Motorola's GrapheneOS phones will launch in 2027 priced higher than Pixels

So these mysterious Moto phones will presumably be well over a grand. Motorola didn’t bother releasing new versions of its non-folding Edge phones in 2026, and if that trend continues, the 2027 devices may be foldables. That would help explain the high prices, and the ongoing AI-driven component price increases can’t be helping either.

While Motorola makes plenty of budget devices in the Moto G line, those devices aren’t a viable option. GrapheneOS has supported Pixels because Google’s Tensor chips provide the necessary security features, but not all Qualcomm chips offer the same capabilities. Only Qualcomm’s most expensive 8-series processors are comparable from a security standpoint, and those only go in expensive flagship smartphones.

It’s possible that cheaper Moto phones could eventually get GrapheneOS support, but the developers don’t see that happening any time soon. Qualcomm’s mid-range chips don’t get the same level of support unless OEMs pay more, so Motorola would have to commit to that on a wider range of products. As it stands, Motorola only offers update support for a couple of years on budget phones, which isn’t sufficient for GrapheneOS.

Motorola hasn’t confirmed a release timeline for these devices, but GrapheneOS should be available for them at launch. The installation process does require some technical expertise, but the project has a web-based USB installer for Pixel phones. It will probably offer similar resources when the Motorola devices arrive.