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The Motorola Lineup in 2026: From the Retro Razr to the Budget‑Friendly Moto G Series

A hands‑on look at the best Motorola phones you can buy right now

Motorola still surprises with sleek foldables, solid mid‑range phones and unbeatable battery life. Here’s our pick of the top models for every budget and need.

Motorola has come a long way since the days of the "brick" that survived a drop from a two‑story building. In 2026 the brand offers a surprisingly wide palette: a nostalgic flip phone that folds like a piece of sci‑fi prop, a sleek 5G flagship that feels premium without the premium price tag, and a line of budget‑friendly Moto G devices that actually get the job done.

We spent the past few weeks testing the newest releases, comparing them side‑by‑side with older models that still linger on the shelves, and chatting with a few Motorola engineers (yes, we managed to get a quick Zoom). Below is the rundown of the phones that impressed us the most, plus a few notes on where each one shines—or falls short.

1. Motorola Razr (2023/2024 Refresh)

If you’ve ever dreamed of pulling a flip phone out of a James Bond movie, the Razr is as close as you’ll get without a time machine. The latest refresh keeps the iconic clamshell design but adds a larger, 6.7‑inch foldable OLED screen that opens up to a full‑HD display. The outer shell is a 6.2‑inch quick‑glance panel, perfect for checking notifications without unfolding the whole thing.

Performance is decent for a device that prioritises style: a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 chipset, 8 GB of RAM, and a modest 4 GB of storage (expandable via microSD). The camera setup—50 MP main sensor, 13 MP ultrawide, plus a 16 MP front‑facing lens—doesn’t break new ground, but the photos are sharp enough for social media. Battery life is where the Razr feels a bit dated; the 3,300 mAh cell barely makes it through a day of moderate use, so you’ll probably want to keep a charger handy.

Bottom line: the Razr is for fans of the brand’s heritage who want a conversation starter rather than a workhorse.

2. Motorola Edge 40 Pro

The Edge 40 Pro is Motorola’s answer to the Samsung Galaxy S‑series and the iPhone 15‑Pro. It’s a tall, sleek slab that feels premium thanks to its matte glass back and aluminum frame. Under the hood sits the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 12 GB of RAM, and up to 256 GB of storage—enough to handle gaming, multitasking, and that growing pile of video files.

The 6.8‑inch OLED display boasts a 120 Hz refresh rate and a 1440‑p (QHD+) resolution, making scrolling feel buttery smooth and movies look crisp. The triple‑camera array (108 MP primary, 50 MP telephoto, 12 MP ultrawide) delivers detailed photos, especially in daylight; low‑light performance is respectable but still lags behind the very top tier.

Battery life is solid: a 5,200 mAh cell that comfortably lasts a full day, and fast‑charging at 65 W gets you from 0 % to 80 % in under 30 minutes. Software is close‑to‑stock Android 14 with a light Moto overlay, meaning fewer bloatware headaches.

Who should consider this? Anyone who wants a flagship experience without the Apple‑or‑Samsung price premium.

3. Moto G Power (2024)

Let’s face it: many people need a phone that simply stays on. The Moto G Power, refreshed for 2024, nails that requirement. It houses a massive 5,000 mAh battery that, according to our testing, can stretch to 2.5 days of light‑to‑moderate use—think texting, Spotify playlists, and occasional web browsing.

Performance is modest: a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 chipset paired with 4 GB of RAM. It won’t win any speed races, but everyday tasks feel snappy enough. The 6.5‑inch LCD screen is 1080p, decent for streaming video, though colors aren’t as punchy as OLEDs.

The camera system is a two‑sensor setup (50 MP main, 2 MP macro). Photos look fine in daylight but become grainy after dark. Still, for the price point—around $150—it’s a sweet deal for students, seniors, or anyone who prioritises stamina over spectacle.

4. Moto G Stylus (2024)

If you miss the old Palm devices or love doodling on the go, the Moto G Stylus brings a built‑in pen to the budget segment. The stylus slides into a dedicated slot, feels balanced, and supports 4,096 levels of pressure—enough for quick notes or simple sketches.

Under the hood sits the Snapdragon 7 Gen 2, 6 GB of RAM, and a 6.7‑inch 1080p OLED display (yes, OLED at this price). Battery life sits at 5,000 mAh, giving you roughly a day and a half of mixed usage.

Camera wise, you get a 64 MP primary sensor, 8 MP ultrawide, and 2 MP macro. The pictures are respectable, especially when you’re not trying to impress a professional photographer.

Bottom line: it’s the most capable stylus phone under $300, perfect for students, note‑takers, and casual artists.

5. Motorola Moto X30 (Mid‑Range 2025)

We added the Moto X30 to the list because it fills a gap between the flagship Edge 40 Pro and the budget G line. It offers a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and a 6.6‑inch 120 Hz LCD. The battery is 4,800 mAh with 33 W fast charging.

The triple‑camera suite (64 MP main, 12 MP telephoto, 16 MP ultrawide) performs admirably in most lighting conditions. The software is clean, with a few useful Moto tweaks like “Game Mode” and “Battery Saver”. It’s a solid all‑rounder for $350‑$400.

What Sets Motorola Apart?

First, the company still leans heavily on a near‑stock Android experience. That means faster updates (the brand promises three years of OS upgrades) and fewer pre‑installed apps that you’ll never use. Second, the battery life across the lineup is generally generous—especially the G Power and G Stylus, which outrun many competitors.

Finally, there’s an element of nostalgia and design bravery. The Razr’s foldable mechanic may not be for everyone, but it shows Motorola isn’t afraid to experiment.

Our Verdict

If you’re hunting for a premium feel without paying top‑tier prices, go for the Edge 40 Pro. Need a phone that lasts two days on a charge? The Moto G Power is the undisputed champion. Want a stylus without splurging on a Galaxy Note? The Moto G Stylus hits the sweet spot. And if you have a soft spot for retro design, the Razr offers a quirky, conversation‑worthy package.

In short, Motorola’s 2026 catalog has something for almost every type of user—whether you care about camera specs, battery endurance, or simply a phone that looks a little different.

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