Motorola – nowadays owned by Lenovo – focuses on a consistent design ethic, has software close to stock Android and, often, offers incredible value for money. The Moto G series is a consistently-excellent choice for those looking for a genuinely excellent budget phone. But Moto also makes the more expensive Edge line to cater to bigger budgets, including the fresh-faced Edge 20 series and that’s before we mention the return of the Razr.
Best Motorola phones 2023
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144Hz OLED display Best-in-class performance Excellent value Phenomenal battery & charging
Camera is good, but not great Poor IP rating
The price is also right at £749/€899 – all you really miss out on compared to other premium Android phones is full waterproofing, which is a bit of a bummer. That big bright screen refreshes at 144Hz, which is faster and smoother than any iPhone or Samsung Galaxy on the market. It’s a curved screen, like most expensive Android phones, so bear that in mind if you prefer flat displays. We find the curve on this phone makes it easier and nicer to hold. A downside to the phone is its good but not great camera. It’s perfectly capable, but if you want true mobile photography greatness, there are better options form other brands. But right now, the Edge 30 Ultra is best Motorola phone you can buy.
Flagship-level performance Gorgeous updated design Crease not very noticeable Impressive camera chops
Speakerphone issues Only one OS upgrade promised No telephoto lens
Although the design is further from the original classic Razr than the first two foldable versions, this third effort is the best by miles because it fixes most of the issues we had before. This time the price is right (well, better) and there’s true flagship performance. The display is also remarkable and for our money the hinge mechanism is more satisfying than on Samsung’s Z Flip phones – this one really snaps shut just like the good old days, and it is sturdy to boot. Cameras also surprised us by being pretty decent with a 50Mp main sensor flanked with a good ultrawide, and the selfie cam on the inside screen isn’t bad either. And although that inner folding screen is great, it’s the Razr’s outer screen that differentiates it from other flip phone foldables by showing way more text and allowing you to deal with messages, notifications, and more without opening the phone.
Great display Respectable battery life Easy-to-use user experience
Inconsistent cameras Mono speaker Plastic build
While all three Edge 20 phones boast a 6.7in OLED display, the Edge 20’s (and 20 Pro’s) 144Hz panel is a particular joy to use, and while the phone lacks the extra oomph afforded to the beefier Pro model, it still delivers, in terms of mid-range performance, while also serving up a clean, easy-to-use Android experience – as Motorolas are known to do. So long as you’re not a Moto fan after the company’s best camera phone right now, the Edge 20 otherwise covers all the important stuff competently.
Great display Respectable battery life Clean user experience
Overpriced Average cameras Underwhelming ingress protection
That said, you can still expect a stunning 6.7in 144Hz OLED display, stereo speakers, great performance from the phone’s Snapdragon 870 chipset and a clean user experience. We just wish it offered more premium features, like wireless charging and ingress protection beyond IP52 (which is what the Pro supports).
Super-smooth display Great performance Affordable mid-ranger
LCD not OLED display tech Limited OS updates
That power namely comes courtesy of a flagship-class Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ chipset, while its large 6.8in display boasts an impressive 144Hz refresh rate. Collectively they render the Moto G200 a bit of a sleeper gaming phone too. If it’s instead productivity you’re after, Ready For features on the Moto G200 as well, granting you access to a desktop-like user experience when connecting to an external display. As for battery life that’s also respectable, thanks to a large 5000mAh cell, backed up by 33W fast charging.
Ultra affordable Good battery life Nice design
No USB-C Lacklustre camera
Performance – an area cheap phones so often cut corners on – is surprisingly great, despite what the benchmarks imply. There was no need for Motorola to change what was already great software, while the modern design does a good job of imitating more expensive handsets. The cameras are a bit hit-and-miss, but if you’re prepared to be patient, it will pleasantly surprise you. There are compromises dotted throughout the Moto E7i Power, but for what you’re paying, these are incredibly easy to forgive.
Elegant folding design Improved build quality Better cover display
Slippery and heavy Middling performance Price
For a phone brand that once rode high and has since settled to serve up solid affordable Android phones instead, the Razr 5G is an impressive statement piece that highlights the company’s technical capabilities, as well as reminding us of its pedigree. There are obvious downsides to getting a foldable flip phone beyond price but this 5G model is more robust and more considered than the 2019 revival, with more power and better cameras to boot.
Resilient design Affordable Clean Android user experience
Lacklustre performance Low resolution display Basic cameras
It struggles to keep step with like-minded rival, the Nokia XR20 – in terms of performance – but we can’t knock its hardy design or its sizeable 5000mAh battery; which delivers some exceptional longevity. 20W fast charging isn’t the quickest around but we’d rather have it than not. While the display also misses the mark, with its sub-Full HD resolution, Motorola’s clean Android experience does at least ensure the Defy remains nice to use.
Affordable Big, bright display Water resistance
Plastic build Lacklustre cameras
The cell offers up enough juice for multiple days usage at a time and the Power also sports a pleasing display and a water-repellent design. Its cameras are on the underwhelming side but if they’re not your top priority, there’s still a lot going for the Moto G9 Power, despite its age.
120Hz display on a budget Great longevity Great fast charging
Inconsistent cameras Underwhelming performance Average value
Even with that super-smooth refresh rate, the phone’s 5000mAh battery also grants it superb battery life that, at a push, will last you up to two days at a time. The rest of G60s’ feature set is a little more pedestrian, with middling performance and inconsistent cameras. The G60s also lacks 5G, although that’s not entirely surprising for the price.
Great display Solid battery life Nice user experience
Easily outclassed by rivals Underwhelming performance Average cameras
The competitive price is at odds with the performance the Lite offers, considering how much more rivals around the phone’s launch price offer. Unless your budget doesn’t stretch and/or you’re explicitly in the market for a Motorola, either save up for the standard Edge 20 or look elsewhere. Henry is Tech Advisor’s Phones Editor, ensuring he and the team covers and reviews every smartphone worth knowing about for readers and viewers all over the world. He spends a lot of time moving between different handsets and shouting at WhatsApp to support multiple devices at once.
