Overview
- The Verge’s review says the 2026 model costs $499, a $100 increase that pushes the phone deeper into the midrange.
- The built-in stylus is now active and pressure sensitive with handwriting recognition and a hover magnifier, giving the phone a rare pen-first edge at this price.
- Motorola keeps practical hardware like a MicroSD slot and a headphone jack and adds IP68/IP69 ratings for stronger protection against dust, water immersion, and high-pressure spray.
- Bloatware is scaled back with the MotoHub widget removed and clearer labeling on third-party apps, yet the phone still promises only two Android version upgrades and three years of security updates.
- Image quality is mixed with punchy colors and red-channel clipping, an ultrawide that doubles for macro focus, and a rear “3‑in‑1 light sensor” in place of a third camera.