Why I recommend this budget Motorola phone over cheap options by Samsung and Google

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Over the past several weeks, I’ve been testing the 2026 Moto G Power, the last of Motorola’s 2026 series — for now. During CES 2026, the company unveiled the Razr Fold, its first foldable smartphone, so there is more to come. But for the initial group, I’d like to think that Motorola saved the best for last. It offers the best user experience of its generation, and I recommend it over the others. 

Also: Best of CES 2026 awards

My biggest criticism of Motorola’s 2026 lineup is that it closely mirrors the previous generation: many of these phones feel almost identical to their 2025 counterparts. However, even though the 2026 Moto G Power shares a lot of DNA with the 2025 version, it introduces more meaningful upgrades that allow it to stand out on its own. 

Improved features

The biggest upgrades to the 2026 Moto G Power were made to the battery and camera system. It packs a 5,200mAh battery, which is slightly larger than the previous generation’s 5,000mAh cell. It doesn’t seem like a big change, but the extra size does improve longevity. As part of testing, I played a 720p YouTube livestream nonstop, and the device lasted a good 20 hours before tapping out. It is possible to double that run time by activating Maximum Battery Saver.

Also: Why I prefer this $200 Motorola phone over Google and Samsung’s cheaper models

What this does is restrict most of the device’s features, except for essential functions and apps, such as Phone, Messages, Settings, and the Google Play Store. A Motorola rep told me that those four apps were “designated as essential”, so those remain active. It’s a tool intended for use only in emergencies. Activating it can extend the battery life to over 40 hours, as was the case with my review unit.

The selfie camera has been upgraded to a 32MP lens, delivering sharper photos with better color accuracy. Like the rest of the 2026 series, the rear camera on the Moto G Power received the same color correction tweaks. Photos taken by the mobile device aren’t overly saturated. To illustrate my point, I’ve included a picture I took of a group of plush penguins to demonstrate the camera’s quality.

Another standout camera feature is Night Vision. When the light sensor detects a low-light environment, the phone provides the opportunity to activate the tool, allowing the lenses to capture more light for brighter, higher-quality nighttime photos. You’ll need to keep your hands steady to get a clear shot. Fortunately, Optical Image Stabilization keeps the camera steady, minimizing blur from slight hand movements.

Motorola also told me that Night Vision captures multiple frames, “selecting moments of minimal motion.” Below is a photo I took of a distant house light using Night Vision, and I think it turned out quite well. You can see all the objects pretty clearly, despite the less-than-optimal conditions. 

Sleek and durable

Design-wise, the 2026 Moto G Power is largely unchanged from the 2025 model, apart from the new available colors. It’s a 6.8-inch phone weighing just over 200 grams, and it’s built to be tough. The screen is made out of Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, which is highly resistant to scratches and can survive drops of up to three feet onto asphalt. Motorola’s smartphone is also rated IP69, meaning it can handle brief submersion underwater.

Like the other models in the series, the back is covered in vegan leather. I’m not sure if Motorola made changes to the material or used a different one, because the back of the Moto G Power felt different, rougher, like actual leather. I actually prefer this construction. The other phones had a softer back, almost like cloth. This phone had a nicer feel.

Also: I tried Motorola’s Razr Fold at CES 2026, and it’s the company’s most ambitious phone yet

Returning to the display, it operates at Full HD+ resolution (2388 x 1080 pixels), and it is, far and away, the best screen among the 2026 trio. It consistently outputs high-res visuals with bright and vibrant colors. On the other Moto G models, the screen quality was so low that it almost ruins the camera. Their displays don’t do the photographs they take any justice. Thankfully, that is not an issue with the Moto G Power.

Under the hood, the phone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset. I’m going to be brutally honest here: I have nothing to say about the 6300 that I haven’t already said before. It’s a decent piece of hardware. 

Nearly every Motorola smartphone from the 2025 and 2026 lines uses this chipset, and it’s a solid midrange platform that’s great for casual internet browsing and light photography, but struggles under heavy workloads, like mobile gaming. In this instance, the Full HD+ display does a lot of heavy lifting, elevating the 2026 Moto G Power above the rest. 

ZDNET’s buying advice

The Moto G Power is available now for $300 on the company’s website. You can choose from two colors: Evening Blue and Pure Cashmere, which is a shiny, pearl-like white.

I’ve advised readers in previous reviews to consider the 2025 models if they want a mobile device similar to the 2026 version but at a lower price. In this instance, however, I can confidently say that this Moto G Power model is better than its predecessor thanks to the improvements made to the battery and camera.