At a glance
Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Bright 120Hz display
- Durable waterproof design
- Clean Android interface
Cons
- Uninspiring zoom
- Annoying preinstalled apps
- Smaller battery than sibling model
Our Verdict
A capable but unremarkable budget phone, the Moto G86 delivers solid basics yet struggles to justify its price against stronger, longer-lasting rivals – even those from its own company.
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Best Prices Today: Moto G86 5G
Many smartphones come out in a pair – a Pro versus an Air, or a Fold versus a Flip – but very few have quite so much in common with their sibling than the Moto G86 and its bigger brother, the Moto G86 Power.
With the same MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, the same 6.67-inch Super HD pOLED display with 4500-nit peak brightness, and the same 50MP Sony LYTIA 600 camera system, the only thing separating the two is the battery: 5200mAh on the standard G86 and 6720mAh on the G86 Power (and the slight difference in weight because of it).
Ultimately, as they’re so similar, those attracted to the £280 Moto G86 will almost certainly want to spend £299 and get the G86 Power for the extra battery life – and that small price difference makes the regular G86 a tougher sell.
Adam Smith / Foundry
Design & Build
- Practical build
- Stylish colours
- No headphone jack
The Moto G86 feels like a phone designed for practicality rather than to make a statement. The plastic back provides a good grip and a hint of warmth that glass cannot offer, emphasizing its budget-friendly origins.
The color options, inspired by Motorola’s collaboration with Pantone, add a touch of style without crossing into gimmicky territory.
While lacking in design flair, the Moto G86 excels in durability. Weighing 185 grams, it is well-balanced and feels sturdy in the hand. It boasts an IP68/IP69 waterproof rating (protecting against high-pressure and high-temperature water, as well as submersion for up to an hour) and features a Gorilla Glass 7i screen for added protection against drops and impacts.
A phone designed for practicality rather than aesthetics
At the bottom, the single USB-C port handles charging duties, with the absence of a headphone jack for audio.
Screen & Speakers
- 6.67-inch Super HD pOLED panel
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Stereo speakers
The G86 boasts a 6.67-inch Super HD pOLED panel, offering sharp and vibrant visuals compared to its competitors, with a resolution of 1220p and HDR10+ color range.
Watching “Wild Isles” on BBC iPlayer, the G86 effectively captures the shimmering scales of freshwater fish and the movement of shadows as they swim. The water bubbles in rapids are depicted with decent detail and motion.
The G86’s audio setup is functional
However, there is a lack of depth, especially in scenic shots of large fields and countryside where greens appear muted and washed out, lacking the desired dramatic effect. Nonetheless, for casual viewing on the go or at home, the display performs admirably.
Surprisingly, the G86 features a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and gaming performance. While budget devices often struggle with quick app switching or high-motion scenarios, the G86 handles these tasks with ease.
Equipped with Dolby stereo speakers, the audio output is adequate for everyday use, whether streaming videos, making calls, or enjoying music while cooking or commuting. While the sound can be sharp at higher volumes, distortion is minimal.
Despite its functional audio setup, the G86 may not provide an immersive audio experience for users who prioritize audio quality, prompting them to invest in quality headphones or earbuds.
Specs & Performance
- Reliable budget performance
- Smooth everyday responsiveness
- Limited gaming capabilities
The G86 packs solid hardware, featuring 8GB of RAM paired with the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor and 256GB of storage expandable up to 1TB via microSD.
Overall, the device delivers responsive performance, with minimal app loading delays for everyday tasks.
The G86 includes a “RAM boost” mode
While not ideal for high-end gaming, games like “Pokemon Unite” and “Genshin Impact” run smoothly on the G86.
Similar to other Motorola devices, the G86 features a “RAM boost” mode that utilizes internal storage to create virtual RAM. This optimizes multitasking by moving less critical background processes to the virtual space, leaving the actual RAM available for current tasks.
While this feature enhances multitasking, it may impact battery life and chip efficiency in the long run. Considering the device’s limited software updates, users may want to use this feature sparingly to preserve the device’s longevity.
Moto G86 5G benchmarks
Camera
- 50MP Sony LYTIA 600 sensor
- 8MP ultrawide lens
- Macro Vision mode
The Moto G86 5G features a 50MP Sony LYTIA 600 sensor paired with an 8MP ultrawide lens, delivering satisfactory results for quick snapshots.
The colors are well-balanced, avoiding the over-saturation often seen in budget Android smartphones trying to mimic flagship devices. During a visit to the Horniman Museum in south London, the camera accurately captures the natural hues of late-autumn foliage.
The zoom functionality on this device is underwhelming
The device also offers a Macro Vision mode for close-up photography, which proves effective but requires steady hands to maintain focus. However, the zoom functionality lacks detail and sharpness, producing blurry results rather than clear images.
In low-light conditions, the camera performs adequately, producing bright but unremarkable shots. The selfie camera offers sharp and accurate images for photos and video calls.
Motorola includes optional smoothing modes in the camera app for cosmetic adjustments, although disabling them is recommended for a more authentic image.
Adam Smith / Foundry
Battery Life & Charging
- 5200mAh battery
- 30W charging
- All-day performance
Equipped with a 5200mAh battery and 30W charging capability, the Moto G86 offers slightly more capacity than the standard sub-£300 range of 5000mAh batteries. This allows for a reliable all-day performance that can extend into a second day with moderate usage.
However, competitors like the CMF Phone 2 Pro offer slightly faster 33W charging, leveling the playing field. Users looking for faster charging speeds may need to invest in additional accessories, as the device comes with a basic USB-C to USB-A charging cable that reaches 11% in 15 minutes and 21% in 30 minutes with a 12V Philips travel plug.
Adam Smith / Foundry
Software & Apps
- Clean software experience
- Useful productivity features
- Preloaded with unnecessary apps
The Moto G86 runs on Android 15 with Motorola’s Hello UI layer, maintaining a close-to-stock Android look while incorporating useful enhancements and some unwanted additions.
Classic Moto gestures like the flashlight double chop and camera twist remain functional and convenient.
Notification management is user-friendly, offering cleaner layouts and quick access to common actions without overshadowing core Android functionalities, ensuring a seamless user experience.
Excessive preinstalled apps can detract from the user experience
The Moto Unplugged mode allows users to select essential apps and contacts, set a time window, and temporarily hide distracting apps for a more focused workspace than simply muting notifications.
However, the device comes preloaded with third-party “recommended” apps during setup, including Perplexity AI browser, Booking.com, TikTok, LinkedIn, Amazon Music, Solitaire, and Candy Crush. While these apps may help keep costs down, the need to remove unwanted software right after purchasing a new device can be off-putting.
Motorola pledges two major Android version upgrades and approximately four years of security updates for the G86, with support expected until at least June 2029
