The Moto G is available to buy from £119 unlocked. We compare the UK’s cheapest deals for the Moto G6, Moto G6 Plus, Moto G6 Play and Moto G5.
If you’re looking for an affordable mid-range smartphone, my current recommendation is to buy a handset from the Moto G family. With a solid design and fantastic specifications, the Moto G handsets are powerful, yet budget-friendly. Priced at just a fraction of the cost of an iPhone 8 or Galaxy S9, you can buy a Moto G handset from as little as £119 unlocked.
There are three handsets to choose from in the latest generation of the Moto G family. They are the Moto G6, the Moto G6 Plus and the Moto G6 Play. The handsets have impressive edge-to-edge screens, TurboPower charging and 64-bit octa-core processors. On the top-range handset, the Moto G6 Plus, you’ll also get an intelligent camera with Dual Autofocus Pixel and lots of other clever features.
For a cheaper alternative to the Moto G6, it’s still possible to buy last year’s Moto G5 and Moto G5S. You’ll get a slightly smaller screen, but this will come in a more compact aluminium form factor, and is available at a lower price compared to the Moto G6.
In this article, we’ll look at the best value deals for buying a Moto G smartphone in the UK. We’ll start by looking at the best deals for an unlocked Moto G6 or Moto G5 handset. We’ll then continue on to compare the best value deals on Pay As You Go and on a Pay Monthly contract.
Contents
SIM Free & Unlocked
The simplest way to buy a new Moto G is to get it SIM-free from an electronics retailer. As you’re buying a handset that’s already unlocked, you’ll be able to use it on the mobile network of your choice. You can order a free Pay As You Go SIM card to use with the handset or you can take advantage of a low-cost SIM-only deal. Alternatively, you can also stay on your current tariff (just put your existing SIM card into the new Moto G).
Which Moto G?
There are currently five main handsets to choose from in the Moto G family:
| Model | Display | Camera | Processor | Storage | Battery | Body |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moto G6 | 5.7″ full HD+ | 12MP & 5MP dual-camera | 1.8GHz octa-core | 32GB | 3,000mAh | 3D Glass |
| Moto G6 Plus | 5.9″ full HD+ | 12MP & 5MP dual-camera | 2.2GHz octa-core | 64GB | 3,200mAh | 3D Glass |
| Moto G6 Play | 5.7″ HD+ | 13 megapixels | 1.4GHz octa-core | 32GB | 4,000mAh | Polymer Glass |
| Moto G5 | 5.0″ full HD | 13 megapixels | 1.4GHz octa-core | 16GB | 2,800mAh | Aluminium |
| Moto G5S | 5.2″ full HD | 16 megapixels | 1.4GHz octa-core | 32GB | 3,000mAh | Aluminium |
For most people, we’d recommend buying one of the sixth-generation handsets (typically, either the Moto G6 or Moto G6 Plus). The improvements in performance and design are significant, especially with the edge-to-edge screen and the dual rear-facing cameras. For a budget-friendly alternative, the Moto G5 is still a fantastic choice, being available from just £119 and still having some good specifications.
Cheapest Moto G Retailers
If you’d like to buy the Moto G6 with 32GB of storage and 3GB of RAM, John Lewis is currently our recommended retailer. For £219.99, you’ll get an exclusive version of the Moto G6 with added dual-SIM functionality. This gives you more flexibility compared to the single-SIM version, and potentially allows you to save money (e.g. you can have a secondary SIM card for when you travel abroad).
If you’d like the Moto G6 Plus with 64GB of storage and 4GB of RAM, this is available for £269 at the Carphone Warehouse. You’ll get a faster processor and more storage, along with a larger 5.9-inch screen.
For something in between the two devices, Amazon has an exclusive version of the Moto G6 with 64GB of storage. Costing £239, it’s priced somewhere in between the Moto G6 and the Moto G6 Plus. It gives you the larger amount of storage normally found on the Moto G6 Plus, but doesn’t contain any of the other upgraded specifications.
For the lowest-cost Moto G handset currently available, we’d recommend buying the Moto G5 from Amazon.co.uk. You can buy the handset at Amazon for £119 SIM-free and unlocked.
The Moto G is also available from a range of other retailers like Currys, Argos and Very:
| Retailer | Moto G6 | Moto G6 Plus | Moto G6 Play | Moto G5 | Moto G5S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32GB / 3GB | 64GB / 4GB | 32GB / 3GB | 16GB / 2GB | 32GB / 3GB | |
| John Lewis | £219.99[ds] | – | £169.99 | £119.99 | – |
| Amazon.co.uk | £219.95† | – | £169.95 | £119.00 | £180.09 |
| Carphone Warehouse | – | £269.00 | £169.00 | – | – |
| Currys | – | £269.00 | £169.00 | – | – |
| Argos | £219.95 | – | £169.95 | £119.95 | £189.95 |
| Very | – | – | – | £149.99 | £189.99 |
| Clove | £219.00 | £310.00 | £169.00 | £144.00 | £165.00 |
[ds] John Lewis sells an exclusive version of the Moto G6, with 32GB of storage and dual-SIM functionality. This gives you a lot more flexibility (e.g. using two SIM-cards when travelling abroad). Other retailers sell the single-SIM version of the Moto G6 with 32GB of storage.
† Amazon also offers a version of the Moto G6 with 64GB of storage and dual-SIM functionality. This is available for £239 SIM-free and unlocked.
As well as buying a Moto G smartphone, you may also wish to buy a micro-SD card. This allows you to add up to 128GB of additional storage to your handset. You can buy a 32GB micro-SD card for around £10 or a 128GB micro-SD card for about £30.
Pay As You Go
If you’d like the Moto G6 Play or Moto G5, you can sometimes save a little bit of money by buying it on Pay As You Go. Typically, you’ll need to make a minimum initial top-up of £10 or more when buying a handset on Pay As You Go.
At present, giffgaff is our recommended network for buying both the Moto G6 Play and Moto G5 on Pay As You Go. You can get the Moto G6 Play for £169 and the Moto G5 for £109. The handset will come with a giffgaff SIM card where a £10 monthly top-up will give you 3GB of internet, unlimited minutes and unlimited texts. The handset will also be provided to you unlocked.
You can also buy the Moto G6 Play on Pay As You Go from O2 and Tesco Mobile. O2 charges £15 for unlocking (available once you’ve had the handset for more than 12 months). On Tesco Mobile, you’ll be able to unlock the Moto G6 Play for a fee of £10.
| Mobile Network | Moto G6 | Moto G6 Plus | Moto G6 Play | Moto G5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32GB / 3GB | 64GB / 4GB | 32GB / 3GB | 16GB / 2GB | |
| giffgaff | Get it SIM-free & order a giffgaff SIM card. | £169.00 | £109.00 | |
| O2 | Get it SIM-free & order a O2 SIM card. | £169.00 | – | |
| Tesco Mobile | Get it SIM-free & order a Tesco SIM card. | £190.00 | – | |
| EE | Get it SIM-free & order a EE SIM card. | – | – | |
| Three | Get it SIM-free & order a Three SIM card. | – | – | |
| Vodafone | Get it SIM-free & order a Vodafone SIM card. | – | – | |
Unfortunately, the Moto G6 and Moto G6 Plus are not currently available to buy on any Pay As You Go networks. However, you can use any model of the Moto G on any Pay As You Go network in the UK by buying it SIM-free and then ordering a free Pay As You Go SIM card.
Pay Monthly
If you’re looking to get a Moto G handset on a 24-month contract, you can currently choose from getting the Moto G6 on contract from Vodafone, or getting the Moto G6 Play on contract from giffgaff, O2 or Tesco Mobile. If you’d like to use any other mobile network, you’ll instead need to buy the handset SIM-free and then choose a SIM-only deal.
Moto G6
Vodafone offers the Moto G6 on a range of 24-month contracts. You can choose from three types of price plan: Essentials (the cheapest & most basic tariff), Red Extra (with more data and unlimited minutes) or Red Entertainment (with the largest data allowances, and a 24-month subscription to Spotify, Sky Sports Mobile TV or Now TV).
The following table shows Moto G6 contracts currently available from Vodafone:
| Network | Minutes | Texts | Internet | Upfront | Monthly | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | £0.00 upfront | £24.00 monthly | £576.00 |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 4GB | £0.00 upfront | £30.00 monthly | £720.00 |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 26GB | £0.00 upfront | £36.00 monthly | £864.00 |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 8GB | £0.00 upfront | £36.00 monthly | £864.00 |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 42GB | £0.00 upfront | £42.00 monthly | £1,008.00 |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 60GB | £0.00 upfront | £48.00 monthly | £1,152.00 |
Moto G6 Play
The Moto G6 Play is available on a 24-month contract from giffgaff, O2 and Tesco Mobile. The following table shows Moto G6 Play contracts currently available in the UK:
| Network | Minutes | Texts | Internet | Upfront | Monthly | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 1GB | £0.00 upfront | £16.49 monthly | £395.76 |
| 5,000 | 5,000 | 2GB | £0.00 upfront | £17.99 monthly | £431.76 |
| 5,000 | 5,000 | 5GB | £0.00 upfront | £20.99 monthly | £503.76 |
| 5,000 | 5,000 | 10GB | £0.00 upfront | £23.99 monthly | £575.76 |
| 5,000 | 5,000 | 20GB | £0.00 upfront | £28.99 monthly | £695.76 |
| 5,000 | 5,000 | 50GB | £0.00 upfront | £40.99 monthly | £983.76 |
Which Moto G?
Moto G6 vs Moto G6 Plus vs Moto G6 Play
This year, Motorola is offering a choice of three handsets as part of the Moto G6 line-up. Generally speaking, the Moto G6 will be the best handset for most users, offering a great combination of value and performance.
For better photography, more storage and a larger 5.9-inch screen, the Moto G6 Plus is a good upgrade costing around £50 more. You’ll get a Snapdragon 630 processor (2.2GHz octa-core) on the Moto G6 Plus as opposed to the Snapdragon 450 processor (1.8GHz octa-core) found on the regular Moto G6. You’ll also get more storage and RAM as standard.
The Moto G6 Play is a lower-cost alternative to both handsets, focussing on maximum battery life, at the cost of a lower-resolution screen and a more basic camera. There are also a number of other cut-down features such as having micro-USB charging (as opposed to USB-C), a single rear-facing camera, a polymer-based design and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor.
The following table shows a side-by-side comparison of the three handsets:
Motorola Moto G6 | Motorola Moto G6 Plus | Motorola Moto G6 Play | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | 2018, Mid Range | 2018, High End | 2018, Flagship |
| Software | Google Android 8.0 | Google Android 8.0 | Google Android 8.0 |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.7-inch display | 5.9-inch display | 5.7-inch display |
| Type | LCD | LCD | LCD |
| Resolution | 2160x1080 pixels | 2160x1080 pixels | 1440x720 pixels |
| Pixel Density | 424 pixels per inch | 409 pixels per inch | 282 pixels per inch |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels | 13 megapixels |
| Auto-Focus | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Flash | ✔ Dual-LED flash | ✔ Dual-LED flash | ✔ LED flash |
| OIS | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Front Camera | 8.0 megapixels | 8.0 megapixels | 8.0 megapixels |
| Internals | |||
| Processor | Snapdragon 450 | Snapdragon 630 | Snapdragon 430 |
| Speed | 1.8GHz octa-core | 2.2GHz octa-core | 1.4GHz octa-core |
| Internal Storage | 64GB | 64/128GB | 32GB |
| External Storage | ✔ Up to 256GB micro-SD | ✔ Up to 256GB micro-SD | ✔ Up to 256GB micro-SD |
| Handset Weight | 167g | 167g | 175g |
| Battery | 3,000mAh | 3,200mAh | 4,000mAh |
| Mobile Networks | |||
| 3G Networks | ✔ Up to 42Mbit/s | ✔ Up to 42Mbit/s | ✔ Up to 42Mbit/s |
| 4G Networks | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| SIM Card Type | Nano SIM | Nano SIM | Nano SIM |
Moto G6 vs Moto G5
The Moto G6 was released in May 2017, and is Motorola’s newest mid-range smartphone. The predecessors to the Moto G6 were the Moto G5 (released in March 2017) and the Moto G5S (released in September 2017).
The main differences between the Moto G6 and Moto G5 include:
- The Moto G6 has a taller edge-to-edge display. The Full HD+ screen on the Moto G6 has a 18:9 aspect ratio, meaning you’re able to see more things without the phone becoming wider and more difficult to hold.
- The Moto G6 has an improved camera. On the back of the handset, you’ll get dual cameras (one at 12 megapixels and the other at 5 megapixels). This compares to the Moto G5 which had a single 13 megapixel camera.
- The Moto G6 has a more premium glass-based design. Whereas the Moto G5 was constructed from an aluminium unibody, the Moto G6 has a new glass-based design with a 3D-contoured back.
- The Moto G6 has a faster processor and more storage. You’ll get a Snapdragon 450 processor on the Moto G6 and a Snapdragon 630 processor on the Moto G6 Plus. This is more powerful than the processors found on last year’s Moto G5 and Moto G5S. You’ll also get 32GB of storage as standard on the Moto G6 and 64GB on the Moto G6 Plus.
- The Moto G6 has faster charging. You’ll get USB-C charging on the Moto G6 and Moto G6 Plus, with Motorola’s TurboPower technology. Last year’s Moto G5 used micro-USB charging technology.
The following table shows a side-by-side comparison of some of the key differences between the Moto G6, the Moto G5 and Moto G5S:
| Motorola Moto G6 | Motorola Moto G5 | Motorola Moto G5S | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | 2018, Mid Range | 2017, Mid Range | 2017, Mid Range |
| Software | Google Android 8.0 | Google Android 7.0 | Google Android 7.1 |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.7-inch display | 5.0-inch display | 5.2-inch display |
| Type | LCD | LCD | LCD |
| Resolution | 2160x1080 pixels | 1920x1080 pixels | 1920x1080 pixels |
| Pixel Density | 424 pixels per inch | 441 pixels per inch | 424 pixels per inch |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera | 12 megapixels | 13 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
| Auto-Focus | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Flash | ✔ Dual-LED flash | ✔ LED flash | ✔ LED flash |
| OIS | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Front Camera | 8.0 megapixels | 5.0 megapixels | 5.0 megapixels |
| Internals | |||
| Processor | Snapdragon 450 | Snapdragon 430 | Snapdragon 430 |
| Speed | 1.8GHz octa-core | 1.4GHz octa-core | 1.4GHz octa-core |
| Internal Storage | 64GB | 16/32GB | 32GB |
| External Storage | ✔ Up to 256GB micro-SD | ✔ Up to 256GB micro-SD | ✔ Up to 256GB micro-SD |
| Handset Weight | 167g | 145g | 157g |
| Battery | 3,000mAh | 2,800mAh | 3,000mAh |
| Mobile Networks | |||
| 3G Networks | ✔ Up to 42Mbit/s | ✔ Up to 42Mbit/s | ✔ Up to 42Mbit/s |
| 4G Networks | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| SIM Card Type | Nano SIM | Nano SIM | Nano SIM |
About the Moto G
The Moto G is Motorola’s family of mid-range Android smartphones.
The Moto G handsets are notable for having quality specifications at only a fraction of the price of rival flagship smartphones. For instance, the Moto G6 has dual-camera technology, fingerprint unlocking, USB-C fast charging and a Full HD+ screen. Many of these specifications can match the iPhone 8 Plus, a handset that will typically cost you more than three times as much.
Other highlights of the Moto G6 and Moto G6 Plus include the 64-bit Snapdragon octa-core processor and Android 8.0 Oreo.
The following table compares the Moto G6 to the Apple iPhone 8 and Samsung Galaxy S9:
| Motorola Moto G6 | Apple iPhone 8 | Samsung Galaxy S9 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | 2018, Mid Range | 2017, Flagship | 2018, Flagship |
| Software | Google Android 8.0 | Apple iOS 11.0 | Google Android 8.0 |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.7-inch display | 4.7-inch display | 5.8-inch display |
| Type | LCD | LCD | Organic LED |
| Resolution | 2160x1080 pixels | 1334x750 pixels | 2960x1440 pixels |
| Pixel Density | 424 pixels per inch | 326 pixels per inch | 570 pixels per inch |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Auto-Focus | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Flash | ✔ Dual-LED flash | ✔ Quad-LED flash | ✔ LED flash |
| OIS | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Front Camera | 8.0 megapixels | 7.0 megapixels | 8.0 megapixels |
| Internals | |||
| Processor | Snapdragon 450 | Apple A11 Bionic | Exynos 9810 Octa |
| Speed | 1.8GHz octa-core | 2.3GHz dual-core & 2.3GHz quad-core | 2.8GHz quad-core & 1.7GHz quad-core |
| Internal Storage | 64GB | 64/256GB | 64/128/256GB |
| External Storage | ✔ Up to 256GB micro-SD | ✘ | ✔ Up to 400GB micro-SD |
| Handset Weight | 167g | 148g | 163g |
| Battery | 3,000mAh | 1,821mAh (14 hours talktime) | 3,000mAh |
| Mobile Networks | |||
| 3G Networks | ✔ Up to 42Mbit/s | ✔ Up to 42Mbit/s | ✔ Up to 42Mbit/s |
| 4G Networks | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| SIM Card Type | Nano SIM | Nano SIM | Nano SIM |
For more information about the Moto G family, please see the official Motorola website.
joan seymour said:
Hi there …. This is a plea for help from a ‘ non-tech ‘ mobile phone user ! .. At present I have a VERY basic mobile phone – no camera or internet connection – it’s just a phone, & I can use it for texting ! …I am connected to Giff Gaff, & have a monthly bundle costing £ 5 per month…I would like to move on to a smartphone … possibly a Moto G5 ….where I could use it as a phone; for texting; to be able to use Whatsapp; occasionally a camera, & of course to e.mail….My tablet is bulky to carry around,& of course is not a phone !! ….I am looking for something which is not too complicated to use – & more importantly – to set up ! ..My question is :- Could I put my existing sim card ( with giff gaff ) into a new Moto G5, & start using it once I had managed to set it up ? … Everyone keeps telling me it’s time I had a decent phone & kept up with the 21st Century !! lol …Any help or advice you could offer would be much appreciated…Joan
Ken replied:
Hi Joan,
Many thanks for your comment. Absolutely: the Moto G5 is a fantastic device, and you can just put your existing SIM card inside it (though depending on your currently handset, it may be necessary for you to change the size of your SIM card). After you’ve placed the SIM card in your Moto G5, you’ll have the same phone number as before and you’ll be able to use your data allowance from giffgaff.
Ken
Chris Ryan said:
I went to buy a G5 from Carphone Warehouse but was recommended to upgrade to a Motorola X4 for an extra £80. I am not a big tech user and my main use is Whatsapp, phone, email and searching for minutae on the net. Is the X4 worth the extra?
Ken replied:
Hi Chris,
Many thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, it’s really hard for me to say – this will really be a value judgement on your part. I think the Moto X4 is definitely a nicer phone. It won’t help you to WhatsApp, phone & email better, but it will give you better performance (especially if you’re doing multiple things at the same time). You’ll also get a better camera which is useful if you sometimes use your phone for taking photos.
Ken
Chris Ryan replied:
Ken
Thanks for the reply, I’m thinking G5 because I have been perfectly happy with a Moto g 3rd Gen for a couple of years but value your reviews and thoughts.
Ken replied:
Hi Chris,
Yes – I think I’d personally go for the Moto G5 as well, especially given the price difference and how you normally use your handset 🙂 It’s also far more popular as a handset, though it’s difficult for me to really give a recommendation without knowing exactly how much difference different features make to different people.
Hope this helps (slightly!),
Ken
Ely said:
My apologies, I meant eglobal. Additionally, would you say the Moto g5 plus, is worth the extra over the standard Moto G5
Ken replied:
Hi Ely,
Thanks for the clarification. Unfortunately, I don’t have any experience with eGlobal myself, but I have asked the commenter below whether they have any update on their experience. Would also love to hear from anyone else who may have used them in the past!
Regarding the Moto G5 Plus, I think this is really a matter of personal preference. Personally, I’d definitely upgrade because of the improved camera, larger screen size & more powerful processor. However, it will really depend on how much value you’ll get from extra features 🙂
Ken
Ely replied:
Thank you Ken for your support. Final question, I am currently getting similar prices for the Moto G5 plus and Samsung J5 2017. Appears Moto is better in terms of general usage and features, but Samsung has the edge on build quality. Any thoughts or have I got that about right. Once again thanks for your guidance.
Ilesh
Ken replied:
Hi Ely,
I would personally go for the Moto G5 Plus over the Samsung Galaxy J5 2017. The screen is much higher resolution (full-HD vs standard-HD) and you’ll also tend to get better performance. In terms of build quality, I can’t comment on the differences between the two, but personally I think the Moto G5 has decent build, so the differences in performance & screen quality would probably lead me to choose the G5 Plus.
Hope this helps,
Ken