The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
The stylus is functional, and the screen is beautiful, but otherwise, it doesn’t exactly sail above similarly priced competitors.What's good
- Incredible battery life
- Accurate, responsive stylus
- Nice screen
What's bad
- So-so performance
- Disappointing cameras
- Not many updates promised
In a world now filled with 5G phones, Motorola is updating its popular Moto G Stylus to use these newer, faster networks as well. Is the phone worth using? Let’s see what reviewers think!
Design
You could almost mistake the new 5G version with its predecessor. It seems like Motorola’s only real change was to move the fingerprint sensor back to the middle of the phone’s back.
Unfortunately, many reviewers weren’t too happy with this decision. They felt it was hard to find the sensor blindly.
Otherwise, the phone received decent marks for its solid design, comfortable grip, and decent appearance. It won’t stand out, but it’s not bad either.
Display
The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G has a 6.8-inch LCD panel. Despite not being an OLED, reviewers found it plenty sharp. They didn’t notice any softening or muddiness coming through while watching media and found text easy to read. Blacks aren’t exactly black, but that’s a limitation of LCD technology more than a mark against the phone.
Performance
There is some give and take when it comes to the performance on this phone. Reviewers stated that it was faster than its predecessor and performed better.
However, you can find better performance for the same amount of money--even within Motorola’s own lineup. Part of what you’re paying for here isn’t just performance but the stylus as well.
Software & Storage
Reviewers were disappointed to see that this phone would only be guaranteed Android 12 when it releases but no other updates. The phone ships with Android 11 while Android 12 releases later this year, meaning you’ll see less than a year of updates.
Storage is generous, however, with 128GB out of the box and a MicroSD card slot.
Cameras
The cameras on the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G fall flat for most reviewers. However, they are an improvement over the previous Moto G Stylus. Other phones in this price range have far better cameras, though.
They’ve also chosen to make the camera bump into a square-ish four-lens cluster up in one corner versus having a line down the side. Reviewers liked the look, but it doesn’t make up for the lack of picture quality or performance.
Battery Life
The battery on the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G is truly massive. The 5,000mAh battery saw many reviewers nearly reaching two days on one charge with moderate use. With heavy usage, the phone still hit an entire day with power to spare.
Audio
The mono speaker at the bottom of the phone is lacking at best. Reviewers stated that it had disappointing sound projection, especially when holding the phone. However, they also admitted that most users would have headphones or Bluetooth headsets to combat that. It’s also one of the few phones that still has a headphone jack.
Specs at a Glance
- Plastic chassis
- 6.8-inch LCD panel
- Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G processor
- 6GB of RAM
- Android 11
- 128GB of storage with MicroSD slot
- 48+MP camera
- 5,000mAh battery
- Stylus
Bottom Line
The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G fixes a lot about its predecessor that was less than stellar. Unfortunately, the phone’s price leaves it open for a lot of criticism because of what it is missing. The phone’s real value will depend on how much you want a stylus that comes with your phone. If a stylus isn’t essential, plenty of similarly priced options compete with (or beat) the Moto G Stylus 5G.
Tom’s Guide says, “You can get 5G and a stylus for $399 with the Moto G Stylus 5G. However, its camera fails to impress, especially when compared to some of its competitors.”
The Verge states, “On the other hand, if you can afford to spend a little more and you do want to get more than a few years out of your phone, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is a great pick. It has a big, lovely screen, 5G, and comes with a generous support policy. Stylus enthusiasts on a budget have a good option in the Moto G Stylus 5G, but most others could do better elsewhere.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Andrew Allen, Android GuysI really like the Moto G Stylus 5G. It’s got great battery life and a unique interaction with the pen, but it’s hard to recommend those dreadful software updates. Moto still lags way too behind other competitors in this regard to the point that it’s now just embarrassing for the brand. Despite the s...
- Mark Knapp, TechRadarThe Moto G Stylus 5G is a competent mid-range smartphone with decent internals behind a solid display. But, the price puts it in front of a ton of hardened competition, and its stylus gimmicks don’t set it far enough apart to stay afloat.
- Jared Peters, Talk AndroidEverything else about the Moto G Stylus 5G is pretty solid. You’ve got a massive 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging that should juice it up in no time at all, and that headphone jack deserves an honorable mention. It also supports 5G connectivity in supported markets, but this is unfortunately...
- Allison Johnson, The VergeThe 4G-only G Stylus is a good deal for $279, and there’s nothing really wrong with the $399 G Stylus 5G, but it’s harder to justify its higher cost. With only a couple of years of security updates guaranteed, this phone will only see the beginning of truly good 5G in the US. It’s a nice step-up opt...
- Steven Winkelman, PC MagazineThe Moto G Stylus 5G is everything the Moto G Stylus should have been. With snappy performance, 5G connectivity, and a top-notch stylus, it’s the standout in Motorola’s otherwise mediocre 2021 G-series lineup.
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
The Moto G Stylus 5G 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 5G prices from around the web here on The Informr.
Motorola backs up the Moto G Stylus 5G with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Moto G Stylus 5G 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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