The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
With the Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021), Motorola made the improvements over last year’s model that it needed to keep the phone relevant. While it doesn’t bring the phone up to the standard set by other mid-range phones, it’s still a solid device that will do everything the average phone user might need it to and one of the cheapest options on the market with stylus support.What's good
- Respectable performance
- Decent cameras
- It comes with a stylus
What's bad
- No NFC
- Only one guaranteed upgrade
- No waterproof rating
Motorola’s 2021 lineup has released, expanding their family of affordable phones. There have been ups and downs in the Motorola lineup. The Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021) promises a lot. But what does it offer the average user besides a stylus?
Design
The Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021) has a sleek and simple look that hovers between last year's Motorola Moto G Stylus and the Motorola One. While the rear panel is plastic, reviewers felt that it could pass for glass.
Motorola placed the power button and volume rockers on the device’s right side, with the power button doubling as a fingerprint sensor. Reviewers said the scanner worked okay, but the positioning was awkward at times. The speaker, headphone jack, and charging port are all on the bottom of the phone.
Display
The new Moto G Stylus (2021) display gets an upgrade to a 6.8-inch LCD screen. According to reviewers, the screen was bright enough and had good contrast but fell short of most phones releasing in 2021. Outdoors, however, is another story. If you’re using the Motorola Moto G Stylus outside, you’ll have to crank the brightness to its fullest, and even then, it’s only just visible enough.
Performance
Motorola opted for an upgraded chipset in the 2021 Moto G Stylus model, and reviewers agreed that makes a noticeable difference. The phone’s speed satisfied most, allowing for the occasional game session or popping between a few apps to keep up with things throughout the daily painlessly.
Software & Storage
While the phone ships with the latest version of Android -- Android 11 -- Motorola has only committed to one major version upgrade for the Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021). Reviewers question how that will impact how the phone ages.
Over the top of Android, you’ll find a customized overlay that adds some extra gestures, such as the chop activation for the flashlight and twist action for launching the camera. Reviewers found most gestures accurate and easy to use.
128GB also isn’t too bad for the price. Should you need more, the phone supports MicroSD storage expansion.
Cameras
The 48MP rear camera performed well enough in the right conditions, helped by the 8MP ultra-wide lens. It technically comes with a 2MP macro lens, but reviewers questioned its overall usefulness. The 16MP selfie camera does pretty well too. However, it suffers in low light conditions and tends to over sharpen some areas and underexpose others.
Battery Life
Longevity is one of the Moto G Stylus (2021)’s strongest features. While the battery won't win in a fight with its sibling, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021), it offers more than enough juice to last a day. It also supports 18W TurboCharging and manages to charge fully within an hour.
Audio
There’s only a single speaker on the Moto G Stylus (2021). As such, it won’t blow you away on the audio front. But using headphones (either 3.5mm or Bluetooth) offers an instant boost in audio quality, and most would probably prefer privacy as well.
Specs at a Glance
- Plastic chassis
- 6.8-inch LCD
- Qualcomm SDM678 Snapdragon 678 processor
- 4GB of RAM
- Android 11
- 128GB of storage with a MicroSD expansion option
- 48MP, 8MP ultra-wide Lens, and 16MP selfie camera
- 4,000 mAh battery
- Ergonomic stylus
Bottom Line
With the Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021), Motorola made the improvements over last year’s model that it needed to keep the phone relevant. While it doesn’t bring the phone up to the standard set by other mid-range phones, it’s still a solid device that will do everything the average phone user might need it to and one of the cheapest options on the market with stylus support.
Phone Arena says, “After the Moto G Stylus’s unexpected success, Motorola was smart to release a follow-up this quickly. This time, the company has managed to double up on the model’s strengths and add some welcome upgrades, making for a formidable midranger.”
Tech Radar states, “Ultimately, there’s a lot here that feels similar, but the upgrades feel worth it for anyone who wants a modern phone with stylus functionality – and the extra functionality in the software is promising.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Patrick Holland, CnetIf you're looking for a good budget phone that comes with a basic stylus and support for 5G, then the Moto G Stylus 5G is there for you. It has features more expensive phones lack, including a headphone jack, expandable storage (up to 1TB) and great battery life. It also comes with a charging cable...
- Allison Johnson, The VergeMoto G Stylus is a well-rounded budget phone that also happens to have a stylus. Of Motorola’s 2021 budget devices that I’ve tested so far, this one offers the best balance of features and cost-saving measures. It has a big display, stylus features, good battery life, and solid everyday performance....
- Steven Winkelman, PC MagazineOver the past several years, Motorola’s G-series phones have consistently received high scores and often earned our Editors’ Choice award. Sadly, the G Stylus merits neither. With the exception of its problematic screen, there’s almost no significant change. The hardware is nearly identical to what...
- David Lumb, TechRadarThe Moto G Stylus 2021 builds on its predecessor in every way, offering the best stylus experience at a low price. While other budget phones beat it on price and battery, the G Stylus 2021 is a well-rounded handset with enough classy touches and good specs to compete with pricier devices. While the...
- Stephen Schenck, Android PoliceFor a specific user I can see how this phone makes a lot of sense. If you're buying hard into this "my phone is a notebook" idea, the combination of the built-in stylus and this very large screen can make for a compelling pair. It's not necessarily for me, but if that use-case really resonates with...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
The Moto G Stylus (2021) price will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. You can compare Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021) prices from around the web here on The Informr.
Motorola backs up the Moto G Stylus (2021) with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Moto G Stylus (2021) has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Motorola support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Motorola's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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