Buying a phone used is supposed to be the cheap option. On Amazon right now, the arithmetic has flipped for one Motorola: Prime members can get the unlocked Moto G Power 2025 new for $189 instead of $299, a price 37% below list, while the same phone in Slate Gray is listed used at $194 on the same page. New means a fresh battery and a full manufacturer warranty, which makes the comparison worth a minute of attention.
Big Screen, Big Battery, Headphone Jack Included
The Moto G Power is Motorola’s phone for people who watch a lot of video and charge as rarely as possible. Its display measures 6.8 inches at Full HD+ resolution and refreshes at up to 120Hz, so scrolling and games look smooth. Sound comes from stereo speakers that Motorola says deliver 1.7 times more bass than the 2024 model, based on its own comparison. And for those who never gave up wired earbuds, the phone keeps a 3.5mm headphone jack, a detail that has all but vanished from more expensive devices.
Battery capacity is 5,000mAh, which Motorola rates at more than a day of mixed use. Wired charging tops out at 30 watts with a compatible TurboPower charger, sold separately, as the box contains only a USB cable. The phone also charges wirelessly, which is unusual in this price range and handy for anyone who already owns a charging pad on a nightstand or in a car.
For photos, the main camera uses a 50-megapixel sensor with optical image stabilization. Motorola’s own footnote explains that it combines four pixels into one, for final images of 12.5 megapixels, a common technique that helps in dim light. The front camera is a 16-megapixel unit. The body is more careful than the price suggests, with a back in vegan leather, Corning Gorilla Glass on the front and what Motorola calls underwater protection. The phone is sold unlocked and works with Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and other major US carriers.
Performance is where expectations should be kept in check. The MediaTek Dimensity 6300 is an entry-level 5G chip, paired here with 8GB of memory. The “up to 24GB” in Motorola’s description refers to RAM Boost, which borrows storage space as virtual memory and is no substitute for the real thing. Messaging, maps, video and casual games run well, and I would not buy this phone for demanding 3D titles. Storage is 128GB, expandable by up to 1TB with a microSD card, and the software is Android 15.
Prime membership is required: the Moto G Power 2025 in Leaf Green costs $189 on Amazon against a list price of $299, as a Prime Big Deal, with free returns and a one-year manufacturer warranty. For the full picture on used units, the Slate Gray one is listed at $194, while two other colors appear from $148 without the guarantees of a new phone.