The Moto G Power 2025 is a device destined for carrier deals

Motorola has recently been on a roll with its midrange phones. I love the Moto G Stylus 2024, and while I disagreed with Motorola’s initial MSRP for the Moto Edge, I had no complaints about the device’s hardware. The company’s made the right choices for its midrange lineup, compromising features that don’t matter in exchange for snappy performance and gorgeous displays in phones under $500.

Unfortunately, the Moto G Power 2025 is more of a mixed bag. I understand the company’s objective with the G Power is to provide a well-performing smartphone for $300, but Moto cut too many corners. The new Samsung Galaxy A26 compares favorably, as does Moto’s midrange lineup when on sale. Too many alternatives provide more for $300 to recommend the G Power 2025 comfortably. However, the phone isn’t without merit, and there are still plenty of reasons to pick up a Moto G Power 2025 on the right deal.

Price, specs, and availability

The Moto G Power 2025 is available through Motorola for $300. It comes in one configuration with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Thankfully, the G Power includes a microSD card slot for expandable storage up to 1TB. It’s available in two colors: Slate Gray or Leaf Green. It comes unlocked for all carriers in the US, and I used mine with AT&T and T-Mobile without issues.

What I like about the Moto G Power 2025

Plenty of RAM and a more durable build

Other similarly priced smartphones offer better performance, but I’m not disappointed by the user experience on my Moto G Power 2025. Its Dimensity 6300 chipset is capable, especially with 8GB of RAM. More RAM is vital on budget phones, and the Moto G Power’s 8GB is impressive for $300. This means more apps are cached, and the chipset doesn’t have to repeatedly open programs, bogging down the phone.

The Moto G Power can handle the basics. Social media scrolls are smooth, and multitasking works well within reason. Light gaming is possible on the Moto G Power, but anything more intense than Pokemon Go and the phone will start to show its limitations. Still, the G Power’s performance is one of its strong points. Yes, Motorola moved from a Dimensity 7020 in last year’s G Power to the Dimensity 6300, but I’m not bothered by that. Motorola did a similar thing with the Moto Edge, making a lateral chipset move, but I didn’t notice a significant real-world difference.

This year’s G Power is more durable, with an IP69 rating and MIL-STD 810H testing. Motorola also added Gorilla Glass 5, which protects your screen against drops and microabrasions. The rest of the phone follows Moto’s relatively bland design language from the last few years. It’s unoffensive, and I enjoy the aesthetic. My review unit’s color is Slate Gray, but you’re doing it wrong if you don’t pick Leaf Green. I love it when budget phones forego the awful cheap plastic look for eco-leather, and Motorola does it better than most. You also retain a fan-favorite 3.5mm headphone jack on the G Power.

Battery life is another area where the Moto G Power excels. Thanks to its 5,000mAh cell and efficient chipset, I routinely get two days of use from a single charge. Overnight battery drain is almost nonexistent, so you don’t have to wake up in a cold sweat if you forget to plug in your G Power before bed. When it’s time to top off, the G Power features 30W wired and 15W wireless charging. Wireless charging is a welcome addition to a phone costing $300, and it’s convenient to throw the G Power on the charging pad I have on my desk.

Software could easily be in either section of this review. I enjoy the changes Motorola made with Hello UI. The company’s software desperately needed a fresh look, and I think Hello UI incorporates enough Material You elements into the UI without losing that classic Moto feel. Moto Gestures work without problems on the G Power. Thankfully, Motorola downed much of the bloatware usually included on its budget (and not-so-budget) phones. I’m not sifting through endless folders trying to trick me into downloading Monopoly.

It’s also impressive that Motorola included Smart Connect on the G Power. Samsung doesn’t include DeX on even some of its flagship devices, so I love that Motorola spreads Smart Connect around to all device classes. It’s powerful software and a fantastic way to be more productive with your smartphone.

Unfortunately, Moto’s software support still lags behind the competition. The G Power is slated for 2 Android upgrades and 3 years of security updates. Sadly enough, that’s not awful support for Moto, as even the company’s $1,000 phones don’t get much more than that. When Samsung offers 4 and 5 years of software upgrades on budget phones, it’s time for Moto to provide more. Motorola isn’t a small company; I’m sure it can handle the expense of paying engineers to keep software updated and optimized.

What I don’t like about the Moto G Power 2025

Lackluster display and poor price

I’m torn about the Moto G Power’s display. It’s a larger 6.8-inch panel this year, but it’s still a 1080p LCD refreshing at 120Hz. It’s not an awful display, but I do see other manufacturers offering OLED screens at this price. If the trade-off for an OLED was the extra 2GB of RAM the G Power has over most of its budget competition, I’d take it begrudgingly. I think the additional RAM will help more users for longer than having a better display. I don’t like staring at an LCD, but I will deal with it if it means my G Power runs smoother for more years.

The Moto G Power features a dual-camera setup. Although it appears that there’s a third camera lens, it’s an ambient light sensor. The cameras are a familiar mix for Motorola, with a 50MP primary camera and an 8MP ultrawide. Unfortunately, performance is substandard. You’ll get an Instagram-worthy image from the 50MP sensor in excellent outdoor lighting, but things fall off quickly indoors or with nighttime photography.

Photos become soft, and the colors are washed out. I was surprised how quickly the nighttime mode engages with indoor lighting, as the G Power had me hold my phone steady for a well-lit indoor shot. If you’re a shutterbug, it’s worth looking at an older Pixel; otherwise, expect budget performance from the G Power’s camera system.

The price is my biggest concern and drawback for the Moto G Power 2025. $300 is too steep for what you get, especially with a competitive Galaxy A26 this year. The Moto G Stylus and Moto Edge on sale can be had for $300 or less, and both are significantly better options for budget buyers. It’s not that the Moto G Power is a lousy phone because it’s pretty capable, but these products don’t exist in a vacuum, and the G Power doesn’t even withstand competition from its siblings.

Should you buy the Moto G Power 2025?

Evaluating midrange and budget Motorola phones is always tricky because it’s a tale of two reviews. At full price, the G Power doesn’t make sense. The Moto G Stylus and Moto Edge are fantastic if you’re a Moto fan, and the Galaxy A26 is an excellent choice with an improved display and more extended software support.

However, it won’t be long before the G Power is offered for $200 or less. Plenty of carrier discounts will let you pick up a new G Power for nothing with a new line. Walmart runs sales throughout the year, and you can pick up Moto devices unlocked for as little as $100. For those prices, I have zero complaints about the G Power. At a discount, the G Power 2025 is a reliable smartphone with snappy performance, good battery life, and solid construction. Bide your time, and pick up the G Power 2025 in a few months for sub-$200.