Motorola G86 marks a compelling entry in the mid‑range smartphone field, combining a high‑quality 50 MP Sony sensor, a vivid 6.67″ AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate, and Mediatek Dimensity 7300 performance. It aims to offer a balanced experience for users wanting style, smooth visuals, and reliable performance—without spending flagship-level money.
This deep-dive review examines every detail—design, display, processor, camera, battery life, software, and more—to help you decide if the Motorola G86 is the right upgrade.
Table of Contents
Introduction: Who Should Consider the Motorola G86?
The Motorola G86 is ideal for:
- Budget-conscious buyers wanting long-term usability
- First-time smartphone users who expect a clean and smooth experience
- Casual smartphone photographers
- Media consumers who value immersive visuals
- Users seeking reliable daily performance without compromise
It promises core features found in pricier handsets, but in a package priced for mid‑range buyers.
Design and Build Quality
The Motorola G86 offers a refined, premium aesthetic in its segment.
Key Design Specs:
- Frame: Sleek plastic frame with metallic finish
- Front/Back: Gorilla Glass Victus front, matte back panel
- Dimensions: Approximately 165.1 × 75.5 × 7.9 mm
- Weight: Around 186 grams
- Color Options: Misty Grey, Ocean Violet
- Fingerprint Sensor: Under-display optical sensor
- Ingress Protection: Splash-resistant (no IP rating officially stated)
The matte back resists fingerprints, and curved edges help with extended one-handed use. Overall, it feels lighter than expected for its size.
Display: Smooth 6.67″ AMOLED with 120 Hz Refresh
The standout display makes the Motorola G86 feel fast and fluid in daily use.
Display Details:
- Panel Type: Samsung AMOLED
- Size: 6.67 inches
- Resolution: Full HD+ (2400 × 1080 pixels)
- Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
- Touch Sampling Rate: Up to 360 Hz
- Brightness: Up to 1000 nits
- Color Profile: DCI‑P3 with HDR10 support
Animations, app transitions, scrolling, and even basic tasks feel smoother thanks to the high refresh rate. Outdoors, the display remains legible under sunlight, with decent color accuracy and viewing angles.
Performance: Dimensity 7300 Power
Motorola chose the Mediatek Dimensity 7300 chipset for a balance of power and efficiency in the G86.
Performance Specifications:
- Chipset: Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4nm process)
- CPU: Octa-core (2×2.6 GHz + 6×2.0 GHz)
- GPU: Mali‑G610 MC4
- RAM Configurations: 8GB or 12GB LPDDR4X
- Storage: 128GB or 256GB UFS 2.2
- Expandable Storage: Yes, via microSD card up to 1TB
Day-to-day tasks like app switching, browsing, and video streaming feel responsive. Gaming performance is quite solid—titles like Asphalt 9 and PUBG Mobile run smoothly on medium/high settings without significant heating.
Camera System: 50 MP Sony Sensor with Practical Performance
The Motorola G86 features a 50 MP Sony main camera, bringing stronger optics to budget users.
Rear Camera Setup:
- Primary Lens: 50 MP Sony IMX766 sensor, f/1.8 aperture, OIS
- Additional Lens: 8 MP ultra-wide with 120° field of view
- Third Lens: 2 MP macro/depth sensor for close-up shots
- Video Recording: 4K at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps
Front Camera:
- Selfie Camera: 16 MP sensor, f/2.2
- Video: 1080p at 30fps
Real-World Camera Performance:
- Daylight shots: Crisp, well-balanced exposure and vibrant color
- Low light: OIS helps reduce shake; Night mode improves clarity
- Ultra-wide: Slight distortion at edges but acceptable detail
- Portrait mode: Decent edge detection with gradual subject separation
- Selfies: Natural skin tones and soft background blur
This is among the most capable camera setups in the mid‑tier segment, particularly thanks to the Sony main sensor and optical stabilization.
Battery and Charging
The Motorola G86 excels in battery endurance and charging flexibility.
Battery Details:
- Battery Capacity: 5000 mAh
- Wired Charging: 68W TurboPower fast charging
- Wireless Charging: Not supported
- Charging Time: 0 to 100% in ~45 minutes
Users can expect full-day usage under moderate to heavy load, including video streaming, gaming, and browsing. The fast charging means you don’t need to plan breaks around battery percentage.
Software & User Interface
Out of the box, the Motorola G86 runs MyUX over Android 14. The interface emphasizes simplicity and speed.
Software Highlights:
- Near-stock Android experience with added gestures
- Customizable wallpaper, icons, and themes
- Moto Actions: Quick gestures like chopping for flashlight, twist for camera
- Minimal bloatware with clean aesthetics
- Promised 2 Android version upgrades and 3 years of security patches
MyUX feels intuitive and responsive—ideal for users who prefer clean UI without heavy manufacturer skins.
Connectivity and Multimedia
The Motorola G86 covers all the essentials expected in mid‑range phones today.
Connectivity:
- Network: 5G SA/NSA dual SIM
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6
- Bluetooth: 5.2
- Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou
- Audio: Single bottom-firing speaker; 3.5mm headphone jack present
- Additional Features: NFC, USB-C 2.0
Audio output via the headphone jack offers decent clarity. Though there’s no stereo setup, speaker volume is adequate for calls and casual media.
In‑Box Accessories
Motorola offers a practical unboxing experience with all essentials included:
- Motorola G86 handset
- 68W TurboPower charger
- USB‑C charging cable
- Clear silicone protective case
- SIM ejector tool
- Quick start guide and warranty card
This full set means no immediate accessory purchases are required.
Pros and Cons Summary
✅ Pros:
- Sharp and vibrant 120 Hz AMOLED display
- Reliable Dimensity 7300 chipset with microSD card support
- Excellent camera setup with Sony 50 MP sensor and OIS
- Long-lasting 5000 mAh battery with fast charging support
- Clean interface with useful gesture-based Moto features
- Included charger and case in the box
❌ Cons:
- No wireless charging or IP rating
- Single speaker limits audio richness
- Ultra-wide and macro sensors are modest
- Android update policy is shorter than premium brands
- No stereo speaker or high-end codecs support
Who Should Consider the Motorola G86?
The Motorola G86 is an attractive choice for:
- Users seeking a smooth and immersive visual experience
- Casual gamers who want stable performance and long battery life
- Photography enthusiasts wanting a strong main camera without overspending
- Anyone preferring expandable storage in their smartphone
- People who want a clean, responsive UI with minimal distractions
Final Verdict
The Motorola G86 brings flagship hardware features into a mid‑range chassis—balanced by its Sony 50 MP camera, AMOLED 120 Hz display, reliable Dimensity 7300 chipset, and rapid charging capabilities. While it may lack ultra-premium features like IP certification or wireless charging, it stands out for real users by offering high value for everyday productivity and content consumption.
In short, if you are looking for a dependable smartphone with stellar visuals and long-lasting usability, the Motorola G86 deserves serious consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does the Motorola G86 support 5G and expandable storage?
Yes. The Motorola G86 supports dual‑SIM 5G across standard Sub‑6GHz networks and includes a dedicated microSD slot that can expand internal storage by up to 1TB, making it ideal for users who need flexible storage options.
2. How good is the 50 MP Sony camera on the Motorola G86 in low‑light conditions?
The primary camera’s optical image stabilization and pixel‑binning processing significantly improve low‑light performance. Combined with Moto’s Night Mode, the Motorola G86 captures stable and detailed shots even in dim environments.
3. Is the 120 Hz AMOLED display on the Motorola G86 noticeable during everyday use?
Absolutely. The 120 Hz refresh rate offers much smoother scrolling, transitions, and visual feedback compared to standard 60 Hz displays. Combined with the AMOLED panel’s deep blacks and vibrant color saturation, it delivers a premium viewing experience.
4. How fast does the Motorola G86 recharge from flat?
The included 68W TurboPower charger fills the 5000 mAh battery completely in about 45 minutes, and reaches roughly 50% capacity in under 25 minutes—making short charging sessions highly effective for users on the go.
5. What is the software experience like on the Motorola G86?
It runs MyUX over Android 14, delivering a clean and responsive user interface with useful gesture features, minimal bloatware, and a near‑stock Android feel. Motorola’s update policy promises two major Android upgrades and three years of security updates.
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