Motorola appears to be blurring the lines between its budget and premium smartphone offerings, as recent leaks of the upcoming Moto G86 showcase a significant design overhaul that borrows heavily from the company's higher-end Edge series. The successor to the Moto G85, which launched in June 2024, seems poised to elevate the mid-range experience with more premium materials and aesthetics typically reserved for more expensive devices.
A Design That Punches Above Its Price Class
The newly leaked renders reveal that Motorola is taking a bold approach with the Moto G86, moving away from typical budget phone aesthetics. The device appears in two color options: a distinctive purple variant featuring an unusual felt and textile blend for the back panel, and a dark blue version with a more conventional but still premium-feeling faux leather texture. This material choice represents a significant departure from the standard plastic backs with glossy or matte finishes typically found in the G-series lineup.
Moto G86 Known Specifications (Based on Leaks)
- 50MP main camera with Sony Lytia sensor and OIS
- Flat screen with slim side bezels
- Premium back materials: felt-textile blend (purple) or faux leather (blue)
- Dolby Atmos audio support
- 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage
- Expected price: €330 in Europe
Flat Design Replaces Curves
Unlike its predecessor, the Moto G86 adopts a flat design approach, abandoning the curved middle frame and display of the G85. The phone features slim bezels on the sides, though the top and bottom bezels remain slightly thicker. This flat-frame design language is increasingly becoming the industry standard, even among premium devices, suggesting Motorola is keeping pace with current design trends despite the G86's mid-range positioning.
Camera System Borrows From Premium Models
The camera island on the Moto G86 appears wider than its predecessor's, resembling the arrangement found on the more premium Moto Edge 60 and Edge 60 Fusion models. According to the leaks, the phone will feature a 50MP main camera utilizing a Sony Lytia sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) – a feature not always guaranteed in this price segment. While details about secondary cameras remain scarce, the inclusion of a high-quality Sony sensor with OIS suggests Motorola is prioritizing camera performance in this iteration.
Expected Specifications and Features
Though comprehensive specifications haven't been revealed, the leaked information points to the Moto G86 offering 8GB of RAM paired with 256GB of storage. The device will also support Dolby Atmos audio technology, indicating some attention to sound quality. Another interesting detail spotted in the renders is an additional hole below the power button that wasn't present on the G85, though its purpose remains unclear.
Pricing and Availability
The Moto G86 is expected to be priced at approximately €330 in Europe, positioning it firmly in the mid-range segment. However, availability outside of Europe remains uncertain. It's worth noting that the Moto G85 never officially reached the US market, which might indicate a similar limited release strategy for the G86. This would be unfortunate for American consumers, as the phone appears to offer a compelling package that stands out in the increasingly homogeneous mid-range smartphone landscape.
Moto G85 Specifications (For Comparison)
- 6.67-inch FHD+ display with Gorilla Glass 5
- Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chipset
- 50MP 1/1.95" main sensor
- 8MP ultrawide camera
- 32MP selfie camera
- 5,000mAh battery
- Android 14 (launched with)
- Two years of OS updates promised
- Three years of security patches promised
Building on the G85's Foundation
For context, the Moto G85 featured a 6.67-inch FHD+ display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, a Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chipset, and a 5,000mAh battery. It launched with Android 14 and a promise of two years of OS updates and three years of security patches – a commitment Motorola has been fulfilling promptly, with the G85 receiving its first OS update ahead of many flagship devices from competitors.
While an official launch date hasn't been announced, the emergence of detailed renders suggests the Moto G86 could be unveiled in the coming weeks or months. For consumers seeking a mid-range phone with premium aesthetics and solid camera capabilities, the Moto G86 might represent an intriguing option that blurs the traditional boundaries between budget and premium smartphone categories.