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The best Motorola phones: Edge, Stylus, Razr, and more models compared
Move over, Apple. Although iPhones remain a popular pick, there's something to be said about the power and performance a Motorola phone can promise. For years, people have counted on Motorola to manufacture reliable, high-performing phones that offer undeniable convenience.The telecommunications company has been around since 2011, providing a whole new take on Android cell phones with the all-new Motorola Mobility.
Also: Best Android phones right now
I looked to the experts, including professional customers who own and use Motorola handsets, as well as the ZDNET team to find the best Motorola phones you can buy today. Our first pick, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra, looks a bit different than the Motorola phones of the early 2000s, with a slab design, touchscreen OLED display, and equipped with wireless charging. Others on this list also feature Motorola's move to a more conventional smart phone design, but you'll want read on to see how the company has flipped its classic Razr line fit comfortably in both your pocket and your 2024 smartphone needs.
The best Motorola phones of 2024
- OLED display
- Excellent battery
- Impressive hardware
- Limited IP rating
- Mediocre camera
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra specs: Screen size: 6.67 inches | Battery: 4610 Milliampere Hour (mAh) | Storage: 256 GB | Dimensions: 7.95 x 6.93 x 2.68 inches
The Edge 30 Ultra brings the best of AI with its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 mobile platform and a beautiful 6.67-inch OLED display.
"The Edge 30 Ultra boasts impressive hardware and advanced features, including a 6.7-inch OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth and fluid visuals to the user," says Kyle MacDonald, VP of Marketing and Business Development at GPS vehicle tracking tech company, Mojio.
The 200-megapixel camera uses a powerful sensor for incredible shots, and you can enjoy 8K video with UltraPixel technology and Dolby Atmos sound for truly superb recordings. You needn't worry about storage because you'll get up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 512GB of built-in storage.
For streaming your favorite content and making video calls, 5G helps prevent lags and interruptions. If you're a gamer, you'll enjoy Snapdragon Elite Gaming for improved support and faster performance.
The hardware itself also makes for an easy handset hold. "It's slim, sleek, and comfortable to hold, which makes using it for extended periods of time a pleasure." said Neil Chase, an independent filmmaker, screenwriter, and novelist. "It's a great investment for writers, creatives, and anyone who needs a powerful device to support their work."
The device features super-fast wireless charging and takes just seven minutes to charge the 4610mAh battery, thanks to TurboPower charging. If you know a friend is battling a dead phone, you can lend them power from your own with 10W wireless power sharing.
- Large display
- Extremely durable
- Warranty included
- Performance could be better
- Average brightness
Motorola Defy specs: Screen size: 6.5 inches | Battery: 5000mAh | Storage: 64 GB | Dimensions: 3.08 x 0.43 x 6.69 inches
The Motorola Defy packs in premium features, like like scratch-resistant glass and a 48-megapixel camera with quad-pixel technology. The phone also prioritizes battery life, promising two full days of battery off a single charge. Plus, the entire phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 octa-core processor with 4GB of storage.
Also: The best rugged phones
"The phone is designed to be waterproof, dustproof, and drop-resistant, making it the perfect choice for anyone who works in outdoor environments, enjoys outdoor activities, or simply anyone who tends to drop their phone a lot," said user Larry Snider, VP of operations of Casago SB Rentals.
At the time of writing, the phone is as low as $189 on Amazon, making it a budget-friendly phone that doesn't compromise rugged build, powerful Snapdragon performance, or an ample battery life.
- Phenomenal camera
- Generous battery
- Excellent sound
- Muted display
- Exclusive to Verizon
Motorola Edge Plus specs: Screen size: 6.7 inches | Battery: 5000mAh | Storage: 256 GB | Dimensions: 6.69 x 2.99 x 0.35 inches
The Edge Plus is not the most expensive phone on our list, but it is still a massive upgrade for most phone buyers.
ZDNET contributor Jason Cipriani says: "The Edge Plus looks and feels like a high-end smartphone. It's also the first smartphone outside of Motorola's Moto G lineup that supports a stylus."
This phone features Wi-Fi 6 bandwidth with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform and 8 GB of DDR5 memory. With a new and improved 165Hz refresh rate, you can enjoy a generous 6.67-inch display that's smooth and visually pleasing.
The camera is fantastic too, boasting a 50-megapixel triple camera setup with 8K video recording. You also receive TurboPower wireless charging for the 5100mAh battery.
Review: Motorola Edge Plus
- Stylus included
- Great battery life
- Double the storage of similarly-priced phones
- Not waterproof
- Lacks wireless charging
Moto G Stylus 5G specs: Screen size: 6.6 inches | Battery: 5000mAh | Storage: 256 GB | Dimensions: 6.41 x 2.91 x 0.36 inches
Motorola's found a footing in the mid-range phone market, and it shows with the company's latest sub-$400 offering, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023). The name is long, but every bit of it reflects deeply on the core strengths of the device.
That starts with the built-in stylus that, on its own, sets the Moto G Stylus apart from other mid-range phones. It's a handy tool for taking notes, signing PDFs, and general precision inputs. ZDNET's June Wan, who recently reviewed the device, adds that "I love that I can just eject it (the stylus) while the Moto is locked and a notepad naturally appears."
The Moto G Stylus this year is primed with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, giving it 5G support and better performance and efficiency. That's evident when the phone is tasked with most apps and services, including TikTok, Microsoft Outlook, Google Docs, games, and more.
It helps that the phone comes with 256GB of base storage, "beating that of its closest competitors, the Samsung Galaxy A54 (128GB), Google Pixel 7a (128GB), and iPhone SE (64GB)," says Wan. For less than $400, you just can't beat the value that the Moto G Stylus brings.
Review: Moto G Stylus 5G
- Compact folding design
- Large 3.6-inch external display
- First foldable with dust resistance
- Minimal water resistance
- No telephoto camera
- Moderate battery life
Motorola Razr Plus specs: Screen size: 3.6 inches and 6.9 inches | Battery: 3800mAh | Storage: 256 GB | Dimensions: 2.9 x 0.27 x 6.72 inches
The 6.2-inch OLED display is clear and bright, and the 48-megapixel camera captures high-quality photos and videos. The 2800mAh battery is not as accommodating as some of the other best Motorola phones, but you still get a full day's power with Turbopower accelerated charging.
Review: Motorola Razr Plus (2023)
What is the best Motorola phone?
I spoke to professional people across many industries and businesses who all use Motorola phones, and their consensus is the Edge 30 Ultra is the best Motorola phone. There is a large screen, plenty of storage, and a stunning 200-megapixel camera that delivers 8K video. It is everything you could want in a phone.
But if the Ultra doesn't suit your fancy, here are some other Motorola phones to consider:
| Motorola Phone | Price | Where to Buy | Screen Size | Battery | Storage | Cameras | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | $800 | Amazon | 6.67 inches | 4610mAh | 256 GB | 200-megapixel camera | 6.37 x 2.89 x 0.33 inches |
| Defy | $189-240 | Amazon, Walmart | 6.5 inches | 5000mAh | 64 GB | 48-megapixel camera | 6.89 x 3.08 x 0.43 inches |
| Motorola Edge Plus | $799 | Amazon, Best Buy | 6.67 inches | 5100mAh | 512 GB | 50-mega pixel camera | 6.35 x 2.91 x 0.34 inches |
| Moto G Stylus 5G | $399 | Amazon, Best Buy | 6.6 inches | 5000mAh | 256 GB | 50-megapixel camera | 6.41 x 2.91 x 0.36 inches |
| Motorola Razr Plus | $999 | Amazon, Best Buy | 3.6 and 6.9 inches | 3800mAh | 256 GB | 12-megapixel camera | 6.72 x 2.9 x 0.27 inches |
Which is the best Motorola phone for you?
Motorola has no shortage of phones, so finding the best Motorola phone isn't the easiest task. The Edge 30 Ultra continues to dominate as users' favorite phone, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's the best Motorola phone for you personally.
Before you buy, consider these recommendations based on my research to help ensure you find the best phone for your needs.
Choose this best Motorola phone... | If you want... |
Edge 30 Ultra | A high-performing smartphone. The Edge 30 Ultra is not the cheapest, but it is the fan favorite with Motorola phones. |
Defy | A rugged phone. The Defy is easy to take with you on the go, even in the harshest climates. |
Edge Plus | A premium phone that doesn't cost as much as its competitors. The Edge Plus features a gorgeous 165Hz display, 512GB of storage, and the latest Snapdragon 8 GEn 2 chipset. |
Moto G Stylus 5G | A stylus. The Moto G Stylus 5G is one of the few best Motorola phones that actually has a built-in stylus, lending to more precise inputs. |
Razr Plus | A folding phone. This compact phone will take up less space in your purse or pocket but still packs flagship specifications for most user needs. |
How did I choose these best Motorola phones?
To find the best Motorola phones, ZDNET looked at several factors, including processor, storage, battery life, camera suites and stylus integration, and overall user experience.
- Processor: This determines how much power your phone will have and how fast it will work. It is especially useful if you stream a lot of content or use your phone for gaming.
- Storage: It is critical that your phone has enough storage space to accommodate your growing collection of data and media.
- Battery: A phone is hardly helpful if it's dead all the time. Consider the size of the battery to determine how much life you can expect from your phone each day.
- Features: From a powerful camera to a larger display, there are many special features you will find with the best Motorola phones. For example, the Moto G Stylus 5 incorporates a stylus, while the Razr boasts a unique folding design.
- User experience: The most important part of my research was user experience. I talked to professional users who know and use the best Motorola phones day in and day out for different purposes and in different environments. These Motorola phones are voted upon by users and experts alike, giving you greater peace of mind when buying one.
Why should I buy a Motorola phone?
"Motorola is one of the few legacy Android makers still churning out phones left and right, including budget-friendly handsets and more premium flagships, making it one of the easier brands to recommend," says ZDNET's smartphone expert, June Wan.
"Naturally, after-sales support like warranty help, repairs, and general inquiries is more prevalent with Motorola phones than with newer brands," he adds.
How much do the best Motorola phones cost?
Currently, the best Motorola phones run from around $200 to $800, depending on the model you choose.
How do I buy a Motorola phone?
Motorola phones are extremely popular, so they are not too hard to find. Your cell phone service provider likely has an inventory available for sale, but it may not be the cheapest place to buy. Consider buying through a trusted retailer like Amazon Prime to save extra money on the best Motorola phones.
We supply shopping links for your convenience, so you can buy your new Motorola phone quickly and without complications.
Are there alternative best Motorola phones worth considering?
These aren't the only best Motorola phones available. Consider these alternatives before you invest: