Motorola is making Google’s Gemini AI features accessible to a wider audience with its newly announced Moto G and Moto G Play smartphones. These devices, priced at $170 and $200 respectively, will be among the most affordable phones to ship with Circle to Search and the Gemini assistant built-in.
Key Specs and Availability
The Moto G Play will hit shelves first on November 13, followed by the Moto G on December 11. Both phones boast a 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate and support for 5G connectivity—a first for the Moto G Play line. Both devices also include a large 5,200-mAh battery, ensuring all-day usage.
Moto G Play: Power on a Budget
The Moto G Play, starting at $170, runs on a Mediatek Dimensity 6300 processor and features 4GB of RAM with Motorola’s RAM Boost technology, which can virtually expand memory up to 12GB by leveraging storage space. The device offers 64GB of internal storage (expandable to 1TB via microSD) and supports 18-watt fast charging. Camera specs include a 32-megapixel main lens and an 8-megapixel selfie camera. The phone comes in a single color: Pantone Tapestry, a striking blue-green shade.
Moto G: A Step Up in Performance
For $200, the Moto G offers a slight upgrade, including 128GB of storage and 30-watt wired charging. The camera system is also improved with a 50-megapixel wide-angle lens paired with a 2-megapixel macro shooter and a 32-megapixel selfie camera. Color options include Pantone Cattleya Orchid (magenta) and Pantone Slipstream (gray).
Why This Matters
The inclusion of Gemini AI features in sub-$200 phones is significant. Previously, advanced AI tools were largely exclusive to premium devices. By bringing Circle to Search and the Gemini assistant to budget-friendly options, Motorola and Google are democratizing access to cutting-edge technology. This move suggests a trend toward integrating AI more broadly into everyday smartphones, potentially driving wider adoption and innovation in the mobile space. The availability of 5G on the Moto G Play is also notable, as it brings faster connectivity to a lower price point.
The new Moto G series demonstrates that powerful AI features are no longer limited to expensive flagship devices, making them accessible to a much larger segment of the market.
