- The Core Experience: Dimensions, stylus functionality, 50MP camera, stereo speakers, and 3.5mm jack remain essentially unchanged across all three models.
- The Big Upgrades: The 2025/2026 models bring huge leaps in screen brightness (up to 5,000 nits), 68W fast charging, IP68/IP69 waterproofing, and faster UFS 3.1 storage.
- The UK Verdict: Unless you desperately need extreme outdoor display brightness or rapid charging, the 2024 model still holds up well enough to save you the cost and hassle of importing.
When evaluating Motorola’s G Stylus range over the past three generations, it is clear that the company has focused on refining an already solid foundation rather than reinventing the wheel. I have the 2024 version here which is now stuck on Android 15 forever, and security updates (now quarterly) will stop in May 2027. So I was thinking about whether or not it's a good point at which to try and import a newer one. Import, because these G Stylus units are US-only and I'm in the UK!
One of the things I like about the unit is the built-in pen in a silo in the phone, much like what Samsung does with its S-series Ultra phones. The stylus is not as 'smart' as Samsung's, but works well enough with Moto's built-in software layer for casual users and quick note-taking. It's also a nice size in the hand, not too small like some. So yes, not essential, but a bonus. Being inside the phone is also a big plus—my Motorola Signature's Moto Pen Ultra has to sit in a completely separate piece of charging/housing hardware, which means, of course, it won't be with me when I need it. And if it is, probably not charged! With this simple, 'dumb' pen, there are no worries about any of that.
From a physical perspective, anyone upgrading from the 2024 model to either the 2025 or 2026 iteration will feel right at home. The chassis dimensions, weight and general ergonomics have remained essentially identical, featuring the same comfortable silicone polymer eco-leather back and plastic frame. As I said above, the built-in stylus, housed neatly in its dedicated silo alongside Motorola's customised note-taking software, continues to be a standout feature in this price bracket. It's a nice-enough size in the hand, well-balanced and not too fat. My version here is the red colour, which is gorgeous!
Just a quick note here to say that much of the text here is based on my research, not hands-on experience with the 2025 and 2026 models, as I don't have them! I have tried to deep-dive and get opinions from people using the newer models, mostly, as you'd imagine, in the USA. So bear that in mind going forward—where I speak confidently about features, changes and capability, a lot of it has been scooped up and summarised from other users. I come at this owning the oldest of the three and asking myself whether or not I want to try and upgrade, as I say.
Durability has seen a monumental leap. Where the 2024 model settled for basic water-repellent coating and unspecified front glass, the subsequent releases stepped up to robust Gorilla Glass 3, proper IP68 dust and water resistance and MIL-STD-810H durability compliance. The 2026 variant pushes this protection even further to IP69, giving peace of mind against high-pressure water jets as well as total submersion. I don't use this 2024 version daily, by any stretch of the imagination, nor in tough conditions, but when I have spent spells with it, I see no cause for alarm regarding screen scratches on that flat front glass at least.
The most dramatic visual upgrade lies in the display technology. While all three models sport a 6.7" OLED panel, the transition from the P-OLED panel used in 2024 to the brighter AMOLED panels in the newer generations makes a world of difference outdoors. Peak brightness has skyrocketed from an adequate 1,200 nits on the 2024 model to a blinding 3,000 nits on the 2025 version, culminating in an extraordinary 5,000 nits peak on the 2026 variant.
Furthermore, clarity has received a welcome bump. Motorola moved from standard Full HD+ (1080p, around 395 pixels per inch) on the original to a crisp 1220p resolution (often referred to as 1.5K) on the two newer models, pushing the sharpness to 444 ppi. However, despite these dramatic panel upgrades, Motorola remains stubbornly resistant to offering a true, persistent Always-On Display on the G Stylus phones which an LTPO panel would bring. Instead, you are still left relying on Moto’s signature Peek (or Wake) Display—which only lights up when moved, tapped, or when a notification arrives. If you want a standard, non-stop ambient clock sitting on your desk, you will still need to resort to a third-party app from the Play Store, as Motorola continues to restrict a genuine AOD to its pricier Edge and Razr flagships. The one I usually use with best results and least impact on battery (depending on how it is set up) is Always On Display XPath by "aodlink.com" in the Google Play Store. Free mostly, but some features (including the 'always' always-on rather than timed) are behind a cup-of-coffee-priced purchase. I have done this as it supports development and encourages the developer to keep improving the app.
The wireless networking setup across the three models reveals a slightly curious path of progression rather than a straight upward trajectory. The 2024 model laid the groundwork with Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which was then superseded on the 2025 release by Wi-Fi 6E. Wi-Fi 6E is particularly noteworthy as it introduces access to the dedicated, less congested 6GHz frequency band alongside standard 2.4GHz and 5GHz channels. On the latest 2026 iteration, Motorola lists "Wi-Fi ax", which is simply the official technical designation for standard Wi-Fi 6. While Wi-Fi 6 ("ax") delivers significant efficiency, capacity and speed improvements over the older Wi-Fi 5 standard, it strictly operates on 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Consequently, while the newest unit offers robust wireless performance for modern home networks, the 2025 model actually holds a niche advantage for anyone equipped with a tri-band 6GHz router. On my 2024 model I have had no connectivity issues, regularly switching between three routers, two landline-based and one cellular.
When importing a North American handset like the Motorola G Stylus to the UK, network connectivity is often a primary concern, though UK buyers can generally not worry. The essential 4G LTE frequency bands used across Britain—including B1, B3, B7, B8, and the long-range B20 band crucial for rural and indoor coverage—are fully supported on both the 2025 and 2026 US models. For 5G, the critical n78 band (3.5GHz) that underpins primary high-speed coverage for EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three is present across all three generations, supplemented by key bands like n1, n7, and n28. While standard voice, SMS and high-speed data work seamlessly out of the box on an unlocked US device, there are a couple of small quirks worth noting. Network-specific features like VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling can occasionally be hit-or-miss depending on whether your UK carrier recognises the US-spec software profile, though most modern UK SIMs handle unlocked Snapdragon hardware without fuss.
Furthermore, while the built-in eSIM activation works flawlessly via standard UK carrier QR codes, taking full advantage of the newer models' rapid 68W TurboPower wired charging will require a third-party UK Power Delivery plug, as any bundled adapter will naturally feature a US two-pin connection. I have had no problems at all using my 2024 model here in the UK with connectivity, VoIP too, and would not let this stop me ordering a newer model.
Under the hood, performance improvements are steady rather than revolutionary, though usability gains are noticeable. The jump from the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) chipset in the 2024 phone to the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 powering the newer models delivers a modest boost in everyday responsiveness and efficiency. Memory remains sensible, with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of expandable storage via microSD across most configurations. Crucially, storage speed has evolved significantly: moving from unspecified flash storage in 2024 to UFS 2.2 in 2025, and finally to UFS 3.1 in 2026. This means app loading times, file transfers, and general system fluidity will feel noticeably snappier on the latest model. Software longevity has also improved slightly; while the 2024 handset was burdened with a stingy single OS update, Motorola now provides two major OS upgrades on the newer versions. Still not great, compared to the now becoming-widespread 7 years of support from various OEMs (to be fair, Moto included now with their latest flagships).
Interestingly, the camera and audio setups have remained practically static, which is no bad thing given their strong performance. You get the same reliable 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS), a 13MP ultra-wide lens, and a 32MP selfie camera, all capable of 4K video recording at 30fps. Audio enthusiasts will appreciate that Motorola has retained both stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support and the increasingly rare 3.5mm headphone jack equipped with 24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res audio capability. I must admit that I don't often use the 3.5mm jack, much the same as I'd say for my Sony Xperia phones, but it's better to have the option than not. The audio sounds great on my 2024 model, via that jack or Bluetooth, so hopefully that is also true of the newer models.
The optical under-display fingerprint reader and NFC also carry over unchanged and work well, as does the face unlock. All quick to register and work together to get you into the action as soon as possible! Note that with the above-mentioned Always On Display app, this does put a layer between the user and these features. Double-tap the AOD though and you're away. The main battery capacity sees a tiny bump to 5,200mAh on the 2026 model compared to 5,000mAh on the older pair, but the real charging triumph is wired speed: the 30W charging of 2024 has been replaced by rapid 68W TurboPower charging, with Moto's proprietary charger, on both newer handsets, while keeping 15W Qi wireless charging across the entire line-up.
Is it worth importing to the UK from a 2024 unit? If, like me, you already own the 2024 Motorola G Stylus, upgrading requires careful consideration, especially given the hassle and cost of importing these North American-focused handsets into the UK. The core daily experience—taking notes with the pen, snapping photos, listening to wired audio and enjoying standard smartphone tasks—will feel largely identical. My current phone is working well, so importing the 2025 model makes very little sense, as the performance jump is modest and you miss out on the speedier UFS 3.1 storage. I think I'm talking myself out of this, though it is good to assess. Living with an outdated version of Android is less of a problem these days with many services being app-based, reaching back across OS versions—and even if/when security updates stop, people are generally safe enough if they keep their Google Play System up-to-date for years to come. Ten years of use should not be beyond reason really, as long as one is not bothered about new features and AI stuff!
Anyway, importing the 2026 model presents a far more compelling argument if you are genuinely struggling with outdoor screen visibility or battery top-up speeds. The combination of a 5,000-nit 1.5K display, extreme IP69 ruggedness, UFS 3.1 storage speeds, and 68W fast charging creates a significantly more modern device. Unless those specific pain points—display brightness, charging speed, and ruggedness—are critical to your daily usage, holding onto your 2024 model for another cycle remains the most practical choice. For me, as I say, I think I'll sit tight. The battery on this unit seems good and lasts as long as it did on Day 1, and I'm not really bothered about new features as long as the ones designed for the phone continue to work. Finally, I'll link here to my blog review of the 2024 model, which I 'penned' in 2024 (with a keyboard, not the Moto G Stylus pen)!
So finally, for those in the UK who want to upgrade (or buy the newer models), where and how is best to do it? Probably one of the 'safest' routes is via amazon.com (rather than amazon.co.uk, as you won't find one there)! Looking today I see that the 2026 model is available for just under $500, offering me delivery as a Prime member in just under a week. This does seem to be just the 128GB/8GB version, so maybe look elsewhere for the 256GB variant (though don't forget that you have that microSD card slot). There is a 256GB/8GB 2025 version there, which might actually be the better value at $299. Import charges have been added and in my basket it is showing £285 total. At that price, it feels somewhat tempting! Final note—Motorola won't ship it to the UK, either via their UK or US stores, so it's third-party all the way. Try eBay if you like, but I'd rather stick with Amazon!
