Latest news with #MotoG
Phone Arena
12-05-2025
- Phone Arena
I thought I found the PERFECT budget phone, until I noticed this
You would think that in 2025, nearly 20 years since the first smartphones arrived, we would finally be able to buy a no-compromise phone for a budget price. But that hasn't really been the case. In the past few years, smartphone prices have gone up, not down. And the quality of budget phones has honestly improved in very slow increments. Just look at devices like the $200 Samsung Galaxy A16 with a processor that still stutters and lags, making an easy argument to upgrade to a more expensive device. Even at the $300 price point, you have devices like the Moto G series that come with a compromised LCD screen rather than OLED. So you can see how I was really excited to test a new kind of budget phone that made very little of those adjustments. Big and beautiful OLED screen? Check. Fast and smoother performance. You've got it. Decent haptics? Surprisingly, yes! A good camera? Yes, indeed. Thin and lightweight? You bet! Solid battery life. Check again. And there are many other details that make this phone special, including just the sheer value of getting a phone with 256GB of storage for $280, while Samsung charges $300 for the Galaxy A26 that only has 128 GB on board. Not to mention the creativity of Nothing. You can add a screw-on case with custom lenses and it also adds MagSafe magnets to the back of the phone. And you can easily add a kickstand or a lanyard. Now, that's cool and creative. So… have I found the perfect budget phone? Well, those were my thoughts in the first few days of living with the CMF Phone 2 Pro, the latest creation by former OnePlus guru Carl Pei (now founder and CEO of London-based phone maker Nothing). There was really very little to dislike about the CMF Phone 2 Pro, even from a seasoned and occasionally grumpy phone reviewer like myself. But then I opened the YouTube Music app, played my favorite song and the moment I heard it, I knew that this was a deal-breaker. I had just stumbled upon the biggest flaw of this otherwise phenomenal budget phone. Yep, the loudspeaker quality kind of sucked. The sound was too quiet, but also the low frequencies were completely missing and even the mids sound muddy. It's just an incredibly dull listening experience, and I was so disappointed I had to turn off the song immediately. Now, I am the kind of person who listens to a lot of music, YouTube videos and podcasts on their phone, and if you are not like me, then great — consider the CMF Phone 2 Pro about as perfect as budget phones get. But if you like listening to music on your phone, too, then… curb your enthusiasm. And it's a bummer that most reviewers don't seem to ever mention that as if it was not something you bump into every day. I am not saying other budget phones in the sub-$300 price will give you much better sound quality. I would actually suggest going for at least a $400 phone for that, but I was hoping the CMF would be different in its new energy and vigor. After all, wouldn't it be the dream to finally have THE PERFECT budget phone? But let me know: do you care about the loudspeaker on your phone, and is that an important factor for you when you pick your next phone? Read more about in our in-depth CMF Phone 2 Pro review
Phone Arena
05-05-2025
- Phone Arena
Motorola's 2026 budget-friendly lineup leaks one year earlier
It's hard to believe that we're getting not only the first details but also the first pictures showing some of Motorola's budget-friendly smartphone not expected to arrive until 2026. Granted, these pictures are accurate, they show very familiar faces. The first one is allegedly showing the Moto G 2026, a budget-friendly smartphone with a classy look. The phone comes in a blue color, presumably to be Pantone 2376C. It features model number XT2613-1, which indicates that it's the US version of the Moto G 2026. The 26 number suggests that this is the Moto G 2026, while the 3 confirms it's part of the Moto G family. The previous model, Moto G 2025, has a different XT2513 model number, but that comes in line with the naming scheme Motorola uses for its smartphones. Also visible in the picture is the fact that the Moto G 2026 will retain the vegan leather back and camera system. Alleged Moto G 2026 | Image credit: AndroidHeadlines No details about its specs are available yet, but it's clear that the Moto G 2026 features a triple-camera setup. However, it's important to mention that the third camera is in fact an ambient light sensor that helps with taking more accurate pictures. The second Motorola phone that's been leaked almost a year earlier is the Moto G Power 2026. This is another affordable smartphone that Motorola is expected to introduce next year, but we already know what the phone looks like. And just like the Moto G 2026, this one looks awfully similar to this year Moto G Power (not that it's a bad thing). The phone has the model number XT2615-1, which, once again, suggests that this is the US version of the phone (number '1' designates the US market). Alleged Moto G Power 2026 | Image credit: AndroidHeadlines The source of the leak claims Motorola will continue to collaborate with Pantone, which is why the Moto G Power 2026 will come in a blue finish, also known as Pantone 431C. Just like the Moto G 2025, the Moto G Power 2026 comes with a triple camera that also includes an ambient light sensor as a third 'camera.' Besides that, there are no other details about its specs, but we suspect more information will emerge closer to launch. Speaking of which, Motorola typically introduces its new budget-friendly lineup at the beginning of the year, but this time might make an exception and announce the 2026 Moto G and Moto G Power a bit earlier.
WIRED
25-02-2025
- WIRED
Motorola's New Moto G Power Could Use a Bit More Power
There are two main areas of improvement. First, the Moto G Power finally has an IP rating of IP68/69, meaning it has been tested to survive water jets and submersion. It will survive heavy rain and an accidental drop in the pool. These ratings are often only available on pricier phones, so it's good to have that peace of mind. Second, Motorola promises two Android operating system upgrades alongside three years of security updates. That's a huge change considering I complained about the poor update strategy in Motorola phones four years ago . Mind you, it could stand to be longer, but it's a start. This means that for the first time, a Moto G phone can enjoy two OS updates, which often include new features. Thankfully, the Moto G Power 2025 launched with the current Android 15 version, so this phone will get Android 16 and Android 17, though don't expect the updates to arrive fast. Speaking of software, the user interface is clean and relatively pain-free. However, like previous Moto G phones, there's a boatload of pre-installed bloatware. You can uninstall all of it—and you'll want to take the time to do it as it can save some storage space. Battery life is great—the 5,000-mAh cell roughly lasts two days with average use, though on days when I used the phone for navigation, music streaming, and lots of Instagram Reels-ing, it dipped to approximately 30 percent by bedtime. My favorite perk is that I can recharge it with a wireless charger, and this Moto G remains one of the few sub-$300 phones with the capability. Photograph: Julian Chokkattu The rest of the reasons you may want this phone over other devices remain: It still has a headphone jack for all you cord lovers; it keeps the microSD card slot—on top of the built-in 128 GB of storage—if you often use a lot of storage; and the near-field communication sensor (NFC) lets you make contactless payments so you can leave the wallet at home. Good Looks One thing Motorola did get right again is design. The vegan leather (aka plastic) texture on the back mixed with the wonderful green color elevates this simple-looking phone into something more. It has character and stands out from the sea of boring black slabs, not to mention it feels much nicer to hold. Over on the back is where you'll also find three cameras, though one is just an ambient light sensor. The main camera is a 50-megapixel sensor and it's joined by an 8-MP ultrawide that also doubles as a macro camera. The primary shooter is decent. Enable Motorola's Night mode and it can take some solid low-light images, though the results can be blurry if you don't stay still enough, and colors are muddy. Skin tones and white balance are problematic too, but these are common issues with phone cameras at this price bracket.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Yahoo
You Can Get a Great $300 Phone as Long as You Make One Choice
If you need a new phone for less than $300, there are a plenty of options that could fulfill your most important needs. But there's a big trade-off when it comes to phones in this more affordable range. A phone with modern specs like an eye-catching design, improved multitasking and wireless charging might still only receive one or two major software updates and three years of security patches. Some sub-$300 phones have a longer timeline of four years for software updates and five years of security updates. But those devices skimp on certain features, possibly leaving you wanting to upgrade sooner anyway. This is the dilemma I've been weighing after testing a variety of phones that cost less than $300. We take software and security timelines seriously in our reviews because these updates can dictate whether devices get new software features and critical fixes. Now that premium phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 and the Pixel 9 are promised seven years of software and security updates, we'd like to see more affordable phones step up to at least four to five years. But we're not there just yet. Most phones that cost $300 or less are shipping with a promise of one additional software update and three years of security updates. Though Samsung is taking the opposite approach with its $200 Galaxy A15 5G and $300 Galaxy A25 5G, both of which get four years of software updates and five years of security updates, both have a dated design and lack features found on comparable phones. Samsung's new $200 Galaxy A16 is upping its software and security commitment to six years, but I haven't had the chance to test this phone yet. That means shoppers have to contend with the very same decision I've been pondering during the last few months: Do you go with a more feature-packed phone, such as the $300 OnePlus Nord N30 5G, which has extremely fast wired charging and a 108-megapixel main camera? Or is it better to choose a more bare-bones phone like those in Samsung's Galaxy A series, which will get crucial software updates for years to come. And to make matters more confusing, what about an older device that's now available at a discount, such as the Google Pixel 6A? Motorola and OnePlus both offer $300 phones that are worthy of your time and attention. This 2024 Moto G Power 5G is a looker, starting with its Pale Lilac vegan leather design. The entire Moto G line now makes use of this material, which results in an easier grip should you choose not to use the phone with a case. Motorola has also thrown 15-watt wireless charging into the mix, making it one of the cheapest phones to include this option. You'll get faster, 30-watt speeds when plugging in the phone and charging it the old-fashioned way, but the flexibility to charge it without a cable is quite helpful -- and rare at this price. Motorola has also announced 2025 editions of the $200 Moto G and $300 Moto G Power that continue this trend of a colorful vegan leather design, durability and quick charging speeds. The OnePlus Nord N30 5G has an attractive reflective design, which emphasizes its 108-megapixel main camera. It took decent photos when I reviewed it last year, but the real value feature was its 50-watt SuperVooc charger. Even though it's proprietary (meaning only the included charger achieves these speeds), it replenishes the battery up to 75% in 30 minutes -- a speed that most other phones do not achieve. Both Motorola's and OnePlus' cheaper phones include a super smooth 120Hz refresh rate, NFC for contactless payments, and processors that are fast enough for multitasking along with playing games. But unfortunately, both these phones also have shorter update schedules. Though the N30 is still on sale, it's now nearly two years into its three-year security support commitment. Meanwhile, Motorola's 2025 Moto G phones are getting two years of software updates and three years of security updates, a slight uptick from the single software update the Moto G line received in prior years alongside the same security commitment. Samsung deserves recognition for extending the lifespan of its cheaper Galaxy A series phones. It's absolutely wonderful that both the $200 Galaxy A15 and the $300 Galaxy A25 are receiving four years of software updates and five years of security updates. And it's even better that the Galaxy A16 is receiving six years of each. No competitor even comes close to that promise. Samsung nailed the basics for both of these phones, with high-refresh displays, NFC contactless payments and powerful enough processors. But compared with other similarly priced phones, Samsung's Galaxy A devices feel dull. The A15 and A25 are made of plastic and have a blocky notch rather than the sleeker cutout for the selfie camera found on most other competing phones. While Samsung's cheaper phones can handle essentials without issue, they struggle with simple multitasking. The A15 in particular consistently loads slowly. Though the A25 fared better with most tasks, it occasionally stutters when loading games or playing music while using a web browser and password manager simultaneously. I look forward to testing the A16 to see if Samsung was able to improve phone performance for its lower-priced option. This makes the Galaxy A15 and Galaxy A25 completely adequate if all you want is a phone for communication that won't need replacing anytime soon. But I worry that you'll run into dead ends as apps and services develop over the coming years, especially if these phones are already easily overwhelmed. You may have noticed that I didn't discuss the cameras on any of the previously mentioned phones. That's because while all of them feature at least 50-megapixel main cameras, none of them take particularly impressive photos. Yet Google's Pixel 6A remains available for sale and often gets priced under $300. Thanks to a recent extension given to the Pixel 6 and later, the Pixel 6A will now get software updates until July 2027 along with security updates for the same amount of time. This is a major boost to this cheaper phone's usability, especially considering that Google originally planned to sunset the Pixel 6A's software updates in 2025. The Pixel 6A's 12.2-megapixel main camera is still impressive for the price. It runs on Google's first generation Tensor processor and comes with many of the Pixel's flagship features like Magic Eraser for editing photos, Live Translate and other long-standing Pixel exclusives like Call Screening and Hold for Me. The Pixel 6A also includes the AI-powered Circle to Search. Even though the Pixel 6A will miss out on Google's newer and more advanced Gemini AI features, it's still a promising option even two years after its release. However, you won't get wireless charging or a headphone jack on the Pixel 6A, and its screen is smaller and dimmer than other phones mentioned in this story. Your priorities matter most when choosing a budget phone. If you want the most features for an affordable price wrapped in an eye-catching design, consider phones from Motorola, Google and OnePlus. However, if the most important reason for buying a cheaper phone is to avoid upgrading for as long as possible, you should consider Samsung's Galaxy A phones. The irony is that you can't have both. The phone that gets updated for four years may not necessarily be the one you want to hang on to for four years.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Yahoo
Moto G (2025) review: An inexpensive, no-frills phone
Android is special, not just because of the amazing phones that call it home, but because of the versatility it offers as a platform. While flagship phones like the Google Pixel 9 and midrange monsters like the OnePlus 13R get the bulk of the spotlight, many options come with a lower price point. Motorola has been one of the industry leaders when it comes to low-cost Android phones for a while now. The company isn't afraid to undercut the competition by bringing several phones to the market that retail for less than $250. The Moto G (2025) is the latest device in Motorola's low-cost lineup, and if you keep expectations in check, it delivers a solid experience in a couple of key categories. 7/10 The Moto G (2025) offers a compelling package at a low price point. With great battery life, a well-crafted design, and Android 15, the Moto G is a solid device. No phone is perfect and neither is the Moto G, but looking past it's shortcomings is easy if you're on a tight budget. Pros & Cons Great design Multiple days of battery life Display gets the job done for the price Fantastic price Motorola's software updates are highly suspect Lackluster performance Mediocre cameras The Moto G (2025) was released on January 30, 2025, and carries an attractive retail price of $200. It's available in a single colorway, Forest Gray, and can be found with 128GB of storage. The Moto G can be purchased from Motorola or a retailer like Amazon or Best Buy. At the time of writing, it's not available through wireless carriers. However, last year's Moto G 5G (2024) can be found on various carriers, so we may see the newest Moto G in the future. The Moto G is a well-crafted phone, especially considering its $200 price point. Motorola has been using vegan leather on the back of devices like the Motorola Razr (2024) for some time now. With what feels like every manufacturer opting to use glass on the back of their devices, I applaud Motorola for bucking the trend. I'm a big fan of the textured vegan finish. Not just because it looks and feels great but because it gives the Moto G some flair that helps it stand out in a crowd. The fit and finish may not matter much if you plan on tossing the Moto G in a case, but if you plan on going caseless, the Moto G has my approval. At 167.05 x 76.3 x 8.16mm, the Moto G is a sizable device, but it's relatively thin, making it easy to hold. At 193g, it's also light for its size but still feels hefty enough that it doesn't feel like a cheap toy. It has an IP54 rating to keep it safe from light splashes and rain, but it won't fare well in anything more than that. The power button on the right edge doubles as a fingerprint reader, which was reliable during my testing. With 128GB, there's plenty of storage by default, but you can expand the storage up to 1TB thanks to the microSD card slot. If you prefer wired headphones, you'll be happy to know that Motorola included a 3.5mm headphone jack on the bottom. Motorola equipped the Moto G with a 5,000mAh battery, which leads to an impressive battery life. I routinely got over eight hours of screen on time, lasting two full days before I had to plug it in. When you need to charge the Moto G, you can charge it via USB-C up to 30W. It takes 25 minutes to go from dead to 50% and an hour and 16 minutes to charge fully. I wasn't expecting much regarding the display, but the Moto G exceeded my expectations for such a low-cost device. It has a large 6.7-inch LCD panel with a 120Hz refresh rate for mostly smooth scrolling. I say mostly due to some performance issues, but more on that later. Some may complain about the lackluster 1604 x 720 resolution, but the more I used it, the more I realized it didn't matter. Is it the sharpest display out there? Not by a long shot. Did it hinder my experience? Absolutely not. It was bright enough to be used outdoors and crisp enough for watching Netflix or YouTube videos. For a $200 device, that's all I could hope for. Some devices in this price range have better displays, like the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G, but the display Motorola went with is perfectly capable. Software is another aspect that I enjoyed during my time with the Moto G. It's easy for manufacturers to ship outdated versions of Android. Still, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it ships with Android 15 and a mostly stock version of Android. There's also less bloatware than I expected. A handful of Moto apps can be disabled but not removed, and five apps like Facebook and Candy Crush can be uninstalled. One aspect of the Moto G that I loved was the chop gesture. Holding the phone sideways and making a chopping motion activates the flashlight, which I use daily. The Moto G can also take a screenshot by placing three fingers on the display. While I enjoyed the software experience of the Moto G, I can't say that I trust Motorola when it comes to software updates. It's good that this phone comes with Android 15 because, regardless of what Motorola promises, there's a strong chance that this device will receive minimal support. They just aren't good at keeping their phones updated. It's a pill that's easier to swallow thanks to its low price point, but it's still disappointing, to say the least. There were some performance woes, and that's my biggest gripe about the Moto G. Equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor and a paltry 4GB of RAM, you'll encounter stutters. It happens randomly. It doesn't matter if you scroll a web page or jump between apps. Stuttering limits the effectiveness of the 120Hz display, which can be frustrating. Motorola features RAM Boost, which allows you to reserve up to 8GB of storage to use as additional RAM. It's nice in theory, but your device's storage will never match that of regular RAM. While it makes a difference, it wasn't enough to stop the stuttering completely. In Geekbench 6, the Moto G received a single-core score of 787 and a multicore score of 1,986. These scores aren't much better than last year's model and are roughly the same as what you would get on the Galaxy A15 5G. Benchmarks don't tell much of the story, and I'm happy to say that the Moto G handles basic tasks like web browsing, messaging, and checking your mail. It can even handle intensive tasks like light gaming. It can play games like Call of Duty Mobile and Genshin Impact at low settings and with minimal issues, but it's far from ideal if you enjoy mobile gaming. Camera quality and versatility are lacking on the Moto G. You get a 50MP, f/1.8 primary lens, a 2MP f/2.4 macro lens, and a 16MP, f/2.4 front-facing camera. The primary camera gets decent-looking shots, but they often lack detail, especially when looking at the image on a larger monitor. It only gets worse when the lighting dims, with the resulting images increasingly losing detail and becoming muddy. The macro lens isn't worth using or talking about, so you essentially get a single rear camera on the back. The front-facing lens is fine for the occasional video call, but it will suffer from problems similar to those of the primary rear-facing lens. If you're in the market for a low-cost, no-frills Android phone that does the basics well, the Moto G (2025) is a good option. It is well-designed and has phenomenal battery life. The display can be off-putting for some, although it shouldn't, as it's enough for daily use. I also enjoyed the stock Android experience of the Moto G. The main aspects holding the Moto G back are its lackluster performance, Motorola's poor update history, and mediocre camera performance. No phone is perfect, and that's evident here. Making a $200 phone is difficult and requires careful consideration of every component. Motorola did a solid job providing a good overall experience while nailing the price. You can spend a bit more and get something more powerful, but if $200 is your limit, you can do far worse than the Moto G (2025). 7/10 Thanks to multiple days of battery life, a beautiful design, and a stock Android 15 experience, the Moto G (2025) is a great option if you are on a tight budget. It's let down by lackluster performance and mediocre cameras, but is a good device overall considering the price.
