Summary
- Both 2026 Moto G and G Play sport 6.7″ 120Hz LCDs with 1,000-nit peak and Gorilla Glass 3.
- Moto G has 50MP main/32MP selfie; G Play 32MP/8MP; both use quad pixel tech.
- Both pack 5,200mAh; Moto G 30W charging, G Play 18W. Prices: Moto G $200 (Dec 11), G Play $170 (Nov 13).
Motorola might catch more headlines for its Razr foldables, but the company also makes some of the best budget phones on the market. If you’re trying to save a buck, you don’t want to sacrifice too much, and Motorola is once again stepping up to the plate with the dependable Moto G and Moto G Play series.
The new 2026 models of the Moto G and Moto G Play offer a handful of incremental but appreciated upgrades that Motorola hopes will make these affordable phones even more appealing. You’re getting faster charging, a bigger battery, a better display, and some very cool color options this time around.
The first thing you’ll notice, regardless of whether you pick the Moto G or the Moto G Play, is the display. You’re looking at a generous 6.7-inch display on both models. That’s the same as the 2025 Moto G and a slight increase from the 2024 Moto G Play. The bigger deal is that they both sport a 120Hz refresh rate and can hit a peak brightness of 1,000 nits. Specs that remain the same from previous generations include the resolution of 1604 x 720, an LCD panel, and Gorilla Glass 3.
Camera quality is often where budget phones really show their shortcomings. If you spring for the standard Moto G, you get a 50MP main camera and a 32MP front camera for your selfies. If you choose the Moto G Play, you’re getting a 32MP main camera and an 8MP front shooter. Both feature quad pixel technology, which aims to help in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.
No matter which phone you opt for, you’ll be getting a massive 5,200mAh battery. That’s another slight upgrade over previous models. Even more, the charging speeds are getting a bump. The 2026 Moto G now supports 30W quick-charging, while the 2026 Moto G Play gets a solid 18W. Both models are powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset and 4GB of RAM. The Moto G has 256GB of storage, while the Moto G Play has 128GB.
As with Motorola’s high-end phones, the new Moto G series includes Pantone color options with a leather-inspired finish. The Moto G comes in a gray color called “Slipstream” and a vibrant purple called “Cattleya Orchid.” The Moto G Play will be available in Pantone “Tapestry” blue.
The Moto G starts at just $200, and it’s available directly from Motorola starting on December 11th, and then from Amazon and Best Buy on January 15th. The Moto G Play is slightly cheaper at $170 and will be available online from Motorola, Best Buy, and Amazon on November 13th. You can register now to be alerted when the phones are available.
Source: Motorola
