It was only in February that Motorola launched its budget Moto g05 handset in Australia, but its successor is already on its way. And much like TVs, Motorola has leant into the idea that bigger is better.
The new Moto g06 has a huge 6.88-inch screen size, up from 6.7 inches on the g05. Yet despite the bigger screen, the phone will still have the same $179 RRP.
According to Motorola, the g06 now features the largest display ever seen on a moto g device, and it's certainly an impressive spec for a sub-$200 phone.
The HD+ display can reach up to 600 nits of brightness in High Brightness Mode, making it easier to see in direct sunlight. It also features Water Touch technology, allowing you to use the screen even with wet fingers.
Motorola has clearly positioned the g06 as an entertainment device, pairing that massive screen with stereo speakers featuring Bass Boost and Dolby Atmos support. For a budget phone, that's a solid audio setup that should make watching videos or listening to music a more enjoyable experience.
On the camera front, the g06 packs a 50MP main camera with Quad Pixel technology and AI-powered enhancements. There's also a 2-in-1 light sensor designed to speed up focus times in challenging lighting conditions.
While we'll need to test it to see how it performs in real-world use, the specs suggest Motorola is at least trying to deliver decent photography capabilities at this price point.
The g06 offers up to 12GB of RAM through RAM Boost technology, which uses virtual RAM to supplement the physical memory. You get 64GB of built-in storage, expandable up to 1TB via microSD card.
Battery life is another highlight, with a 5,200mAh cell that Motorola claims will last a full day of use. The company's Battery Care technology is designed to maintain over 80 per cent of the original battery capacity even after 1,000 charge cycles.
The g06 features an IP64 rating, offering protection against everyday splashes and light moisture. The screen uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for scratch resistance, though that's an older generation of the protective glass.
Software-wise, the g06 ships with Android 15 out of the box, giving users access to the latest features including Circle to Search and Gemini AI assistant. Motorola's ThinkShield security features are also included via the Moto Secure app.
Pricing and availability
The moto g06 is available now for $179 from JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys, Officeworks, Harvey Norman, Big W, Bing Lee and MobileCiti.
It comes in three colour options: Tapestry, Arabesque and Tendril (all named using Pantone colours). Note that colour availability varies by retailer.
Vodafone is also offering the g06 on both postpaid and prepaid plans:
- Postpaid: $179 RRP, or $1 per month on a device payment plan (minimum $36 device cost plus plan cost over 36 months). This deal runs until 17 November unless extended.
- Prepaid: $149 RRP, available from 21 October.
For a budget phone under $200, the moto g06 offers an impressive feature set on paper. Whether it delivers a genuinely good user experience remains to be seen, but that massive screen and solid battery capacity certainly make it an interesting option for anyone shopping at the more affordable end of the smartphone market.
