Moto G Stylus 2025: A Midrange Marvel That Challenges Flagships
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The previous iteration, the Moto G Stylus 5G 2024, was a surprising gem in the midrange smartphone market. I found it remarkably engaging, despite its price being less than half of what flagship phones typically command. As we step into the future with the Moto G Stylus 2025, Motorola seems to have elevated the stakes even further. This year's model not only enhances various features but also manages to put pressure on the flagship segment once again.
While the Moto G Stylus 2025 might not compete in the artificial intelligence arena against devices like the Pixel 9a, it compensates with substantial upgrades in hardware specifications and software improvements. Priced at just $399, the enhancements make it feel as though it should be positioned in a higher price bracket.
Having had the Moto G Stylus 2025 in my hands for a few days, my anticipation for a deeper exploration of its capabilities has only grown. Here are some initial impressions of the device that have caught my attention.
Design That Stands Out
Motorola seems to have found a design language that resonates, as the Stylus 2025 retains a look reminiscent of its predecessor, albeit with a larger camera housing. This continuity in design is not a negative aspect; in fact, I find the aesthetics of the Stylus 2025 quite appealing, particularly when considering its new color options.
In recent years, Motorola has partnered with Pantone, resulting in unique and vibrant color choices for its devices. The Moto G Stylus 2025 is available in two Pantone-inspired colors, with 'Surf the Web' being a standout. This striking blue-ish indigo hue adds a lively flair to the phone, especially when combined with its soft vegan leather back, giving it a fresh and almost neon-like appearance that is often absent in other smartphones.
Interestingly, Motorola has largely moved away from conventional color options like black and white, instead opting for more lively hues. This trend continues with the Moto G Stylus 2025, which arguably boasts more visual appeal than Samsung's Galaxy S25 series, despite costing half as much as the baseline model.
Display Excellence
Now, lets turn our attention to the display. Motorola has made significant strides in minimizing bezel size on the Stylus range, allowing the Moto G Stylus 2025 to almost pass off as a flagship device at first glance.
However, the display offers much more than meets the eye. It features an OLED panel with a newly coined "Super HD" resolution, measuring 2712 x 1220 pixels. This resolution is an intriguing midpoint between the Full HD+ displays typical in most midrange and premium devices and the Quad HD+ screens found in top-tier models.
This results in a display that out-performs even the $800 Galaxy S25 in pixel density, yet maintains a smooth 120Hz refresh rate that many users appreciate. Moreover, the Moto G Stylus 2025 impresses with a peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits, surpassing all models in the Galaxy S25 range, including the ultra-expensive S25 Ultra. This feature, alongside flicker prevention technology, caters excellently to users with photographic sensitivity, making this display arguably the best ever seen on a Moto G device. I sincerely hope that Motorola continues to prioritize high-quality displays in its future models, including flagship devices like the anticipated Razr 2025.
Powering Performance
With such an impressive display, one might naturally be curious about the impact on battery life. Although the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor is known for its performance, questions could arise regarding its efficiency. The Moto G Stylus 2025 houses a 5,000mAh battery, which, while respectable, could have been larger to match the display's capabilities.
Fortunately, Motorola claims that users can expect over a full day of use from a single charge, and my early experiences confirm that the phone holds up remarkably well, easily lasting through a day with regular usage. As I continue to test the device, I look forward to seeing how it adapts to my usage patterns, but initial impressions of the battery life are promising.
Another noteworthy aspect is the charging capabilities. The Moto G Stylus 2025 comes equipped with 68W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, specifications typically found on much pricier flagship phones. Although I haven't clocked the exact charging times yet, I've noticed it reaches 50% faster than many competing devices. This efficiency means I can confidently leave the house with a decent charge without worrying about running out of power during the day.
Features and Functionality
While the Moto G Stylus 2025 may lack some of the advanced AI functionalities present in other devices, it does include features that have become integral to my smartphone experience. One such feature is Circle to Search, which has become indispensable for quick queries. Additionally, the new Sketch to Image feature offers intriguing potential, reminiscent of similar capabilities in Samsung's devices. Although I haven't extensively tested it yet, initial results suggest it can turn rough sketches into recognizable images with impressive accuracy, which is a definite plus.
As for the camera system, Im eager to see how the new Sony Lytia 700C sensor performs in real-world scenarios since the previous year's Moto G Stylus 5G was commendable in this area. However, I am puzzled by Motorola's decision to include a color sensor; it seems unnecessary and could have been omitted without detracting from the overall design.
The built-in stylus is another highlight. Unlike previous iterations, this stylus feels sturdier and more refined. While I don't expect it to rival the precision of Samsung's S Pen, Motorola boasts that it delivers 6.4 times more responsiveness than earlier models. Its interesting to note that as Motorola enhances its passive stylus, Samsung appears to be scaling back on some S Pen features.
Setting New Benchmarks
Though I have only had the Moto G Stylus 2025 for a short period, it has already left me impressed with its performance and usability. In a market flooded with mediocre options at higher price points, the Moto G Stylus 2025 stands as a promising contender that not only elevates Motorolas reputation but also breathes fresh life into affordable Android phones.
Alongside competitors like the Pixel 9a and the OnePlus 13R, the Stylus 2025 reinforces the idea that a premium smartphone experience isn't confined to high price tags, whether its through innovative AI features or remarkable hardware.
The midrange smartphone market seems to be in need of revitalization, and its encouraging to see brands like OnePlus and Motorola leading the charge. I hope their efforts will inspire other manufacturers, particularly in the U.S., to innovate and provide better options for consumers.
