Let me start by saying this: the Moto G Stylus 5G is hands-down the best budget smartphone I've used in years. At around $250, it punches way above its weight class.

The built-in stylus is a game-changer. I've used it to jot down grocery lists during calls, quickly edit photos, and even doodle while waiting in line. The improved precision makes it feel like using a proper digital pen rather than a gimmick.

That 6.7" pOLED display? Gorgeous. Watching Netflix on this with Dolby Atmos is shockingly good for the price point. Colors pop, blacks are deep, and the sound actually comes from all around you - no more cupping your hands to direct audio!

The camera surprised me most. That 50MP sensor with OIS takes legitimately good low-light shots. Are they iPhone quality? No. But for Instagram stories and family pics? More than enough. Pro tip: drop to 12MP for faster shooting - you won't miss those extra pixels.

Battery life is insane. I regularly get through a full day of heavy use (6+ hours screen time) with juice to spare. And when you do need to charge, that 30W TurboPower gives you hours of use in just minutes.

Now the downsides: The buttons do feel a bit cheap (get a case!), software updates might lag behind flagships, and hardcore mobile gamers might want more power. But for everyday use? This thing flies.

Special shoutout to Motorola's Android skin - it's clean, intuitive, and packed with useful gestures (chop for flashlight FTW!). The fingerprint reader works flawlessly even with a screen protector - something my old Pixel struggled with.

Final verdict? If you want flagship features without flagship prices (and dig having a stylus), this is your phone. Just run CPU X tests early to catch any hardware issues during the return window.