Price and specifications of Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Design and Build Quality

The Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) is crafted with a design language that balances aesthetic appeal and practical functionality. Its dimensions are 162.9 x 74.1 x 9.2 mm, giving it a sturdy feel in the hand while maintaining a comfortable profile for daily use. Weighing in at 195 grams, it strikes a balance between substantial presence and comfort. The device features a glass front and a plastic frame along with a plastic back which offers durability without sacrificing style. The dual color options, Blue and Rose Gold, allow users to pick a design that best suits their personal taste.

Display

The Moto G Stylus (2023) is equipped with a 6.5 inches IPS LCD display, delivering vibrant colors and decent clarity for visual content. Although its resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels might not cater to those seeking ultra-high-definition visuals, it provides a good viewing experience with a pixel density of approximately 270 ppi. The 90Hz refresh rate ensures smoother animations and transitions, enhancing the usability and visual enjoyment for day-to-day tasks and multimedia consumption.

Performance

Powering the Moto G Stylus is the Mediatek MT6769 Helio G85 chipset. Built on a 12nm process, the octa-core CPU configuration—comprising 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55—ensures a balance between power efficiency and performance. Accompanied by a Mali-G52 MC2 GPU, this setup is tailored to handle gaming and multimedia tasks competently. Although not a top-tier chipset, it provides satisfactory performance for mid-range usage scenarios, including social media, video playback, and simple gaming. The 4GB RAM facilitates smooth multitasking for the daily user.

Storage and Expandability

The device comes with 64GB of internal storage, offering ample space for apps, photos, and essential files. In situations where more storage is needed, the Moto G Stylus provides a dedicated microSDXC slot, enabling users to expand the storage capacity significantly. This ensures that users are not limited by the internal capacity for their multimedia and app collection.

Camera Capabilities

The Moto G Stylus features a versatile dual-camera setup. The primary sensor is a 50 MP, f/1.8 wide-angle lens with phase detection autofocus, capable of capturing detailed images in various lighting conditions. The additional 2 MP macro sensor with an f/2.4 aperture enables users to explore macro photography. Utilizing features like LED flash, HDR, and panorama, the camera provides flexibility for different photographic settings. Video recording capabilities are also robust, supporting 1080p at both 30 and 60 fps.

On the front, the 8 MP selfie camera with an f/2.0 aperture and HDR compatibility provides quality self-portraits and clear video calling experiences. It supports 1080p video recording at 30 fps, suitable for vlogging and video conversations.

Battery Life and Charging

The Moto G Stylus is powered by a Li-Po 5000 mAh battery, ensuring substantial battery life that can comfortably last through a day of extensive usage. Whether streaming media, playing games, or using apps, the battery performance stands out for its endurance. Despite offering 15W charging, which may not be the fastest by current standards, the battery size compensates by reducing the need for frequent charges, maintaining usability on the go.

Network and Connectivity

The device supports multiple mobile network technologies, covering GSM, HSPA, and LTE bands. The inclusion of comprehensive 2G, 3G, and a wide array of 4G bands ensures reliable connectivity in various regions and across different carriers. Wi-Fi capabilities include the latest a/b/g/n/ac dual-band support, improving wireless internet experiences with enhanced range and speed. Bluetooth 5.0 offers efficient wireless communication for peripherals and audio devices.

Advanced positioning systems such as GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO are supported, facilitating accurate location tracking and navigation. However, the absence of NFC and a radio based on market demand or user preference can be seen as a compromise, while the USB Type-C 2.0 provides dependable wired connectivity and charging options.

Software and User Interface

Running on Android 13 with a planned upgrade to Android 14, the Moto G Stylus offers a clean and intuitive user interface. Motorola's near-stock Android experience optimizes usability and stick to minimalistic and efficient design cues without bloatware. Users benefit from timely software updates and security patches, maintaining the device’s performance and security.

Additional Features

The smartphone is equipped with various sensors to enhance the user experience. A side-mounted fingerprint sensor offers fast and secure unlocking, and with the inclusion of an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, and barometer, the device supports diverse use-cases ranging from routine usage to more sophisticated applications.

Sound quality is addressed with stereo speakers, delivering immersive audio playback well-suited for media consumption. Additionally, the inclusion of a 3.5mm jack is a notable feature for traditional headphones, which remains popular with consumers.

Price and Market Positioning

Priced at approximately 200 EUR, the Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023) positions itself competitively within the mid-range smartphone market. With a balanced feature set inclusive of a stylus, dual-camera setup, reliable performance, and long-lasting battery, it appeals to users seeking functionality and versatility without breaking the bank. Although there are trade-offs like a lower resolution display, the device's value proposition remains strong, given its overall performance and feature offerings.