Motorola’s Latest $400 Smartphone Competes with Flagship Rivals
Just a Few Days with the Moto G Stylus 2025 Fills Me with Optimism for Midrange Smartphones
In a smartphone industry increasingly ruled by $1,000+ flagship models, the Moto G Stylus 2025 serves as a refreshing indication that cutting-edge features and innovation don’t necessarily come at a high cost. Having spent merely a handful of days with Motorola’s newest midrange wonder, it’s evident that this $399 gadget is exceeding expectations—challenging flagship devices significantly.
A Stylish Transformation
Motorola has kept closely to the design principles of its 2024 series, which is not a negative aspect. The Moto G Stylus 2025 maintains the elegant, contemporary look of its forerunner while adding a more pronounced camera housing and striking new colors. With Motorola’s ongoing collaboration with Pantone, the device is offered in two lively hues, with “Surf the Web” making a notable impression as a vivid indigo-blue shade. The soft vegan leather back provides a luxurious feel that is uncommon at this price point.
This design-centric approach is a refreshing shift away from the mundane black-and-white alternatives that typically populate the midrange segment. In fact, the Moto G Stylus 2025 arguably presents a more upscale appearance than certain flagship models, including the Galaxy S25.
Display That Competes with Flagships
Turn the device around, and you are welcomed by a breathtaking 6.7-inch OLED screen boasting a “Super HD” resolution of 2712 x 1220. While the terminology may be unfamiliar, the outcomes are clear: sharp visuals, vibrant hues, and a 120Hz refresh rate for seamless scrolling and gameplay. With a peak brightness of an impressive 3,000 nits, the display remains readily viewable even under direct sunlight—outshining even the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Motorola has also integrated flicker prevention to lessen eye strain for users sensitive to PWM (pulse-width modulation), an insightful feature that elevates the overall user experience.
Performance and Battery Endurance
At its core, the Moto G Stylus 2025 is equipped with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, coupled with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. While it may not be a powerhouse like the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen chips, it effectively manages everyday activities with ease.
Battery longevity is another asset. The 5,000mAh battery comfortably endures a full day of moderate to heavy usage, and Motorola’s software optimization appears to be effective. Even more impressive is the provision of 68W wired charging and 15W wireless charging—features generally found in higher-end devices. The phone can achieve 50% battery in a brief span, making it perfect for users on the move.
Camera and Stylus Enhancements
The Moto G Stylus 2025 is equipped with a new Sony Lytia 700C sensor, which shows potential in initial assessments. While comprehensive camera reviews are still pending, early results are promising, particularly for a midrange device. The addition of what seems like a redundant color sensor raises questions, but it does not diminish the overall camera performance.
The built-in stylus has also undergone enhancements. It offers improved responsiveness—6.4 times more than last year’s iteration—and feels more robust in hand. While it may not have the advanced functionalities of Samsung’s S Pen, it remains a dependable tool for jotting down notes, sketching, and navigating the interface. Motorola has even rolled out a new “Sketch to Image” feature, employing AI to transform rough sketches into recognizable visuals—a fun and surprisingly effective addition.
Software and AI Capabilities
Although the Moto G Stylus 2025 may not pack the AI prowess of Google’s Pixel 9a or Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra, it does boast several intelligent features that enhance usability. “Circle to Search,” a utility popularized by Google, is included and operates effectively. Motorola’s software skin keeps close to stock Android, ensuring minimal bloatware and a straightforward, user-friendly interface.
The phone comes with Android 14 and is anticipated to receive a minimum of two years of OS updates and three years of security patches—a commendable commitment for a phone within this price bracket.
Midrange Market Innovator
The Moto G Stylus 2025 showcases that a significant investment isn’t necessary to acquire a high-quality smartphone. With its premium design, excellent display, dependable performance, and considerate features like rapid charging and a stylus, it provides incredible value at $399.
It joins a burgeoning group of midrange smartphones—such as the Pixel 9a and OnePlus 13R—that are changing the expectations consumers have for budget-friendly devices. In a market where midrange choices have often felt overlooked, Motorola is demonstrating that this category can be thrilling, inventive, and stylish.
Concluding Remarks
After just a few days with the Moto G Stylus 2025, it’s evident that
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