The drawback? There is a considerably higher telephone for just a bit extra: the Google Pixel 9a. Google will help that system for seven years, and it additionally comes with flagship-grade efficiency, higher cameras, and extra good software program options. The Moto G Stylus will solely get two Android OS upgrades and three years of safety updates. This is exactly why you can purchase it on sale.
Best Moto G Under $300
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Motorola
Moto G Power 2026
I’ve excellent news and unhealthy information. First, the nice: Motorola’s newest Moto G Power 2026 is a reasonably strong smartphone. Unlike final 12 months’s mannequin, efficiency is not tremendous stuttery. It’s a little bit odd as a result of Motorola did not really change the processor contained in the Power—it nonetheless employs the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 with 8 GB of RAM. I’m chalking it as much as efficiency optimizations and the most recent Android 16 model.
That leads us to the unhealthy information: There’s not a lot distinction between this telephone and its predecessor; Motorola even eliminated wi-fi charging, which irks me, and the telephone’s enjoyable, daring colours are not accessible. It could not hit the highs of the 2024 Moto G Power, however at the very least it is not a stuttery mess. What has been upgraded, then? The selfie digital camera now has a 32-megapixel sensor, and the battery capability is barely greater at 5,200 mAh. Battery life is really wonderful, as I managed to squeeze two full days of use out of this telephone, although that is with common use.
I just like the faux leather-based texture on the again, which provides this telephone some character. The 6.8-inch LCD is sharp and brilliant, and you get a dependable fingerprint scanner, a 3.5-mm headphone jack, and a microSD card slot. It’s nonetheless IP68/69 rated, which means it will likely be high quality in heavy rain and even submerged in water for a while. Motorola additionally guarantees two Android OS upgrades and three years of safety updates.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
The digital camera system consists of a 50-megapixel foremost digital camera, an 8-MP ultrawide, and a 32-MP selfie digital camera. Photos from the first shooter have washed-out colours and look processed, virtually as if somebody dialed up the “element” slider to make the photo appear sharper. It can struggle with high-contrast scenes, and you generally have to be very still during capture to avoid a blurry photo. If you’re patient, you can end up with decent images, but cameras are not the Moto G Power’s strong suit. Even the upgraded selfie camera is just fine.
There’s not a ton of competition at this price, especially considering that the Moto G Power 2026 will dip to $250 or even $200 over the next few months during major sale events. If you can grab it on sale, it’s a decent Android phone, but I recommend saving up and waiting for the Moto G Stylus 2026.
Other Motorola Phones to Consider
I suggest you stick to the phones above, but here are other alternatives if you’re unsatisfied.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Motorola Edge 2025 for $500: Motorola is one of the few companies still making smartphones with waterfall displays, where the edges of the screen blend into the phone’s frame for a cool, almost bezel-less effect. Popular just a few years ago, the trend fell out of fashion because it was just harder to use the phone (bezels can be good!). I haven’t had as many issues with the touchscreen on this model, and while I think the overall aesthetic is nice with the vegan leather back, the Edge doesn’t impress as much as the stiff competition with its $550 MSRP. Performance is a little too choppy (I noticed a lot of lag in the camera app). The main camera is solid, but the lackluster software update policy makes it hard to recommend. It’s a much better deal when it dips during major sale events.
Motorola Razr+ (2025) for $800: The Razr+ (2025) is identical to the Razr+ (2024), except it employs Motorola’s titanium-reinforced hinge for improved durability. The specs are otherwise the same, but it sits in an odd middle-ground where it doesn’t offer a massive improvement over the Razr 2025, but doesn’t sit too far from the Razr Ultra. You might find the lack of an ultrawide camera annoying, especially for group selfies, and the battery here is the smallest of the current lineup. You can always save some cash and buy 2024’s Razr+ (7/10, WIRED Recommends), which has good performance and solid cameras, but I highly recommend waiting for a sale. This phone has dipped as low as $580, which is fantastic for a folding phone.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Moto G 5G 2026 for $200: The Moto G 2026 is nearly identical to the Moto G Play 2026 below, except it has double the storage (expandable via microSD), supports slightly faster wired charging, and the front and rear cameras pack more megapixels. It’s a $20 difference, so if you’re eyeing either one, you really should go for the Moto G 5G 2026. Performance is similarly sluggish, though perfectly usable day to day (if you’re patient). Even with more megapixels, don’t expect much from the cameras; they can take passable photos in good lighting, but struggle a lot in low light. I was able to hit nearly two days of battery life with average use, and I like that this phone still has the headphone jack. However, keep in mind that it will only receive two Android OS updates and three years of security updates. I think you’re better off buying the Moto G Power 2026 on sale.
Moto G Play 2026
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Moto G Play 5G 2026 for $180: Motorola’s most cost-effective telephone at all times sits in a clumsy spot. Yes, for below $200, this can be a serviceable handset that now options 5G connectivity. You get two-day battery life, a headphone jack, expandable storage, and a reasonably good design. But the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chip with 4 GB of RAM could be very sluggish—prepare to attend a second or two, typically extra, for an app to launch or a webpage to load. Photo high quality is satisfactory; most of my photos have lackluster colours. I took a number of calls, and the folks on the opposite finish typically complained about my audio high quality, which is not nice. It’s good that this ultra-budget telephone will get two Android OS updates, however I’d watch for the Moto G Power 2026 to finally dip to $200 throughout main sale occasions.
What Motorola Phones to Avoid
Motorola Moto G 2025
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Motorola telephones diminish in worth pretty rapidly. You ought to keep away from shopping for Moto G telephones from 2024 or earlier. They probably gained’t get any extra Android model updates, and the costs aren’t drastically totally different from the most recent fashions. I additionally do not advocate shopping for the Moto G 2025 or Moto G Power 2025 anymore since their successors are right here. Last 12 months’s Motorola Edge 2025 or the aforementioned Razr+ (2025) are the oldest I’d go, so do not think about anything.
The Competition
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Motorola’s prime competitors comes from Google, Nothing, and Samsung. If you requested me what telephone to purchase, I’d level you to the Google Pixel 9a ($499). It has a lot of the options of us need in a smartphone, together with wi-fi charging. Nothing additionally has new units, the Phone (3a) and the Phone (3a) Pro. They’re enticing, elegant, and reasonably priced handsets, although service compatibility will not be as simple.
