Motorola Moto G (2025) goes live in the US with 5G and headphone jack for Dolby Atmos audio

The "new Moto G" or Moto G (2025) is a smartphone powered by the same Dimensity 6300 SoC as the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G in some markets. It is now being sold via Amazon or Motorola itself with 4GB of RAM and 128GB for $199.99 as promised earlier.

The A16 5G is also available for that price at the same configuration today (January 31, 2025) - although it could be said to have the better rear cameras, boasting a 5MP ultrawide-angle shooter in addition to the 50MP main and 2MP macro lenses the 2 devices have in common.

The Samsung handset is also the only 1 of the 2 with an AMOLED display - albeit with the disappointingly regressive retention of a waterdrop-style notch compared to the punch-hole of the Moto G (2025). The former is also 90Hz compared to 120Hz in the latter - although the A16's screen is FHD+ compared to HD+ in the latest Moto G.

Neither device can disguise its obtrusive chin, though.

The G might hit back for some by offering a choice of Forest Gray or Sapphire Blue finishes for the more uniquely curved vegan leather of its rear panel, while the A16 5G could be mistaken for practically any other Samsung smartphone of the last few years from the back at this point.

The Moto G (2025) might gain the audio edge with its Dolby Atmos-enhanced stereo speakers - not to mention the addition of an increasingly rare 3.5mm jack.

It also comes with Android 15 out of the box compared to 14 in its Samsung rival - although the latter is rated to get as many as 6 major OS upgrades, whereas to say Motorola's plans for its smartphones' software is less clear-cut by comparison is an understatement.

The A16 5G might also stand the test of time with an official IP54 rating compared to the "water-repellent" coating provided by Motorola. Then again, the latest Moto G does have Gorilla Glass 3 where the Samsung device does not.

Finally, both devices have very standard 5,000mAh batteries connected to USB-C ports - however, the Moto G (2025) has 30W wired charging where the A16 5G debuted stuck on Samsung's older 25W standard. 

Nevertheless, the new Moto G stands to prove itself a valid addition to the budget 5G smartphone market in 2025.