Motorola Moto G- Motorola has introduced two new budget-friendly Android phones that will include Google’s Circle to Search feature. The new Moto G and Moto G Play for 2026 will be some of the most affordable phones to get this AI-powered feature. These phones will also come with the Gemini assistant built in.
The Moto G Play will launch first on November 13, followed by the Moto G on December 11. Both phones will ship with Android 16 and offer a modern smartphone experience at a very low price. The Moto G Play will cost $170, while the Moto G will be priced at $200.
Circle to Search and Gemini on a budget
Google’s Circle to Search has become one of the most useful AI tools on Android. It lets users circle anything on their screen to search directly with Google. Getting this feature on phones under $200 is a big deal for those who want smart features without spending much.
Both phones also include the Gemini assistant, which will help users manage daily tasks, answer questions, and perform voice commands quickly. This makes these phones feel much more advanced than their price would suggest.
Display and design
Both the Moto G and Moto G Play come with large 6.7-inch screens that support a 120Hz refresh rate. This makes scrolling and gaming feel smooth and responsive. The display size and smooth motion are impressive for phones in this price range.
The phones have a clean design with Pantone color options that look fresh and modern. The Moto G Play comes in a unique blue-green shade called Pantone Tapestry, while the Moto G offers two colors — Pantone Cattleya Orchid (a soft magenta) and Pantone Slipstream (a gray tone).
Battery and charging
Both phones come with a powerful 5,200mAh battery, ensuring long hours of use on a single charge. The Moto G Play supports 18W fast charging, while the Moto G offers faster 30W wired charging.
The large battery size will allow users to easily get through a full day, even with heavy usage. Motorola has focused on power efficiency, which should make these phones great for people who are always on the go.
Performance and storage
The Moto G and Moto G Play both run on the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor. This processor provides solid performance for daily tasks, social media, and light gaming.
The Moto G Play comes with 4GB of RAM, but it can expand virtually up to 12GB using Motorola’s RAM Boost feature. It also includes 64GB of internal storage, which you can expand up to 1TB with a microSD card.
The Moto G offers an upgrade with 128GB of storage, giving users more space for apps, videos, and photos. Both phones should run smoother on Android 16, especially with the improved memory management.
| Feature | Moto G Play (2026) | Moto G (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch, 120Hz | 6.7-inch, 120Hz |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 6300 | MediaTek Dimensity 6300 |
| RAM | 4GB (expandable to 12GB) | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB (expandable to 1TB) | 128GB |
| Rear Camera | 32MP | 50MP + 2MP macro |
| Front Camera | 8MP | 32MP |
| Battery | 5,200mAh | 5,200mAh |
| Charging | 18W | 30W |
| Colors | Pantone Tapestry | Pantone Cattleya Orchid, Pantone Slipstream |
| Price | $170 | $200 |
Camera performance
The Moto G Play features a 32MP rear camera and an 8MP selfie camera. It’s simple but good enough for capturing daily photos and videos.
The Moto G, however, takes a step up with a 50MP main camera and a 2MP macro lens for close-up shots. The front 32MP selfie camera is ideal for selfies and video calls. These camera setups provide good quality at this price point, especially for casual users.
Early impressions and expectations
Motorola’s move to include Circle to Search and 5G support in such affordable phones is impressive. It shows that even budget phones can offer advanced AI and smooth connectivity.
However, some users might notice that the Moto G 2026 has specs quite similar to the 2025 model, especially the same 4GB RAM. That could limit multitasking slightly. Still, Motorola’s RAM Boost feature helps improve performance by using storage as extra memory.
With Android 16, both phones should perform better and manage apps more efficiently. The large batteries also promise longer use between charges, which is great for people who need reliability.
Conclusion
The 2026 Moto G and Moto G Play bring advanced features like Circle to Search and Gemini AI to affordable smartphones. With solid performance, long battery life, and stylish designs, these phones make smart technology available to everyone. Motorola has once again proven that a good smartphone doesn’t have to cost much.
