Motorola’s Moto G Stylus has long been a bit of a quirky underdog in the smartphone world—a budget-friendly device that dares to keep the stylus alive in an era dominated by touchscreens and virtual keyboards. For 2025, Motorola is doubling down on its charm with a refreshed Moto G Stylus that’s equal parts practical, stylish, and, well, stubbornly retro. Available in two shades—let’s call them “blue” and “slightly different blue”—this $399 phone packs a surprising punch for its price, from a crisp OLED display to a rare IP68 rating. Oh, and it still has a headphone jack, because Motorola refuses to let wired audio die quietly. But with great value comes a familiar catch: the bloatware blues. Here’s the full scoop on what makes this phone a contender in the crowded budget market—and where it might trip up.

Let’s start with the aesthetics, because Motorola’s clearly having some fun here. The 2025 Moto G Stylus comes in two colorways, both leaning heavily into the cool-toned spectrum. There’s Midnight Blue, a deep, moody hue, and Glacial Blue, which has a softer, almost frosty sheen. Both sport what Motorola calls a “leather-inspired” back panel—a vegan-friendly texture that feels grippy and premium without jacking up the price. It’s a nice touch for a phone that could easily have settled for slippery plastic. The stylus, neatly tucked into the phone’s frame, matches the body for a cohesive look, whether you’re scribbling notes or just fidgeting with it during a boring meeting.

At 6.7 inches, the phone’s a bit of a handful, but it’s slim at 8.1mm and weighs a reasonable 190 grams. The flat-edged design gives it a modern vibe, though it’s not reinventing the wheel—think clean lines and a no-nonsense layout. The IP68 rating for water and dust resistance is the real surprise here. That’s flagship territory, meaning you can dunk this thing in a puddle (or worse) and it’ll likely come out swinging. For a budget phone, that’s a brag-worthy feature.

Motorola’s bumped up the internals for 2025, and the upgrades are more than just spec-sheet fluff. The star of the show is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, a step up from the Gen 1 in last year’s model. Motorola claims this translates to “6.4x improved responsiveness” over the 2024 Moto G Stylus, though take that with a grain of salt—marketing math can be fuzzy. In real-world terms, expect smoother multitasking, faster app launches, and a generally zippy experience for a phone in this price range. With 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB (expandable via microSD), it’s got enough muscle for most users, whether you’re juggling spreadsheets or binge-watching Netflix.

The 6.7-inch OLED display is another win. It’s bright, vibrant, and supports a 120Hz refresh rate for buttery-smooth scrolling. The resolution—2712 x 1220—is a slight bump from last year, making text and images look sharp without taxing the battery too much. Whether you’re sketching with the stylus or doomscrolling through social media, this screen’s a pleasure to stare at. And speaking of the stylus, it’s more than a gimmick. You can jot notes, annotate PDFs, or even doodle with decent precision, though it’s no S Pen—don’t expect pressure sensitivity or fancy Bluetooth tricks.

On paper, the Moto G Stylus 2025’s camera setup sounds promising. The main shooter is a 50-megapixel Sony Lytia sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a rarity at this price point. OIS means steadier shots, especially in low light, where budget phones often stumble. The 13-megapixel ultrawide lens pulls double duty as a macro camera, letting you get up close and personal with flowers, bugs, or whatever else catches your eye. The 32-megapixel front camera should handle selfies and video calls with ease, though we’ll need hands-on time to see how it fares in tricky lighting.

Motorola’s camera software has historically been a mixed bag—decent but not dazzling. Expect solid daytime shots with good detail and colors that pop, but low-light performance might not rival pricier phones. The ultrawide’s macro mode is a nice touch, though macro shots can be hit-or-miss without steady hands. For $399, this setup seems competitive, especially with OIS in the mix. If you’re the type who treats their phone like a point-and-shoot, it should get the job done.

With a 5,000mAh battery, the Moto G Stylus 2025 is built to last. Most phones in this class hover around 4,500mAh, so this is a beefy cell that should easily carry you through a day of heavy use—think streaming, gaming, and GPS navigation. Even better, it supports 68W wired charging, which Motorola says can juice up the battery from 0 to 50% in about 15 minutes. That’s blazing fast for a budget phone. Wireless charging at 15W is another unexpected perk, letting you top up on a Qi pad without fuss. Just don’t expect a charger in the box—Motorola’s following the industry trend of making you BYO brick.

Out of the box, the Moto G Stylus 2025 runs Android 15, which brings a polished interface, better privacy controls, and some handy multitasking features—perfect for stylus users who like to split-screen their apps. Motorola’s My UX skin is light and unobtrusive, keeping things close to stock Android while adding a few thoughtful tweaks, like customizable gestures and stylus shortcuts.

But here’s the rub: bloatware. Motorola has a reputation for preloading its phones with apps you didn’t ask for—think carrier promos, random games, or “productivity” tools that feel more like ads. Early reports from Android Authority suggest the 2025 model isn’t immune. While you can uninstall some of this junk, it’s a hassle, and it can eat up storage or nag you with notifications. For a phone that’s otherwise so user-friendly, it’s a letdown that Motorola hasn’t kicked this habit.

In a world where flagship phones ditched the 3.5mm headphone jack years ago, Motorola’s stubborn commitment to wired audio is downright endearing. Whether you’re rocking a trusty pair of wired earbuds or a high-end headset, the Moto G Stylus 2025 has you covered. It’s a small but meaningful nod to practicality, especially for budget buyers who might not want to splurge on Bluetooth gear. Pair that with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support, and this phone’s got a surprising amount of audio cred.

The Moto G Stylus 2025 hits shelves on April 17, 2025, starting at $399 for the unlocked 128GB model (256GB will likely cost a bit more). You’ll find it at major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Motorola’s own site, with carrier versions rolling out to Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile in the “coming months.”

So, is it worth it? On paper, the Moto G Stylus 2025 delivers serious bang for your buck—IP68, a snappy chip, a great screen, and a stylus to boot. The headphone jack and wireless charging are cherries on top. But the bloatware and Motorola’s spotty track record with software updates (expect two years of OS upgrades, maybe three if you’re lucky) could give pause. If you value practicality and a bit of flair, this phone’s a steal. If you hate preinstalled apps or crave long-term support, you might want to shop around.

Motorola’s been carving out a niche in the budget space for years, and the Moto G Stylus 2025 feels like a love letter to its fans—folks who want a phone that does a lot without breaking the bank. It’s not perfect, but it’s proof you don’t need to spend $1,000 for a device that feels premium and packs a few surprises. Whether you’re a note-taker, a music lover, or just someone who appreciates a splash of blue, this phone’s got plenty to offer. Just be ready to swipe away a few unwanted apps along the way.