There’s something oddly satisfying about a mid-range phone that knows exactly what it wants to be. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 2025 is that sort of handset. It doesn’t try to play in the flagship sandbox, and it doesn’t cut the wrong corners. Instead, it offers a well-rounded experience that leans into a few core strengths.
For your money you get a dazzling display, fast charging, a clean software experience, and that built-in stylus, which, depending on your expectations, is either a quirky bonus or a gentle letdown.
At $399, the Moto G Stylus 2025 is aimed at consumers who want a little bit of everything without breaking the bank. And for the most part, Motorola absolutely delivers.
With its vibrant AMOLED display, fast charging, and clean Android experience, the Moto G Stylus 2025 feels like a $600 phone, only it costs $399 and still throws in a built-in stylus.
Design & Build: Classy Looks, Comfortable Grip
Right out of the box, this phone makes a good first impression. It feels nice in hand. It’s not slippery and it’s definitely not bulky. It’s that Goldilock “just right” feel that drew me in immediately.
The vegan leather back gives it a warm, soft-touch feel that’s rare in this price bracket. It’s easy to grip, doesn’t show fingerprints like a glass phone might, and the stitching detail adds a touch of polish you don’t usually see under $400.
The camera bump has that “stove burner” look that’s showing up on more Motorola models lately, and while it’s a bit polarizing, it’s definitely distinctive. The two Pantone-branded color options (Gibraltar Sea and Surf the Web) lean in the direction of bold and stylish rather than subtle. That might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s clear Motorola wants this phone to stand out.
Now, it’s worth noting that some early users have noticed signs of wear around the camera module, especially if you go without a case. The texture that feels so nice initially may not be built for the long haul. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it is a reminder that soft materials can age differently than glass or metal. If you’re into a patina and unique look, the long-term wear and tear might make this even more appealing.
Size-wise, the G Stylus 2025 is on the larger side, but with a big, gorgeous screen like this one, that’s expected. It weighs 191 grams and measures just over 162mm tall, but the bezels are slim and the whole thing feels surprisingly sleek. Combine that with an IP68 rating and MIL-STD-810H compliance, and you’re looking at a phone that can take a splash or a tumble better than most of its mid-range peers.
Display: This Might Be the Star of the Show
If you’re someone who watches videos on your phone, scrolls endlessly through photos, or just wants everything to look crisp and punchy, this screen delivers. You’re getting a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with a Super HD resolution of 1220 x 2712. That’s sharper than many flagships and noticeably cleaner than 1080p, especially on a screen this size.
Colors are bold, blacks are deep (thank you, OLED), and the refresh rate tops out at 120Hz, so scrolling feels buttery smooth. Even better, Motorola claims a peak brightness of 3000 nits. That number likely applies to specific HDR scenarios, but even under regular conditions, the display holds up extremely well outdoors.
The only hiccup? It’s a glossy panel, so you might deal with some reflections on sunny days. But honestly, the visual quality here is so good that most folks won’t mind tilting the screen a little to get a glare-free view.
The Stylus: Built-In, Basic, and Better Than Nothing
Ah yes, the namesake feature. Let’s get this out of the way: this stylus is not trying to compete with Samsung’s S Pen. There’s no pressure sensitivity, no palm rejection, and no Bluetooth tricks. It’s more like a glorified finger. But that doesn’t mean it’s useless or that you won’t pull it out every so often.
Pop it out and you’ll see Motorola’s slick software menu with shortcuts to things like Moto Note, a screenshot crop tool, and the new “Sketch to Image” AI tool that lets you doodle a rough idea and get a generated image in return. For quick notes, marking up screenshots, or light sketching, it’s actually pretty handy.
Just don’t expect pinpoint precision or pro-level drawing tools. It’s a passive stylus meant for casual use. And while response time is improved over previous models, you might still notice a hint of lag if you try to get too intricate.
In short: it’s convenient, it works, and it gives the phone a unique edge in the sub-$400 category. Keep your expectations grounded.
Software & Setup: Clean, Calm, and Mostly Bloat-Free
Motorola’s Hello UX skin on top of Android 15 feels refreshingly light. There’s not much bloatware this time around, and the interface stays pretty close to stock Android. The setup process is straightforward, but pay attention to avoid accidentally installing optional extras or adware from partner apps.
Support-wise, you’re looking at two major Android upgrades and three years of security patches. That’s an improvement over older Motorola phones, but it still lags behind other players. If long-term software support matters to you, keep that in mind. But for the average user who upgrades every two or three years anyway, this will feel totally fine.
There are also some AI features on board, including Google’s “Circle to Search” and Motorola’s own tools like Shot Optimization, Sketch to Image, and Action Shot. These aren’t game-changers, but they do add some nice touches here and there, especially in the camera. Motorola has a few other phones where it leans more heavily into AI features and, to me, it comes across a bit clunky and extra.
Performance: Snappy Where It Counts
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip might not make headlines, but in real-world use, it holds its own. Paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage (plus a microSD card slot), the G Stylus 2025 feels quick and responsive. Apps open fast, multitasking is smooth, and casual gaming is no problem.
Heavier titles like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail are playable as I tested them briefly, but you’ll probably want to stick to medium settings. Having said that, the experience is better than you might expect at this price.
I always look around to see what others might be saying about devices and I noticed a few scattered reports of sluggishness or hiccups. That was more of the exception rather than the rule but something to maybe remember.
As long as you’re not expecting flagship-level speeds, you’ll probably be impressed with how well this phone handles day-to-day tasks.
Cameras: Vibrant Shots, With a Few Quirks
The main 50MP camera uses Sony’s LYTIA 700C sensor and produces vibrant, saturated images that are perfect for social sharing. In good light, detail is sharp, colors pop, and autofocus is reliable. Motorola’s image tuning tends to crank up the saturation a bit, but if you’re someone who likes their photos to “wow” without needing edits, it works.
There’s also a 13MP ultrawide that doubles as a macro shooter which I found to be better than expected. Macro shots come out surprisingly usable, and the ultrawide performance is solid, though not as overall refined as the main lens.
The 32MP front camera is another pleasant surprise. Selfies look sharp and natural, with good dynamic range and skin tone handling. You can shoot 4K video from the front or rear cameras, which is rare in this segment.
But here’s the downside: in my checking around, I learned of several reports of 4K video recording crashing or stopping after a few minutes. Some users noted stuttering when zooming while recording in 4K so, if you plan on shooting lots of video, that might be a sticking point.
Audio: Surprisingly Solid
This is one of those “wait, really?” features where the G Stylus 2025 surprised me. The stereo speakers sound full and loud, and they’re backed by Dolby Atmos for a more immersive soundstage. Combined with the gorgeous display, this phone is great for streaming shows, watching YouTube, or listening to music out loud. Don’t be that guy, but just know you can be that guy.
And yes, there’s still a 3.5mm headphone jack. That might feel like a relic, but if you’ve got wired headphones or an aux cord in your car, it’s a very welcome inclusion. Plus, the phone supports Hi-Res audio, so if you’ve got the gear, it can actually sound pretty great.
Battery Life & Charging: Fast, Flexible, and (Mostly) Reliable
The 5000mAh battery is right in line with what you’d expect from a big phone like this. Most users should get a full day of use or two with with moderate screen time. Heavier users might run it down quicker, of course, but standby time is solid. Also, the fast charging helps quite a bit.
Speaking of which, the 68W TurboPower charging is fast. You can go from zero to 50% in 20 minutes and hit 100% in under 40. That’s a feature usually reserved for higher-end devices. If you’re the type to charge on a nightstand or desk, the 15W wireless charging is a convenient touch you don’t always see in this price range.
Value & Verdict: A Lot of Phone for Not a Lot of Money
At $399, the Moto G Stylus 2025 is one of those rare phones that feels like it would be priced more at launch. The display alone is worth the price of admission. Throw in the fast charging, clean software, solid cameras, good performance, and just enough quirks to keep things interesting, and you’ve got a phone that absolutely earns its place on a mid-range shortlist.
The stylus? It’s fine. Totally serviceable. Don’t buy the phone for that alone. But if you’re someone who likes having an extra tool in your pocket for quick notes, it’s a nice bonus.
Awarded to products with an average rating of 3.75 stars or higher, the AndroidGuys Smart Pick recognizes a balance of quality, performance, and value.
Products with this distinction deserve to be on your short list of purchase candidates.
There are trade-offs, of course, to consider. Motorola still trails behind on software updates. The camera, while fun and vibrant, has some reliability concerns with 4K video. And the stylus, while improved over previous generations, still feels kinda basic.
For most people, particularly those who want great media, long battery life, and a phone that feels more premium than its price tag, the Moto G Stylus 2025 should be among the first options to consider.
