Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) continues Motorola’s tradition of blending affordability with utility, offering features that appeal to both productivity enthusiasts and casual users alike. Priced at an accessible $195.99, this smartphone is an excellent option for those looking to tap into the 5G market without overspending. Let’s dive deep into what this device brings to the table.
Design and Build: Premium Feel, Budget-Friendly Price
Motorola has crafted the Moto G Stylus 5G with an attractive design that belies its price point. The eco-leather back combined with a plastic frame gives the phone a sleek yet durable finish, while its water-repellent coating offers peace of mind against accidental splashes. At 162.6 x 74.8 x 8.3 mm and 190g, it feels solid in hand without being unwieldy.
The integration of a stylus sets it apart in its category, allowing users to take notes, sketch, and navigate with precision. This feature is particularly appealing for creatives or productivity-minded individuals. The phone is available in two stunning colors: Caramel Latte and Scarlet Wave, both adding a premium aesthetic.
Display: Vibrant and Smooth
The 6.7-inch P-OLED display is a highlight, delivering 1 billion colors and a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. With a peak brightness of 1200 nits, the screen remains easily readable even under direct sunlight. The 1080 x 2400 resolution ensures sharp visuals, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, and content creation.
Motorola has maximized screen real estate with an 88.2% screen-to-body ratio, making it immersive for videos and multitasking. The 395 PPI density ensures crisp text and detailed images, living up to the expectations of modern mid-range smartphones.
Performance: Reliable for Daily Tasks and More
Under the hood, the Moto G Stylus 5G packs the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, built on an efficient 4nm architecture. The octa-core CPU (4×2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) and Adreno 710 GPU combine to deliver smooth performance for multitasking, gaming, and everyday use.
Benchmark results showcase its capabilities:
- AnTuTu: 549,817
- GeekBench: 2,664 (v6)
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: 606
While these numbers don’t place it in flagship territory, they’re impressive for its price bracket. The phone comes with 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB, with support for expandable storage via a dedicated microSD slot.
The Moto G Stylus 5G runs on Android 14, with a promise of one major OS upgrade, ensuring it stays relevant for at least a couple of years.
Cameras: A Versatile Shooter
Motorola equips this phone with a dual-camera setup on the rear:
- 50 MP main sensor: Features dual-pixel PDAF and optical image stabilization (OIS) for sharp, clear photos.
- 13 MP ultrawide sensor: With a 120° field of view, this is perfect for group shots and landscapes.
The rear camera supports 4K video recording at 30fps, while the ultrawide lens enables creative shooting modes.
The 32 MP selfie camera delivers detailed shots with HDR support, and its ability to record 1080p at 60fps ensures high-quality vlogging and video calls.
Battery Life: All-Day Power with Fast Charging
A 5000 mAh battery powers the Moto G Stylus 5G, providing an impressive 12:43 hours of active use according to tests. This longevity makes it a reliable companion for heavy users.
When it’s time to recharge, the 30W wired charging gets the job done quickly, while the 15W wireless charging offers added convenience—an uncommon feature in this price range.
Audio and Connectivity: Modern Standards
The phone features stereo speakers that deliver clear and immersive sound, complemented by a 3.5mm headphone jack for audiophiles. Connectivity is robust with dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC for contactless payments, and 5G support for lightning-fast internet speeds.
Verdict: A True All-Rounder
The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) strikes an excellent balance between price, performance, and features. Its standout display, solid performance, versatile cameras, and the inclusion of a stylus make it an attractive option in the mid-range segment.
While it may not challenge flagship devices, its thoughtful design, powerful battery, and unique features like wireless charging and water-repellence elevate it above similarly priced competitors. For just $195.99, this phone offers incredible value, cementing Motorola’s place as a leader in the budget-friendly smartphone market.
Pros:
- Large, vibrant P-OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Stylus support for enhanced productivity
- Excellent battery life with wired and wireless charging
- Affordable price point
- Versatile dual-camera system with 4K recording
Cons:
- Only one major OS upgrade
- Mid-tier chipset may struggle with intensive tasks
- No radio support
Who Should Buy the Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)?
This phone is tailored for a variety of users, including:
- Creative Professionals and Students
The inclusion of a stylus is a game-changer for anyone who takes notes, sketches, or engages in creative tasks. Combined with the large 6.7-inch display, this phone doubles as a portable canvas or a notepad, perfect for artists, students, and professionals on the go. - Budget-Conscious Shoppers
At a price of just $195.99, the Moto G Stylus 5G delivers exceptional value. It offers many premium features—such as a P-OLED display, 5G connectivity, and wireless charging—typically found in more expensive smartphones. - Content Creators and Casual Photographers
With its 50 MP primary camera and 4K video recording, this phone caters to users who enjoy photography or creating video content without the need for professional equipment. The 32 MP front camera ensures sharp and vibrant selfies, making it ideal for social media enthusiasts. - Everyday Users
The impressive battery life and solid performance make this phone an excellent choice for those who need a reliable device for daily tasks, media consumption, and staying connected.
How Does It Compare to Competitors?
In the sub-$200 category, the Moto G Stylus 5G faces competition from brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, and Realme. Here’s how it stacks up:
- Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
While Samsung offers a similar price and 5G connectivity, the Moto G Stylus 5G edges ahead with its stylus support, 120Hz P-OLED display, and wireless charging, features that Samsung’s budget line lacks. - Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro
Xiaomi’s offering competes with a better camera setup and faster wired charging, but Motorola’s stock Android experience and stylus integration provide a more refined user experience. - Realme Narzo 60 5G
Realme’s device may boast faster performance, but the Moto G Stylus 5G stands out for its versatile feature set, especially for creative users who can benefit from the stylus.
Potential Improvements for the Next Iteration
While the Moto G Stylus 5G is impressive, there are areas where Motorola could enhance future models:
- Extended Software Support
Offering only one major OS upgrade may not appeal to users looking for longevity. Increasing the number of updates to at least two major versions would make the phone more future-proof. - Improved Chipset
While the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 performs well for most tasks, a slightly more powerful processor would appeal to gamers and users with heavier performance needs. - Enhanced Build Materials
Upgrading from a plastic frame to an aluminum one would give the phone a more premium feel and increase its durability. - Faster Wireless Charging
Although 15W wireless charging is impressive for the price, bumping it up to 20W or higher would align it with competitors in higher price brackets.
Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) Full Specifications
| Category | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Network | Technology: GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| SIM: Nano-SIM, eSIM | |
| Launch | Announced: 2024, May 10 |
| Released: 2024, May 30 | |
| Body | Dimensions: 162.6 x 74.8 x 8.3 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight: 190 g (6.70 oz) | |
| Build: Glass front, silicone polymer (eco-leather) back, plastic frame | |
| Features: Stylus, water-repellent design | |
| Display | Type: P-OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Size: 6.7 inches, 107.3 cm² (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio) | |
| Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | |
| Platform | OS: Android 14 (up to 1 major Android upgrade) |
| Chipset: Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | |
| CPU: Octa-core (4×2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | |
| GPU: Adreno 710 | |
| Memory | Internal: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Card Slot: microSDXC (dedicated slot) | |
| Main Camera | Dual: |
| – 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1.0µm, dual-pixel PDAF, OIS | |
| – 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, AF | |
| Features: LED flash, HDR, panorama | |
| Video: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps | |
| Selfie Camera | Single: 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 0.7µm |
| Features: HDR | |
| Video: 1080p@30/60fps | |
| Sound | Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm Jack: Yes | |
| Comms | WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Bluetooth: 5.1, A2DP, LE | |
| Positioning: GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | |
| NFC: Yes | |
| Radio: No | |
| USB: USB Type-C 2.0 | |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | Type: Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging: 30W wired, 15W wireless | |
| Miscellaneous | Colors: Caramel Latte, Scarlet Wave |
| Price: $195.99 | |
| Performance Tests | AnTuTu: 549,817 (v10) |
| GeekBench: 2,664 (v6) | |
| 3DMark: 606 (Wild Life Extreme) | |
| Display Test | Max Brightness: 1387 nits (measured) |
| Loudspeaker Test | Volume: -24.3 LUFS (Very good) |
| Battery Life | Active Use Score: 12:43h |
Final Thoughts
The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) strikes a perfect balance between innovation and affordability. Motorola’s ability to pack premium features like a 120Hz display, stylus, and wireless charging into a sub-$200 device makes it a standout choice in the mid-range market.
Its artistic focus, reliable performance, and long-lasting battery life ensure it appeals to a broad audience, from students and creatives to everyday users. Motorola has crafted a phone that’s not just functional but also fun to use, proving that affordability doesn’t have to mean compromise.
Whether you’re a first-time smartphone buyer or a seasoned user looking for a budget-friendly secondary device, the Moto G Stylus 5G deserves a spot on your shortlist. It’s a mid-range marvel that punches well above its weight.
