The best Motorola phones 2023

If you’re trying to figure out the best Motorola phones, you’re not the only one. With so many models on the market, it can be hard to decide which is the right device for your pocket. So, we’ve put together this guide detailing some of the best options currently available, no matter your budget.

As with all of our buying guides, our list of the best Motorola smartphones features the latest models, so you don’t have to worry about aging devices any time soon. If it’s a different make you’re looking for, check out our lists of the best Samsung phones or the best Xiaomi phones. Or, if you need durability, see our picks for the best rugged smartphone.

So, here are the best Motorola phones in 2023:

• Motorola Edge 40 Pro – best Motorola phone overall
• Motorola Moto G200 – best Motorola phone for most
• Motorola Razr 40 Ultra – best foldable Motorola phone
• Motorola Moto G31 – best budget Motorola phone
• Motorola Defy – best rugged Motorola phone

1. Motorola Edge 40 Pro

The best Motorola phone overall.

Motorola Edge 40 Pro specs:

Pros:

• Top quality chipset
• Significant RAM and storage

Cons:

• Camera quality
• Difficult to clean

The best Motorola phone overall is the flagship Motorola Edge 40 Pro, with its top-of-the-range Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processing power pushing this device into the upper echelons across all manufacturers. It looks great, it feels great, and it runs like a dream, with functionality that easily rivals most other top-end handsets and an OLED display for crisp videos and high-quality gaming. There are plenty of color options, too, with the Edge 40 Pro available in Eclipse Black, Nebula Green, Luna Blue, and Viva Magenta.

This really is one of those phones that has almost everything, water and scratch resistance, a 165 Hz display that makes frame rate issues a thing of the past, and powerful 5G and WiFi connectivity. With 125w charging, you can easily get back up to 100% battery power with less than 25 minutes on charge, something only the best competitor models can offer for less than a thousand dollars.

The impressive nature of the Edge 40 Pro means we have to get a bit nitpicky to find faults, though they are there. Like other high-end Motorola devices, the camera just doesn’t compare in quality to what you might find in a Samsung or Apple product for the same price, making it less than ideal for those who want to snap pictures when traveling. It’s also somewhat of a nightmare to clean, with the material on the back especially difficult to get looking factory fresh after just a couple of weeks of use.

2. Motorola Moto G200

The best Motorola phone for most.

Motorola Moto G200 specs: 

Pros:

• Great for gaming and streaming
• High-quality display

Cons:

• Slow charging rate
• Plastic parts

As the best Motorola phone for most, the Motorola Moto G200 brings a lot to the party for a mid-range price point. It has the biggest screen on this list, which combined with the powerful Snapdragon 888+ processor makes this the perfect device for playing games and watching videos on the go. In terms of color, for this model, you can choose between Glacier Green and Stellar Blue, depending on your preference.

Thanks to a powerful 5,000 mAh battery, you don’t have to worry about running out of charge on the go, with the G200 powering through for up to 36 hours before running out of juice. It’s the refresh rate that really helps this device stand out from the crowd, though, with a significantly increased capability compared to other models at similar price points such as the Google Pixel 7 and Samsung Galaxy S22.

The main downside to the Moto G200 is that it takes a while to charge. Different users have experienced different charge times, but on average it takes an hour or two to reach full charge from flat. It’s also worth pointing out that the Moto G200 consists of some plastic parts, so it might feel a little cheaper than it actually is.

3. Motorola Razr 40 Ultra

The best foldable Motorola phone.

Motorola Razr 40 Ultra specs:

Pros:

• Dust and water resistant
• High-end display

Cons:

• Slightly outdated processor
• Camera quality

The best foldable Motorola phone available right now is the Razr 40 Ultra by some margin. It might be on the expensive side, but most flip phones are, and for that price, you’re getting a quality build and a screen that pops with color thanks to the LTPO AMOLED display. It’s a little limited on colors, with just Viva Magenta, Glacier Blue, and Infinite Black to choose from, but each finish is sleek and looks as expensive as it is.

An upgraded hinge compared to old Razr models means you don’t have to worry about falling a few millimeters short of the full fold, with this version easily fitting inside your pocket. The foldability doesn’t mean a sacrifice elsewhere, though, with stellar battery life that takes its sweet time running down, and the performance is more than enough to play your favorite games, even if the Snapdragon 8+ processor is already a little outdated.

The caveat here is that if you’re not a fan of foldable phones, there’s little this model does compared to others to convert you. It’s also important to note that the camera is a little lackluster in the Razr 40 Ultra, and stands out as the only component that doesn’t feel as high quality as it should for the price of the device.

4. Motorola Moto G31

The best budget Motorola phone.

Motorola Moto G31 specs:

Pros:

• Great price
• Long battery life

Cons:

• No 5G coverage
• Slow charging rate

As the best budget Motorola phone, the Moto G31 is significantly cheaper than any of the other options in this guide. Still, that doesn’t mean it’s completely lacking in functionality, with plenty of perks inside to keep up with the other models. Unsurprisingly for a budget model, there isn’t a massive option between colors here, but you can pick your preference between Baby Blue and a smart Mineral Grey.

For a start, the Moto G31 offers up to 36 hours of battery life, considerably more than other budget options on the market. The AMOLED display is also a boon for the price factor here, delivering high-quality video without having to break the bank. It’s also worth pointing out the G31’s triple-camera system, a significant improvement on other budget models from mobile manufacturers.

There are a couple of negatives with the Moto G31, such as the lack of 5G and an issue with camera quality outside of well-lit areas, but for the price, you can hardly complain. The call quality is crystal clear at least, so if you do want to have a moan, at least the person on the other side of the phone can hear every word.

5. Motorola Defy

The best rugged Motorola phone.

Motorola Defy specs:

Pros:

• Rugged and reliable
• Clear call quality

Cons:

• Feels basic
• Poor camera quality

The best rugged Motorola phone is the Motorola Defy, which is purpose-built to withstand the sort of pressure and application most smartphones can’t. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of a more expensive model, but if you need something you can rely on to survive, there are few better options across all manufacturers.

As you might expect from a rugged phone, the Motorola Defy is resistant to scratches, drops, water, and dust. Simply put, it really takes a beating to break this one. It’s not just practical in terms of durability, though, with ideal dimensions for slipping in your pocket and solid battery life.

The main issue with the Defy is that its camera quality is pretty poor for a smartphone in the year 2023. It also feels a little cheap, though this only really matters if you value sleek ergonomics over durability, and if you’re even looking at this phone we’re guessing you don’t. This is very much a practical phone, targeted at those who can’t stand the thought of another smashed screen or waterlogged device. Finally, it’s worth saying there are no fancy color options here, so if you don’t want a plain black phone, you may have to continue your search.

How do we choose the best Motorola phones?

When it comes to how we choose the best Motorola phones for this list, a lot of factors come into play. Of course, as a site invested in gaming, we’re concerned with performance and display quality, but that isn’t all that goes into it. We think about the everyday, too, considering battery life, durability, camera quality, and 5G connectivity.

As you can see from the tables below each entry on this list of the best Motorola phones, the first things we look at are display, battery, chipset, RAM, and storage. This is all quite technical, and that side of things is important, but we also know that some of you aren’t interested in the numbers. So, our buying guides also offer advice on how a phone might feel, or just how the device looks. For more on our testing method, check out our how we test page with various explainers for different kinds of hardware.

How do I choose the best Motorola phone?

Deciding on the best Motorola phone for you really depends on your priorities and necessities. As we explain above, the best option for all is the G200, but the luxurious might be more interested in the Edge 40 Pro or Razr 40 Ultra. On the other hand, those who just want the basics can easily get away with using either a Defy or the G31.

Personal preference in terms of looks is a big factor as well, with many drawn to the sleek foldable action of the Razr 40 Ultra. Personally, I’d find it hard to get on with a flip phone and prefer something bulkier like the Defy. Still, as the old saying goes, it’s different strokes for different folks, so you really need to weigh up all the options and your own wants before you make the purchase.

There you have it, our picks for the best Motorola phones in 2023. If you’re looking for a handheld console instead, check out our picks for the best portable gaming consoles in 2023.