Motorola Moto G86 5G Smartphone Power Launches in India: 32MP Selfie Cam, Waterproof Body at ₹17,999

Mumbai | July 30, 2025 By Michael B. Norris

A few weeks ago, I stood at a small mobile store in Delhi’s Karol Bagh market watching a young college student wrestle with indecision.

He had just broken his phone’s screen and wanted something affordable, but also durable and powerful enough for school work, video calls, and of course, social media selfies.

As the shopkeeper handed him a Moto G73 to try, the student asked, “Kya iska camera achha hai? TikTok ke liye chalega?” (Is the camera good? Will it work for TikTok?)

I thought of that interaction when Motorola launched its new Moto G86 Power today - a device that seems to directly answer that question.

Designed for India’s increasingly demanding mid-range users, this smartphone isn’t just about specs on paper.

It promises real-world resilience, social-ready imaging, and thoughtful features that cater to an audience balancing tight budgets with high expectations.

Let’s break down what makes the Moto G86 Power a device to watch - and possibly one to buy.

Key Specs

Feature Specification

Display 6.67" 1.5K pOLED, 120Hz, 4500 nits brightness

Processor MediaTek Dimensity 7400

RAM & Storage 8GB + 128GB (Expandable Virtual RAM up to 24GB)

Rear Camera 50MP Sony Lytia 600 + 8MP Ultrawide/Macro

Selfie Camera 32MP

Battery 6720mAh with 33W fast charging

OS Android 15 with Hello UI

Durability IP68/IP69, MIL-STD-810H

Price ₹17,999

Availability Flipkart, Motorola.in, offline retail (Aug 6)

Built for India’s rough-and-tumble use

If you’ve ever dropped your phone on a crowded metro floor or had it soaked during monsoon rains, you know how valuable true durability is.

Motorola addresses this directly - the Moto G86 Power is the first in its segment to offer IP68 and IP69 resistance alongside MIL-STD-810H military-grade durability.

This isn’t just marketing. It means the phone can survive both dust storms in Rajasthan and a brief dunk in your kitchen sink.

The back panel comes in Pantone-curated finishes - Golden Cypress, Cosmic Sky, and Spellbound - all with a vegan leather texture. It feels good in hand and less slippery than glass.

A local retailer I spoke with said early walk-in customers liked the matte grip and called it “rich-looking without being flashy.”

Display: Bright, sharp, and adaptive

Mid-range phones often cut corners on screens, but not here.

The 6.67-inch pOLED panel offers 1.5K resolution and a 4500-nit peak brightness, one of the highest in this price range.

I viewed a few demo videos under harsh Delhi sun - and yes, the display remained readable, even vibrant.

Smart Water Touch 2.0, a feature adapted from Motorola’s higher-end models, allows limited interaction even when the screen is wet - useful during rains or sweaty workouts.

Camera: A true selfie-first phone?

Let’s talk about the 32MP front camera - because that’s the biggest head-turner.

In a brief side-by-side with a Redmi Note 13 Pro, the G86 Power produced noticeably sharper and better-lit selfies indoors.

Even in low light, facial features remained defined without looking overly beautified.

The rear 50MP Sony Lytia 600 sensor performs well in natural daylight, delivering realistic colors and good edge detection in portrait mode.

The 8MP ultrawide doubles as a macro lens, but suffers slightly in night shots - though that’s expected at this price point.

Another win? 4K video recording is supported on all lenses, including the selfie camera - rare for a sub-₹20K phone.

Moto AI and Google-powered tools

Motorola has started integrating Moto AI, and it’s evident here.

The camera app includes Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, and Magic Editor - familiar tools to Pixel users.

These aren’t gimmicks; Magic Eraser worked decently when I removed a photobomber from a test shot.

The G86 Power also supports Cross Device Search, Swipe to Share, and Smart Connect 2.0, letting users mirror their phones to TVs or PCs easily - handy for students or work-from-home users.

Software and updates

The phone runs on Android 15, layered with Motorola’s minimalist Hello UI. It’s clean, bloat-free, and snappy in performance.

Motorola promises one year of OS upgrades and three years of security patches, though some users may expect more - especially when Samsung offers up to four years.

Still, the experience feels refined. A Reddit user who received an early demo unit said, “No ads, no spam notifications, just smooth UX. After Realme UI, this is peaceful.”

Performance and battery life

Under the hood, the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 chip paired with 8GB RAM (expandable to 24GB virtual RAM) delivers responsive multitasking.

It handled background YouTube playback, Chrome with 10 tabs, and Instagram without stutter.

The 6720mAh battery is massive and easily lasts a full day and a half under regular usage.

I managed 8.5 hours of screen-on time during casual testing.

The bundled 33W charger refuels 0 –100% in under 90 minutes.

Gamers should note: While it can handle games like BGMI and Asphalt 9 at medium-high settings, the back does warm up slightly after 30 minutes - not alarming, but noticeable.

Audio, connectivity, and extras

The dual Dolby Atmos stereo speakers provide loud, immersive sound with decent bass.

Hi-Res Audio support will appeal to audiophiles using high-quality wired headphones.

The phone features Smart Connect 2.0, allowing wireless syncing with other Motorola devices or Windows PCs. Swipe to Stream lets you mirror video content onto a smart TV instantly.

There’s no 3.5mm jack, but Motorola includes a USB-C to audio dongle in the box - a thoughtful addition missing in many rivals.

Price and availability

The Moto G86 Power is priced at ₹17,999 and will be available starting August 6 via Flipkart, Motorola’s official site, and offline retail outlets.

Early buyers may get bundled offers like discounted earbuds or extended warranty, though no official launch discount has been confirmed yet.

A retailer in Bangalore said, “We’ve had customers pre-registering interest. At this price, selfie camera and waterproofing are big draws.”

Final word: More than just specs

While big brands flood the sub-₹20K market with rebranded models and minimal innovation, Motorola seems to be carving a different path.

The G86 Power isn’t perfect - its ultrawide lens underwhelms, and OS updates are limited - but it checks key boxes for Indian buyers: ruggedness, battery life, reliable performance, and standout selfies.

If you’re upgrading from an older Moto G-series phone or considering a switch from bloat-heavy UIs, the Moto G86 Power deserves serious consideration.

More importantly, it feels like it was made with India in mind - not just imported and repackaged.

Visit official motorola site for info

About author:

Michael B. Norris is a delhi based technology journalist with over 10 years of experience covering smartphones, telecom, and consumer electronics in india South Asia. He is the author and writes for trendingalone blogspot.