Motorola just dropped two new budget Android phones in its G series lineup, and this time, the Play name is back in action.
A new Moto G Play joins the family
Motorola is growing its Moto G lineup in North America with two new budget-friendly phones: the Moto G 2026 and Moto G Play 2026. And here, we’re focusing on the latter. It follows up the Moto G Play 2024 with a few welcome upgrades – while still keeping that super wallet-friendly price tag.
The Moto G Play 2026 packs a big 6.7-inch LCD screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate and up to 1,000 nits of brightness. It’s not a flagship display, but for this price range, it’s surprisingly solid and more than enough for everyday use.
What really caught my eye, though, is the design. Despite being a cheap phone, it doesn’t look like one. Motorola went for a single color this time – Pantone Tapestry – a deep blue shade with a leather-like finish that actually looks pretty nice.
The new Moto G Play 2026 in Pantone Tapestry. | Image credit – Motorola
As expected for its class, it’s rated IP52, meaning it can handle a bit of dust and a splash or two, but definitely not a dive in the pool. The screen uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which is old at this point, but still does a decent job against scratches and small drops.
When it comes to cameras, keep your expectations realistic. It looks like there’s a dual setup on the back, but there’s actually just one 32 MP main sensor – a step down from the 50 MP camera on the last model. You do get an ambient light sensor, though. On the front, there’s an 8 MP selfie camera.
The phone packs just one camera on the back. | Image credit – Motorola
Daytime photos should come out sharp enough, with natural colors and decent details. You’re not getting anything spectacular here, but it’s perfectly fine for casual shots.
Motorola also added some AI tricks to make things easier. The phone uses Quad Pixel Technology along with AI features like Night Vision, Auto Smile Capture, and Portrait mode – all designed to boost your photos without you doing much.
Inside, there’s a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chip – not a powerhouse, but it does bring one major upgrade: 5G support. That alone makes the Moto G Play 2026 a lot more appealing than its predecessor.
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Storage-wise, you get 4 GB of RAM (expandable to 12 GB with RAM Boost) and 64 GB of internal storage, plus microSD expansion up to 1 TB. Nothing crazy, but it fits the phone’s affordable nature.
Battery life should also be solid thanks to a 5,200 mAh battery that promises up to two days of use. When you do need to recharge, it supports up to 30W and 18W TurboPower charging – giving you hours of use in just minutes.
Out of the box, the Moto G Play 2026 runs Android 16, offering a cleaner, smarter experience with access to Google Gemini and Circle to Search. You also get Motorola’s Hello UX suite with features like Moto Secure, Family Space, and the classic gesture shortcuts – all meant to keep things simple and user-friendly.
Price and availability
The new phone will soon hit shelves. | Image credit – Motorola
In the US, the Moto G Play 2026 will be sold unlocked starting November 13 on motorola.com, BestBuy.com, and Amazon.com, with in-store availability at Best Buy coming soon.
The price? $169.99 – a slight bump from the last model, but the addition of 5G makes it easy to justify.
It’ll also be available online at T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Total Wireless, and Straight Talk, plus online and in-store at UScellular and Cox Mobile starting November 13.
In the following months, you’ll see it hit more carriers and retailers, including Cricket Wireless, AT&T, Verizon, Verizon Prepaid, Visible, Simple Mobile, Tracfone, Walmart Family, Consumer Cellular, Xfinity Mobile, and Boost Mobile.
Competing in a crowded space
The Moto G Play 2026 is stepping into a packed budget phone market. Samsung’s Galaxy A16 5G is one of its main rivals at a similar price, with a big advantage – way better software support (something Motorola still struggles with).
There’s also competition from within – the regular Moto G 2026, which costs a bit more at $199 but comes with better cameras and more color options. If camera quality isn’t high on your list, though, the G Play 2026 makes more sense. It’s cheaper, and apart from the camera, the rest of the specs are nearly identical.
How important is 5G support in a budget phone like the Moto G Play 2026?
Must-have – even on cheaper phones.
60%
Nice bonus, but not essential.
30%
Doesn’t matter – LTE still works fine.
10%
Should you get it?
This isn’t the phone for power users or gamers – and that’s totally fine. The Moto G Play 2026 is made for people who just want something simple and reliable. It’ll handle your daily stuff, give you a big display for browsing and streaming, some light gaming, and a battery that can easily last two days. Plus, you now get 5G speeds for under $170.
All in all, the Moto G Play 2026 looks good, performs well enough for the basics, and doesn’t look cheap at first glance. It’s the kind of phone that’s perfect for anyone who wants an affordable Android that simply gets the job done.
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Tsveta, a passionate technology enthusiast and accomplished playwright, combines her love for mobile technologies and writing to explore and reveal the transformative power of tech. From being an early follower of PhoneArena to relying exclusively on her smartphone for photography, she embraces the immense capabilities of compact devices in our daily lives. With a Journalism degree and an explorative spirit, Tsveta not only provides expert insights into the world of gadgets and smartphones but also shares a unique perspective shaped by her diverse interests in travel, culture, and visual storytelling.
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