Tracfone Moto G Stylus 2025 (XT2517V) Smartphone Review
With a vivid 6.7" AMOLED display, Stereo speakers, fast charging speed, and some of the more impressive specs seen in a Moto G phone to date, the new Stylus is an exciting new phone available both unlocked and from Tracfone.
As the latest flagship in Motorola's affordable G-series lineup, the 2025 Stylus is available from Tracfone at a subsidized price which makes it even more enticing. The Stylus lineup has been very popular over the years for both the solid, mid-level features as well as the built-in stylus.
Tracfone has released a number of new budget phone options in 2025, including the Moto G Power and Samsung Galaxy A36 5G, and we will compare the new Stylus to these phones. Keep up with all the new devices in our latest list of Tracfone Smartphones.
Let’s dive into the details and see what it offers.
Moto G Stylus 2025 Pros:
- Large AMOLED display with 1220p resolution
- Excellent durability ratings
- 68W wired and 15W wireless charging
- 4K video recording (front and rear)
- 8GB RAM and microSD card support
- Stereo speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack
Moto G Stylus 2025 Cons:
- Only two major Android updates
- Battery can drain quickly
- Only 128GB storage on Tracfone version
Motorola has included a number of good features with the 2025 Stylus including the upgraded screen which has exceptional brightness for a phone in this price range. Along with that we see wireless charging, 4K video recording and even a 3.5mm headphone jack.
The Moto G Stylus is still held up by Motorola's limited update policy of just 2 major OS updates, as some users may want to keep a device for more than a couple years. And it also appears that the Tracfone version of the Stylus only includes 128GB storage, while the unlocked has 256GB.
Let's take a look at all of the features for the new Stylus.
Moto G Stylus 2025 Features and Specs:
Display: 6.7" pOLED, 120Hz, 1220 x 2712 pixels (~444 ppi), HDR, Gorilla Glass 3
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4nm)
RAM & Storage: 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Operating System: Android 15, with two major Android upgrades
Main Camera: 50MP (wide, OIS) + 13MP (ultrawide)
Front Camera: 32MP (wide), 4K video support
Battery: 5000mAh, 68W wired charging, 15W wireless charging
Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 6E (tri-band), Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, Nano-SIM + eSIM
Security: Under-display optical fingerprint sensor
Durability: IP68 water and dust resistant, MIL-STD-810H compliant
Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, 3.5mm headphone jack, Hi-Res audio (24-bit/192kHz)
Special Feature: Built-in stylus with stylus apps support
Additional features from Tracfone include LTE/5G network access on Verizon's network, no-contract service, data carryover and a variety of flexible plans. When purchasing a Tracfone device, it comes locked to Tracfone, but is automatically unlocked after two months. Follow our Guide to Unlocking your Tracfone Smartphone if you run into any issues.
A big benefit of purchasing the Moto G Stylus from Tracfone is the subsidized price which is significantly lower than the unlocked retail price. We will go over the best options for buying this phone later on, but first, let's get to our review.
Moto G Stylus 2025 Review
Design and Build
This year’s Stylus model features a premium eco-leather back, Gorilla Glass 3 front, and a durable plastic frame. It comes with an IP68 rating and meets MIL-STD-810H compliance, making it much tougher than earlier models. These durability ratings offer peace of mind to protect the phone from accidents, and should probably not be put to the test.
Stereo speakers are a nice feature in this price range, and a big surprise is the 3.5mm headphone jack. The Moto G Power 2025 also includes both of these features, as well as similar design and durability ratings.
At 191g, the phone feels solid but still comfortable in hand. The built-in stylus has a space in the bottom of the device, and Motorola includes several useful apps optimized for stylus use.
For security, the phone includes a in-screen fingerprint sensor.
Display
The standout feature is the 6.7" pOLED display with a crisp 1220 x 2712 resolution (~444 ppi) and fast, 120Hz refresh rate. With support for HDR and measured brightness over 1800 nits, it easily competes with premium smartphones when it comes to viewing experience.
Compared to the 720p display on the standard Moto G, this is a major leap in both sharpness and vibrancy, and outperforms most phones in this price range.
The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G also includes a beautiful screen, but has a lower resolution compared to the Stylus.
Performance and Software
Under the hood, the Moto G Stylus 2025 uses the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. This combination provides excellent responsiveness for daily use, multitasking, and even moderate gaming. The Snapdragon processor is a mid-level chip, with a balance between performance, efficiency and cost.
Storage can also be expanded with a microSD card, which is a big plus for most users, and something we don't always see included on new phones.
Running Android 15 out of the box, Motorola promises two major OS upgrades. While that’s good for a budget phone, it still trails Samsung’s much longer update policy. Motorola also includes 3 years of security updates. This basically gives the Stylus a roughly 3 year lifespan, as once security updates stop, the phone begins to be more vulnerable to potential security issues.
The Moto G Stylus is very comparable to the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G (also available from Tracfone) and they share the same processor, while the Stylus incudes 2GB more RAM compared to the A36, which is a noticeable improvement for multitasking.
Cameras
The Stylus comes with a dual rear camera setup that includes a 50MP main sensor with OIS and a 13MP ultrawide lens. Photos are detailed and sharp, with improved low-light performance. While the cameras are a step up from other Motorola budget devices, they still don't keep up with what Samsung, Google and Apple are achieving in terms of camera performance. The A36 from Samsung comes with improved camera performance at a similar price point.
We do get 4K video support on the Stylus, for both the front and rear sensors, and this is a feature not found on other Moto G series devices.
The 32MP front camera is one of the best in Motorola’s budget line, and does an adequate job capturing good selfies and videos. For creative users, this is a good option from Tracfone, although Samsung's offerings are generally an improvement.
Battery Life and Charging
The 5000mAh battery delivers reliable all-day use, and Motorola now includes 68W fast wired charging and 15W wireless charging support. This makes the Stylus 2025 one of the fastest-charging budget phones available.
While Motorola claims up to 30 hours battery life, but real world tests are showing much less. This is likely due in part to the extra bright high resolution screen which will sap the battery quickly. Fortunately, both the fast wired charging and available wireless charging will make it easy to keep topped up.
Final Thoughts
For Tracfone users wanting a 'premium' experience at a lower price, the Moto G Stylus 2025 is a great upgrade. It offers a sharp, vibrant display, good cameras, fast charging, and a durable build, along with the added utility of a stylus.
It's a big step up from the standard Moto G or even the Moto G Power, especially for users who want more performance, and creative features. That being said, the Moto G Power includes many of the same features, at a more reasonable price.
Compared to the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G, the Stylus 2025 stands out with its built-in stylus, rugged IP68 and MIL-STD-810H durability, wireless charging, and high-quality 6.7" display with 1220p resolution. The A36 also features an impressive 6.7" SuperAMOLED display, but only at 1080p resolution. For performance, both phones have the same Snapdragon processor, but the Stylus includes 2GB more RAM, and the option for external storage. The Galaxy A36 beats out the Stylus with longer software support (likely 4 years of OS updates), a sleeker design with Samsung’s ecosystem integration, and a more refined camera experience, though it lacks stylus input and wireless charging. Both have strong performance and displays, but the Moto G Stylus offers a few specific features some users may want, and has a lower retail price from Tracfone, while the A36 focuses on long-term reliability and user experience.
While its price is higher than many Tracfone devices, it delivers excellent value and features, especially for the price from Tracfone.
Where to Buy the Moto G Stylus 2025
Get the Tracfone version (phone only) of the Moto G Stylus 2025 from Tracfone for $219.
For the Unlocked version of the Moto G Stylus, shop on Amazon starting at $399
Overall, the 2025 Stylus is a well-rounded budget smartphone that offers a handful of high-end features at a reasonable price. It’s a great option for Tracfone users as the subsidized price is significantly lower than the unlocked version.
Get the Moto G Stylus User Manual to learn more about the device and how to setup your phone.
That concludes our review of the Moto G Stylus. Please leave a comment below with your thoughts or questions.
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Join us over on Facebook for the latest news and posts or send us a message for more direct help questions.
If you're shopping around for other plans, take a look at the Best Alternatives to Tracfone.
Take a look at some of our recent posts, including a Guide for Making your Airtime Last Longer and Everything you Need to Know about Data Cards.
And don't miss out on the best Tracfone Deals, Discounts and Sales!
Thanks for visiting!
