Motorola Moto G77, G67 & G17: Uncovering the Surprising Reasons to Avoid Purchasing These Devices

Having a soft spot for Motorola’s Moto G line is inevitable if the 2015 Moto G3 was your first smartphone, like it was for me during my college days. However, the recent releases of the Moto G77, G67, G17, and G17 Power have left me feeling nostalgic but ultimately disappointed.

While these budget and mid-range phones boast impressive specs, they all share a significant flaw that makes them unworthy of serious consideration.

The longevity dealbreaker

In today’s tech landscape, it’s expected that a new phone should be able to last for several years. Unfortunately, Motorola seems to have missed the memo with the latest Moto G lineup. For instance, the Moto G77, the best in terms of software support among the new releases, only offers three years of major OS upgrades and four and a half years of security patches, which falls short of industry standards.

Comparatively, for a slightly higher price, the Nothing Phone (3a) provides similar OS update support but extends security updates to a full six years. Similarly, Samsung’s Galaxy A26 offers six years of both, surpassing many flagship models.

Priced at £199.99, the Moto G67 sacrifices 5G capability for even less software support, offering only two years of OS updates. This means missing out on potential updates like Android 19 in 2028 and receiving only four years of security support.

Competitors like the CMF Phone 2 Pro and Galaxy A17 5G, which are similarly priced, outshine the Moto G67 with three years of OS updates and six years of security support, highlighting Motorola’s inadequate commitment.

It gets worse

The situation deteriorates further with the Moto G17, which, priced at £149.99, offers zero major OS updates and only two years of security patches. This lack of long-term support means the device may become unsafe to use beyond 2028.

Motorola

The Moto G17 Power, priced at €279 but not available in the UK, offers enhanced battery and charging capabilities but fails to improve software support. This lack of commitment to software longevity is disappointing.

In conflict with the EU?

The European Union’s (EU) new regulations, known as ‘Lot X,’ mandate that smartphones and tablets sold in the EU must provide at least five years of OS and security updates, a standard that Motorola’s new Moto G phones currently do not meet.

Motorola, in response to inquiries from Tech Advisor, stated their commitment to meeting the Lot X regulations and enhancing the longevity of their products through improved repair and update policies.

While these regulations no longer apply to the UK post-Brexit, where the Moto G77, Moto G67, and Moto G17 are available, the Moto G17 Power will not be released in Britain, and its availability in the US remains uncertain.

Motorola

While US consumers may not have access to these devices, Motorola, as a subsidiary of Lenovo, has the opportunity to lead in sustainability by prioritizing product longevity over planned obsolescence.

For those considering purchasing the new Moto G phones from the Motorola UK website, exploring alternative options with better software support is highly recommended.