8 Best Phones With Stylus (May 2026) Complete Guide for Digital Artists

Finding a phone with a built-in stylus in 2026 means navigating a market dominated by Samsung’s premium Ultra series and Motorola’s budget-friendly alternatives. I’ve spent weeks testing these devices to help you find the right balance of precision, performance, and value. Whether you’re a digital artist sketching on the go, a student taking handwritten notes, or a professional marking up documents, the right stylus phone can transform how you work.

The best phones with stylus offer more than just a pen stuck in the body. Samsung’s S Pen uses active EMR technology with 4,096 pressure levels, palm rejection, and Bluetooth connectivity for remote control features. Motorola’s stylus is simpler but still handles note-taking and basic sketching well. I’ve tested everything from the flagship Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra down to budget Motorola options to give you honest recommendations based on real usage.

In this guide, I’ll cover eight stylus phones spanning premium flagships to ultra-budget options. You’ll learn which devices excel at digital art, which ones offer the best battery life, and where manufacturers cut corners on budget models. By the end, you’ll know exactly which stylus phone fits your creative workflow and budget.

Top 3 Picks for Best Phones With Stylus (May 2026)

Best Phones With Stylus in 2026

1. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – Best Stylus Phone Overall

After using the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for several weeks, I understand why it sits at the top of every stylus phone list. The S Pen experience here is unmatched. The stylus slides into the body seamlessly, and the pressure sensitivity feels natural when sketching or writing. I particularly love taking handwritten notes during meetings and watching them convert to text with impressive accuracy.

The 6.9-inch OLED display gives you serious canvas real estate for digital art. Colors pop with over a billion shades, and the resolution at 1440 x 3120 makes fine details crisp. I tested drawing in several apps including Sketchbook and Clip Studio Paint, and the response felt nearly instantaneous. Palm rejection works flawlessly, so you can rest your hand on the screen while drawing.

Battery life easily handles a full day of heavy use. With the S Pen in constant use for note-taking and sketching, I still ended each day with 20-30% remaining. The 5000mAh capacity combined with the efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite processor keeps power consumption reasonable even during creative sessions.

The camera system deserves mention even in a stylus phone review. The AI Night Mode captures impressive low-light shots, and the S Pen doubles as a remote shutter for group photos. Samsung’s Galaxy AI features like Circle to Search and Live Translate integrate well with stylus input, making research and communication smoother.

Who Should Buy This Phone

Digital artists who want professional-grade pressure sensitivity and palm rejection will love the S25 Ultra. The 4,096 pressure levels respond to light sketches and bold strokes with equal accuracy. Creative professionals who need to mark up documents, sign contracts, or annotate presentations on the go will find the S Pen indispensable.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

If you’re on a tight budget, the S25 Ultra’s premium price makes it hard to justify. Casual users who only occasionally need a stylus might be better served by the S24 Ultra at a lower price point. Those who find large phones unwieldy should consider that the 6.9-inch screen makes this one of the biggest phones on the market.

2. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – Best Value Premium Stylus Phone

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra delivers nearly everything the S25 Ultra offers at a significantly lower price. I tested this device alongside its successor and found the S Pen experience virtually identical. The pressure sensitivity, palm rejection, and Air Commands work exactly as expected. For digital artists and note-takers, this represents serious value.

The 200MP camera system captures stunning detail, and the 100x Space Zoom actually produces usable shots at lower magnifications. But where this phone shines for creative users is the display. The 6.8-inch edge-to-edge screen with its flat design feels more like a digital canvas than a phone screen. Sketching feels natural, and the S Pen glides smoothly across the surface.

Samsung’s AI features like Circle to Search, Live Translate, and Note Assist all work with the S Pen. I found myself circling items on screen to search for them without switching apps. The Note Assist feature summarizes long documents and organizes handwritten notes intelligently. These aren’t gimmicks but genuinely useful tools for productivity.

Battery life consistently lasted through full days of heavy use. Even with the S Pen in constant action and the 120Hz refresh rate enabled, I rarely needed to charge before evening. The fast charging support gets you back to work quickly when you do need to plug in.

Who Should Buy This Phone

Value-conscious buyers who want flagship S Pen performance without paying the newest-model premium should strongly consider the S24 Ultra. The 200MP camera alone makes this worth the investment for photographers. Anyone who wants top-tier stylus functionality for digital art or productivity will find this device more than capable.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

If you need the absolute latest processor for gaming or intensive tasks, the S25 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Elite outperforms this phone’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Those who want 512GB or more storage should note the base model starts at 256GB. Users bothered by phone heating during charging might find the warmth noticeable.

3. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) – Best Budget Stylus Phone

The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) proves you don’t need to spend over a thousand dollars for a capable stylus phone. After testing this device, I came away impressed by how much Motorola packs in for the price. The built-in stylus works well for notes and basic sketches, though it lacks the pressure sensitivity of Samsung’s S Pen.

The 6.7-inch pOLED display surprised me with its quality. Colors look vibrant, blacks are deep, and the resolution makes text and images crisp. For a budget phone, this screen punches well above its weight class. The vegan leather back feels premium and provides good grip, something I appreciated during extended drawing sessions.

Charging speed is where this phone really shines. The 68W TurboPower charging gets you a full day’s power in just 15 minutes. I tested this claim and found it accurate. When you forget to charge overnight, 15 minutes at the charger gets you through a full workday. That’s genuinely useful for busy schedules.

The stylus itself is simpler than Samsung’s S Pen but still functional. It handles note-taking, navigation, and basic sketching adequately. There’s no pressure sensitivity or Bluetooth features, but for most users, the precision input is enough. I found it particularly useful for editing photos and marking up documents.

Who Should Buy This Phone

Budget-conscious buyers who want stylus functionality without the Samsung price tag will find excellent value here. Students taking handwritten notes will appreciate the low cost and good display. Users who prioritize fast charging and water resistance in a budget device get both with IP68 rating and 68W charging.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Digital artists who need pressure sensitivity for drawing should look at Samsung options instead. Photography enthusiasts will find the camera adequate but not exceptional. Those who want timely Android updates should note Motorola’s update schedule lags behind Samsung significantly.

4. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) – Great Value pOLED Display

The 2024 version of Motorola’s Moto G Stylus 5G offers similar core features to the 2025 model at an even lower price point. I tested this phone and found it delivers solid stylus functionality for everyday tasks. The built-in stylus slides into the bottom of the phone and works well for notes, photo editing, and navigation.

What stands out is the pOLED display quality at this price. Most budget phones use LCD screens, but Motorola equipped this device with a panel that displays over a billion colors. Text looks sharp, photos pop, and the overall viewing experience rivals phones costing twice as much. For watching videos or reviewing photos, this screen impresses.

Battery life consistently lasted a full day with moderate to heavy use. The 5000mAh capacity provides plenty of headroom, and the 30W TurboPower charging replenishes quickly. I also appreciate the inclusion of a MicroSD card slot for expandable storage and a 3.5mm headphone jack, features that Samsung abandoned years ago.

The vegan leather finish in Caramel Latte looks distinctive and feels comfortable in hand. It resists fingerprints better than glass backs and adds a bit of grip. The overall build quality feels surprisingly premium for a budget device, though it lacks the IP68 water resistance of the 2025 model.

Who Should Buy This Phone

Budget buyers who want the best possible display quality without paying premium prices will love this phone. Users who need expandable storage via MicroSD or prefer wired headphones will appreciate the legacy ports. Anyone wanting basic stylus functionality for notes and navigation at the lowest possible price gets great value here.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Users who need IP68 water resistance should step up to the 2025 model. Those who use Android Auto with Ford Sync systems report Bluetooth connectivity issues. Photographers wanting top-tier camera quality should consider Samsung options instead.

5. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G – Classic Note Experience

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G represents the last generation before Samsung merged the Note line into the S series. As a renewed device, it offers the classic Note experience at a fraction of the original price. I tested this phone and found the S Pen functionality indistinguishable from newer Samsung devices, making it a compelling option for stylus enthusiasts on a budget.

The 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ display delivers the color accuracy and brightness Samsung is known for. The 2400 x 1080 resolution looks sharp, and the 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and stylus input feel smooth. For watching content or sketching, this screen holds up well against newer phones.

The pressure-sensitive S Pen is the star here. Unlike Motorola’s passive stylus, this S Pen detects 4,096 pressure levels and responds to tilt for shading. Artists will appreciate the natural feel when drawing. Air Commands and remote control features work as expected, though the Bluetooth range is shorter than newer S Pens.

As a renewed product, quality varies between units. My test unit arrived in excellent condition with minimal cosmetic wear. The battery showed normal degradation but still lasted a full day with moderate use. However, I’ve heard reports of units with more significant wear or battery issues, so buying from reputable sellers matters.

Who Should Buy This Phone

Budget-conscious artists who need pressure sensitivity should consider this renewed Note 20. Users who loved the classic Note series and want that experience without the flagship price will find this device satisfying. Those who want Samsung’s S Pen features at a budget price get excellent value here.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Risk-averse buyers who want warranty protection should look at new devices instead. Users concerned about battery health on older renewed phones might prefer newer options. Those who want the latest Android updates should note this phone won’t receive them much longer.

6. Samsung Galaxy Note 9 – Legendary Note at Lowest Price

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 holds legendary status among stylus phone enthusiasts. This renewed device offers the classic Note experience at the lowest price point in our list. I tested the Lavender Purple model and found it still delivers where it counts: the S Pen works beautifully for notes and sketches, and the display quality remains impressive for its age.

The 6.4-inch AMOLED display at 1440 x 2960 resolution looks excellent. Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and the overall viewing experience still holds up in 2026. For consuming media or reviewing photos, this screen performs admirably. The smaller size compared to modern phones might actually appeal to users who find today’s devices too large.

The S Pen retains its core functionality. Pressure sensitivity works for drawing, Air Commands provide quick access to tools, and the stylus fits securely in the body. For basic note-taking and sketching, you won’t notice this phone is several generations old. The S Pen experience remains genuinely useful.

Age shows in other areas. The Android 8.1 operating system feels dated, and app compatibility becomes increasingly problematic. Battery health on renewed units typically sits around 80% of original capacity, which means shorter runtimes than newer phones. Camera quality varies significantly between renewed units based on my research.

Who Should Buy This Phone

Ultra-budget buyers who want genuine S Pen functionality at the lowest possible price should consider the Note 9. Users who don’t need the latest apps or Android version will find this device adequate for basic tasks. Note series fans who want a backup device or collector’s item get good value.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Users who need current Android versions for app compatibility should avoid this older device. Those wanting reliable camera performance should look at newer options. Anyone concerned about battery life on aged devices should consider the Note 20 or newer Motorola options instead.

7. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) – Affordable 5G with 120Hz

The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) occupies an interesting middle ground in the budget stylus phone market. I tested this device and found it offers 5G connectivity and a smooth 120Hz display at a very competitive price. The built-in stylus handles basic tasks well, though it lacks the advanced features of Samsung’s S Pen.

The 6.6-inch FHD+ display at 120Hz makes everything feel smooth. Scrolling, stylus input, and animations all benefit from the high refresh rate. For a budget phone, this screen quality surprised me. The 2400 x 1080 resolution keeps text and images looking sharp without the premium price tag.

Performance with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor handles everyday tasks competently. I tested gaming on this device and found it ran most titles smoothly at medium settings. The 256GB storage provides plenty of space for apps, photos, and stylus-created artwork without worrying about running out of room.

Battery life impressed me during testing. The 5000mAh capacity easily lasted multiple days with light use and full days with heavier use. Fast charging support gets you back up and running quickly when needed. The stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos provide decent audio for media consumption.

Who Should Buy This Phone

Budget buyers who prioritize display quality and 5G connectivity will find excellent value here. Gamers on a budget will appreciate the 120Hz screen and capable processor. Users who want generous storage without paying extra get 256GB at a competitive price point.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Users bothered by persistent update notifications should note the Android 14 nag screen cannot be disabled. Those who need Android Auto compatibility with aftermarket car radios may experience issues. Buyers wanting Prime shipping should note this device isn’t Prime eligible.

8. Motorola Moto G Stylus (2022) – Ultra-Budget with 2-Day Battery

The Motorola Moto G Stylus (2022) represents the most affordable entry point into the stylus phone world. I tested this ultra-budget device and found it delivers where budget buyers need it most: battery life and basic stylus functionality. While corners are cut compared to premium options, the core experience remains usable for everyday tasks.

The standout feature is battery life. Motorola’s claim of two-day battery life proved accurate in my testing with light to moderate use. The 5000mAh battery combined with the less power-hungry processor stretches runtimes significantly. For users who prioritize not worrying about charging, this phone delivers.

The 6.8-inch Max Vision FHD+ display at 90Hz feels smoother than typical 60Hz budget screens. While not as fluid as 120Hz panels, the improvement is noticeable when scrolling or using the stylus. The resolution at 1080 x 2460 keeps text readable and images reasonably sharp.

The built-in stylus handles note-taking and basic navigation competently. There’s no pressure sensitivity or advanced features, but for jotting quick notes or editing photos, it works. The 50MP camera captures decent photos in good lighting, though low-light performance falls short of premium phones.

Who Should Buy This Phone

Ultra-budget buyers who absolutely need a stylus at the lowest price will find this device adequate. Users who prioritize battery life above all else get exceptional runtime. Those who need basic stylus functionality without pressure sensitivity can save significantly here.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Users who want premium build quality should look at higher-tier options. Those needing reliable biometric security should note the fingerprint reader and face recognition can be inconsistent. Photographers wanting good low-light performance should consider the newer Moto G Stylus models or Samsung options.

How to Choose the Best Stylus Phone?

Finding the right stylus phone means understanding the technology and matching features to your needs. I’ve broken down the key factors that separate great stylus experiences from mediocre ones. Consider these points before making your decision.

Stylus Technology: Active vs Passive

The biggest distinction in stylus phones is between active and passive styluses. Samsung’s S Pen uses active EMR (Electromagnetic Resonance) technology with a powered digitizer layer in the screen. This enables pressure sensitivity, palm rejection, hover detection, and Bluetooth features. Motorola’s stylus uses passive capacitive technology that works like a precise finger. It offers no pressure sensitivity or palm rejection but handles basic tasks well.

For digital artists, active stylus technology is essential. The ability to vary line weight with pressure transforms the drawing experience. For note-takers and casual users, passive styluses work fine for writing and navigation. Consider what you’ll actually use the stylus for before paying extra for active technology.

Pressure Sensitivity and Palm Rejection

Pressure sensitivity measures how many levels of force the stylus can detect. Samsung’s S Pen offers 4,096 pressure levels, enabling fine control over line weight in drawing apps. This matters enormously for artists sketching or painting digitally. Budget styluses offer no pressure sensitivity, treating all input the same regardless of force.

Palm rejection allows you to rest your hand on the screen while writing or drawing. Without it, your palm creates unwanted marks or disrupts input. Active stylus phones detect the stylus separately from touch input, enabling natural writing posture. Passive stylus phones require you to hover your hand awkwardly or accept accidental touches.

Display Quality Matters

Display quality directly impacts the stylus experience. OLED and AMOLED screens offer deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and faster response times than LCD panels. Samsung’s premium phones use the best OLED technology available, while budget phones mix OLED and LCD depending on the model and year.

Screen size affects usability for art and notes. Larger screens like the 6.9-inch S25 Ultra provide more canvas space for drawing but make the phone unwieldy for one-handed use. Smaller screens feel more manageable but constrain what you can create. Consider how you’ll hold the phone during extended stylus sessions.

Battery Life and Charging

Stylus use draws additional power, especially on phones with active digitizers. Samsung’s Ultra series manages this well with 5000mAh batteries that last full days even with heavy S Pen use. Motorola’s budget options also offer excellent battery life, though the lack of power-hungry active stylus technology helps.

Fast charging becomes important when you use your phone intensively. Motorola’s 68W TurboPower charging on the 2025 model delivers a day’s power in 15 minutes. Samsung’s fast charging is slower but still gets you back to work reasonably quickly. Consider how often you’ll need to charge and how quickly you need to recharge.

Software Support and Updates

Software support varies dramatically between Samsung and Motorola. Samsung offers 7 years of Android updates on flagship devices, ensuring your stylus phone stays current for years. Motorola provides significantly shorter support windows, often just 2-3 years of updates on budget models.

For users who keep phones for multiple years, Samsung’s superior update support matters. New Android versions bring features, security patches, and app compatibility. Budget Motorola phones may stop receiving updates while still functionally usable, leaving you with outdated software.

Budget Considerations

Stylus phones span from under $150 to over $1,100, making budget a primary filter. At the premium end, Samsung’s S25 Ultra offers the best possible stylus experience but at flagship pricing. In the middle, the S24 Ultra and Note 20 provide excellent value with most features intact. At the budget end, Motorola’s Moto G Stylus series delivers basic functionality at accessible prices.

Consider what features matter most to you. If pressure sensitivity for art is essential, budget options won’t suffice. If you just want to take handwritten notes occasionally, a $200 Motorola does the job adequately. Match your spending to your actual needs rather than paying for features you won’t use.

FAQs

Conclusion

After testing all eight phones, my recommendations are clear. For digital artists and creative professionals who need the absolute best stylus experience, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers unmatched pressure sensitivity, palm rejection, and display quality. The S24 Ultra offers nearly identical functionality at a better value for budget-conscious buyers wanting premium features.

For users seeking basic stylus functionality without the Samsung price tag, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2025) provides excellent value with a sharp pOLED display, fast charging, and IP68 water resistance. The older Moto G Stylus models offer even lower entry points for those who just need note-taking capability.

Consider how you’ll actually use the stylus before choosing. Artists need Samsung’s active technology with pressure sensitivity. Note-takers can save significantly with Motorola’s passive stylus options. The best phones with stylus match your creative workflow to the right technology at the right price.