UP
Our takeEditorialThe cheapest stylus phone in the US, with an AMOLED screen and 68W charging that punch well above the price.
Motorola
Motorola Moto G Stylus 2026
8.0/10 UpPhone score
A built-in stylus, AMOLED at 120 Hz, OIS, and 68W charging — Motorola's most complete budget phone.
Screen
6.7"
Chip
Snapdragon 6 Gen 3
Camera
50 MP
The verdict, & two little voices
Should you actually get the Motorola Moto G Stylus 2026?
The editor weighs in — flanked by the optimist on her shoulder and the cynic on the other.
“At under $500 it has a stylus, AMOLED at 120 Hz, OIS, and 68W charging — features missing from $700 phones.”
“Two years of OS updates is short — the Galaxy A26 promises six and Pixel 8a promises seven.”
Our take
A built-in stylus, AMOLED at 120 Hz, OIS, and 68W charging — Motorola's most complete budget phone.
The Moto G Stylus 2026 is the phone Motorola gives you when the budget tier finally stops feeling like a compromise. Google Fi sells it at $20.83 a month with their $200 discount, and at that price the spec sheet is genuinely impressive: a 6.7-inch AMOLED at 120 Hz, a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, 8 GB of RAM, a 50 MP main camera with optical stabilization, a 13 MP ultrawide, and 68W wired with 15W wireless charging. The built-in stylus is the headline — capacitive, no battery to worry about, fits flush in the bottom of the phone. For students, note-takers, and anyone who has missed the Galaxy Note, it is the cheapest path to a stylus phone in the US. The trade-offs are minor for the money: no IP rating beyond a water-repellent coating, plastic build, and only two guaranteed major OS updates.
What we love
- AMOLED display at 120 Hz with deep blacks and rich color is a real upgrade from the LCDs on cheaper Moto G phones. Built-in stylus that snaps into the body is the only one of its kind under $500. 50 MP main camera with optical stabilization handles low-light and walking video well. 68W wired charging tops the phone up in about 40 minutes; 15W wireless is rare at this price. 8 GB RAM keeps multitasking smooth.
What we don't
- No IP rating
- just a water-repellent coating
- so heavy rain is a worry. Plastic body feels its price compared to glass-and-metal midrange phones. Motorola only commits to two major Android updates
- which means software support runs out in 2028. Single bottom-firing speaker is thin compared to stereo midrange phones.
Full specifications
Display
Size6.7"
TypeAMOLED
Resolution2712x1220
Performance
ChipSnapdragon 6 Gen 3
OSAndroid 16
Camera
Rear camera50 MP
Rear camera 213 MP
Front camera32 MP
Frequently asked questions about the Motorola Moto G Stylus 2026
What kind of display does the Motorola Moto G Stylus 2026 have?
The 6.7-inch AMOLED at 1220x2712 resolution and 120 Hz is the best screen Motorola has put in a budget phone. Blacks are deep, color is rich, and the 1600-nit peak brightness handles direct sunlight without washing out. Text and photos look sharp at any reading distance. The stylus is responsive enough for handwriting and quick sketches, with palm rejection that mostly works. For anyone moving up from a cheaper Moto G LCD, the difference is immediate and obvious.
What kind of camera does the Motorola Moto G Stylus 2026 have?
The 50 MP main camera with optical stabilization is genuinely good. Daylight shots are sharp and well-exposed; low-light shots are sharper than rivals at this price thanks to OIS. The 13 MP ultrawide adds a useful second perspective for landscapes and group photos, with autofocus that handles closeups better than fixed-focus ultrawides on cheaper phones. The 32 MP front camera shoots 4K video and is comfortably sharp for video calls and selfies. There is no telephoto, and digital zoom past 2x degrades fast.
What is the battery life of the Motorola Moto G Stylus 2026?
The 5200 mAh cell paired with the efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 produces comfortable two-day life on light use. Heavier days with stylus work and video still finish with charge to spare. 68W wired charging is the standout: a full top-up takes about 40 minutes, which is faster than most $1000 flagships and unheard of in the budget tier. 15W wireless is genuinely useful for desk and overnight charging.
What processor does the Motorola Moto G Stylus 2026 use?
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 is a midrange 5G chip that handles Android 16 and most current games without stutter. Multitasking with 8 GB of RAM is smooth, and apps stay in memory rather than reloading on switches. Heavier games run on medium settings; this is not a gaming phone, but it is fast enough that most everyday tasks feel as quick as on a midrange Pixel.
How much storage does the Motorola Moto G Stylus 2026 have?
This is a 256 GB phone with microSD expansion. 256 GB fits a large photo library, the apps you use, and offline media without crowding. The microSD slot adds cheap room for downloaded movies and music if needed.
What kind of speakers does the Motorola Moto G Stylus 2026 have?
Single bottom-firing speaker. Loud enough for casual video and speakerphone, but the sound is thin compared to the stereo on midrange Pixels and Galaxies. Stereo pairing with the earpiece is not part of this tier.
Does the Motorola Moto G Stylus 2026 support fingerprint or face unlock?
Side-mounted fingerprint sensor in the power button. Fast and reliable in daily use. Face unlock is camera-based and convenient but not secure enough for banking apps.
Is the Motorola Moto G Stylus 2026 water-resistant?
No formal IP rating. Motorola lists a water-repellent coating, which means it will survive rain or a small splash but should not be submerged.
