The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G features a flatter frame and an improved camera

The company’s planned Moto G Stylus 2024 edition has been shown in a series of third-party renderings, including the device’s essential specifications. OnLeaks, in collaboration with Czech outlet Smart Mania, has released new computer-generated renderings of the Moto G Stylus (2024). The mid-range phone appears revamped with key alterations centered on the back and sides, while the overall water-resistant structure is lighter and more compact.

According to a new rumor from the normally dependable @OnLeaks, Motorola is not abandoning the mid-range smartphone with a stylus. Last year, the business released the Moto G Stylus (2023) in May, and the upcoming Moto G Stylus (2024) has been leaked in CAD-based renders, along with a few specifications. Let’s have a look.

Price when reviewed: $399.99 | Check price at Amazon

KEY FEATURES

The new phone measures 162.5 x 74.7 x 8.09 mm and weighs 190g, making it slightly shorter, wider, slimmer, and lighter than its predecessor, while the differences are minor. It’s believed to ship with Android 14, which is terrible given that Android 14 has been out for months. The Moto G Stylus (2024) will be powered by an undisclosed Snapdragon CPU, with at least one version offering 128GB of storage. It will also have a water-repellent covering, a 6.5-inch IPS LCD touchscreen with a resolution of 1,080 x 2,200 pixels, 5G and NFC compatibility, Bluetooth 5.2, and a 5,000 mAh battery.

The integrated stylus will be housed in a slot on the lower right, while a 3.5mm headphone port will be located on the bottom left. It is unknown when Motorola plans to debut the new Moto G Stylus, but we will keep you updated as we hear more.

MOTOROLA MOTO G STYLUS 5G UNBOXING

The Moto G Stylus 5G Neo, like all current Moto G Stylus 5G models, is packaged in a durable two-piece recycled cardboard box. This model’s package is also free of plastic, as Motorola has lately done with other models in the series. The Edges’ box and internals are also perfumed, so when you open your fresh new phone’s package, you’re welcomed with a mild aroma.

The combo includes a Fast Charger and a USB-C cable. Motorola has also included a case, which has a snap-on design and matches the color scheme of the handset. You’ll probably love the fact that it’s created in Sweden and is plant-based, making it biodegradable.

CAMERA

The cameras perform comparably to other phones in this price range. The primary camera has a 50MP sensor and an aperture of f/1.88. It limits photographs to 12.5MP, but an ultra-resolution mode allows you to snap photos with the sensor’s maximum 50MP resolution. The phone also includes an 8MP ultrawide camera with macro and depth sensors.

The issue with the Moto G Stylus 5G (and other phones in this price bracket) is how fantastic the Pixel 7a cameras are. The Moto G Stylus 5G produces decent photos, but it can’t compete with Google’s well-honed photo hardware and software. Motorola’s daytime images are bright and crisp, but they do not perform as well in low-light conditions.

The aggressive beauty filters of the selfie camera, an issue I had with previous Motorola phones, are still on by default. The overdone effect can make you look like a mannequin. It’s easy enough to turn off, thankfully. Otherwise, the 8MP, f/2.5 selfie camera takes decent photos in the right lighting conditions, though it definitely won’t impress you much. 

Motorola now enables 4K video capture at 30fps, a significant advance from last year, when you could only record in 1080p with the 2022 phone. Videos shot at higher resolutions look excellent on a phone. You may also record 1080p at 30fps, 60fps, or 120fps, as well as 720p at 240fps for extreme slow motion.

DESIGN AND SCREEN

Notably, the new Motorola Moto G Stylus is set to have an upgraded back area. The camera island is now integrated into the panel, with the dual camera module contained in recognizable circular holes and the LED flash array reconfigured. In addition, the frame seems flatter, with curved edges that connect the front and back panels.

The stylus pen can still be seen nestled inside the silo, which is located on the bottom frame at the right corner and next to the USB-C connection and speaker grill. A set of physical keys is positioned on the right side, which is not surprising.

The front, on the other hand, appears to be flatter, though the extent of the difference between it and the slightly curved display of the Moto G Stylus 2023 is unclear. Its size and refresh rate are expected to remain steady at 6.5 inches wide and 90Hz, respectively. The resolution has been surprisingly increased from HD to full HD.

Last year, Motorola pushed things up a notch with the 5G edition of its G Stylus, increasing the screen refresh rate to 120Hz. Fortunately, the business has not cut that corner with this year’s 5G model. While the more economical LTE-only Moto G Stylus trails behind with its 90Hz display, the Moto G Stylus 5G’s quick 120Hz panel offers a buttery smooth experience that distinguishes it from most other phones in its price range.

Of course, the presence of the stylus was most definitely a factor in Motorola’s choice. Faster screen refresh rates make a significant impact in enabling lag-free drawing, sketching, and note-taking experiences. The Moto G Stylus 5G performs admirably in this regard, offering a seamless experience that surpasses the much more expensive Galaxy S23 Ultra and S Pen combo.

Sadly, while it’s a great addition, the Moto G Stylus 5G display’s single premium feature is its higher refresh rate. Otherwise, it’s a typical LTPS LCD panel with a good 2200 x 1080 FHD+ resolution. Motorola has also reduced the screen size to 6.6 inches from 6.8 inches last year, which isn’t a significant decrease for a 1080p display.

The screen does not become bright enough to use outdoors without some effort. During a walkabout on a sunny day, I found myself squinting at the screen and frequently shading it with my hands to see what was on it. The customary glossy surface also doesn’t help in this regard; adding a matte screen protector may improve matters, but I didn’t have the opportunity to try it.

HOW’S THE PERFORMANCE?

The Moto G Stylus 5G features a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor with an Adreno GPU, providing a minor performance gain over last year’s edition, which used the Snapdragon 695. According to benchmarks, this should result in a 20% overall performance boost and a 40% gain in gaming.

In practice, the Moto G Stylus 5G was quick and responsive throughout, and it could play more demanding games like Asphalt 9, Genshin Impact, and PUBG Mobile, albeit at medium-quality settings. The 120Hz screen also provides the smoothest gaming performance we’ve seen on a budget smartphone, but you can’t adjust the settings to fully utilize it.

Of course, a phone in this price bracket will never compete with flagships like Samsung’s Galaxy S23 series or Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro, which are powered by cutting-edge processors like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or Apple A16. However, the Moto G Stylus 5G provides excellent value and stands out as a top performer in its class.

This transfers over to its 5G capabilities. While the Moto G Stylus 5G does not support the fastest mmWave 5G speeds, it does fully support the quicker mid-band and C-band 5G frequencies that are far more common. On Bell’s 5G+ network in Toronto, I averaged 450Mbps and peaked at slightly under 700Mbps. That’s consistent with what I receive on my iPhone 14 Pro Max and Pixel 6 Pro.

In comparison, the Moto G Stylus 5G’s other wireless features are less impressive. You only get dual-band Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), not the latest Wi-Fi 6 or 6e, and Bluetooth 5.1 with compatibility for regular AAC and aptX, as well as the aptX HD and Adaptive audio codecs. A Dolby Atmos app also enables a smart audio mode that creates a more immersive sound stage and works surprisingly well with the appropriate headphones.

Buy it if...

• Exquisite design, 19g lighter, and 6m water resistant.
• Outstanding OLED display.
• Excellent battery life.
• Superior speaker volume, balance, and sound quality.
• Excellent performance.
• Class-leading video recording and outstanding Pro modes.
• Excellent daylight and nighttime images from all cameras.
• USB-C is here, with improved connectivity across the board.

Don't buy it if…

• More expensive than rival Androids.
• Charging is not especially fast.
• Apple’s iOS and ecosystem constraints.
• The GPU throttles substantially under load.
• The photo processing may be more appealing.

FULL SPECIFICATION