Moto G Stylus (2026) Review: Active Stylus and Fewer Preloaded Apps at $499, But Performance Lags and Limited Updates Draw Criticism

The Verge published a review of the Motorola Moto G Stylus (2026) on April 23, 2026, at 5:30 PM UTC, detailing its features and performance at a $499 price point, which marks a $100 increase from the previous year. Allison Johnson, a senior reviewer with over a decade of experience writing about consumer tech and a special interest in mobile photography and telecom, authored the review.

Johnson previously worked at DPReview and tested a lilac-colored review unit with a textured back panel.

The Moto G Stylus (2026) includes a MicroSD slot and a headphone jack, which The Verge described as potentially the last surviving one on a mainstream phone sold in North America. The namesake stylus is active, pressure-sensitive, and supports features like handwriting recognition and text magnification on hover.

The device carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, allowing immersion, and an IP69 rating for high-pressure spray tolerance, according to The Verge.

Motorola offers two major OS upgrades and three years of security updates for the phone, though The Verge noted the company's reputation for slow delivery. Powered by a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset with 8GB of RAM, the Moto G Stylus (2026) showed slight hesitations in performance, particularly after waking and opening apps, as observed by Johnson.

The Verge reported that this setup feels adequate now but raised concerns about potential slowdowns beyond the supported update period.

The main camera features a 50-megapixel sensor with an optically stabilized lens, performing adequately in daylight but with punchy colors and occasional red-channel clipping leading to artificial-looking photos, per the review. An ultrawide camera doubles as a macro camera with autofocus, improving on past dedicated macro sensors.

The back of the phone has four camera lens-looking elements, one housing the flash, but the camera app only accesses two rear cameras, Johnson noted.

The spec sheet identifies the fourth as a 3-in-1 light sensor that aids auto white balance, exposure, and anti-flicker. Johnson highlighted improvements in bloatware, with unwanted apps reduced to a manageable level compared to previous models, including just one pre-downloaded app folder. The full-page MotoHub widget, previously criticized for privacy issues, is absent.

The third-party weather app, developed by OneLouder Apps and identified as such on its initial splash page, addresses a complaint Johnson raised in her 2023 Moto G Stylus review about unclear developer attribution and constant location tracking. The Verge noted that bloatware is no longer the top concern, marking a major improvement.

Despite these positives, The Verge stated the phone feels $100 too expensive for its midrange positioning, potentially influenced by memory market conditions.

Johnson appreciated the stylus integration, comparing it favorably to pricier options like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra's, and praised the notes app for organizing collections. The review emphasized the phone's unique offerings, such as the active stylus, sense of style, headphone jack, and MicroSD support, setting it apart in the budget and midrange segments.

However, shortcomings in photo processing and limited software support led Johnson to recommend alternatives like the Google Pixel 10A for users prioritizing longevity and photography.

Johnson tested the device's camera in various conditions, finding the ultrawide suitable for macro shots due to autofocus, a step up from older 5-megapixel macros. The Verge reported that the stylus enables neat tricks, including configuring magnification for future usability. The 3-in-1 light sensor's role in enhancing camera functions is confirmed beyond aesthetics.

The review unit's charming lilac color and textured back added to its appeal, as described by Johnson. The Moto G Stylus (2026) includes robust water resistance ratings. Johnson noted the processor's lag as minor but noticeable after using flagship devices, suggesting it may not age as well post-updates.

In her assessment, Johnson stated the phone brings something different to the midrange market, potentially becoming a better value at a discount. The Verge's review scored it 6 out of 10, citing good elements like the active stylus and expandable storage alongside drawbacks in performance and cameras.