GoKawiilStephen Radochia / Android Authority
Motorola has released a bunch of desirable midrange phones over the last few years. I love the sleek and fun Razrs, but the company’s sub-$500 devices have helped fuel Moto’s resurgence. The Moto G lineup is a significant piece of that puzzle, and whenever a new one is released, I can’t wait to test it out. The Moto G Power (2026) is the latest entry, and while it still provides many of the perks that won customers over in the first place, it’s not perfect.
It still features a durable build and a microSD card slot for expandable storage, but its Dimensity 6300 chipset and 8GB of RAM feel inadequate for $400. Sure, Motorola is aggressive with sales, but $400 is a big chunk of money, especially when there are so many viable alternatives for the same hit to your wallet.
Here are the five phones I’d consider as legitimate contenders to buy instead of a Moto G Power (2026).
What do you think is the best Moto G Power (2026) alternative? 23 votes Google Pixel 10a 22 % Samsung Galaxy A27 43 % Moto G Stylus (2026) 13 % Nothing Phone 4a Pro 9 % Older flagship phone 13 % Other (let us know in the comments) 0 %
Google Pixel 10a
Stephen Radochia / Android Authority
The Google Pixel 10a will set you back $500, though we’ve seen sales bring the price down to around $400. I expect that trend to continue, and there will be ample opportunities to pick up Google’s midrange phone at a discount. Still, even for a few more dollars, you pick up plenty of bonuses.
The Pixel 10a’s Tensor G4 chipset easily bests the performance you’ll get from the Dimensity 6300. It features the same 8GB of RAM, which will limit how many new Gemini Intelligence features you receive, but Google promises seven years of support for the Pixel 10a, while Moto only offers one year of Android upgrades — not enough for $400.
Motorola’s software isn’t bad, but Google definitely has the advantage with its Material 3 Expressive design and faster upgrades. My Pixel 10a is already running Android 17, and I honestly couldn’t tell you when Motorola will upgrade the G Power, which launches with Android 16 out of the box. Low-light photography is also much better on the Pixel 10a, and you’ll enjoy the 6.3-inch Actua OLED panel on Google’s midranger. It’s the pound-for-pound champ for a reason, and it’s worth a look if you’re spending less than $500.
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