- Motorola's new Moto G87 is a camera-focused mid-ranger, built around a 200MP main sensor with OIS and an absurdly bright 5000-nit AMOLED display.
- It launches at €399 and packs a rugged IP69 rating, a 5200mAh battery, and the new Android 16 software.
- On paper, it's a huge jump from the Moto G77, with major claimed upgrades to the camera, screen, and speakers.
Motorola just announced the Moto G87, and it's the kind of phone that looks at the mid-range market and decides to yell. It's got a 200MP camera. It's got a screen they say hits 5000 nits. It's got an IP69 rating, which means it can probably survive a car wash. For €399, that's a lot of big numbers on a spec sheet. The question isn't what it promises, but whether any phone at this price can actually deliver on a promise this loud.
Camera: The 200MP Promise
Let's start with the headline act. Motorola is calling the G87's 200MP main camera, complete with optical image stabilization, "the best moto g camera yet." The pitch is straightforward: you get ultra-high-resolution photos, better shots in the dark, and a 2x zoom that doesn't lose detail. That's a gigantic leap in megapixels from the last model, and it's clearly aimed at people who crop photos a lot or just really want that big number.
You also get an 8MP ultra-wide camera for your group shots and a 32MP selfie camera in a punch-hole cutout. But make no mistake, the entire story here is that 200MP sensor. Motorola's betting that pairing it with a rugged, waterproof body means you'll trust it to capture your messy, active life. We'll see.
Display: Pushing Brightness to the Extreme
Then there's the screen. It's a 6.78-inch Extreme AMOLED panel with a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Nice. But the number that makes you sit up is the peak brightness: 5000 nits. Let's be real, that's a ludicrous figure. Your current fancy phone probably tops out between 2000 and 3000 nits.
Motorola says this is "the brightest Extreme AMOLED display available on a moto g device," and the goal is simple: you should be able to see everything on it, anywhere, even in direct noon sun. It's covered by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, which rounds out the "tough and bright" theme. It's a spec that screams "upgrade" for anyone who watches videos outside.
Design, Durability, and Audio
This phone isn't just bright, it's built like a tank. Motorola lists three ratings: IP66, IP68, and IP69. In plain English, that means it's completely dust-tight, can survive being dunked in water, and can handle high-pressure, hot water jets. That IP69 rating is what you find on heavy-duty industrial equipment, not typically on a €399 smartphone. It's a serious commitment to the idea of a phone that won't quit if you get caught in a storm.
Motorola also says the audio is 280% more powerful than the last generation. They don't specify if that's the speaker, the headphone output, or both, but it's a clear signal. They want this thing to be loud for videos and calls, which fits the "life-proof" vibe they're going for.
Performance and Software
Running the show is a MediaTek Dimensity 6400 chip. It's a mid-range 5G processor that should handle everyday apps and some gaming just fine. The real test will be if it can keep up when that 200MP sensor is doing its heavy computational lifting without draining the battery or slowing everything down.
Speaking of software, here's a win: it launches with Android 16. Getting the latest OS out of the box is a genuine advantage, a rarity in this price bracket that should please anyone sick of waiting for updates.
And that big, bright screen is powered by a big 5200mAh battery. With a chipset that's not a power hog, this should easily get you through a day, maybe two. Motorola mentions fast charging but doesn't give a wattage, which is a bit of an eyebrow-raiser at this price.
Price, Availability, and Context
The Motorola Moto G87 starts at €399. That puts it right in the thick of Europe's brutal mid-range fight, going up against polished phones from Samsung, Xiaomi, and Google.
It's the successor to the Moto G77, and the upgrade list is long and very specific:
| Feature | Moto G87 (Claimed) | Moto G77 (Contextual Predecessor) |
|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 200MP with OIS | Significantly lower resolution |
| Display Brightness | 5000 nits peak | Standard brightness |
| Audio | 280% more powerful | Base level |
| Durability | IP66/68/69 rating | Likely lower or no IP rating |
| Software | Android 16 | Launched with older Android |
The strategy is obvious. Don't just nudge specs forward. Hammer them with a sledgehammer in the areas people notice: camera resolution and screen brightness. Then back it up with tank-like durability and current software.
Moto G87 Full Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.78-inch Extreme AMOLED, 1.5K (1272 x 2772), 120Hz, 5000 nits peak brightness, Gorilla Glass 7i |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 6400 Octa-core |
| RAM & Storage | Not specified in sources |
| Rear Camera | 200MP main with OIS, 8MP ultra-wide |
| Front Camera | 32MP |
| Battery | 5200mAh |
| Charging | Fast charging supported (wattage not specified) |
| Operating System | Android 16 |
| Durability | IP66, IP68, IP69 ratings |
| Audio | 280% more powerful audio claimed vs. previous generation |
| Price | Starts at €399 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of the Moto G87?
The Moto G87 starts at €399.
Does the Moto G87 have a good camera?
On paper, it's Motorola's biggest play yet: a 200MP main sensor with OIS for detailed photos and better low-light shots.
Is the Moto G87 waterproof?
It's more than waterproof. It has an IP69 rating, meaning it's protected against dust, long water immersion, and even high-pressure, hot water jets.
What Android version does it run?
It comes with Android 16 right out of the box.
Final Thoughts
The Moto G87 isn't subtle. Motorola's playing a classic mid-range game: find a few key specs, inflate them to absurd levels, and hope that's enough to make you look past the compromises. The 200MP camera and 5000-nit screen are the hooks. The rugged IP69 build and Android 16 are the genuinely good reasons to pay attention. But at €399, you're buying a concept. You're betting that Motorola's software can make a 200MP sensor sing, that a 5000-nit screen is useful and not just a battery vampire, and that the whole package feels cohesive. It's a wild swing. I just hope it connects.
Sources
- abit.ee
- gizmochina.com
- msn.com
- fonearena.com
- motorolanews.com
- techadvisor.com