X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Eyes-on Motorola's Moto G6, G6 Play, E5 Plus and E5 Play

Here's what you can get for $250 (or less).

Daniel Van Boom
Daniel Van Boom is an award-winning Senior Writer based in Sydney, Australia. Daniel Van Boom covers cryptocurrency, NFTs, culture and global issues. When not writing, Daniel Van Boom practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, reads as much as he can, and speaks about himself in the third person.
Daniel Van Boom
moto-g6-and-moto-e5-series-phones4
1 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

Motorola has new Moto phones. Many new Moto phones. From left to right: The budget G6 and G6 Play, and the ultrabudget E5 and E5 Play.

001-motog6
2 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

First up, the Moto G6. It stands out thanks to the fingerprint sensor under the screen.

044-motog6-play
3 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

The G6 Play, pictured here, has the same 18:9 screen ratio as its slightly-more-pricey brother.

028-motog6
4 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

The Moto G6 costs $249, while the play is cheaper at $199. 

027-motog6
5 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

One major difference: The G6 has dual cameras, while the G6 Play has a lone shooter on its back. 

042-motog6-play
6 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

004-motog6
7 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

005-motog6
8 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

036-motog6
9 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

The G6 has some photography extras, like a portrait mode.

moto-g6-and-moto-e5-series-phones5
10 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

The four phones are cut from the same cloth. 

moto-g6-and-moto-e5-series-phones2
11 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

Not pictured are two other models: The G6 Plus and the E5. 

moto-g6-and-moto-e5-series-phones3
12 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

The E5 phones on the right (E5 Plus, E5 Play) are even more affordable. 

034-motog6
13 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

And they all have headphone jacks!

037-motog6
14 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

moto-g6-and-moto-e5-series-phones1
15 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

006-motog6
16 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

Here's a few more shots of the G6 Play.

002-motog6
17 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

003-motog6
18 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

007-motog6
19 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

008-motog6
20 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

009-motog6
21 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

Back to the G6 now.

010-motog6
22 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

It has dual 12-megapixel rear cameras, and a 5-megapixel sensor on the front. 

011-motog6
23 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

It comes with frame software for your selfies. 

012-motog6
24 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

Many of its photography features aren't available on the G6 Play. 

015-motog6
25 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

016-motog6
26 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

Google Lens smarts analyze your photos and give you more info on the subject. 

017-motog6
27 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

018-motog6
28 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

019-motoe5-plus
29 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

Here are the E5 Plus and E5 Play. 

020-motoe5-plus
30 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

The E5 Plus has a big ol' 6-inch screen, while the E5 Play is smaller at 5.2 inches.

021-motoe5-plus
31 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

We don't know how much they cost yet.

023-motog6
32 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

Not pictured is a middle model, the E5.

051-motoe5-plus
33 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

The E5 Plus doesn't just have a big screen, but a monster 5,000mAh battery too.

052-motoe5-plus
34 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

Its rear shooter weighs in at 12 megapixels. 

053-motoe5-plus
35 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

054-motoe5-plus
36 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

055-motoe5-plus
37 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

056-motoe5-plus
38 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

057-motoe5-plus
39 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

058-motoe5-plus
40 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

Screen resolution is a HD 1,440x720 pixels.  

059-motoe5-plus
41 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

060-motoe5-plus
42 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

061-motoe5-plus
43 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

062-motoe5-plus
44 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

063-motoe5-plus
45 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

069-motoe5-play
46 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

The E5 Play's battery is smaller at 2,800mAh, but it is removable. 

064-motoe5-play
47 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

The rear camera is an entry-level 8 megapixels, but that'll be reflected in the price. 

065-motoe5-play
48 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

066-motoe5-play
49 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

068-motoe5-play
50 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

067-motoe5-play
51 of 51 Sarah Tew/CNET

That's it for the new Moto 2018 lineup, but you can examine all the phones in more depth:

Moto G6 revealed: Dual cameras, 18:9 screen, no notch for $250
Meanwhile, the Moto G6 Play crams in a 4,000-mAh battery, and the Moto G6 Plus adds NFC.

Moto E5 Plus and E5 Play are 2018's newest ultrabudget phones
These supercheap phones from Motorola still hold on to the headphone jack. 

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos