Motorola is unleashing today two new budget-friendly models to its Moto G portfolio in the U.S. – the Moto G Play and the Moto G 2026. The Moto G brings an AI-powered camera system, a bold display, and all at an affordable price.
Moto G 2026 design and display
The Moto G 2026 features a recognizable Moto design in two fresh and unique colors: Pantone Cattleya Orchid, a rich purple hue, and Pantone Slipstream, a trendy gray color. The design is simple and elegant as usual, and on top of it all, the phone comes with something flagship phones have forgotten nowadays: the 3.5mm headphone jack.
It's a relatively standard-looking device with 167.15 x 76.40 x 8.44mm dimensions and weighs 202g, a bit on the heavier side in comparison to some of the new slim-chic models. But nevertheless, a standard, comfortable weight that should be just enough for you not to feel like you may drop it at any time. The phone comes with an IP52 water-repellent rating.
On the front, we have a big 6.7-inch LCD display, equipped with a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth multitasking. The display can reach up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness.
Camera
The camera on the Moto G 2026 is enhanced with AI powers, including Night Vision, Auto Smile Capture, and Portrait mode. The 50 MP main camera features Quad Pixel Technology for sharper, vibrant results in trickier conditions. There's also a Macro Vision camera for close-ups. Now, Motorola has upgraded the Moto G's selfie camera, and it is now 32 MP instead of the 16 MP on the predecessor.
Moto G 2026 hardware and software
The Moto G 2026 comes with a generous 5,200mAh battery cell that the company claims can last for two days on a single charge. Meanwhile, the phone also supports 30W fast charging, ensuring that charging the device is quick and easy.
The phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor and comes with Android 16 out of the box. You can also take advantage of Google Gemini and Circle to Search, as well as Motorola's Hello UX, which includes tools like Moto Secure, Family Space, and Gestures.
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Are you thinking about upgrading to a new budget phone this year?
Yep, if it looks this good and stays affordable
20%
Maybe, depends on the specs
40%
Nah, I’m sticking with my current phone
0%
I only buy flagships, no budget models for me
40%
Moto G 2026 availability
Image Credit - Motorola
The Moto G 2026 will be available starting December 11 on motorola.com, Verizon, Total Wireless, Straight Talk, Simple Mobile, Tracfone, Walmart Family, and Visible. Meanwhile,
Best Buy and Amazon will be selling the device starting January 15 in the United States. Other carriers, including T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Boost Mobile, Cricket Wireless, AT&T, Google Fi Wireless, Xfinity Mobile, Consumer Cellular, Optimum Mobile, and US Cellular, should be getting it in the following months. You can buy the budget-friendly phone for just $199.99.
In Canada, the phone will be available for purchase from Motorola's website starting on December 11.
A good budget-friendly phone
The phone comes at a super budget-friendly price, and for this price, it offers quite a lot, including a dependable battery and an AI-powered camera system. Although the chip in the phone may not be as powerful as more expensive variants, it should still be capable of handling everyday tasks without many hiccups. Storage is expandable and the phone features a 3.5mm jack, which are great bonuses for that price, something that even flagships nowadays don't offer.
Moto G 2026 is a great option for kids, the elderly, or just budget-conscious users
The phone is simple and affordable, so I would think that it's ideal for people who just want a phone to make calls with and check the internet, and are not really into all the flagship bells and whistles we have nowadays.
I think that it's not that powerful in terms of capabilities, but it has a good camera, nice design and a big battery, which are all pluses in my book.
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Izzy, a tech enthusiast and a key part of the PhoneArena team, specializes in delivering the latest mobile tech news and finding the best tech deals. Her interests extend to cybersecurity, phone design innovations, and camera capabilities. Outside her professional life, Izzy, a literature master's degree holder, enjoys reading, painting, and learning languages. She's also a personal growth advocate, believing in the power of experience and gratitude. Whether it's walking her Chihuahua or singing her heart out, Izzy embraces life with passion and curiosity.
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