Motorola currently offers five smartphone ranges - Moto Razr, Moto Edge, Moto G, Moto E, Moto Defy - and in amongst those line-ups are many handsets, so working out which Moto is right for you is no easy task.
Luckily, we’ve done all the hard work for you, comparing the core handsets in the Moto E (entry-level), Moto G (mid-level) and Moto Edge (flaghsip) ranges - the Razr is the flip phone that we won’t detail here; the Defy is the rugged model - to help you work out the differences and which handset will best suit you and your budget.
It’s worth noting that due to regional differences - different handset names, exclusives, and so forth - this is a list of UK/European handsets. The USA’s and China’s ranges will differ by name (and sometimes specification) and aren’t included in this guide.
Moto Edge range
Ignoring the aforementioned Razr, the Edge series sits at the top-end of Motorola’s stack, with flagship specifications across many of these handsets' features. The Edge name doesn’t represent a curved screen, however, as was originally believed, as flat-panel handsets also appear in this line-up.
Moto Edge 20
While the original Edge (below) was a real departure for Motorola, the 2021 model - the Edge 20 series, as there’s also a Lite and a Pro variant - went altogether more simple.
The display is flat, with no curve to be seen here, but the spec is much higher: a 144Hz super-fast refresh rate, ultra high-resolution 108MP main camera, and typically large battery capacity rule its selling points.
Which, oddly enough, makes the Edge 20 seem an awful lot like the Moto G200 (below). The key difference is thus: the Edge 20 has a zoom cameras, whereas teh G200 does not; the Edge is slightly less powerful and with lesser battery capacity, however, but you won’t feel that in everyday use in our view, making it the preferable of the pair.
Spec summary
motorola edge 20
The original Edge, released 2020, was a real departure for Motorola. Featuring a curved edge display, it was and is unlike anything else Motorola sold - but you’ll probably struggle to locate one right now.
There was also the Edge+ model, which amped up the specs even more, and commanded a very high asking price upon launch - which, ultimately, was its downfall. We’ve not included that handset specifically within this list.
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Moto G range
The Moto G range is the best-known of Motorola’s handsets, having been around the longest of those compared in this feature. The Android series has undergone a variety of changes over the years, though, with 2021 introducing high-end handsets within the series to cater for a wider audience. As a rule of thumb it’s “higher number equals higher spec” within the range.
The replacement for the G100, the 2021 sub-flagship has a lot to offer, including super-fast refresh rate screen - which is also an OLED and not as long-and-tall as the G100’s panel.
Despite simplifying the cameras arrangement, however, the triple rear is still a bit of an oversell - it needs a better wide-angle and some kind of zoom option really - but not having a pill-shaped punch-hole in this large screen makes it look far better, we think.
This is clearly the king of the G series line-up. However, the Moto Edge 20 is also worth considering, given their similarities.
Motorola moto g200 5G (Stellar Blue) 128GB + 8GB RAM Android SIM Free Unlocked Smartphone
This was the first G series handset to flip things on its head, as it featured Qualcomm’s (then) top-tier processor, the Snapdragon 870, delivering far more power than was typical of the series. That makes this phone much more like a sub-flagship than the lesser handsets in the range.
However, the pill-shaped punch-hole cameras to the front don’t look great, while the rear camera setup is rather oversold. But if these don’t bother you, and you’re able to find one on a budget, it’ll serve you almost as well the the newer G200, which replaced this handset, unless you’re keener to have an OLED display with faster refresh rate.
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Moto G71, G60S, G60
Motorola being as it is, it loves to launch lots and lots and lots of handsets. This is where things get a little bit complex, however, as not all are available in all regions - you won’t find the G71 in the UK, for example, only in some European regions.
However, the wider available G60S, is well worth paying attention - it’s got the good bits of the G50 (below), but puts in that all-important higher-resolution and faster-refresh screen, plus much faster charging speeds, to make for a much more accomplished all-round handset. It does away with typical Qualcomm for MediaTek Helio G95, though, but don’t let that put you off - it’s plenty capable.
G60S spec summary
Pitched as the middle champion, if you will, the G50 is all about 5G connectivity at an affordable price point.
The processor used here, despite being a lower number than you’ll find in the G30 (below), is more powerful and capable of 5G connectivity - it’s that extra speed that’s really the big sell for the G50 over the other handsets.
But, for us, we don’t see that as a sole reason for purchase and find this a bit of an odd one out - we’d rather have more screen resolution instead, which you can find in the G60/G60S/G71 models instead.
Motorola moto g50
Despite sitting lower than the G50, the G30 - which also has a G31 variant - has some higher-spec oddities: it offers more resolution from its main camera and has faster-charging for the battery, for example.
Still, we’d forego the G50’s 5G for this more all-round adept and cheaper handset. It might well be the pick of the budget-to-middle of the G series pack for that reason.
The G10, which sits below the G30/G31, offers a lower screen refresh rate (but the same resolution), halves the storage, and cuts the fast-charging speed.
The G30 would therefore be out default go-to, if you don’t care about 5G, as the two are so similar in price - but if you can find an ultimate bargain with the G10 then it’s a sensible low-spec purchase.
