Motorola’s new version of its Moto G Stylus 5G has one intriguing advantage over other phones: It’s the most affordable stylus-packing handset that can connect to 5G. This year’s Moto G Stylus 5G retails for $400 (down from last year’s $500), which could make it more appealing to anyone who wants an affordable phone with added functionality. Having a gimmick has become increasingly important, both for Motorola’s own lineup and for how the Stylus 5G stacks up to the likes of rivals from Google and Samsung.
International pricing wasn’t immediately available, but $400 converts to roughly £320 or AU$590.
On the Motorola side of things, the 4G-only Moto G Stylus comes in at $200. After around a week of testing, I’ve found it to be a great value, but there are some reasons you’d want to pay double the price for a 5G version of the phone. The Stylus 5G gets potentially faster download speeds with 5G connectivity (though it only supports sub-6 5G) and it has better specs and a nicer display.
This is the best of Motorola’s cheap phones coming out in 2023, but it’s tough to recommend over the $500 just-launched Google Pixel 7A, or the newly discounted $350 Pixel 6A from last year (which can get even cheaper when price drops down to $300). The $450 Samsung Galaxy A54 5G makes the field even more crowded.
Like
Bright display
Good specs and speakers
Long battery life Stylus is a fun addition
Don’t like
10W charging is slow
Night photos are blurry
Not many stylus apps
What the Stylus 5G offers over its competitors is, yes, the stylus — which I found novel but not essential — and a decent 1,080p display alongside good battery life. Its stereo speakers and 3.5mm headphone jack make it great for watching videos or listening to music.
The Stylus 5G should be prized for its value, in fact, rather than for offering an accessory that feels like a novelty without many uses.