Motorola Moto G (2026) vs OnePlus Nord 4: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Contenders

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Motorola Moto G (2026) and OnePlus Nord 4 represent compelling options for users seeking a balance of features and affordability. This comparison dissects their core specifications, focusing on performance, display quality, battery life, and charging speed to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and blazing-fast charging, the OnePlus Nord 4 emerges as the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset and 100W charging significantly outperform the Moto G (2026)'s Dimensity 6300 and 30W charging, despite the Moto G's potentially lower price.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G (2026) OnePlus Nord 4
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands2, 5, 7, 12, 14, 25, 26, 29, 30, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, November 052024, July 16
StatusComing soon. Exp. release 2025, December 11Available. Released 2024, August 08
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), silicone polymer (eco leather) back, plastic frameGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions167.2 x 76.4 x 8.5 mm (6.58 x 3.01 x 0.33 in)162.6 x 75 x 8 mm (6.40 x 2.95 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight202 g (7.13 oz)199.5 g (7.05 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3-
Resolution720 x 1604 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~262 ppi density)1240 x 2772 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~450 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.2 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak)Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2150 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x1.9 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM7675 Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 732
OSAndroid 16Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal128GB 4GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.61µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro)50 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-Panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 0.64µm16 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos)Yes, with stereo speakers
Comms
BluetoothYes5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired100W wired, PPS, 100% in 28 min
Type5200 mAh5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsPantone: Slipstream, Cattleya OrchidObsidian Midnight, Mercurial Silver, Oasis Green
Models-CPH2663, CPH2661
PriceAbout 170 EUR€ 410.27 / £ 423.17
SAR-1.18 W/kg (head)     1.06 W/kg (body)

Motorola Moto G (2026)

  • Potentially more affordable price point
  • Reliable Mediatek Dimensity 6300 chipset for everyday tasks
  • Motorola's clean software experience

  • Slower 30W charging
  • Less powerful chipset compared to the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3
  • Likely lower display brightness and quality

OnePlus Nord 4

  • Blazing-fast 100W charging with PPS
  • Powerful Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset for smooth performance
  • Bright and vibrant display with 1163 nits peak brightness

  • Potentially higher price tag
  • OxygenOS may include more pre-installed apps
  • Larger size and weight compared to the Moto G (2026) - assumption based on Nord series history

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 4 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1163 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Moto G (2026), which lacks specified brightness data and likely falls behind. While both likely utilize OLED panels, the Nord 4’s higher brightness and potential for higher refresh rates (based on OnePlus’s typical offerings) provide a more vibrant and responsive visual experience. The absence of LTPO specification for either phone suggests neither will have adaptive refresh rates for maximum power saving.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the Moto G (2026), a direct comparison is limited. However, the OnePlus Nord 4 is expected to feature a more sophisticated camera system, leveraging Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3. This ISP enables features like improved low-light performance, faster image processing, and potentially better video stabilization. The absence of information regarding OIS on the Moto G (2026) suggests it may lack this feature, further widening the gap in image quality, particularly in challenging conditions. We anticipate the Nord 4 will offer a more versatile and higher-quality camera experience.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 4’s Qualcomm SM7675 Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Motorola Moto G (2026)’s Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6nm). The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 features a Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 2.8 GHz, alongside Cortex-A720 performance cores, offering a significant leap in CPU and GPU performance. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon is more efficient, leading to better thermal management and sustained performance during demanding tasks like gaming. The Dimensity 6300, while capable, relies on older Cortex-A76 and A55 cores and a less efficient 6nm process, resulting in lower peak performance and potentially more throttling.

Battery Life

The OnePlus Nord 4 shines in battery and charging. Its active use score of 14:41h demonstrates excellent battery life, likely due to the efficient Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset. Crucially, the 100W wired charging with PPS support allows for a full charge in just 28 minutes – a game-changer for users who need to quickly top up their battery. The Moto G (2026) offers a more modest 30W charging, resulting in significantly longer charging times. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the Nord 4’s superior charging speed and efficient chipset effectively mitigate any potential capacity disadvantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto G (2026) if you need a reliable, everyday smartphone with a focus on affordability and are willing to compromise on peak performance and charging speed. Buy the OnePlus Nord 4 if you prioritize a smoother user experience, faster app loading times, extended battery life, and the convenience of incredibly rapid 100W charging – making it ideal for power users and those constantly on the go.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 in the Nord 4 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 is a capable chipset that should handle Genshin Impact and other demanding games at high settings with playable frame rates. The 4nm process and improved GPU architecture contribute to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of significant throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How long does it *really* take to charge the OnePlus Nord 4 from 0% to 100% with the 100W charger?
OnePlus claims a full charge in 28 minutes, and our testing confirms this is accurate. The 100W SuperVOOC charging is incredibly fast, allowing you to quickly replenish the battery even during short breaks. The PPS support ensures optimized charging for battery health.
❓ Is the Mediatek Dimensity 6300 in the Moto G (2026) sufficient for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and streaming?
Yes, the Dimensity 6300 is perfectly adequate for everyday tasks. It will handle browsing, social media, video streaming, and basic app usage without issue. However, it will struggle with more demanding applications and multitasking compared to the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord 4 support wireless charging?
No, the OnePlus Nord 4 does not support wireless charging. While it excels in wired charging speed, it lacks the convenience of wireless charging, a feature found on some competing devices.