Best Phones With a Built-In Stylus (2026): Top Picks + Comparisons
If you’re the kind of person who handwrites notes, annotates PDFs, signs documents, or sketches ideas, you don’t want a “stylus-compatible” phone. You want a stylus-in-the-body (silo) phone—so the pen is always with you, not lost in a bag or stuck in a case.
Want the fast answer? Jump to the picks and choose your tier:
- Flagship (best overall): Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Midrange (best value): Moto G Stylus (2025)
- Budget (often cheapest built-in stylus): Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) / TCL Stylus 5G (if you can find it)
2024's Best Stylus-Equipped Smartphones: Reviews and Comparisons
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Pick | Best for | Price tier |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S25 Ultra | Power users: meetings, PDFs, heavy multitasking | Flagship ($900+) |
| Moto G Stylus | Best value for note-takers + everyday use | Midrange ($300–$600) |
| Moto G Stylus 5G | Cheapest “stylus inside” option (often discounted) | Budget (<$300) |
| TCL Stylus 5G | Ultra-budget stylus phone if found refurbished | Budget (<$300) |
Why “built-in stylus” matters (and what this guide excludes)
This guide is built-in stylus only—meaning the stylus is stored inside the phone’s body.
We exclude (unless clearly labeled) phones where:
- the stylus is sold separately,
- the stylus is stored in a case,
- the stylus is not guaranteed to be carried everywhere with the phone.
Top Picks: Best Built-In Stylus Phones in 2026
1) Best overall (flagship): Galaxy S25 Ultra
If you want the closest thing to the classic “Note-style” experience in 2026, this is it.
Why it’s worth it
- Built-in S Pen is included and stored inside the phone.
- On Samsung’s own comparison materials, the S25 Ultra is positioned around the built-in S Pen as a defining feature.
Watch-outs (important)
- Samsung’s support docs note the S25 Ultra S Pen does not support Air actions (Bluetooth-style remote gestures). If you used those on older models, read this carefully.
Price reality (U.S.)
- Samsung’s U.S. store shows the 256GB model was $1,299.99 (often discounted via promos/trade-ins). Promos change frequently, so treat any current sale price as temporary.
Who should buy it
- Professionals who annotate PDFs, mark up contracts, and want a pen always in the phone
- Students who take handwritten lecture notes and rely on quick capture
- Anyone replacing a “Note-style” device and wants the most premium option
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Built-in S Pen included (stored inside the phone) | S Pen on S25 Ultra does not support Air actions |
| Best for heavy note-taking, PDF markup, and signing documents | Expensive flagship tier pricing |
| Premium flagship performance for multitasking | Large/heavy for some users |
| Strong “Note-style” productivity positioning | Replacement S Pen/accessories can add cost |
- Affiliate placement tip: put your “Buy unlocked” and “Best carrier deals” links right under this section.
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2) Best value (midrange): Moto G Stylus (2025)
This is the sweet spot for most people who want a real built-in stylus phone without flagship pricing.
Why it stands out
- Motorola markets it as an improved, precise, built-in stylus with Moto Note for keeping everything in one place.
- Official price on Motorola’s U.S. product page shows $399.99.
- Motorola’s own newsroom emphasizes the enhanced built-in stylus and creative features (including stylus-centered experiences).
Watch-outs
- Midrange phones usually involve trade-offs (camera consistency, long-term updates, etc.). If your #1 priority is the stylus experience for everyday notes and documents, this is usually a good bargain.
Who should buy it
- People who want stylus-in-the-body note-taking, but don’t want to spend flagship money
- Students and office users who need “write → save → share” workflows
- Anyone who wants an always-available stylus for quick edits and signatures
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Built-in stylus for notes, sketching, and navigation | Not a flagship—expect trade-offs vs premium cameras/performance |
| Strong value around the $399 tier (official MSRP) | Updates/support can vary by model/carrier (typical midrange trade-off) |
| Motorola emphasizes improved stylus responsiveness | Stylus software ecosystem is simpler than Samsung’s |
| Great for students and everyday productivity | Build/feel can be less premium than flagships |
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3) Best budget option (often under $300): Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)
If your goal is “built-in stylus, as cheap as possible,” this older generation can be a strong budget buy.
Why it stands out
- Motorola explicitly positions it as a 5G smartphone with a built-in stylus, highlighting quick note-taking and editing on the go.
Watch-outs
- Since it’s an older model, availability and pricing vary a lot by retailer and carrier promotions.
Who should buy it
- Budget shoppers who still want a silo stylus
- Students who want handwritten notes without paying midrange pricing
- Anyone okay with last-gen trade-offs to save money
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Built-in stylus (stylus-in-the-body convenience) | Older model: features/performance behind newer releases |
| Often discounted—good budget “stylus phone” entry | Availability and price vary widely by retailer/carrier |
| Solid for basic notes, quick edits, and signatures | Typically shorter update runway than flagships |
| Easy to find used/refurb | Camera/display may feel behind newer midrange phones |
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4) Ultra-budget “if you can find it”: TCL Stylus 5G
This is the wildcard: yes, it’s a built-in stylus phone, but it’s often not widely available new.
Why it stands out
- TCL’s own product listing highlights Built-in Stylus and shows it as sold out on the official store (a strong hint you’ll mainly find it via carriers/refurb markets).
- You’ll still see it sold as pre-owned, positioned for stylus tasks like signing documents.
Watch-outs
- Treat this as “best cheap stylus phone when available,” not a guaranteed mainstream 2026 pick.
Who should buy it
- Only if you find a good refurb deal and you’re okay with older hardware
- Users who mainly need the stylus for occasional notes/signatures
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Built-in stylus for ideas, planning, and signing docs | Official TCL listing shows sold out (limited new availability) |
| Budget-friendly if found refurbished/pre-owned | Older hardware profile vs current midrange options |
| Large display helps with handwriting/PDFs | Support/update expectations may be modest |
| Simple “cheap stylus phone” option when available | Best as a deal-find, not a guaranteed 2026 pick |
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Which one should you buy?
Use this quick decision guide:
Buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra if…
- You want the best overall stylus phone and you’ll actually use it weekly
- You want a premium, “Note-style” experience in 2026
Buy the Moto G Stylus if…
- You want maximum value: built-in stylus + modern midrange feel
- You want a stylus phone around the $399 level (before promos)
Buy the Moto G Stylus 5G if…
- Price is the #1 factor and you just need the stylus always with you
Consider the TCL Stylus 5G if…
- You find a solid pre-owned deal and you accept the “availability” trade-off
What to look for in a built-in stylus phone (so you don’t regret it)
1) Silo + reliability
A built-in stylus phone lives or dies on “always there, always works.” If the pen is separate, you’ll forget it.
2) Note workflow
You want fast access to:
- quick notes (lock screen / instant launch)
- PDF annotation
- export/share (image/PDF/text)
3) Trade-offs you should expect
- Budget stylus phones are often “stylus-first,” not camera-first.
- Flagships cost more, but you get the most refined all-around device.
If you want a phone where the pen is always
available, focus on true built-in stylus (silo)
models, not “stylus-supported” alternatives. For the
most complete Note-style experience in 2026, the Galaxy
S25 Ultra is the top flagship pick. If you want the best
balance of price and everyday productivity, the Moto G
Stylus is the smart value choice. Budget shoppers should
look for discounted older Moto G Stylus models. Choose based on
how often you write, annotate, and sign documents.
FAQ
❓ Does the Galaxy S25 Ultra come with an S Pen?
❓ Does the S25 Ultra S Pen support Air actions?
❓ What’s the best cheap phone with a built-in stylus?
❓ What’s the best value built-in stylus phone for most people?
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