Moto G Stylus 5G 2025 review: stylish powerhouse with a purpose

Moto G Stylus 5G 2025 review: stylish powerhouse with a purpose

The Moto G Stylus 5G 2025 is here, and once again, Motorola delivers one of the most unique propositions in the mid-range smartphone segment — a budget-friendly device that incorporates a stylus, giving users a feature set typically reserved for premium flagships like Samsung’s S-series Note successors.

Available primarily in the US market, this new Moto serves as a rare yet valuable alternative for those seeking precise pen input without paying a premium price.

This year’s Moto G Stylus 5G boasts meaningful upgrades in both hardware and design. Most notably, it now comes with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, making it the most durable Stylus-equipped Moto yet. The build quality is a standout — a Gorilla Glass 3 front paired with an eco-leather rear gives the device a premium yet grippy feel. The aesthetic is elevated with two Pantone-inspired colorways, Gibraltar Sea and Surf the Web, offering two distinct shades of blue.

The 6.7-inch AMOLED display gets a bump in resolution to 1,220 x 2,712 pixels and now supports 10-bit color and HDR content. The screen refreshes at 120Hz, offering smooth visuals whether you’re scrolling through social feeds or taking notes with the stylus.

Under the hood, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, paired with 8GB RAM and 256GB of storage. MicroSD expansion remains a welcome rarity. The device ships with Android 15 out of the box and features Motorola’s clean, responsive UI enhanced with Google’s AI features and dedicated stylus tools for productivity and creativity.

Camera-wise, the phone sports a 50MP OIS main sensor, a 13MP ultrawide with autofocus, and a 32MP selfie shooter — all capable of 4K video recording. The camera setup appears to be borrowed from the previous Moto G Stylus (2024), but it still holds its ground in this segment.

Battery life is another area where the Moto shines. With a 5,000mAh cell supporting 68W TurboCharging and 15W wireless charging, it easily lasts a full day and recharges quickly.

Unboxing the Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) reveals a minimalistic experience — just the phone and a USB-C cable in a slim paper box. While the lack of extras may disappoint some, it’s part of a growing trend toward sustainability.

The stylus, while passive, remains a highlight. It’s well-integrated with features like instant note-taking from the lock screen. Its satisfying click and smooth design make it convenient and enjoyable to use, even if it lacks advanced Bluetooth or pressure sensitivity.

In summary, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) isn’t just a minor refresh — it’s a significant refinement of an already great formula. For around $400, it delivers a balanced mix of performance, design, durability, and stylus functionality, reaffirming its position as the go-to stylus phone outside of Samsung’s ecosystem.