The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
If using the same name for all of your budget phones wasn’t enough of a drawback in so many ways, then Motorola layered the disappointment on very thick with the Moto G Stylus 2022.What's good
- Two-day battery
- 90Hz refresh rate
- Useful stylus
What's bad
- Comes with Android 11 instead of 12
- Glitchy laggy performance
- No wireless or fast charging
- No NFC
Motorola decided to release upgraded versions of their budget phones, but what’s been added to these upgraded phones? Are they worth picking up, or do they fall victim to the common budget pitfalls of too many sacrifices to keep the prices low?
Design
Reviewers described the Motorola Moto G Stylus for 2022 as a very tall phone that won't work for every hand size. It has a stylus nestled into a silo at the bottom of the phone, making it easier to operate the rather large phone.
The power button and fingerprint scanner are the same, and reviewers stated it was a bit patchy when unlocking the phone.
Display
The Motorola Moto G Stylus 2022 comes with a 6.8-inch LCD which is a step up from the typical 720p screens in the past.
It also has a 90Hz refresh rate which wouldn’t mean too much except that it is not usually on a budget phone, so reviewers thought that was nice to see. The picture seems good and crisp with good color calibration.
Performance
Motorola may have failed a few different things with this phone, but the performance area was the biggest. If a phone doesn’t operate properly, it’s not worth having. For reviewers, there was constant lagging when loading apps. It seemed to stutter miserably to the point that the interest in using it fell flat pretty quickly.
Software & Storage
Somewhat unheard of for an Android device these days, the Motorola Moto G stylus comes with Android 11 instead of 12. Furthermore, they have only two years of updates guaranteed but nothing past Android 12. The phone comes with 128GB of storage with the option to expand up to 512GB with a MicroSD card.
Cameras
The phone has a triple camera array, but reviewers said the other two lenses weren’t really necessary because the 50MP primary lens is fine. Low light situations don’t photograph well but being a budget phone, that’s not all that surprising.
Battery Life
The battery life on the Moto G Stylus 2022 is one of the positive things to be said for the phone. Reviewers stated getting two days of use from a single charge. That’s good, considering there’s no wireless or fast charging available on this phone.
Audio
According to reviewers, the solitary speaker is on the bottom next to the charge port and the stylus silo, and it’s pretty bad sounding. So it’s likely best to plan to use headphones in any situation where audio quality matters.
Specs at a Glance
- Plastic chassis
- 6.8-inch LCD
- MediaTek Helio G88 processor
- 6GB of RAM
- Android 11
- 128GB of storage with a MicroSD expansion slot
- 50+MP camera
- 5000mAh battery
Bottom Line
Unfortunately, the Motorola Moto G stylus 2022 was a big disappointment. If it isn’t the stuttering performance, it’s the awkward shape and size of the phone. While the phone isn’t terrible per se, there’s little to no evidence of it being an upgrade, and in some ways, it’s even a slide backward.
Android Authority states, “Motorola's Moto G Stylus (2022) offers a few nice improvements but is ultimately a confusing sidestep where the welcome upgrades are canceled out by questionable downgrades and legacy issues. If you desperately need a budget phone with a built-in stylus, the Moto G Stylus 5G is a smarter buy.”
Tom’s Guide says, “The Moto G Stylus (2022) is an updated version of Motorola’s budget phone with a built-in stylus. But the latest model is marred by horrible performance, a bulky body, subpar cameras, 10W max wired charging, and no wireless charging.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Richard Goodwin, Know Your MobileIf you want a stylus with your phone, and you don’t want to spend a lot of money, the Moto G Stylus 5G 2022 is one of the only halfway decent options on the market. If you go the Samsung route to get a stylus, you’ll pay considerably more money. But again, for that extra dollar, you will be getting...
- Allison Johnson, The VergeYou’re not going to find the Moto G Stylus on the shelves at a Verizon or T-Mobile store. The major carriers are far too interested in getting 5G phones into their customers’ hands to waste any of that valuable retail space on a 4G device. And it’s not all marketing bluster anymore; true 5G really i...
- Ryan Haines, Android AuthorityMotorola's Moto G Stylus (2022) offers a few nice improvements but is ultimately a confusing sidestep where the welcome upgrades are canceled out by questionable downgrades and legacy issues. If you desperately need a budget phone with a built-in stylus, the Moto G Stylus 5G is a smarter buy.
- Jordan Palmer, Tom's GuideThe Moto G Stylus (2022) is an updated version of Motorola’s budget phone with a built-in stylus. But the latest model is marred by horrible performance, a bulky body, subpar cameras, 10W max wired charging, and no wireless charging.
- June Wan, ZDNetThe Moto G Stylus is a very interesting phone. It's the perfect affordable alternative for consumers who don't want to spend $1,200 on the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra but seek the benefits of a stylus. At $299, the Moto is priced just right and offers a balanced, value-driven experience.
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
Motorola Moto G Stylus (2022) prices 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. Motorola's suggested retail price is $299.99. You can compare Moto G Stylus (2022) prices from around the web here on The Informr.
Motorola backs up the Moto G Stylus (2022) with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Moto G Stylus (2022) 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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