Moto G Stylus 5G 2024

Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) Review: Great Hardware Ruined by Bad Software

The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) aims to target a balance between value and performance, priced at ₹32,800. While it brings impressive hardware upgrades and features to the top, its software issues and limited update promises hinder its potential.

Price, Availability, and Specs

  • Price: ₹32,800 INR
  • Availability: Amazon, Best Buy, Motorola.com, major carriers like AT&T, Metro by TMobile, Consumer Cellular, and Google Fi
  • Colors: Caramel Latte, Scarlet Wave

Specifications

  • SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
  • Display: 6.7inch 1080p OLED
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 256GB
  • Battery: 5,000mAh, 30W wired, 15W wireless charging
  • Cameras: 50MP main, 13MP ultrawide, 32MP front
  • OS: Android 14
  • Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC
  • Dimensions: 162.6 x 74.8 x 8.3mm, 190g
  • Other Features: Built-in stylus, 3.5mm headphone jack, IP52 rating

Design and Build Quality

Motorola has retuned the design of the Moto G Stylus 5G, giving it a minimal, premium look can be compared to the Samsung Galaxy Note series. The faux leather back and matte silver plastic frame contribute to a high-end feel, although the plastic frame falls short on close inspection. The 6.7inch OLED display is a significant upgrade, offering good brightness and viewing angles.

Performance

The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC, coupled with 8GB of RAM, gives out smooth performance for daily tasks and gaming. However, occasional frame drops occur without clear triggers. The device handles multitasking and gaming well, but its hardware limitations show in high demand scenarios.

Camera Quality

The 50MP main camera captures decent shots in good lighting, with usable results even in dim environments. The 13MP ultrawide lens, however, is less reliable. Overall, the camera performance is a noticeable improvement over previous G-Series phones but still falls short of higher end models.

Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 Back

Battery Life

The 5,000mAh battery excels, offering up to a day and a half of usage. The 30W wired and 15W wireless charging options provide adequate charging speeds. This robust battery life is one of the phone’s standout features.

Software Issues

Motorola’s software remains its unstable. The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) ships with Android 14, but Motorola promises only one OS upgrade and three years of bimonthly security updates. The new software enhancements, such as a transparent notification tray and a black-and-white settings menu, feel unfinished and unpolished.

Motorola’s Display, a take on always on displays, has lost much of its functionality, making it less useful. Bugs, such as missing notifications and a shrinking home screen, further detract from the user experience. Additionally, glance ads-based lock screen and other sponsored apps adds unnecessary clutter.

Hardware Defects:

The device feels unbalanced, with a top-heavy design due to the camera module. The in-display fingerprint sensor is positioned too low, making it uncomfortable to use. The stylus lacks palm rejection, making notetaking difficult.

Conclusion

The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) offers excellent hardware for its price, including a beautiful OLED display, solid battery life, and a premium design. However, its poor software support and intrusive sponsored content are significant drawbacks. For those willing to overlook these issues, it’s a decent option. Otherwise, alternatives like the Pixel 8a, with its longer software support and more polished experience, might be a better investment.