In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, Motorola has carved a niche for itself with its Moto G series, consistently offering a blend of affordability and functionality. The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is the latest addition to this lineup, promising enhanced features and performance, particularly for those who appreciate the convenience of a stylus. This detailed review delves into every aspect of the Moto G Stylus 5G (2024), from design and display to performance, camera capabilities, software, and more.
Design and Build Quality
The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) continues the design language of its predecessors but with subtle refinements. The phone features a sleek, modern design with a plastic back and frame that feels surprisingly premium. The back panel has a matte finish, which not only adds to the aesthetic appeal but also helps resist fingerprints and smudges.
The phone measures 170.3 x 75.9 x 9.3 mm and weighs around 215 grams. While it is not the lightest phone on the market, it feels well-balanced in hand. The rounded edges and curved back make it comfortable to hold for extended periods.
A key highlight of the Moto G Stylus 5G series is, of course, the stylus. The stylus is housed in a slot at the bottom right corner of the device, making it easy to access and store. The stylus itself is responsive and offers a decent level of pressure sensitivity, making it suitable for note-taking, sketching, and other creative tasks.
Display
The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) sports a 6.8-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. While AMOLED panels are becoming increasingly common in this price range, the IPS LCD on the Moto G Stylus 5G is no slouch. It offers vibrant colors, good contrast, and wide viewing angles.
The display supports a 120Hz refresh rate, a welcome addition that ensures smoother scrolling and more responsive touch interactions. This higher refresh rate is particularly noticeable when using the stylus, providing a more natural and fluid writing or drawing experience.
The screen is also adequately bright, making it usable in most lighting conditions, including outdoors. However, it falls short of the brightness levels seen in higher-end devices, which might be a consideration for those who frequently use their phones in direct sunlight.
Performance
Under the hood, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset. This mid-range processor is coupled with 6GB of RAM, providing a smooth and responsive performance for everyday tasks. Whether you’re browsing the web, streaming videos, or multitasking between apps, the phone handles it all with ease.
Gaming performance is also respectable. While it may not handle the most graphically demanding games at the highest settings, it performs well with popular titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile at medium settings. The inclusion of 5G connectivity is another significant plus, future-proofing the device for faster data speeds as 5G networks continue to expand.
Storage
The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) offers 128GB of internal storage, which should be sufficient for most users. For those who need more space, the device supports expandable storage via a microSD card slot, allowing you to add up to 1TB of additional storage. This flexibility is a notable advantage, particularly for users who like to store large amounts of media or install numerous apps.
Camera System
Motorola has equipped the Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) with a versatile camera system. The primary sensor is a 50MP shooter with an f/1.8 aperture, accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 2MP macro sensor. This setup allows for a range of photographic styles and scenarios.
Primary Camera: The 50MP main sensor captures detailed and vibrant photos in good lighting conditions. The color reproduction is natural, and the dynamic range is impressive for a phone in this price range. In low-light conditions, the camera performs reasonably well, thanks to the inclusion of night mode, which helps to enhance brightness and reduce noise.
Ultra-Wide Camera: The 8MP ultra-wide lens offers a broader field of view, perfect for landscape shots and group photos. While the image quality is not as high as the primary sensor, it still produces decent results with good color consistency and minimal distortion.
Macro Camera: The 2MP macro lens is a fun addition for close-up photography. It allows you to get up close to subjects and capture fine details. However, the image quality is limited due to the lower resolution, and it requires good lighting to achieve the best results.
On the front, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) features a 16MP selfie camera housed in a punch-hole cutout. The selfie camera performs well in good lighting, capturing sharp and vibrant images. It also supports portrait mode, which does a decent job of blurring the background to highlight the subject.
Software
The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) runs on a near-stock version of Android 14, which is one of the phone’s strengths. Motorola has kept the user interface clean and free from bloatware, providing a smooth and intuitive user experience. The software includes a few useful additions, such as Moto Actions, which allow you to perform various tasks with simple gestures.
One of the standout features is the integration of stylus-specific software. The Moto Note app is pre-installed, offering a range of tools for note-taking and sketching. The app is user-friendly and well-optimized for the stylus, making it easy to jot down notes or create drawings on the go. Additionally, the stylus can be used to navigate the device, annotate screenshots, and more.
Battery Life
Battery life is a crucial aspect of any smartphone, and the Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) does not disappoint. It is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, which provides excellent endurance. With moderate usage, the phone easily lasts a full day on a single charge, and even with heavier use, it can still get you through most of the day.
The device supports 30W fast charging, which is a significant improvement over its predecessors. While it may not be the fastest charging solution available, it ensures that you can quickly top up the battery when needed. However, wireless charging is not supported, which might be a downside for some users.
Connectivity and Additional Features
As the name suggests, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) supports 5G connectivity, ensuring faster data speeds and improved network reliability. This makes it a future-proof device, ready to take advantage of the expanding 5G networks.
Other connectivity options include Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6, and NFC, covering all the essential bases. The phone also retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature that is becoming increasingly rare but is appreciated by those who prefer wired audio solutions.
The fingerprint sensor is located on the side, integrated into the power button. It is fast and accurate, providing a convenient way to unlock the device. Face unlock is also available, although it relies on the front camera and is not as secure as a dedicated facial recognition system.
Price and Availability
One of the key selling points of the Moto G series has always been its affordability, and the Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is no exception. Priced competitively in the mid-range segment, it offers excellent value for money. The device is available in multiple regions, with different storage and RAM configurations to suit various needs and budgets.
Conclusion
The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is a solid mid-range smartphone that caters to a specific niche of users who appreciate the functionality of a stylus without breaking the bank. Its balanced performance, versatile camera system, and near-stock Android experience make it a compelling choice in its price range.
While it may not have all the bells and whistles of flagship devices, it offers a well-rounded package that should satisfy most users. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a creative individual, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) provides a reliable and enjoyable smartphone experience with the added benefit of a built-in stylus.