Moto G Stylus (2024) Review: Refined Stylus Experience on a Budget

The Moto G Stylus (2024) takes the affordable stylus phone concept and elevates it with a more refined design, a brighter display, and enhanced software features. While it still caters to budget-conscious users, it’s a significant step up from its predecessor.

Design & Build:

The Moto G Stylus (2024) has a more polished look compared to its predecessor. The plastic back feels sturdy and has a subtle texture for improved grip. The phone is available in vibrant colors like “Cosmic Black” and “Rose Champagne,” adding a touch of personality. While it’s still a bit bulky due to the stylus, it’s well-balanced and comfortable to hold.

Display:

A major upgrade is the 6.6-inch Full HD+ OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This makes a noticeable difference in everyday use, with smoother scrolling and more vibrant colors. The display is bright enough for outdoor use, and the text and images are sharp and clear.  

Performance:

The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, coupled with 8GB of RAM, provides a good level of performance for everyday tasks. Apps launch quickly, multitasking is generally smooth, and you can even play some graphically demanding games at medium settings. While not a powerhouse, it’s more than sufficient for most users’ needs.

Camera:

The 50MP primary camera, along with the 8MP ultrawide and 2MP macro lenses, offers decent versatility for capturing different scenes. Photos in good lighting are detailed and have pleasing colors. However, low-light performance leaves room for improvement, with images exhibiting some noise.  

Battery Life:

The 5000mAh battery is a powerhouse, easily lasting a full day even with heavy usage. You won’t have to worry about running out of juice in the middle of the day. The 20W TurboPower charging, while not the fastest, is adequate for replenishing the battery overnight.

Software & User Experience:

The Moto G Stylus (2024) runs on Android 13 with Motorola’s My UX interface. It’s a clean and near-stock Android experience with a few thoughtful additions like Moto Actions. The stylus software has been improved, with new features like handwriting-to-text conversion and a customizable shortcut menu. The stylus itself is responsive and accurate, making it a joy to use for note-taking and sketching.

Connectivity & Additional Features:

The phone supports 5G for faster internet speeds, Wi-Fi 6 for reliable connections, and Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless audio. It also has a headphone jack and expandable storage, which are welcome additions. NFC is missing, so mobile payments aren’t an option.  

Buying Recommendation:

• Who’s it for? Students, artists, note-takers, and budget-minded individuals who value a stylus-equipped phone.
• Pros: Excellent battery life, improved stylus experience, vibrant 120Hz OLED display, clean software, expandable storage, headphone jack.
• Cons: Average low-light camera performance, no NFC, no wireless charging.
• Overall: The Moto G Stylus (2024) is a solid upgrade over its predecessor. It delivers a refined stylus experience, a brighter display, and longer battery life, making it a compelling choice for budget-minded users who prioritize note-taking and creativity.