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| The Moto G Stylus (2026) is now available in US and Canada |
It’s official: the Moto G Stylus (2026) is now available for purchase across North America. After a quiet unveiling last week, Motorola’s latest budget-friendly smartphone has hit shelves and carrier stores in both the United States and Canada. And if you’ve been waiting for a capable device that won’t break the bank – but still offers a built-in stylus, a gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED screen, and charging speeds that embarrass phones twice its price – this might be the one.
Let’s cut to the chase: pricing starts at $499 in the US for the base model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Need more room for apps, photos, or downloaded movies? The 8GB/256GB version will set you back $599.99. In Canada, the base 8GB/128GB variant is priced at CAD 699.99 (roughly €435). Considering the features packed inside, that’s a very aggressive price tag.
But Motorola is sweetening the deal even further – at least for US shoppers who go directly through the brand’s website. Buy the 256GB model from Motorola US, and you’ll get a Moto Watch, a Moto Tag tracker, and a pair of Moto Buds Loops earphones completely free. That’s a pretty solid bundle for anyone looking to build out their ecosystem without spending extra cash.
Where can you buy the Moto G Stylus (2026)?
If you’re in the US, you’re not limited to Motorola’s own store. The device is also available through:
- Cricket Wireless
- AT&T
- Xfinity Mobile
- Spectrum Mobile
- Optimum Mobile
That means most major prepaid and postpaid carriers are covered. Canadian buyers, meanwhile, will likely find the phone through regional carriers and online retailers – though Motorola Canada’s official site is your safest bet for unlocked versions.
As for style, you can choose between two Pantone-certified finishes: Lavender Mist (a soft, pastel purple) and Coal Smoke (a deep, smoky gray). Both look surprisingly premium for a sub-$500 phone.
Under the hood: Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, up to 256GB storage, and a stylus that actually works
Let’s talk specs, because Motorola didn’t cut corners here. The Moto G Stylus (2026) runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 – a brand-new budget-range chipset that handles daily tasks with ease, from scrolling social media to light gaming. Paired with 8GB of RAM, multitasking feels snappy. And if you opt for the 256GB storage model, you’ve got plenty of space for photos, videos, and apps. But here’s the kicker: you can expand storage up to 1TB via microSD card. Yes, a headphone jack? Not mentioned, but the microSD slot is a win for power users.
The star of the show, of course, is the stylus. It slides neatly into a dedicated silo at the bottom of the phone – just like Motorola’s higher-end G Stylus models from previous years. It’s pressure-sensitive, supports gesture controls, and works great for quick notes, doodling, or editing screenshots. No, it’s not a Galaxy S Ultra-level S Pen, but for $499? It’s more than usable.
Battery and charging: 5,200 mAh with 68W wired speed – and wireless charging?!
Here’s where things get genuinely impressive. The Moto G Stylus (2026) packs a 5,200 mAh battery – that’s easily a full day and a half of moderate use, and probably two days if you’re careful. But the real headline is 68W wired charging. For a budget phone, that’s absurdly fast. We’re talking 0 to 80% in well under 30 minutes.
If you need a powerful charger to take full advantage of that speed, you might want to check out this Anker 140W charger on Amazon – it’s currently going for $64.99 and can juice up not just your phone but also your laptop, tablet, and earbuds simultaneously. (It’s a great investment if you’re tired of slow charging bricks.)
And yes, you read that correctly: 15W wireless charging is also on board. That’s practically unheard of in this price segment. Most budget phones skip wireless charging entirely, so seeing it here – even at “only” 15W – is a pleasant surprise.
Cameras: dual rear setup with 50MP primary
Photography won’t blow you away, but it’s perfectly solid for the price. On the back, you get a 50MP primary camera (likely with pixel-binning for 12.5MP default shots) and a 13MP ultrawide shooter that also handles macro duty. No dedicated telephoto lens, but that’s expected at this price point.
Up front, there’s a 32MP selfie camera tucked into a punch-hole cutout. It’s more than capable for video calls, quick self-portraits, and even decent low-light shots thanks to software processing.
Motorola’s camera app is clean and intuitive, with features like Night Vision, Spot Color, and Dual Capture. Don’t expect Pixel-level computational photography, but for social media and everyday memories, it’ll do just fine.
Display: 120Hz AMOLED – a treat for the eyes
The 6.7-inch AMOLED display runs at a silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Scrolling through Twitter, browsing Reddit, or playing casual games feels incredibly fluid. Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep (thanks to AMOLED), and outdoor visibility is decent thanks to respectable peak brightness. For a $500 phone, this screen punches well above its weight class.
Software and durability: Android 16 out of the box, IP68/IP69 rating
Here’s another shocker: the Moto G Stylus (2026) ships with Android 16. That’s right – Motorola is jumping straight to the latest version of Android (assuming we’re in 2026, of course). You’ll get Motorola’s usual near-stock experience with a few handy additions like Moto Actions (chop for flashlight, twist for camera) and the stylus-specific software suite. Expect at least two major OS updates and three years of security patches.
But the real surprise is IP68 and IP69 ingress protection. IP68 means the phone can survive submersion in fresh water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. IP69? That’s a much rarer certification – it means the device can withstand high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. In plain English: you can drop this thing in the sink, take it in the shower, or even wash it off under a faucet without worrying. For a budget phone with a stylus slot (a potential weak point for water ingress), that’s borderline miraculous.
Other notable features include an in-display fingerprint sensor (optical, but responsive) and support for Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC for contactless payments.
Should you buy the Moto G Stylus (2026)?
If you’re on a budget but refuse to give up features like a high-refresh-rate AMOLED screen, wireless charging, proper water resistance, and a built-in stylus – then yes, absolutely. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 won’t win any speed records, but it’s more than enough for everyday use. And the combination of a 5,200 mAh battery with 68W wired charging is genuinely class-leading.
The freebies for the 256GB model (Moto Watch, Moto Tag, Moto Buds Loops) make that variant a no-brainer if you’re buying from Motorola US directly. Meanwhile, Canadian buyers pay a slight premium (CAD 699.99) but still get the same core experience.
One small caveat: the $499 starting price puts it in direct competition with the Google Pixel 8a, Samsung Galaxy A55, and OnePlus Nord N40. Those phones might have better cameras or longer software support. But none of them have a stylus. None have IP69. And very few offer 68W charging plus wireless charging at this price.
So if you’re a note-taker, a doodler, or just someone who misses the days of the Palm Pilot and wants a pen without paying Galaxy S Ultra money – the Moto G Stylus (2026) is an easy recommendation.
You can grab yours now from Motorola’s official US or Canada websites, or through the carriers listed above. And if you’re grabbing that 256GB model, don’t forget to claim your free watch, tag, and earbuds. For more details, head to Motorola Canada’s official product page.
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