Affordable smartphones are Motorola's specialty, and we're here to help you find the one that's right for you.
Fast Motorola phone facts
- Motorola developed the very first commercial mobile phone back in 1983 and played a pivotal role in establishing the cellular infrastructure the modern mobile phone industry is built on.
- In 2011, Motorola separated its smartphone manufacturing business from the rest of the company. It first sold this to Google which went on to sell it to Lenovo, the current owner of the Motorola handset brand.
What to consider when choosing a Motorola phone
Shopping for a Motorola smartphone can be quite a formidable task. Motorola is one of the most prolific manufacturers in the modern market with more than a dozen different handsets lining store shelves, and it's not always clear what differentiates them or why you should pick one over another.
Fortunately, demystifying the many options is a simple matter of knowing what to look for. Below, you'll find a primer on the key features to consider when comparing Motorola smartphones. Armed with this information, you should have no trouble finding the handset best suited to your mobile life.
Which Motorola phone is best?
While it would be handy if there were a single Motorola smartphone we could point to as "the best", the fact is that quality is highly subjective. Everyone wants something a little different from their phone, and accounting for every possibility is simply infeasible. What we can do is narrow our recommendations to address specific buying decisions, such as the top budget Motorola handset or the handset with the most capable camera. You'll find these recommendations below.
As always, we advise that you consider our recommendations in light of your personal situation. Though we have years of experience testing and assessing smartphones under our belt, it's ultimately your tastes and needs that will determine whether a specific phone is suitable for you.
finder's pick
Motorola Moto X4
Dressed to impress
For premium looks without a hefty price tag, the Motorola Moto X4 is tough to beat.
Motorola might not make a true "premium" smartphone, but the Moto X4 comes pretty close. Sporting a sleek metal body that distinguishes it from your average mid-range handset, the X4 is also the only Motorola handset to currently feature official water-resistance: its IP68 rating certifies it as completely dust-tight and capable of surviving immersion in water of 1m or deeper.
Add in a capable dual-lens camera, a snappy mid-range processor and a battery with more than enough juice to last a full day, and the Moto X4 is one impressive package. While it's slightly less-powerful than the more-recent Moto G6 Plus, you can find it selling for around $100 cheaper which easily makes up for it.
Read our full review of the Motorola Moto X4 here
Best Motorola phone for photography
Motorola Moto G6 Plus
A flagship phone for the mid-range market
Shutterbugs on a budget will find a lot to like in the Motorola Moto G6 Plus.
Mid-range smartphones are never going to offer the industry-leading camera technology present in the cream of the premium crop, but their photo chops are still nothing to sneeze at. Motorola's Moto G6 Plus, for instance, is more than capable of taking high-quality happy snaps with its dual-lens 12MP camera. It's probably not going to win you a Pulitzer Prize any time soon, but it's a solid performer and the best camera Motorola currently has to offer.
Read our full review of the Motorola Moto G6 Plus here
Best cheap Motorola phone
Motorola Moto G5S Plus
Value without compromise
The Motorola Moto G5S Plus strikes a compelling balance between style, function and price, making it one of the most attractive budget smartphones on the market.
Affordable smartphones are Motorola's bread and butter, and the Moto G5S Plus represents the pinnacle of the manufacturer's budget ethos. Not only does it pack a quality dual-lens camera, an all-day battery and an appealing design, it delivers snappy performance more than capable of meeting the demands of the average user. Coupled with a very agreeable price tag, the Moto G5S Plus represents some of the best value you'll find in the current smartphone market.
Read our full review of the Motorola Moto G5S Plus here
Looking for a Motorola phone on a plan?
Aussie telcos tend to focus on premium smartphones with their contract plans, leveraging the appeal of paying a $1,000 handset off in smaller instalments to sell their mobile services. As such, you won't find many of Motorola's budget smartphones available on contract here in Australia. For the few handsets that are on offer, we've rounded up current plans for you to compare in the table below:
Latest Motorola phone news
Motorola Moto G7: Review | Pricing | Specs
Motorola's latest update to its Moto G family appears to have plenty of power for a mid-range phone, along with some improved camera optics. Read more…
Motorola Moto G7 Power review: Amazing battery life
The Motorola Moto G7 Power provides an exceptional mix of value and battery life, making it an easy choice for budget phone buyers. Read more…
Motorola Moto G7 review: Affordable but average
The Motorola Moto G7 is a fine budget handset, but it's very much a case of Motorola simply keeping pace with the budget market, rather than leading it. Read more…
