Funds smartphones are extra succesful than ever, additional proving that you simply needn’t spend over $1,000 on a flagship to get a high quality Android telephone. Whereas Motorola makes just a few premium telephones, it is higher identified for its price range choices. Notably, the Motorola Moto G lineup presents smartphones priced underneath $300 that include an unbelievable worth proposition. They will not wow you on the spec sheet, however they’re sufficient for the value, and that is sufficient.
To this point, we have already seen three Motorola telephones debut within the Moto G 2026 lineup: the price range Moto G Play 2026, the midrange Moto G 2026, and the higher-tier Moto G Energy 2026. All of those telephones fall firmly within the price range class total, with the most cost effective costing simply $179.99 and the most costly costing $299.99. The lineup might quickly increase to incorporate the upcoming Moto G Stylus 2026, however for now, we’re working with three fashions.
When you’re available in the market for a price range Android telephone — whether or not or not it’s as a main system, a starter telephone for a child, or a backup — that is which Moto G 2026 mannequin is best for you.
Motorola Moto G 2026 sequence: At a look
|
Class |
Moto G Play 2026 |
Moto G 2026 |
Moto G Energy 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Value |
$179.99 |
$199.99 |
$299.99 |
|
OS |
Android 16 Two OS upgrades + three years of software program updates |
Android 16 Two OS upgrades + three years of software program updates |
Android 16 Two OS upgrades + three years of software program updates |
|
Show |
6.7-inch LCD, 120Hz, 1604 × 720 (HD+), Gorilla Glass 3, 1,000 nits peak |
6.7-inch LCD, 120Hz, 1604 × 720 (HD+), Gorilla Glass 3, 1,000 nits peak |
6.8-inch FHD+ (2388 x 1080), LCD, 120Hz refresh charge |
|
Processor |
MediaTek Dimensity 6300 |
MediaTek Dimensity 6300 |
MediaTek Dimensity 6300 |
|
RAM |
4GB |
4GB |
8GB |
|
Storage |
64GB, expandable as much as 1TB |
128GB, expandable as much as 1TB |
128GB, expandable |
|
Rear cameras |
32MP predominant |
50MP predominant + 2MP macro |
50MP wide-angle + 8MP ultrawide |
|
Entrance digital camera |
8MP |
32MP |
32MP |
|
Ingress safety |
IP52 |
IP52 |
IP68/IP69 |
|
Connectivity |
5G (sub6), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, Twin SIM |
5G (sub6), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, Twin SIM |
5G, Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 5, FM Radio |
|
3.5mm Headphone Jack |
Sure |
Sure |
Sure |
|
Safety |
Fingerprint reader, Face unlock |
Fingerprint reader, Face unlock |
Fingerprint reader, Face unlock |
|
Battery |
5,200 mAh |
5,200 mAh |
5,200 mAh |
|
Charging |
18W USB-C wired charging |
30W USB-C quick wired charging |
30W USB-C quick wired charging |
|
Dimensions |
167.15 x 76.40 x 8.44 mm; 202g |
167.15 x 76.40 x 8.44 mm; 202g |
166.62 x 77.10 x 8.72mm; 208g |
|
Colours |
PANTONE Tapestry |
PANTONE Slipstream, PANTONE Cattleya Orchid |
PANTONE Night Blue, PANTONE Pure Cashmere |
Moto G Play 2026: Superbly price range
There’s one factor uniting the Moto G 2026 sequence to this point: the processor. Each telephone, from the most cost effective to the most costly, is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset. That is excellent news for the Moto G Play 2026, as a result of it now makes use of the identical chip that headlines each the Moto G 2026 and Moto G Energy 2026. Between the upgraded processor and newfound help for 5G connectivity, the Moto G Play 2026 has a terrific basis for the value.
Motorola did not cease there — it additionally upgraded the show, which continues to be simply an HD+ panel however now helps 120Hz refresh charges. The decision will not impress you, however the easy 120Hz refresh charges are definitely a welcome addition. The shortage of uniform bezels additionally clues you into the telephone’s price range positioning. The Moto G Play 2026 has a noticeable chin with thicker-than-usual show bezels, a minimum of by at present’s requirements.
The smartphone additionally presents help for just a few options you will not discover on trendy flagships. There is a USB-C port for charging and information switch, but additionally a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio. You will additionally discover a microSD card slot on the Moto G Play 2026, and that is essential as a result of the telephone ships with simply 64GB of storage. The mere 4GB of RAM right here is unimpressive, too.
The battery is one other space the place the Moto G Play 2026 retains up with its higher-priced counterparts. You get the identical 5,200mAh battery capability as the opposite fashions, albeit with slower 18W wired charging.
All informed, the Moto G Play 2026 is for these on the tightest of budgets. The one 32MP predominant digital camera, weak 8MP selfie digital camera, and different downgraded specs put it at a transparent drawback in comparison with the opposite two fashions. Since the usual Moto G 2026 is simply $20 extra, it is simple to justify the improve to the subsequent tier. Nevertheless, if this can be a secondary system or one you are shopping for for a kid, you may not care concerning the deficiencies.
Motorola
Moto G Play 2026
Funds choose
The Moto G Play 2026 is the most cost effective system on this yr’s Moto G lineup, including key upgrades like 5G for the primary time. You get different price range niceties like a 3.5mm headphone jack and a microSD card slot for storage enlargement.
Moto G 2026: The starter
The baseline Moto G 2026 presents just a few upgrades from the price range Moto G Play 2026, however retains many issues the identical. The 2 telephones use the identical processor with the identical quantity of RAM, and each run Android 16 out of the field. In addition they each sport the identical show, together with the advantages (a 120Hz panel) and the drawbacks (solely HD+ decision). Moreover, the Moto G 2026 helps the identical connectivity requirements, the identical IP52 sturdiness certification, and the identical 5,200mAh battery capability.
The truth is, there are such a lot of similarities between the Moto G Play 2026 and the Moto G 2026 that they each have the very same dimensions. The 2 telephones every measure 167.15 x 76.40 x 8.44mm and weigh 202 grams. That simply goes to indicate how little separates the 2 fashions. Fortunately, the improve to the Moto G 2026 prices simply $20 extra, so Motorola does not should do a lot to make this telephone a very good worth.
Motorola does that by supporting quicker 30W charging speeds over USB-C, which is able to come in useful while you want a fast recharge. Crucially, the Moto G 2026 additionally presents higher selfie and rear cameras. The front-facing digital camera is an upgraded 32MP sensor. There are two rear cameras: a 50MP main shooter and a 2MP macro lens. In truth, the 2MP secondary digital camera will doubtless be inconsequential, however the different two digital camera upgrades are notable.
The Moto G 2026 additionally ships with double the quantity of base storage, 128GB onboard, with help for microSD card enlargement. For less than $20 extra, it is price shopping for the Moto G 2026 over the Moto G Play 2026 for its higher cameras, extra storage, and quicker charging.
A center floor
The Moto G 2026 is the midrange choice in Motorola’s price range lineup, retailing for roughly $200. For a bit greater than the Moto G Play 2026, you get a greater predominant and selfie digital camera plus a further macro lens on the again. There’s additionally quicker wired charging.
Moto G Energy 2026: Most efficiency
The Moto G Energy 2026 is at present the “flagship” mannequin in Motorola’s price range lineup to this point — I put that in quotes as a result of even this telephone is simply $299.99. It is priced $100 greater than the Moto G 2026, so what extras do you get on your cash? Rather a lot, really. The MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor and 5,200 mAh battery capability stay the identical, however virtually every thing else has been upgraded.
For starters, the show is a barely bigger 6.8-inch panel with FHD+ decision (2388 x 1080) and help for 120Hz refresh charges. This makes the telephone barely shorter, however wider, than the opposite two Moto G 2026 fashions.
The Moto G Energy 2026 can be just a few grams heavier, weighing in at 208 grams. From a construct high quality standpoint, the Moto G Energy 2026 presents IP68 and IP69 safety in opposition to mud and water ingress, which is a serious improve over the remainder of the lineup. The telephone is obtainable in additional premium colorways, too, together with PANTONE Night Blue and PANTONE Pure Cashmere.
Whereas the Moto G Energy 2026 makes use of the identical chip as the remainder of the sequence, it has double the quantity of reminiscence, permitting this telephone to drag extra out of the identical {hardware}. This mannequin begins with 128GB of onboard storage and could be expanded utilizing the microSD card slot.
Motorola additional upgrades the digital camera sensors, with a 50MP predominant digital camera and a 32MP selfie digital camera. The distinction right here is the secondary rear digital camera, which is an 8MP ultrawide lens that will likely be rather more helpful than the 2MP macro lens on the Moto G 2026.
Wanting strictly on the Moto G 2026 sequence, the Moto G Energy 2026 presents precious upgrades over the sphere. Nevertheless, in comparison with the last-generation Moto G Energy 2025, the state of affairs is extra disappointing. Motorola did not improve the processor this yr and shockingly eliminated wi-fi charging, which is a troublesome promote. When you want the newest Android 16 working system and a further two years of OS upgrades, the Moto G Energy 2026 would possibly make sense.
In any other case, you possibly can most likely get away with the Moto G Energy 2025. This yr’s mannequin is a pleasant improve for those who’re wanting to make use of the Moto G Energy 2026 as your day by day driver. The additional RAM and ultrawide digital camera assist it provide extra utility than the cheaper Moto G 2026 and Moto G Play 2026. Nevertheless, for many who do not want the most effective or desire a secondary system, the Moto G 2026 is the candy spot for $100 much less.
Motorola
Moto G Energy 2026
Nonetheless robust
The Moto G Energy 2026 may need an excessive amount of in frequent with its predecessor, but it surely nonetheless stays a powerful choice throughout the Moto G 2026 lineup. It has extra reminiscence, quicker charging, and a extra sturdy design than the remainder of the Moto G sequence.
