The Moto G Stylus doesn’t quite match its peers, but it has niche features you won’t find on most phones.Motorola has a well-established strategy for its Moto G series, maintaining a consistent pricing model across the range. However, the recent price hike for the Moto G Stylus has left a bitter taste in the mouths of many consumers. Despite this, the phone’s performance remains commendable. Having used this device for nearly a month, I can attest to its reliability, with only minor lag issues when launching the camera app. It does struggle with graphics-intensive games, a challenge that its competitors handle with more grace, but for the most part, it’s a satisfactory performer.
The Moto G Stylus boasts a slightly increased battery capacity of 5,200 mAh, which comfortably lasts two full days with light to average use. On a day of heavy usage, with a screen-on time of nine hours, I found myself reaching for the charger by 7 pm. So, if you’re a heavy user, you’ll need to plan for a mid-day top-up. However, the battery life is generally impressive. A bonus feature is the inclusion of wireless charging, providing an alternative way to power up the device.
The 6.7-inch, 120-Hz AMOLED screen is a pleasure to use, even on sunny days. However, like the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, the Moto G Stylus has a highly sensitive auto-brightness feature that frequently dims the screen, which can be a tad annoying. You can always disable this feature if it becomes too bothersome.
The camera system has always been a weak point for the Moto G series, and the Moto G Stylus is no exception. When compared to other phones in the $500 range, it falls short. The 50-megapixel main camera struggles to capture sharp images in indoor conditions with decent lighting, especially when the subject is moving slightly. I have numerous blurry photos of my dog to prove this point.
When my dog is perfectly still, other issues arise, such as overly dark shadows or excessively bright highlights. In one of my photos, the camera attempted to balance the room’s exposure, but my dog’s eyes were pitch black, and his nose was devoid of detail, appearing as a black void. In high-contrast scenes, colors often appear somewhat muted. However, in good lighting conditions, the camera can produce excellent results. The 13-MP ultrawide camera, however, struggles with color accuracy, often giving the sky an unnatural blue hue. The selfie camera performs decently, even in backlit conditions.
The Moto G Stylus, despite its shortcomings, is a testament to Motorola’s commitment to providing reliable, feature-packed smartphones at an affordable price. While it may not be the best in its class, it offers a satisfactory user experience for those who value performance and battery life over camera quality. The inclusion of wireless charging and a large, vibrant screen adds to its appeal, making it a worthy consideration for those in the market for a mid-range smartphone.
