Moto G86 5G: In the ever-evolving landscape of mid-range smartphones, Motorola has consistently carved a niche for itself by offering reliable, performance-driven devices at competitive prices. The Moto G series has long been known for its value-centric philosophy, and with the launch of the Moto G86 5G, Motorola appears to be doubling down on that promise.
Aiming to deliver a feature-rich 5G smartphone experience under an affordable price bracket, the G86 5G enters a market bustling with competitors from brands like Redmi, Realme, Samsung, and Vivo. But how does it hold up? In this detailed word review, we’ll explore every facet of the G86 5G — from design and display to camera, battery, software, and overall value — giving you a well-rounded perspective on whether this phone should be your next purchase.
Moto G86 5G: Design and Build Quality
The design language of the G86 5G maintains the brand’s classic minimalist aesthetic, while incorporating a modern, premium feel. The phone features a sturdy polycarbonate back panel that has been polished to provide a glass-like texture, adding both visual appeal and grip. The rear panel also houses a clean camera module in the top-left corner that slightly protrudes, giving the phone a more premium look typically associated with higher-end devices.
In terms of ergonomics, the G86 5G is slim and comfortable to hold. The curved edges blend seamlessly with the frame, making it easier to grip during extended usage. The weight distribution is well-balanced, and despite having a sizable battery, the phone doesn’t feel too bulky in the hand. The fingerprint scanner is embedded in the power button on the side, a decision that offers both speed and convenience. It also sports an IP52 rating for water-repellent design, making it more durable for everyday environments.
Moto G86 5G Display: A Visual Treat for the Budget-Conscious
Motorola has equipped the G86 5G with a vibrant 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display, offering a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. This screen supports a high refresh rate of 120Hz, making animations and scrolling incredibly smooth. The display is bright and colorful, with good outdoor visibility and punchy contrast levels that enhance the multimedia viewing experience.
Whether you’re streaming Netflix shows, playing games, or browsing social media, the display offers a pleasant and immersive experience. Motorola’s inclusion of AMOLED technology at this price point is commendable, and the 120Hz refresh rate makes it a great choice for users who demand snappy responsiveness. The punch-hole cutout at the top center of the screen for the front camera is minimal and doesn’t disrupt the viewing experience significantly.
Moto G86 5G Performance and Processor: Built for Speed and Efficiency
Under the hood, the G86 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset. While not a flagship-grade processor, the Snapdragon 695 is known for its excellent balance between power efficiency and performance. It’s a reliable SoC that handles day-to-day tasks such as multitasking, browsing, video streaming, and even moderate gaming with ease. Paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage, the phone delivers a seamless experience for most users.
App launches are snappy, switching between apps is fluid, and even games like Call of Duty: Mobile and Asphalt 9 run smoothly at medium settings. Thanks to the Adreno 619 GPU, graphics performance is respectable for this segment. Moreover, the phone remains cool even during extended gaming sessions, which is a testament to Motorola’s thermal management.
Moto G86 5G Software and User Interface: Clean, Fast, and Bloatware-Free
The G86 5G runs on Android 14 out of the box, and as expected from Motorola, it delivers a clean and near-stock Android experience. This means users get minimal bloatware, no intrusive ads, and a UI that’s smooth and intuitive. Motorola also includes its signature features such as Moto Gestures, which allow for handy shortcuts like a double chop to turn on the flashlight or a twist to open the camera.
The interface feels fluid and well-optimized, making daily usage enjoyable. Unlike some of its competitors that pack in heavy custom skins, Motorola’s approach ensures that system updates are smoother and performance degradation over time is minimal. Motorola has promised at least two major Android OS updates and three years of security patches for the G86 5G, which further adds to its long-term usability.
Moto G86 5G Camera Capabilities: Versatility Meets Simplicity
The G86 5G comes with a dual rear camera setup, led by a 50MP primary sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS). This sensor is capable of capturing crisp and detailed shots in well-lit environments. Colors are accurate, dynamic range is respectable, and the added OIS helps in reducing blur, especially in low-light photography. Night mode further enhances the low-light performance by brightening up images without adding too much noise.
Accompanying the main camera is an 8MP ultra-wide sensor that also serves as a macro shooter. While not the most powerful ultra-wide lens on the market, it does its job in capturing expansive landscapes and group shots. The 16MP front-facing camera is housed in the punch-hole display and takes satisfactory selfies with good skin tone reproduction and facial details.
The camera app is easy to navigate and includes modes like Portrait, Pro, Night Vision, and HDR. Video recording tops out at 1080p at 60fps, which is a bit of a limitation in the age of 4K, but considering the price point, it’s acceptable.
Moto G86 5G Battery Life and Charging: All-Day Power with Fast Top-Up
Powering the G86 5G is a 5000mAh battery, a capacity that has become standard in this segment. The efficient Snapdragon 695 processor and AMOLED display help in delivering exceptional battery life. On moderate to heavy use, the phone comfortably lasts a full day, and light users can easily stretch it into a second day.
Motorola has included 33W TurboPower fast charging support, which can take the battery from 0 to 50% in around 30 minutes. The USB Type-C port ensures universal compatibility and fast data transfers. While it doesn’t support wireless charging, it’s a reasonable omission for this price category.
Moto G86 5G Connectivity and 5G Support: Ready for the Future
As the name suggests, the G86 5G supports multiple 5G bands, making it future-ready for the evolving mobile network infrastructure in India and globally. It also supports dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, and NFC. The call quality is clear, and network reception remains stable, even in areas with spotty coverage.
The inclusion of 5G ensures that users can take advantage of faster data speeds and lower latency as networks continue to expand. Whether it’s for online gaming, video conferencing, or streaming high-resolution content, the Moto G86 5G handles it all with finesse.
Moto G86 5G: Audio, Multimedia, and Extra Features
For audio, the G86 5G features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support. The sound output is loud, clear, and offers a decent balance of bass and treble for an immersive multimedia experience. Whether you’re watching a movie or listening to music, the dual-speaker setup elevates the overall entertainment factor.
The phone retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature that’s becoming increasingly rare but still highly appreciated by users who prefer wired audio. Storage is expandable via microSD card, giving users the flexibility to store large media files and apps without concern.
Moto G86 5G: Price in India and Availability
Motorola has priced the G86 5G very competitively in India. The base variant with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage is expected to be priced around ₹13,999, while the 8GB RAM variant might be available at ₹15,999. It is likely to be sold via Flipkart and Motorola’s official website, along with major offline retail partners.
Considering the features it offers — AMOLED display, 5G connectivity, Snapdragon chipset, clean software, and solid battery life — the G86 5G delivers excellent value for money in the sub-₹16,000 segment.
Moto G86 5G Full Specifications Table
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G |
| RAM | 6GB / 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB UFS 2.2 (expandable via microSD) |
| Rear Camera | 50MP (OIS) + 8MP (Ultra-wide/Macro) |
| Front Camera | 16MP |
| Battery | 5000mAh with 33W TurboPower charging |
| Operating System | Android 14 (Near-stock UI) |
| 5G Support | Yes (Multiple Bands) |
| Audio | Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint scanner |
| Build | IP52 water-repellent design |
| Headphone Jack | Yes, 3.5mm |
Conclusion: Should You Buy the Moto G86 5G?
The G86 5G successfully carries forward the legacy of the Moto G series by offering a compelling mix of design, performance, and features at an affordable price. It addresses all the key requirements of a modern smartphone user — fluid performance, reliable cameras, a great display, long battery life, and 5G connectivity — all wrapped in a user-friendly, clean Android experience.
While it does miss out on 4K video recording and wireless charging, these are trade-offs most users in this segment can overlook, especially when the overall package delivers such a strong value proposition. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly 5G smartphone with dependable specs and minimal software clutter, the Moto G86 is undoubtedly one of the best choices in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1. What is the price of the Moto G86 5G in India?
The G86 5G is expected to launch in India starting at ₹14,999 for the 6GB/128GB variant and ₹16,999 for the 8GB/256GB version.
Q2. Does the Moto G86 support 5G in India?
Yes, the G86 5G supports multiple 5G bands and is fully compatible with Indian telecom networks like Jio, Airtel, and Vi.
Q3. How is the camera quality of the Moto G86 5G?
The phone offers a 50MP OIS-enabled primary camera and an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, delivering sharp and balanced images in both daylight and low light.
Q4. What is the battery backup on the Moto G86 5G?
With a 5000mAh battery and 33W fast charging, the Moto G86 5G easily lasts a full day and charges up to 50% in just 30 minutes.
Q5. Does the G86 5G have a clean Android experience?
Yes, the Moto G86 comes with near-stock Android 14 and Motorola’s MyUX, offering a smooth, ad-free experience with minimal bloatware.
