Motorola updates its best sub-$300 phone with even more stamina

Buying a budget phone often means making trade-offs. You might get a great screen but a weak battery, or a sturdy phone that takes poor photos. For the past few years, Motorola has tried to solve this problem with its G Power series, and now it looks like the company is making another strong attempt.

Motorola has announced the Moto G Power 2026, and while it looks familiar, there are some key changes under the hood that might make it the sub-$300 phone to beat in 2026.

If you are buying a phone with “Power” in the name, you are doing it for one reason. You probably want long battery life. The Moto G Power (2025) was already a marathon runner with its 5,000mAh cell, but Motorola decided that wasn’t enough. The new 2026 edition bumps that capacity to 5,200mAh, with 30W TurboPower charging.

An extra 200mAh may not seem like much, but for budget phones, every bit helps. Motorola says this new battery can last up to 49 hours on one charge. For most people, that’s about two full days of use.

The phone looks much like last year’s model. It has a 6.8-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, matching the 2025 version. This is good news, as high refresh rates were previously found only on expensive phones, and having smooth scrolling on a $300 device is still a significant advantage.

Inside, the phone uses MediaTek’s Dimensity 6300 processor, which is also found on its predecessor. It still has stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support.

This year, Motorola is also highlighting its “360-degree protection” against drops and scratches. Like the 2025 model, the new version keeps the high durability standards with IP68 and IP69 ratings. It also features a rare 3.5mm headphone jack.

Motorola continues to use a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), which was a highlight of the 2025 model. The main camera is joined by an 8MP ultrawide and macro lens, and there is a 32MP front camera for selfies.

Even with the larger battery, the price stays the same. The Moto G Power 2026 will be available in the US for $300, in Pantone Pure Cashmere and Pantone Evening Blue. You can buy it unlocked starting January 8 at Best Buy, Amazon, and Motorola.com.

If you prefer buying through a carrier, the phone will be available at Verizon on the same day, with AT&T, Cricket, and others getting it in the next few months. In Canada, it will be available for CA$450 starting January 8.