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| The Moto G87 has IP66, IP68, and IP69 dust and water resistance ratings. |
In a day packed with smartphone announcements, Motorola has officially taken the wraps off the Moto G87. Arriving almost exactly one year after the Moto G86, this new mid-ranger is being positioned as the crown jewel of the G series—at least when it comes to photography and screen quality.
But before you get too excited about that massive camera bump, there is a catch. While the display is getting a blindingly bright upgrade and the main shooter is jumping into flagship territory (200 megapixels, anyone?), the engine under the hood tells a slightly different story.
Here is everything you need to know about the Moto G87, from its subtle design tweaks to that controversial chipset decision.
Same Family, New Face: Design Refinements You Might Miss
If you squint, the Moto G87 looks a lot like its predecessor. However, Motorola’s design team has been busy making small, meaningful changes. The phone still features that prominent camera island, but the shape has evolved. The outline of the protrusion now curves asymmetrically—dipping at the top right corner and the bottom left corner.
It is a quirky look, but it gives the G87 a distinct personality compared to the sea of rectangular camera blocks on other phones. The handset also features rounder corners overall, making it feel softer in the hand than the G86.
Motorola describes this as a "refinement" rather than a revolution, and honestly, that is probably a good thing. The previous G86 was already comfortable to hold, and these tweaks only improve the ergonomics.
A Display That Aims for the Sun
Let’s talk about that screen. Motorola is making a bold claim here: the Moto G87 has the brightest display ever seen on a Moto G series smartphone.
We are talking about a peak brightness of 5,000 nits. For context, most flagship phones top out around 2,000 to 2,500 nits. Whether you will actually need 5,000 nits on a sunny beach is debatable, but the headroom is impressive.
Beyond the brightness, the AMOLED panel has grown to 6.78 inches, up from the G86’s 6.7-inch panel. It runs a sharp 1.5K resolution and a buttery 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling. Motorola is sticking with Gorilla Glass 7i for protection, which is the same as last year—durable, but not the latest Gen 2 or 3 found on pricier devices.
The Elephant in the Room: A Processor Downgrade
Here is where things get a little confusing. While the screen and camera are moving forward, the performance specs take a step backward.
The Moto G87 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6400. That is actually a downgrade from the Dimensity 7300 found inside the Moto G86.
Why would Motorola do this? Typically, it comes down to cost-cutting to pay for that expensive 200MP sensor. The company is clearly betting that users care more about photos and screen quality than raw CPU benchmarks.
The chip is paired with up to 12GB of physical RAM (expandable virtually up to 24GB via RAM Boost) and up to 256GB of storage. On the plus side, you still get a microSD card slot for adding up to 2TB of extra space, a feature that is vanishing from many mid-range phones.
For daily tasks like social media, YouTube, and messaging, the Dimensity 6400 will be fine. But heavy gamers or power users coming from a G86 might notice slightly longer load times.
Camera: The 200MP Headliner
If you are a photography fan on a budget, the Moto G87 is trying very hard to get your attention. The primary rear camera is a massive 200MP f/1.8 sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS).
Motorola claims this allows for 2x lossless zoom, meaning you can crop into a shot without destroying the detail. Given the high resolution, that is plausible. OIS is a welcome addition, especially for low-light shots and video recording.
The supporting cast includes an 8MP ultrawide camera (decent for landscapes, but don't expect miracles) and a 32MP front-facing camera for selfies.
On the software side, Motorola is leaning into AI. Users will find a pro mode for manual controls, various live filters, and AI editing tools baked right into Google Photos. It is a smart integration that saves you from downloading third-party editing apps.
Built Like a Tank: Durability Gets Serious
One of the quietest but most impressive upgrades here is durability. The Moto G87 boasts a rare combination of dust and water resistance ratings: IP66, IP68, and IP69.
What does that mean? It is protected against powerful water jets (IP66), full immersion in water (IP68), and high-temperature, high-pressure water sprays (IP69). You could theoretically wash this phone off under a faucet.
Add MIL-STD 810H certification (military-grade toughness) and "wet touch" support (the screen works even when wet or with wet fingers), and you have a device that feels genuinely rugged without looking like a chunky brick.
The Battery Reality: No Changes Here
If you were hoping for faster charging or a bigger battery, lower your expectations. The Moto G87 sticks with a 5,200mAh battery and 30W fast charging. That is identical to the G86.
For most users, 5,200mAh is enough to get through a full day easily. But 30W charging in 2024/2025 is starting to feel slow when competitors like OnePlus and Realme offer 65W or 100W in similar price brackets.
On the plus side, the stereo speakers have reportedly been upgraded. Motorola claims they are 280% more powerful than the G86. That is a massive leap, suggesting the G87 will be a great device for watching movies or playing music out loud.
Software and Connectivity
The Moto G87 ships with Android 16 right out of the box. However, Motorola has remained notably silent on the software update policy. We do not know how many years of OS upgrades or security patches to expect. Given Motorola’s history, this is a point of caution for buyers who keep their phones for three or four years.
Connectivity options are standard but solid: Bluetooth 5.4, NFC (for contactless payments), WiFi 5 (not WiFi 6 or 7, sadly), and dual SIM support.
Availability and Pricing: Europe and META First
The Moto G87 will launch in two new Pantone colors: Blue Atoll and Overture. Both feature different finishes, giving buyers a choice between something vibrant and something more subdued.
The starting price is €399 (roughly $430 USD, though a US launch has not been confirmed). It will roll out in Europe and the META region (Middle East, Turkey, and Africa) in the coming weeks.
Final Verdict: A Compromise Worth Making?
The Moto G87 is a study in priorities. Motorola clearly surveyed its users and heard two things: "Give me a better camera" and "Give me a screen I can see in sunlight."
On those two fronts, the G87 delivers spectacularly. A 200MP OIS camera and a 5,000-nit display at €399 is genuinely impressive.
However, the downgrade to a Dimensity 6400 processor and the unchanged battery specs mean this is not a universal upgrade. If you are a G86 owner focused on gaming performance, you might want to skip this generation. But if you are coming from an older phone and want the best possible camera for the price, the Moto G87 is arguably the most interesting Moto G phone in years.
Source: Motorola (via press release)
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| The camera island has been slightly redesigned to differentiate it from the Moto G86. |
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| The Moto G87 in Pantone Blue Atoll and Pantone Overture. |