As the name suggests, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G is a marginally upgraded version of the Moto G Stylus 2021 (yes, these phones are actually called that). Additionally, it’s a smartphone with 5G support and a stylus, based on the same name.
But those aren’t the only changes. This version has a slightly different back cover, a bigger battery, more internal RAM (256 and 6GB), a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 processor, and new networks. Apart from the hardware enhancements, there are software upgrades as well, like a feature that allows you to make GIF animations using a stylus. If they weren’t so similar, you could say that this phone is entirely different from the others. With the exception of the new macro lens, the camera array, screen, and dimensions are all exactly the same.
Motorola charged an additional $100 for each of these modifications, bringing the phone’s price to $400. Even so, the cost of the previous iteration has somewhat decreased. The G Stylus 5G is not in the most comfortable position as a result. When comparing phones with styluses available on the market today, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20, which costs $1,000, and the original G Stylus 2021, which costs about $270, are in the middle. Nevertheless, it falls short of providing enough upgrades to justify the additional $100–$130, and it is unable to perform all of the functions that the Note 20 can.
While 5G is nice, this phone is once again locked into only two years of security updates. More time will have passed before this device loses its usefulness when the new networks launch globally. Although the Stylus 5G’s performance and battery life have improved, is it still worth buying?
Benefits
- Excellent performance
- Good battery life
- Good stylus integration
Drawbacks
- Two years’ worth of security patches
- Marginally better than the prior version
Battery – Moto G Stylus 5G does not support wireless charging
The battery life is even better now that it has a 5000 mAh capacity. The G Stylus 5G provided over four hours of continuous screen time with the screen on all the time, and there was still 30% remaining after that. Even if you use it frequently, the battery will easily last two full days. By the end of the day, even the most ardent fans of social networking and online videos will succeed in using it. Unfortunately, the Moto G Stylus 5G does not support wireless charging. It might be a bummer for those who want to ditch the cords, but maybe there is a solution to this problem after all.
Features
Even now, the Moto G Stylus 5G is a large smartphone. In theory, its 6.8-inch screen appears to be the biggest of any mobile device. They should begin to move in the opposite direction after this diagonal and proliferate into foldable devices because an even larger display will just not fit in your hand. Remember the surrounding frames as well; the G Stylus 5G is actually even bigger. It’s an LCD panel with 1080p resolution. Even though it doesn’t have the same contrast and color depth as an OLED display, it’s still functional and lets you use the phone normally in direct sunlight.
While the original G Stylus 2021’s performance was passable, this one performs marginally better. The phone flickers rapidly between apps and only stutters when performing labor-intensive tasks, like zooming in on maps. There is also a small lag in the camera app after hitting the shutter. Though it’s not really supposed to be here, it’s also not a major issue. Although there is a performance gain over the previous model, it is so slight that users hardly notice it in daily operations.
The G Stylus 5G comes pre-installed with Android 11 and will only receive one update in the future. Also, it is only good for two years’ worth of security updates. That is extremely little, especially considering that Samsung has just begun to extend the warranty on its entry-level smartphones by four years. Three more years could have been added for $400.
Additionally, a few words regarding 5G connectivity are warranted. Whoever stopped it, the phone is only available in the United States and only works with a select few local operators’ networks. It doesn’t work with faster millimeter waves, but nobody will really lose much. Significantly more, the smartphone will work with C-band frequencies, which should become accessible in the US and possibly Europe by the end of the year.
Although the G Stylus 5G stylus is excellent, using it is enjoyable. When you reach for the capacitive spring-loaded stylus, which is located in the lower right corner of the case, a brief menu of options appears automatically. It allows you to take notes while the screen is off, which is beneficial if you need to quickly scribble something down. While using a stylus to remotely control the phone is not an option like on the Note 20, there are still some useful and entertaining options. Putting animations or captions on screenshots, for instance. It’s more than sufficient for this price.
Camera
Three cameras are located on the back of the Moto G Stylus 5G: a 5-megapixel macro lens, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide f/2.2 lens, and a 48-megapixel standard-width f/1.7 lens. Furthermore, there is a 2 MP depth sensor. This array is identical to the standard G Stylus 2021, with the exception of the macro camera’s five megapixels instead of its previous two.
Similar to the previous model, this smartphone captures decent images with enough detail when exposed to favorable lighting. This is a testament to the primary sensor, which converts 48 MP images into 12-megapixel files automatically. Even in low light, the ultra-wide lens still captures a lot of noise, so it seems like a good addition. Furthermore, the macro camera remains unusable, and the megapixel count increase has had no bearing on this.
When photographing the same subject from various angles, the main lens sins slightly due to sharp color variations. The colors appear normal in one picture, but you should take the same picture a little distance away because they change abruptly. This typically occurs in dim or moderate light, and many cameras begin to malfunction in these settings. Nevertheless, it’s annoying that this unpleasant effect occurs far too frequently.
In summary
A good phone is the standard Moto G Stylus, which only supports 4G. Although it costs an additional $100, the G Stylus with 5G support is an even better phone. It’s difficult to say that it completely warrants its price because of the incredibly short update period. If you need a smartphone with a stylus but can’t afford the Note 20, it’s still a good choice. However, the majority of consumers would be better served by choosing a more robust smartphone with 5G or a less expensive model with 4G.
We have a ton of options on the market if the large screen and battery are the only reasons you want to buy this phone. And there’s the Moto G Power 2021 for fans of Motorola. It lacks an ultra-wide camera and doesn’t have the same high performance, but it will work as a budget phone for the upcoming years. These suggestions were made for people who are unable or unwilling to spend more money on a smartphone. Pay attention to the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G if you have the chance. It is also large, elegant, reasonably powerful, and provides up to four years of security updates. There aren’t many options available today for those who want stylus phones on a tight budget. Additionally, the G Stylus 5G might work well for them. However, other offerings will benefit the rest of us far more.