Motorola’s Moto G line holds a particular place in my coronary heart.
2015’s Moto G3 was my first ever smartphone, so at any time when I see a brand new mannequin launch, I’m instantly transported again to my faculty days.
Sadly, that nostalgia was very short-lived once I learn in regards to the newest batch of handsets: the Moto G77, G67, G17 and G17 Energy.
Now, don’t get me mistaken, they appear to be aggressive finances and mid-range telephones with a number of standout specs. Nevertheless, they’ve a typical, basic flaw, which implies nobody ought to severely think about shopping for them.
The longevity dealbreaker
In 2026, it’s typically accepted that any new telephone needs to be protected to make use of for a number of years. Sadly, Motorola didn’t get the memo.
Take the Moto G77 for instance. Its software program help is the perfect of the brand new lineup by a ways, however three years of main OS upgrades and 4 and a half years of safety patches is a distinctly underwhelming dedication.
For just a bit greater than its £249.99 beginning value, you can presently get the wonderful Nothing Telephone (3a), which matches Motorola on OS updates but boosts safety updates to a full six years. Samsung’s Galaxy A26 provides six years of each – greater than many flagship telephones.
Motorola
The £199.99 Moto G67 loses 5G, however additionally software program help. A measly two years of OS updates means it’ll miss out on the anticipated Android 19 in 2028, whereas 4 years of safety help isn’t something to put in writing house about.
Once more, it’s blown out of the water by equally priced competitors, with the CMF Telephone 2 Professional (three years of OS, six years of safety) and Galaxy A17 5G (six years of each). There’s actually no excuse.
It will get worse
If you get right down to the Moto G17, the scenario is much more dire.
Now, I’m not anticipating wonders from a £149.99 telephone, however ZERO main OS updates? That’s frankly pathetic.
Solely two years of safety patches isn’t a lot better, that means the system might be unsafe to make use of past 2028.
Motorola
Motorola’s lack of dedication is much more embarrassing on the G17 Energy, which will get a battery and charging enhance in change for the next €279 price ticket (not bought within the UK). Not bettering the software program help seems like an insult.
In battle with the EU?
The choice is all of the extra weird when you think about that the European Union (EU) handed new laws in June 2025 (referred to as ‘Lot X’) that require all smartphones and tablets bought there to supply at the very least 5 years of OS and safety updates.
In response to Tech Advisor’s questioning on this, Motorola responded with the next assertion:
“Lenovo and Motorola Mobility are dedicated to assembly the ideas set out within the Lot X regulation and can proceed to offer safety, corrective and performance updates to our telephones and tablets, to assist make sure the longevity and operation of our merchandise. We’re working to additional improve the longevity of our merchandise by means of enhanced restore and OS replace insurance policies (governing safety, corrective and performance updates).”
This seems to recommend that Motorola could enhance the software program help of its new Moto G telephones in an effort to adjust to the EU and promote the handsets in its 27 member states.
In fact, since Brexit, these laws now not apply to the UK, the place the Moto G77, Moto G67 and Moto G17 are all accessible now. The Moto G17 Energy gained’t be coming to Britain, and there’s no phrase on whether or not the gadgets might be bought within the US.
Motorola
Except one thing considerably modifications, individuals within the States actually aren’t lacking out. As a major sub-brand of one of many world’s largest tech corporations (Lenovo), Motorola has a giant alternative to be a pacesetter in sustainability and the atmosphere.
By placing deliberate obsolescence on the core of those handsets, it’s doing the precise reverse.
Apart from the G17 Energy, you should buy the brand new Moto G telephones from the Motorola UK web site now, however I’d extremely encourage you to have a look at different choices first.