Essentially the most rugged cellphone at this worth
The brand new Moto G Energy 2026 will get the identical $299 price ticket as its predecessor and is far more rugged than the Galaxy A26. You get stereo audio system, a bigger battery, and Android 16.
Professionals
- Bigger show than A26
- Strong IP69 ranking and MIL-STD-810H certification
- Ships with Android 16
- 32MP selfie digicam
- Stereo audio system
Cons
- Identical SoC as 2025 mannequin, which wasn’t nice
- No modifications to different cameras or show tech
- Drops wi-fi charging
- Solely two OS upgrades
All set for the lengthy haul
The Samsung Galaxy A26 is among the only a few finances telephones to get a promise of six OS upgrades. It additionally presents a glass again, AMOLED display screen, and a stronger SoC in comparison with the Moto G Energy.
Professionals
- Gorilla Glass Victus+ on back and front
- Slimmer and lighter design
- Six OS upgrades promised
- Stronger SoC
- Helpful AI options
Cons
- No stereo audio system
- Moto G Energy has higher waterproofing
- Solely 6GB RAM variant formally offered within the U.S.
- No headphone jack
Moto G Energy 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy A26: Design and show
The Moto G Energy 2026 has the identical design and dimensions as its predecessor. It isn’t as slim or compact because the Galaxy A26, but it surely does have superior certifications for toughness. There’s an IP68/IP69 ranking for the final word water ingress safety. You even get MIL-STD-810H certification, which ensures the cellphone can survive harsh drops and temperatures. The brand new colours look very good, too.
The show of the Moto G Energy is not as spectacular on paper in comparison with Samsung, but it surely’s not dangerous both. You get a bigger 6.8-inch Full-HD+ IPS LCD show with as much as 1,000 nits of brightness. The refresh price can be 120Hz. which has now grow to be type of a regular for many Android telephones. Motorola has improved the shatter safety on the G Energy with Gorilla Glass 7i, however that is nonetheless inferior to the Victus+ glass on the Galaxy. One good factor is that G Energy has a textured TPU again panel, so there’s little to no danger of shattering when dropped.
Samsung actually stepped up its sport with the Galaxy A26’s design. It nonetheless has that unmistakable finances look as a result of waterdrop show notch and thick bezels on the backside of the display screen, but it surely will get an IP67 ranking now, which wasn’t there on the A25. It is slimmer and lighter than the Moto G Energy, and also you get Gorilla Glass Victus+ for the back and front of the cellphone. This could give the A26 a extra premium in-hand really feel, however all of the glass on the again continues to be inclined to wreck for those who’re not cautious.
Samsung has began utilizing Tremendous AMOLED screens for many of its telephones now, and the Galaxy A26 will get a 6.7-inch panel with a crisp decision and a 120Hz refresh price. Colours and black ranges must be richer and deeper in comparison with the IPS panel on the Motorola.
One factor that Samsung has eliminated, although, is stereo audio system. It is a weird transfer contemplating the A25 had it. I assume you win some, you lose some.
Moto G Energy 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy A26: {Hardware} & specs
The Moto G Energy 2026 options the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC, which is the very same one used within the older mannequin, too. Our Moto G Energy 2025 overview ought to provide you with a good thought of what to anticipate when it comes to efficiency from the 2026 mannequin. The chip is alright for probably the most half and even handles video games pretty properly, offered you tone down the standard settings of heavier titles.
As soon as once more, there’s just one variant of the 2026 Moto G Energy on the market with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The latter is expandable by way of a devoted microSD card slot. The cellphone additionally contains a headphone jack, stereo audio system, and FM radio — options which are absent within the Galaxy A26.
The Moto G Energy 2026 has a barely bigger battery than the Galaxy ought to assist it last more per cost, no less than on paper. You get 30W wired charging however no wi-fi charging, which is one thing the 2025 variant had.
Class | Moto G Energy 2026 | Samsung Galaxy A26 |
|---|---|---|
OS | Android 16 (Good day UX), as much as 2 OS upgrades | Android 15 (One UI), as much as 6 OS upgrades |
Colours | Pantone Pure Cashmere, Pantone Night Blue | Black, White, Mint, Peach Pink |
Display Dimension | 6.8 inches | 6.7 inches |
Display Decision | 2,388 x 1,080 | 2,340 x 1,080 |
Display Kind | FHD+, IPS LCD | FHD+, Tremendous AMOLED |
Refresh Charge | 120Hz | 120Hz |
Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 6300 | Exynos 1380 |
RAM | 8GB | 6GB/ 8GB |
Storage | 128GB (expandable as much as 1TB) | 128GB (expandable as much as 1TB) |
Cameras | 50MP important with Quad Pixel know-how, | 50MP important, 8MP ultra-wide, |
Audio system | Stereo Audio system (Hello-Res Audio, Dolby Atmos) | Mono speaker |
Battery | 5,200mAh | 5,000mAh |
Wi-fi Charging | No | No |
Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.3 |
Water Resistance | IP68, IP69 | IP67 |
Mobile | 5G | 5G |
Dimension | 166. 62 x 77.1 x 8.72 mm | 164 x 77.5 x 7.7 mm |
Weight | 208 grams | 200 grams |
Within the U.S., the Samsung Galaxy A26 formally is available in only one variant with 6GB RAM and 128GB of storage for $299. Nevertheless, you could find unlocked worldwide variants on Amazon with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage for underneath $250. This makes the Galaxy a lot better worth for cash for those who plan on choosing up the worldwide variant.
A lot of the fashions offered within the U.S. and globally characteristic the Exynos 1380 SoC, which is stronger than the MediaTek chip within the Moto, no less than on paper. I am unsure to what extent the 6GB RAM variant would cripple efficiency, however ideally, get the one with extra RAM for those who can. Although efficiency must be higher than the Moto G Energy, keep in mind that that is nonetheless a finances providing, so restrict your expectations accordingly.
Samsung has given the Galaxy A26 a 5,000mAh battery, which ought to give it stable one and a half to 2 days of runtime, similar to the Moto. The utmost charging pace is 25W, which is a bit slower than what Motorola presents.
Moto G Energy 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy A26: Software program
The Moto G Energy 2025 was promised two OS upgrades and three years of safety updates, and we assume the identical holds true for the 2026 mannequin as properly. We might have appreciated an extended software program improve dedication, because it falls severely behind Samsung’s replace promise for the Galaxy A26.
The Moto G Energy 2026 runs Android 16 out of the field and comes bundled with Motorola’s signature apps like Moto Safe, Moto Unplugged, Household Area, ThinkShield, and extra. Whereas there aren’t actually any homegrown AI options, you do get a few of them from Google, like Circle to Search.
Samsung, however, presents six OS era upgrades for the Galaxy A26, which is unbelievable and the best we have seen for a cellphone at this worth. Together with Google’s AI options, you additionally get tweaked variations of Galaxy AI options, which Samsung calls “Superior Intelligence.”
Moto G Energy 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy A26: Cameras
Selfie lovers will love the Moto G Energy 2026 because it now has twice the decision as earlier than. The 32MP sensor on the brand new mannequin ought to be capable to ship better element and fewer noise in low-light pictures. It also needs to be higher than the Galaxy A26’s 13MP entrance digicam.
Each telephones have comparable rear digicam capabilities. The Moto G Energy 2026 and Samsung Galaxy A26 characteristic 50MP important cameras with the identical f/1.8 aperture and optical stabilization. Each even have 8MP ultrawide cameras, however the Moto options autofocus so you need to use it to seize high-res macro pictures. Samsung lacks this, but it surely makes use of a 3rd, devoted 2MP macro digicam as a substitute.
Moto G Energy 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy A26: Which one must you purchase?
As a lot as I might like to suggest the Moto G Energy 2026 for its sturdy set of options, I do not suppose it is the greatest cellphone underneath $300 with its launch worth. The 2 OS improve dedication is one thing that is arduous to miss, particularly for those who plan to make use of it for longer. For those who’re considering of shopping for it only for the IP69 ranking, then I might prefer to level you within the route of the 2025 Moto G Energy, which has the identical characteristic and prices simply $200 (or much less) now.
Between these two, my choose could be the Samsung Galaxy A26. For those who gloss over the mono speaker challenge and the (nonetheless respectable) IP67 ranking, the worldwide variants are cheaper than the Moto, you get an AMOLED display screen, a extra premium glass design, and 6 OS upgrades, which is exceptional for a cellphone at this worth.
The hardest round
The 2026 Moto G Energy has the identical toughness because the 2025 mannequin however with a bigger battery and a greater selfie digicam. Motorola has saved the value the identical, making it probably the most waterproof cellphone at $300.
Higher worth for cash
The Samsung Galaxy A26 lacks the identical degree of waterproofing or battery capability because the Moto G Energy, however world variants are cheaper and have extra storage. You additionally get a greater show and lots of extra OS upgrades for the long run.
