Motorola has announced the 2025 edition of its Moto G Stylus, a budget-oriented smartphone that boasts a range of impressive upgrades while maintaining an affordable price tag of $399. The new device comes in two bold blue colors, "Gibraltar Sea" and a lighter blue variant, both featuring a "leather-inspired" back panel finish.

One of the most significant upgrades is the inclusion of a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, which Motorola claims provides a "6.4x improved responsiveness" compared to its predecessor. Additionally, the phone now features full IP68 resistance against water immersion, a significant improvement over the water-repellant design of previous models.

The Moto G Stylus 2025 also retains a headphone jack, a rare feature in modern smartphones. The device boasts a large 6.7-inch OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 2712 x 1220. The main camera uses a Sony Lytia 50-megapixel sensor, accompanied by a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens that offers macro photography capabilities.

Other notable features include a sizable 5,000mAh battery with up to 68W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, as well as 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage. The phone runs Android 15 out of the box, a welcome update for those seeking the latest software experience.

While the Moto G Stylus 2025's specs sheet is impressive, some may be cautious due to Motorola's history of midrange phones with infrequent software updates and bloatware. The company has not responded to questions about bloatware on the new device, leaving some uncertainty about its long-term performance.

The Motorola G Stylus 2025 will be available unlocked starting April 17th, with availability at all three major US carriers expected in the coming months. With its robust feature set and attractive design, the phone is poised to be a strong contender in the budget smartphone market.

As the smartphone landscape continues to evolve, the Moto G Stylus 2025's focus on practicality and affordability may appeal to consumers seeking a reliable device without breaking the bank. However, only time will tell if Motorola can deliver on its promises and provide a seamless user experience.