Motorola Moto G Play hits stores for $279

Joseph Hanlon - Editorial Director

Last updated 15 September 2016

Motorola’s popular Moto G range extends today with the launch of the new Moto G Play, priced at a very reasonable $279.

For the money, the new Moto G Play includes an impressive array of specs and features. It is powered by a quad-core Qualcomm processor, 2GB RAM and comes with 16GB of internal storage. If you need more space for music and videos, there is a micro SD card slot with support for cards up to 128GB.

You also get a 5-inch (720p resolution) display, an 8-megapixel camera on the back, a 5-megapixel camera on the front, and a generous 2800mAh battery with rapid charging to top it up quickly.

One backwards step for Moto and the G range of phones is the absence of true water resistance in the G Play. The phone’s internal components are covered in a ‘water resistant nano-coating’ making the handset splash resistant, but we’d still love to see the phone be guaranteed to survive a serious dunking in a swimming pool or, god forbid, the toilet.

All in the all, the G Play looks to be another great budget-conscious phone in the vein of the other Moto Gs that have come before it. We’ve recommended these phones time and again, and the latest model looks to be another great choice for anyone looking to save (quite) a few bucks on a capable smartphone.

And, don’t forget that if you do pick-up a new Moto G Play you will need a SIM card to stuff inside it. Here are a few great choices to consider.

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Joseph Hanlon

Editorial Director | X | LinkedIn

Joe Hanlon has been immersed in mobile phones, plans and the internet for over a decade, having written for publications like CNET, Techradar, Gizmodo and Lifehacker. He steers the editorial ship and makes sure that we are always serving up the most useful guides and recommendations. If you ever bump into Joe on the street, don't be afraid to ask for a phone recommendation. It's embarrassing how much he enjoys talking about this stuff. He also loves listening to podcasts, so feel free to email Joe with recommendations.

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