When it comes to buying a smartphone on a strict budget in the US, Motorola is usually the first brand that comes to mind. While other companies focus heavily on their premium flagship devices, Motorola has maintained a steady output of affordable phones in its Moto G series.
For 2026, the company has updated its lineup with a focus on practical features: larger batteries, durable builds, and the inclusion of Android 16. If you are looking to spend less than $400 this year, here is a look at the most notable Motorola devices available right now, along with one slightly pricier option that might be worth the stretch.
1. Moto G Power (2026)
The Moto G Power has historically been Motorola’s most balanced budget phone, and the 2026 model continues that trend. Priced at $300, it offers a sensible mix of hardware for everyday tasks.
The phone features a 6.8-inch FHD+ LCD screen. While it isn’t an OLED panel, it does offer a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and reaches up to 1000 nits of brightness, which is adequate for outdoor visibility. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor and comes with 8GB of RAM. This setup is fine for standard use like web browsing, messaging, and video streaming, though it will likely struggle with heavy gaming.
The phone includes a 5200mAh battery with 30W wired charging, which should easily get most users through a full day. Motorola also added MIL-STD-810H durability and IP68/IP69 water and dust resistance, making it unusually rugged for this price bracket. The trade-off is that it lacks wireless charging, but the inclusion of a vegan leather back gives it a nice texture.
Price: $299.99
2. Moto G 5G (2026)
If your budget is strictly capped at $200, the Moto G 5G (2026) is the baseline model. Motorola kept the same MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor and 5200mAh battery found in the G Power, which means battery life and basic performance remain consistent.
However, to hit the lower price point, there are noticeable hardware reductions. The display is a 6.7-inch LCD, but the resolution drops to HD+. It retains the 120Hz refresh rate, but text and images won’t look as sharp. The RAM is also halved to 4GB, which means you might notice some slowdowns when multitasking or keeping multiple apps open in the background.
Additionally, the water resistance is downgraded to a basic IP52 rating, meaning it can handle a light splash but shouldn’t be submerged. It’s a basic phone for basic needs.
Price: $199.99
3. Moto G Stylus 5G (2026)
While the Moto G Stylus 5G (2026) sits above the $400 mark, it is worth mentioning if you have flexibility in your budget. At $500, it offers a significant step up in hardware and functionality.
The most obvious addition is the built-in active stylus, which now supports tilt and pressure sensitivity. Motorola has integrated it with Google Gemini AI for features like Sketch to Image and a handwriting calculator. The display is also a major upgrade: a 6.7-inch 1.5K pOLED screen that gets significantly brighter than the LCDs on the cheaper models.
Internally, it uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, which offers better performance, and it features a more capable 50MP main camera with a Sony LYT-700C sensor and optical image stabilization. It also adds 68W fast charging and 15W wireless charging, alongside the same high-level IP68/IP69 durability as the G Power.
Price: $499.99
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