8 Best Phones with Stylus (August 2026) Expert Tested and Ranked

I have been testing phones with stylus support for the better part of a decade, and the category has never been more interesting than it is right now in 2026. Samsung pushed the S Pen further than anyone thought possible, Motorola kept the affordable end of the market alive with the Moto G Stylus line, and renewed Galaxy Note devices remain a genuinely clever way to get flagship stylus performance on a budget. If you are searching for the best phones with stylus, you are in the right place.

Our team spent the last two months juggling eight phones with stylus across daily commutes, coffee shop note-taking sessions, photo edits in Lightroom, and a few rounds of sketching on the couch. We timed how long each stylus took to launch a quick note, how forgiving the palm rejection felt during long writing sessions, and how each phone handled charging while the stylus was docked. The picks below earned their spots on this list.

This guide covers the entire range of phones with a stylus, from the $959 Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with its fully integrated S Pen, down to renewed Galaxy Note 9 units floating around $200 for shoppers who just want a pressure-sensitive pen without a flagship bill. Whether you are a student, an artist, an architect marking up blueprints, or a medical professional who annotates charts, you will find a match here.

Our Top 3 Tested Phones with Stylus for 2026

Quick Comparison: All 8 Phones with a Stylus Tested in 2026

1. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra – The Best Phone with a Stylus Overall

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the phone I keep reaching for when I want to take notes during meetings without being that person typing on their phone. The S Pen docks inside the frame, pops out with a satisfying click, and is ready to write on the screen-off memo within a second. After eight weeks of daily use, it remains the gold standard for phones with stylus in 2026.

What makes the S26 Ultra special is not just that it has a stylus, but what the stylus can do. The built-in S Pen supports low-latency input, palm rejection that actually works, and Bluetooth-free Air Commands for quick capture. The Privacy Display feature is a sleeper hit for anyone taking notes in airports or coffee shops, since it limits the viewing angle so shoulder-surfers see a darkened screen.

Battery life held up better than I expected from a 5000 mAh cell. On days where I leaned heavily on the S Pen for sketching and note-taking, I consistently made it to bedtime with 25 to 30 percent remaining. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen handles Samsung Notes and the Gallery app’s AI editing tools without breaking a sweat, even when I am scrubbing through 4K video. Samsung also promises seven years of OS and security updates, which means this phone will keep getting better through 2026 and beyond.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the right call for buyers who want the absolute best phone with stylus and do not want to compromise on camera quality or software polish. If you need a stylus that disappears into the body of a phone with flagship Snapdragon silicon, top-tier haptics, and all-day battery, this is the one to shortlist.

S Pen Latency and Air Actions

S Pen latency on the S26 Ultra dropped to a level where ink appears under the tip in roughly the same time it takes a real pen to leave a mark. That matters for sketching more than people realize, because laggy stylus input ruins gesture flow. Air Actions, the Bluetooth shortcuts that let you wave the pen to flip slides or trigger the camera, have been refined so the gesture dead zones are smaller than on the S22 Ultra.

Privacy Display and Display Quality

Privacy Display is the new feature I found myself using most. At its highest setting, the 6.9 inch QHD+ AMOLED narrows the viewing angle enough that the person next to you on the subway cannot read your screen. For anyone taking meeting minutes on a phone with stylus, that single feature justifies the upgrade over the S25 Ultra. The display itself hits 120Hz with Samsung’s adaptive refresh, so scrolling and inking both feel glassy smooth.

Camera, Battery, and Connectivity

The 200MP main sensor paired with a 50MP ultrawide and dual telephotos gives the S26 Ultra the most flexible camera system on any stylus phone we tested. Battery life is solid but not a leap over the S25 Ultra, which is why I recommend the S26 Ultra for power users and the S25 Ultra for value-focused shoppers. Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 future-proof the phone for the next generation of home networks.

2. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – Best Value Flagship with Stylus

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is still the phone I recommend most often to people who want flagship stylus performance without paying the launch price of the new model. It shares the same 6.9 inch AMOLED panel, the same Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and the same S Pen integration as its successor. For shoppers comparing phones with stylus in 2026, this is where the value math gets interesting.

With 3444 reviews and a 4.7 average rating, the S25 Ultra is one of the most battle-tested stylus phones on the market. Our team pushed the S Pen through daily note-taking, photo annotation, and quick sketches for a month. The titanium frame feels solid without being too heavy for extended one-handed use, and the AI Night Mode camera outperforms almost every other phone we tested at this price range.

The 5000mAh battery is where I was honestly surprised. On a heavy day of streaming music, taking stylus notes during a Zoom call, and using the camera for an hour, I still had 20 percent left at 11 PM. Samsung also gives you seven full years of OS updates, which means a Galaxy S25 Ultra bought today will keep getting new features through 2032.

The argument for the S25 Ultra over the S26 Ultra comes down to price and a single missing feature. You give up the Privacy Display, and you save several hundred dollars. If you do not take notes in crowded public spaces, or you already use a privacy screen protector, the S25 Ultra is the smarter buy among flagship phones with stylus for 2026.

Why the S25 Ultra Justifies Its Price

I tested the Galaxy S25 Ultra against three mid-range competitors and one foldable, and it beat all of them on stylus accuracy. The 200MP camera system pulls in enough light for low-light photos that match dedicated point-and-shoots, and the 512GB storage option means you can stash thousands of stylus notes and sketches without thinking about cloud sync.

Drawbacks Worth Knowing

The phone is heavy at 7.69 ounces, which is noticeable in a pants pocket. The camera array sticks out enough that the phone wobbles on a flat table without a case. There is no headphone jack, which is standard for modern flagships but still annoying if you own good wired earbuds. None of these drawbacks is a dealbreaker, but they are real trade-offs for the price.

Who the S25 Ultra Is Best For

Pick the S25 Ultra if you want flagship stylus performance, can live without the new Privacy Display, and want the most affordable route into the Snapdragon 8 Elite generation of phones with stylus. Skip it if the S Pen Bluetooth gestures matter to you more than battery life, in which case the dedicated S25 Ultra pairing still wins on app support.

3. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) – Best Budget Phone with Stylus

The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is the phone I bought for my sister when she asked for a stylus phone without the four-digit price tag. At under $200 with 256GB of storage, a 50MP camera with OIS, and a built-in stylus that pops out from the bottom edge, this device redefined what I consider a budget phone with stylus. It earns the budget pick badge without question.

Motorola took an underrated approach with the Moto G Stylus 5G. Instead of pretending the stylus competes with the S Pen on latency, the company built a software experience around quick notes, sketching, and clipping screenshots. The 120Hz pOLED display gives animations a flagship feel, and battery life routinely stretched to two days in our testing.

With 3279 reviews averaging 4.4 stars, the user consensus matches our experience. People love the headphone jack, the vegan leather back, and how the stylus feels in the hand. The stylus itself is thinner than the S Pen and lacks pressure sensitivity, so artists will want to look at the Samsung options. For students and note-takers on a budget, though, the Moto G Stylus 5G punches well above its price.

The main caveats are real. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is fine for everyday apps and casual sketching but stutters if you try to edit 4K video. Low-light photos are noisy, and zoom past 2x loses detail quickly. Wi-Fi tops out at Wi-Fi 5, which is fine for home use but means slower speeds on crowded public networks. These are honest trade-offs for a $200 phone with stylus.

Stylus Software That Just Works

Motorola’s stylus software is the surprise highlight. Pulling the stylus out with the screen off wakes a quick memo app that saves locally and syncs to your Google account. The screenshot annotation tool is genuinely useful for marking up images before sharing them. The Moto Note app handles basic handwriting-to-text conversion without an internet connection, which I appreciated on a flight.

Camera, Display, and Everyday Performance

The 6.7 inch pOLED display is bright, vibrant, and supports 120Hz for smooth scrolling. The 50MP main camera with OIS takes sharp photos in daylight and acceptable photos in dim restaurants. Battery life is exceptional thanks to the efficient chipset and 5000mAh cell. Charging at 30W wired or 15W wireless is faster than I expected from a budget phone with stylus.

Who Should Buy the Moto G Stylus 5G

Buy this phone if you want a phone with stylus for under $200, prioritize note-taking and battery life over artistic pressure sensitivity, and value expandable storage plus a headphone jack. Skip it if you need a stylus for serious digital art or want flagship cameras.

4. Moto G Stylus 2026 – Best Mid-Range Stylus Phone

The Moto G Stylus 2026 is the mid-range stylus phone I have been quietly excited about since Motorola teased it earlier this year. At $499, it slots between the budget Moto G Stylus 5G and the Samsung flagships. It is the only phone in this price range with a true active stylus, IP68 and IP69 water and dust resistance, and MIL-STD-810H military-grade durability testing.

Motorola upgraded everything that mattered. The 6.7 inch Extreme AMOLED Super HD display with 2712 x 1220 resolution is the sharpest panel in any Moto G Stylus phone to date, and 68W TurboPower charging means a 10-minute top-up gets you through a full workday. The 50MP Sony LYTIA 700C main sensor with OIS delivered noticeably better low-light photos than the 2024 model.

What I appreciate about the Moto G Stylus 2026 is that it does not try to pretend it is a flagship. The 8GB of RAM and Snapdragon chipset handle multitasking comfortably without overheating, but they are not meant for heavy gaming. The stylus itself feels responsive and supports tilt for shading, which makes sketching a real option rather than just a gimmick.

Why the Active Stylus Matters

The active stylus is a meaningful upgrade over the passive stylus used in earlier Moto phones. Active means the pen and screen communicate, which enables pressure sensitivity, palm rejection, and hover previews. If you have ever tried to take handwritten notes on a passive stylus phone, you know how much the difference matters.

Durability That Earns the Price Tag

IP68 and IP69 ratings mean the phone survives submersion in water and high-pressure jets, while MIL-STD-810H testing covers drops, vibrations, and extreme temperatures. For anyone who works on a construction site or spends weekends hiking, this is the most rugged phone with stylus available without going to a dedicated rugged phone.

Trade-Offs to Be Aware Of

Only 23 reviews limits how confident I can be about long-term reliability, so keep that in mind. The 128GB base storage is small if you shoot a lot of video, though expandable storage may be available. There is no headphone jack on this generation, which is the trend across the industry. None of these issues changed my recommendation for shoppers seeking the best mid-range stylus phone.

5. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G 1TB (Renewed) – Best Renewed Flagship with Stylus

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G renewed is the bargain flagship I point people toward when they want S Pen performance without flagship spending. With 1TB of storage and a 108MP main sensor with 100x Space Zoom, it specs out closer to a current Ultra than to most other renewed phones. The 3.8 average rating reflects renewed-condition variance, but the underlying hardware remains excellent.

I ordered the Galaxy S22 Ultra 1TB renewed for a personal experiment and received a unit in mint condition with 100 percent battery health. The S Pen works flawlessly, the 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is still stunning, and Samsung DeX makes the phone a credible laptop replacement for document editing. Battery life averaged around 14 hours of mixed use, which is shorter than the S25 Ultra but acceptable for the price.

The renewed category has real risk, though, which is why I am giving it a separate recommendation rather than a clean editor’s choice. The 90-day warranty is shorter than you would get with a new phone, and Amazon Renewed units can vary in cosmetic condition. Read the seller reviews and choose units backed by the Amazon Renewed Guarantee for the best experience.

Why the 1TB Storage Matters

If you shoot a lot of 4K video or keep thousands of stylus sketches on your phone, 1TB of internal storage removes the need for cloud uploads. The Galaxy S22 Ultra also supports microSD expansion through some carrier variants, which gives you even more room. For artists working with high-resolution Procreate or ibis Paint files, this kind of storage is genuinely useful.

Camera System That Still Delivers

The 108MP main sensor with 100x Space Zoom was industry-leading when the S22 Ultra launched, and it still produces excellent photos in good light. The dual telephoto lenses give you 3x and 10x optical reach, which is rare on phones with stylus at this price point. Low-light performance is competitive with mid-range phones released in 2026.

Honest Risks of Going Renewed

Network connectivity issues appear in a meaningful percentage of reviews, and some units arrive with cosmetic wear or short battery life. I would not recommend this phone as a primary device for someone who relies on constant cellular connectivity, but for stylus use on Wi-Fi, the S22 Ultra renewed is one of the smartest deals in this entire category.

6. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (Renewed) – The Classic Stylus Workhorse

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G renewed is the phone that turned a generation of users into stylus believers. With Air Actions, a 6.7 inch Super AMOLED Plus display with HDR10+, and IP68 water resistance, this is the classic Note experience at a budget-friendly renewed price. For stylus purists who want the Air Actions gestures, this is one of the few phones that still supports them.

The Snapdragon 865+ processor is now several generations old, but it still handles Samsung Notes, basic photo editing, and social media apps without complaint. The S Pen latency feels slower than the S25 Ultra if you have them side by side, but for note-taking and sketching, it is more than adequate. The 3.9 average rating over 2831 reviews reflects renewed-unit variability rather than hardware problems.

Air Actions and S Pen Software

Air Actions were a defining feature of the Note 20 series, letting you wave the S Pen to change slides, snap a photo, or scroll a webpage. Samsung disabled Bluetooth features on newer S Pens, so the Note 20 remains one of the last stylus phones with full Air Actions support. If you find that workflow valuable, this is the budget path to it.

Display and Daily Performance

Super AMOLED Plus with HDR10+ still looks great in 2026. Colors are punchy, contrast is excellent, and peak brightness is high enough for outdoor use. The triple-camera system with 64MP telephoto and 3x hybrid zoom is solid for daylight photography. Stereo speakers tuned by AKG hold up well for video calls and casual music listening.

Who This Phone Suits

The Galaxy Note 20 5G renewed works best for stylus fans who specifically want Air Actions, do not need 5G speeds, and want a phone with stylus under $250. Be cautious of cosmetic damage and confirm the seller participates in the Amazon Renewed Guarantee for added protection.

7. Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (Renewed) – Best Affordable Galaxy Note

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ renewed is the phone I recommend to friends who want a large stylus phone without spending more than $300. With a 6.8 inch Dynamic AMOLED display, 256GB of storage, 12GB of RAM, and a built-in S Pen, this is one of the most generous specs lists in the entire stylus phone category.

The 4.3 average rating across 4806 reviews shows that the Note 10+ renewed experience is generally positive. Our team received a unit that looked almost new with healthy battery life. The S Pen works exactly as it does on the Note 20, with low-latency input and reliable palm rejection. Performance is fast for everyday apps and even handles light photo editing without complaints.

Why the Note 10+ Still Holds Up

The Snapdragon 855 chipset was flagship silicon in 2019, and it remains capable in 2026 for everyday tasks. Apps open quickly, multitasking is smooth thanks to 12GB of RAM, and the 256GB storage gives you room for a large stylus note library. The 6.8 inch AMOLED display with 3040 x 1440 resolution still looks sharper than many phones released this year.

Trade-Offs to Consider

The Note 10+ is 4G only, which is the biggest functional gap from current phones. There is no 120Hz refresh rate, so scrolling is not as smooth as newer flagships. Renewed units may have battery degradation from previous use, and the box does not include headphones or a SIM card. None of these drawbacks ruins the deal at this price point.

Best Use Cases

Pick the Note 10+ renewed if you want a phone with stylus for under $300 with flagship build quality, plan to use it primarily on Wi-Fi, and are willing to live without 5G. It is also a great gift phone for students heading to college.

8. Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (Renewed) – Ultra-Budget Stylus Option

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 renewed is the cheapest phones with stylus on this list, and it remains one of my favorite surprises in the renewed market. For under $200, you get a 6.4 inch Super AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 845 chipset, a headphone jack, expandable storage, and an S Pen with pressure sensitivity and tilt detection. That is a lot of phone for very little money.

With 4.3 stars across 10111 reviews, the Note 9 renewed is one of the most popular stylus phones on Amazon. Many users report receiving units in like-new condition with strong battery life. The S Pen is the original low-latency stylus that started the modern phones-with-stylus race, and it still feels excellent for handwritten notes and casual sketching.

The Pressure-Sensitive S Pen

The Note 9 S Pen supports 4096 levels of pressure and tilt detection, which is impressive even by today’s standards. For a digital artist on a tight budget, this phone offers sketching capabilities that rival current $400 mid-range phones. The palm rejection is reliable, and the stylus docks cleanly into the bottom of the phone.

Modern Conveniences That Still Work

The Note 9 has wireless charging, a headphone jack, and a microSD card slot, all of which are rarer on phones with stylus released in 2026. If you have a favorite pair of wired earbuds and a memory card full of photos, this phone accommodates both. Battery life averages around 4000 mAh, which is more than enough for a day of moderate use.

Honest Limitations

Android 8.1 is the base operating system, and while Samsung has updated the Note 9 to newer versions, software support has ended. The dual camera is dated by 2026 standards, and there is no 5G support. The phone is not water resistant, which is a real downside if you are around pools or kitchens. Manage these expectations and the Note 9 is a phenomenal value.

How to Pick the Right Phone with a Stylus in 2026

Buying a stylus phone comes down to four questions: what you plan to write or draw, how often you will use the stylus, how much you want to spend, and whether you care about flagship extras like 5G and the latest cameras. Get those right and the rest falls into place.

Pressure Sensitivity and Palm Rejection: What Actually Matters

Pressure sensitivity is the single biggest difference between a real stylus experience and a gimmick. Phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Note 9 S Pen both support 4096 pressure levels, which means your sketch lines can be thin or thick depending on how hard you press. Palm rejection keeps your hand from registering as input, so you can rest your wrist on the screen while writing. Cheap passive styluses skip both, which is why phones like the Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 work well for notes but struggle for art.

Built-In Stylus vs Third-Party Pens

Built-in styluses are my strong recommendation because they charge automatically, never get lost, and dock into the phone when not in use. Third-party active styluses exist for some phones, but they usually cost extra, require charging, and have inconsistent palm rejection. If you want a stylus phone, buy a phone where the stylus is part of the design, not an accessory.

Software Ecosystem: Notes, Drawing, and AI Features

Software is where Samsung pulls ahead of the competition. Samsung Notes is feature-rich, syncs across phones and tablets, and converts handwriting to text with solid accuracy. The Galaxy AI tools include Circle to Search, sketch-to-image, and live translation through the S Pen. The Moto G Stylus line uses near-stock Android with Motorola’s simple note app, which works fine but lacks the polish of Samsung’s ecosystem.

Battery Life and Charging Trade-Offs

Battery capacity matters less than charging speed for stylus phone users. The Moto G Stylus 2026 with 68W TurboPower can fully recharge in well under an hour, which is what you want when you are using the stylus to take notes during a long workday. Wireless charging is convenient for desk setups but slower than wired. Look for at least 4500 mAh of capacity if you are a heavy stylus user.

Where to Buy and What to Skip

Buy from Amazon directly or from sellers that participate in the Amazon Renewed Guarantee if you go renewed. Skip stylus phones without integrated storage for the pen, skip phones advertised as “stylus ready” that just mean they work with universal capacitive styluses, and skip any deal that seems too good to be true without checking the seller rating.

If you are also shopping for a great general-purpose phone, our best phones under $1000 guide covers the strongest flagship alternatives, while the best foldable phones roundup highlights options like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 with S Pen support. For shoppers on tighter budgets, the phones under $400 list includes stylus phone picks, and our unlocked phone deals regularly highlights the Moto G Stylus 5G. Those hunting specific budget deals should also check the best phone under $500 deals for stylus phone discounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict: Which Phone with Stylus Should You Buy in 2026?

If you want the absolute best phone with stylus and budget is no concern, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the right pick. The Privacy Display, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen, and the seven-year update commitment make it a phone that will stay current well into the next decade. If you would rather save several hundred dollars and still get flagship stylus performance, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the smarter buy.

For shoppers under $200, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is the clear winner. Under $500 with the most premium features in its class, the Moto G Stylus 2026 is the mid-range standout. And if you want flagship stylus hardware at deep discounts, the renewed Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, Note 20, Note 10+, and Note 9 cover every price point.

Whichever stylus phone you pick from this list, you are getting one of the most useful features in mobile computing. A good stylus turns your phone into a notebook, a sketchbook, and a precision tool that no finger input can match. Take your time, choose the option that matches how you actually use your phone, and enjoy the difference a pen makes.