Budget smartphones are not typically the most beautiful or exciting phones to talk about but Motorola’s new updates to their moto g and moto g play series, are making me reconsider my skepticism. Priced at under $200, they’re actually quite compelling.
To start, both devices sport a large 6.7-inch LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. 120Hz on a budget phone is quite impressive. After all, it wasn’t long ago that that display smoothness was reserved for flagship devices costing 5x times as much. The screens hit up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness and are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, so they’re built to last too and should handle direct sunlight reasonably well.
Both phones run on MediaTek’s Dimensity 6300 processor with 4GB of RAM that expands up to 12GB through RAM Boost technology. It’s not going to set benchmark records, but the phones should handle everyday tasks quite well.
The moto g 2026 packs a 50MP main camera with Quad Pixel tech for better low-light performance, plus a 2MP macro camera and 32MP selfie shooter. The moto g play 2026 scales down to a 32MP main camera and 8MP front camera but still includes that Quad Pixel tech. Both phones feature AI enhancements like Night Vision, Auto Smile Capture, and Portrait mode. Based on Motorola’s recent track record, these should deliver solid results for the price point.
Both devices pack in a large 5,200mAh battery that Motorola says will deliver two days of use. Ultimately, that’s a very generous battery for this price range. When it comes to charging, the moto g 2026 supports 30W TurboPower charging while the play version maxes out at 18W. The 30W option should give you several hours from a quick top-up.
Like with the fashion-forward Razr series, Motorola partnered with Pantone for the colorways here, and the results are tasteful but also bold. The moto g 2026 comes in Slipstream (a sophisticated grey) or Cattleya Orchid (a vibrant purple that looks a lot like a fuchsia color). The moto g play 2026 arrives in Tapestry, a deep blue. All three models feature a lovely leather-inspired texture that elevates them beyond the usual glossy plastic fingerprint magnet situation. Combine that with IP52 water resistance for handling water splashes and these phones look and feel more premium than their very low price tags suggest.
The moto g 2026 comes with 128GB storage; the play version starts at 64GB. Both support microSD expansion up to 1TB and they maintain the increasingly rare 3.5mm headphone jack. They also come with stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos and USB-C charging ports. Both devices arrive with Android 16, along with Google Gemini integration and Motorola’s Hello UX features.
Availability and Pricing
The moto g play 2026 launches November 13 at $169.99 while the moto g 2026 arrives December 11 at $199.99. Both will be available through Motorola’s website, Best Buy, Amazon, and most carriers.
Overall, on paper these are looking to be well-equipped budget phones that include features that used to cost significantly more—120Hz displays, 5G connectivity, respectable cameras, and large batteries, all in an attractive design.
Are they perfect? Surely not. But for someone who needs a reliable phone without spending flagship or even mid-tier money, the new Moto g and Moto g play could make sense.