Moto G (2026) and Moto G Play (2026) land in North America with big batteries and bold Pantone finishes

Motorola is doubling down on value phones in North America with the official debut of the Moto G (2026) and the Moto G Play (2026). Both models lean into the brand’s familiar recipe: practical specs where they matter, playful Pantone colorways, and prices that won’t spook your wallet.

While the two phones share much of their hardware, each targets a slightly different crowd depending on camera and charging priorities.

Moto G (2026): the fuller feature set at $199.99

At the core of the Moto G (2026) sits MediaTek’s Dimensity 6300 SoC paired with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, a combination aimed at smooth everyday use. Powering everything is a sizable 5,200 mAh battery that supports up to 30W charging, so topping up should be reasonably quick for this class. On photography, Motorola equips a 50MP main camera backed by a dedicated macro lens for close-ups, while selfies and video calls are handled by a generous 32MP front camera.

The display is a shared highlight: a 6.7-inch panel with a fluid 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1,000 nits in High Brightness Mode for better outdoor visibility. There’s Gorilla Glass 3 up front and an IP52 rating for basic dust and splash resistance. Styling is on-brand Motorola, with leather-like finishes in Pantone Slipstream and Pantone Cattleya Orchid. The phone ships with Android 16 out of the box.

Availability for the Moto G (2026) in the US starts December 11 via Motorola’s online shop, Verizon, Total Wireless, Straight Talk, Simple Mobile, Tracfone, Walmart Family, and Visible, with broader rollout to T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Boost Mobile, Cricket Wireless, AT&T, Google Fi Wireless, Xfinity Mobile, Consumer Cellular, Optimum Mobile, and UScellular in the coming months. Retailers Amazon and Best Buy join on January 15. MSRP lands at $199.99. In Canada, it’s also slated for December 11 via Motorola.

Moto G Play (2026): same template, sharper value at $169.99

The Moto G Play (2026) mirrors the overall package – Dimensity 6300, 4GB/128GB, the same 6.7-inch 120Hz display, IP52 protection, and Android 16 – while making three deliberate changes. The main camera is 32MP, the selfie camera drops to 8MP, and wired charging tops out at 18W. Otherwise, you’re looking at the same day-to-day experience and leather-like texture, offered here in Pantone Tapestry.

US sales for the Moto G Play (2026) begin November 13 at Motorola.com, Amazon, Best Buy, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Total Wireless, Straight Talk, UScellular, and Cox Mobile. In subsequent months it will expand to Cricket Wireless, AT&T, Verizon, Verizon Prepaid, Visible, Simple Mobile, Tracfone, Walmart Family, Consumer Cellular, Xfinity Mobile, and Boost Mobile. The price undercuts its sibling at $169.99. In Canada, it arrives the same day – November 13 – via Motorola.

Which one should you pick?

Choose the Moto G (2026) if you value faster 30W charging and the upgraded camera pairing of 50MP rear plus 32MP selfie. Opt for the Moto G Play (2026) if you want nearly the same screen, battery capacity, software, and design vibe for a lower price – and can live with 18W charging and its simplified camera setup. Either way, Motorola’s latest G-series duo leans into long battery life, high-refresh displays, and colorful Pantone finishes that stand out on shelves without inflating the bill.