The best thing about the Moto G Stylus 2026? It does what Google and Samsung won't

The Moto G Stylus line has always held a special place in my heart. I love the idea that buyers can have a stylus with their phone without spending wallet-punishing amounts on a Galaxy S26 Ultra. It’s a useful tool, and the G Stylus phones have long been keepers of fan-favorite legacy features.

Unfortunately, prices crept up over the years. The original G Stylus was a borderline budget phone, but now, at $500, it’s firmly in the midrange — and  facing serious competition. Still, I like the overall package Motorola offers, and while it’s not the right choice for everyone, there are certainly reasons why the Moto G Stylus (2026) should end up in your pocket.

Why? Because Motorola does what Google and Samsung won’t.

Motorola makes the stylus front and center

I’m an avid S Pen user on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. I don’t know who Samsung polled who told the company it was a good idea to downgrade the accessory, but the company certainly didn’t ask me. Apparently, it didn’t ask a lot of other people I know as well, since many power users who came from Galaxy Note devices love the S Pen. It’s a shame Samsung removed Bluetooth from the pen, and I wish the company would reconsider.

Thankfully, Motorola is moving in the opposite direction with the latest Moto G Stylus, opting to beef up its pen for 2026. The stylus now has a battery and can carry out functions without touching the screen. It’s pressure-sensitive, giving you greater control and detail in your notes and drawings. It’s the most responsive G Stylus pen I’ve used, and the input glides across the screen without noticeable latency. It’s solidly built and feels amazing to use in the hand.

I’m not going to pretend that every user who buys a Galaxy S26 Ultra cares about the S Pen. However, if you’re someone who does, the G Stylus is worth considering at a fraction of the price, especially if you don’t need all the power of a flagship phone.

Legacy features still have an important purpose

I don’t agree with people who claim headphone jacks and microSD card slots don’t have a place on modern smartphones. It’s more than just nostalgia, and I appreciate that Motorola at least offers some models with both available — including the 2026 G Stylus.

Not everyone is comfortable with cloud storage, and it’s getting more expensive. Whether you’re carrying around movies and music or your photos, you can fill up your phone’s base storage quickly. With a microSD card slot, you can bring more with you without relying on a solid Wi-Fi connection or mobile signal.

If you live in a rural area or travel a lot, you might not always have fantastic internet, so streaming isn’t always an option. If you have a limited data plan, you might want to avoid burning through your available GBs by bringing your media and files with you. It’s also more secure. Not everyone is comfortable sending their information back through the cloud, and I can’t blame them. Whatever your reasons, there are still plenty of legitimate uses for a microSD card slot in 2026 — something you won’t find on most phones from Samsung and Google.

A 3.5mm headphone jack is another option on the Moto G Stylus that you don’t find on many phones in 2026. Sure, Bluetooth wireless earbuds have come down in price, but they aren’t always the most convenient. You have to keep them charged, and they are much easier to lose.

I much prefer carrying around a good pair of wired earbuds or headphones. There are also still plenty of older cars that only have an AUX port for music. It’s great to be able to plug in physically right away and know I won’t be limited. Bluetooth is obviously still available, but I appreciate having a backup.

Motorola’s deals are more aggressive

Prices have gone up across the board for smartphones, and Motorola isn’t immune. Despite that, I have more confidence that Motorola’s prices will eventually line back up with the value we’re used to from the company. I rarely agree with the initial MSRPs on Moto’s phones, but within a month or two, there are usually deep discounts and sales. Motorola is also in carrier stores, and I always see outsized trade-in discounts or inexpensive monthly payment options if you finance a device.

To be fair, Samsung and Google do offer discounts throughout the year, but neither company does so as quickly or as far as Motorola when it comes to slashing prices. Last year’s Razr Ultra was absurd at $1,300 at launch, but the phone quickly dipped to $1,000 and then spent a good chunk of its lifecycle available for $800.

The same happened with last year’s Moto G Stylus. Despite launching at $400, buyers could routinely pick them up for $350 (or less). If the same pattern holds true this year, the 2026 Moto G Stylus will soon be a fantastic value phone once Motorola’s sales start kicking in.

A little variety never hurt anyone

I’m not advocating for more smartphones to return to using a stylus, and it’s unrealistic to think that multiple companies will start putting microSD card slots and headphone jacks on new phones. However, a little variety in the marketplace goes a long way.

Not every phone has to be for every person, which is an attitude that has been lost on most manufacturers. I appreciate having more options and different form factors at varying price points. Motorola does that better than most, and I’m glad to see the company is continuing that trend with this year’s G Stylus.