but critical feature that was missing in some older G Stylus models.

For wired connections, the Moto G Stylus retains a USB-C 2.0 port and a 3.5mm headphone jack—something increasingly rare in this price bracket. Audio output through the headphone jack is clean, and stereo speakers provide decent loudness, if not audiophile-grade quality.

GPS, A-GPS, and GLONASS support ensure solid location tracking for navigation apps. In our real-world use, maps loaded quickly and location locking was nearly instant.

The phone also supports expandable storage via microSD, which can be slotted alongside the SIM card. While there’s no eSIM support, dual SIM functionality is region-dependent and limited to certain markets.

All in all, the Moto G Stylus 2025 doesn’t push any boundaries in connectivity, but it ticks nearly every box users would expect—and then some.



Camera Specs and Performance:

 

Moto G Stylus 2025 smartphone in Forest Green, showing its eco-leather back, dual camera system, and built-in stylus partially ejected.

Motorola continues its dual-camera setup approach for the Moto G Stylus 2025, but with notable refinements under the hood. This year, both the main and ultrawide sensors have been updated, offering improved color rendering and better low-light performance compared to the 2024 model.

Main Camera – Daylight Performance

The 50MP main sensor produces vibrant, saturated shots with good contrast and solid dynamic range. In bright light, images come out crisp with well-exposed highlights and shadows. Textures like foliage and brickwork retain a decent amount of detail, although some fine elements can look slightly oversharpened on close inspection.

Colors pop without looking too artificial, and white balance remains consistent across various lighting conditions. Portrait mode is a particular highlight—edge detection is reliable, and subject-background separation looks natural even without a dedicated depth sensor.

Main Camera – Low-Light & Night Mode

In nighttime conditions, the main cam holds its own. Thanks to Motorola’s Night Vision algorithm, photos show impressive clarity, accurate color tones, and minimal visible noise. Dynamic range remains wide enough to keep highlights from blowing out while preserving detail in darker areas.

Night Mode activates automatically when necessary but can also be triggered manually. The results are impressive for a mid-ranger—well-lit subjects, vivid colors, and controlled exposure in streetlight scenarios.

Ultrawide Camera – Versatility & Macro Use

The 13MP ultrawide camera captures punchy images with good detail and wider dynamic range than most mid-range ultrawide shooters. It handles distortion well at the edges, and colors stay fairly consistent with the main camera.

This ultrawide cam features autofocus, enabling macro-style photography. Close-up shots show excellent clarity with exaggerated but appealing color saturation. Details in flowers, fabrics, and insects appear lively and rich, though sometimes bordering on oversaturation.

At night, the ultrawide camera performs reasonably well. While detail dips and noise becomes more noticeable, color saturation and exposure are still commendable for the price range.

Selfie Camera – Sharp and Color-Accurate

On the front, Motorola uses a 32MP shooter that bins down to 8MP outputs. Selfies come out sharp and natural, with accurate skin tones, balanced contrast, and minimal noise. Dynamic range is handled surprisingly well, keeping skies from blowing out while retaining facial detail.

Portrait selfies show effective edge detection, and exposure stays balanced regardless of background lighting. The front cam is also great for video calls, delivering a professional-looking feed under both artificial and natural light.

Video Recording – 4K and Stabilization

All cameras on the Moto G Stylus 2025 support 4K video recording at 30fps. Footage from the main cam is detailed, colorful, and mostly stable thanks to effective electronic image stabilization (EIS). Autofocus transitions are smooth, and audio capture is clean.

The ultrawide also supports 4K recording and produces decent results with slightly lower detail than the main sensor but similar dynamic range and color output. Stabilization is again solid, making this camera viable for vlogging or wide-angle shooting on the go.

Low-light video from the main camera is usable but less impressive than stills. There’s a softening of detail and occasional focus hunting, though color and exposure are well-maintained.

Zoom, Features & App Experience

Zooming is handled digitally up to 2x, and while quality drops noticeably, it’s serviceable for occasional use. There’s no telephoto lens onboard, but Motorola’s camera app makes switching between lenses, modes, and features seamless and intuitive.

Additional features include Pro Mode, Spot Color, Dual Capture, and Night Vision. These modes are easily accessible and functional, with little bloat or gimmicks getting in the way.

In total, the Moto G Stylus 2025 offers one of the most reliable and flexible camera systems in the sub-$400 category. While not a photography powerhouse, it balances quality, features, and consistency remarkably well for a stylus-focused mid-ranger.


Price and Availability:

The Moto G Stylus 2025 is officially priced at $399 USD, placing it firmly in the upper mid-range category. At launch, it’s available exclusively in North America, with no current plans for release in Europe or Asia. Motorola has positioned this model as its North American stylus flagship, while markets like India are instead getting the Edge 60 Stylus, which has slightly different internals.

You can purchase the device unlocked via Motorola’s official website, Amazon, Best Buy, and select carriers. Trade-in deals and carrier promotions may bring the price down further, especially for new lines or upgrades.

The phone comes in two color options—Midnight Blue and Forest Green—both with the same eco-leather backing. Storage is generous at 256GB, and it’s expandable via microSD, a feature that’s becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones.


Moto G Stylus 2025 “Pros And Cons”:

Pros:

  • Excellent stylus integration with useful productivity features
  • Bright and sharp 6.7″ 120Hz OLED display
  • IP68 water and dust resistance—rare in this price range
  • Fast 68W charging with support for wireless charging
  • Clean Android 15 experience with useful Moto additions
  • Versatile camera system with solid low-light performance and 4K video on all lenses

Cons:

  • Battery life is underwhelming despite the 5,000 mAh size
  • No Moto AI features, unlike other recent Motorola models
  • No charger included in the box

Conclusion:

The Moto G Stylus 2025 stands out as one of the most feature-rich mid-range smartphones available today, particularly for users who want stylus functionality without jumping into the premium price tier. Motorola has addressed many of the shortcomings from the previous model, bringing faster 68W charging, a sharper OLED display, improved ingress protection, and a more capable camera system.

While it lacks some of the polish and power of flagship phones, it succeeds in delivering a well-rounded experience for productivity, creativity, and daily use. The built-in stylus remains the headline feature, and it’s backed by thoughtful software integration that makes it useful—not just gimmicky.

Battery life is the phone’s main drawback, falling short of expectations despite its large 5,000 mAh capacity. Thankfully, the ultra-fast charging makes up for it in day-to-day usage. It’s also a bit disappointing that Motorola’s new AI platform isn’t supported here, especially given the stylus potential.

Still, at $399, the Moto G Stylus 2025 hits a sweet spot. If you need a reliable, stylus-powered phone for note-taking, doodling, or navigating with precision, this might be your best option without spending flagship money. Buy Motorola Moto G Stylus 2025 on Amazon now!

 


Moto G Stylus 2025 smartphone in Forest Green, showing its eco-leather back, dual camera system, and built-in stylus partially ejected.

Q&A:

Is the Moto G Stylus 2025 good for note-taking and drawing?

  • Yes, the built-in stylus allows for instant note-taking—even from the lock screen—and supports features like freeform cropping, a handwriting calculator, and precise sketching.

Does the Moto G Stylus 2025 support wireless charging?

  • Yes, in addition to 68W wired charging, the phone also supports wireless charging—a rare feature in mid-range phones.

What’s new in the Moto G Stylus 2025 compared to last year’s model?

  • This year’s model offers a sharper 1220p OLED display, IP68 water resistance, significantly faster charging, a refined camera system, and expanded software support for the stylus.

How does the Moto G Stylus 2025 perform for gaming?

  • It handles casual and moderately demanding games smoothly, thanks to the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 and 120Hz display, though it’s not designed for high-end gaming.

How many Android updates will the Moto G Stylus 2025 receive?

  • Motorola promises 2 years of Android OS updates and 3 years of security patches.

Does the Moto G Stylus 2025 have expandable storage?

 


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