Skip to main content

Motorola’s new $200 Android phone looks like a great deal

Moto S50 Neo.
Another day, another $200 smartphone is making its debut in China. Yesterday, we told you about the Honor Play 60 Plus. Today, say hello to the Moto S50 Neo. The new offering features a 6.7-inch pOLED display (FHD+ and 120Hz) with a Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chipset inside. According to GSMArena, the phone also includes a 5,000mAh battery with 30W charging. The phone runs on Android 14.

The Moto S50 Neo is a beautifully designed smartphone that ships in Gray, Olivine, and Surf. The Olivine and Surf models feature a textile-like nanotexture back that is considered “skin-friendly” and wear-resistant, adding “a touch of style.” Pantone developed those two unique colors.

For capturing precious moments, the Moto S50 Neo boasts a 50-megapixel primary camera with a Sony IMX882 sensor, an F/1.79 aperture, and an 8MP ultrawide lens with a 118-degree field of view. It’s also equipped with a 32MP front camera for selfies. Not bad at all.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3, a midrange mobile processor released in 2023, is available with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of storage. The microSD card slot allows you to increase storage.

Motorola S50 Neo.

The Moto S50 Neo is only available in China, although it will ship elsewhere later this year as the Moto G85. However, the phone isn’t likely to be released in the U.S. The entry-level option is $220, while the other is $261.

For those who can’t buy a Moto S50 Neo (most of us), several budget-friendly smartphones are available worldwide, such as the OnePlus Nord N300 5G and Samsung Galaxy A14 5G. The recently released Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) should also be considered, especially for those who want to stick with Motorola.

Bryan M. Wolfe
Bryan M. Wolfe has over a decade of experience as a technology writer. He writes about mobile.
The new Motorola Razr Plus might be a bigger deal than we thought
Apps on the Motorola Razr Plus.

Motorola Razr Plus Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

While Motorola is set to reveal the next lineup of Razr flip phones next week, a new leak gives us a better idea of what to expect. At least with the Razr Plus (2024), we might be seeing a better dual-camera system with a telephoto lens, better water resistance, and even some AI goodies.

Read more
I compared the cameras on 4 cheap Android phones, and the winner surprised me
The Google Pixel 8a, Nothing Phone 2, Samsung Galaxy A35, and the Samsung Galaxy A55's camera.

The Google Pixel 8a (from left), Nothing Phone 2, Samsung Galaxy A35, and Samsung Galaxy A55. Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

If you’ve set aside around $500 to spend on a new Android smartphone, and the camera is one of the features you expect to use the most, then which phone is best? The Pixel 8a will likely be on your list, but there are several other great phones available at a similar price.

Read more
Motorola Razr Plus 2024 vs. Razr 2024: Which foldable should you buy?
All of the colors for the Motorola Razr 2024 and Motorola Razr Plus 2024.

It’s officially summer, which means it’s time for hot weather, beaches and pools, and folding phones. Yep, nothing says summer more than a hot new phone like the new Motorola Razr line.

But wait a minute, there are two Razrs! You have the Razr 2024 and Razr Plus 2024. So, which one are you supposed to get? Don’t worry -- here are the details on both so you can decide which flip phone is right for you.
Motorola Razr Plus 2024 vs. Razr 2024: specs

Read more