Motorola's Premium Signature Series Arrives in India: Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 and a ₹65,000 Starting Price

Motorola is moving its new premium smartphone lineup, the Signature series, into a key growth market. After its global debut at CES 2026, the company has confirmed the Motorola Signature will launch in India on January 23. The device will be available for purchase through Flipkart and Motorola's official online store in the country.

While Motorola hasn't officially announced Indian pricing, a reliable tipster has leaked the expected retail figures. The leak suggests the base model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage could start at approximately ₹65,000 (around $720). A higher-tier variant with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage is expected to be priced at ₹84,999 (about $940). These are box prices, and Motorola will likely offer launch-day discounts and bank offers that could bring the effective cost down further.

This pricing strategy positions the Motorola Signature as a strong contender in the high-end segment. It's notably lower than the launch prices of many Snapdragon 8 Gen 5-powered flagships from competitors like Samsung and OnePlus, which often start above ₹75,000. For Indian consumers, this could make the latest flagship processor and premium build more accessible.

What the Motorola Signature Offers

The device is built around the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC, the company's current top-tier mobile platform. This chipset delivers significant improvements in CPU and GPU performance, along with enhanced AI capabilities for photography and system optimization. It's paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and gaming performance.

The display is a 6.8-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with a 165Hz refresh rate. The LTPO technology allows the refresh rate to dynamically adjust from as low as 1Hz for static content to 165Hz for smooth scrolling and gaming, which helps conserve battery life. The high refresh rate provides a fluid user experience, a feature that has become a standard expectation in the premium segment.

For photography, the Signature features a triple rear camera system, all using 50MP sensors. The primary sensor likely uses a larger pixel size for better low-light performance, while the other two sensors could be dedicated ultra-wide and telephoto units. A 50MP front-facing camera is also included for high-resolution selfies and video calls.

Battery life is addressed with a 5,200mAh cell, which is a generous capacity for a flagship phone. It supports fast charging, though the exact wattage hasn't been specified in the leak. The phone's build is described as premium metal, and it carries an IP69 rating. This rating is particularly noteworthy—it indicates protection against high-pressure, high-temperature water jets, going beyond the more common IP68 rating that only covers submersion in water.

Ecosystem and Market Context

The launch of the Signature series is a strategic move for Motorola. The company has traditionally been strong in the mid-range segment with its Moto G and Moto Edge lines. By introducing a true flagship series, Motorola is aiming to capture the lucrative premium market where profit margins are higher and brand perception is built.

For Indian consumers, the timing is interesting. The market is highly competitive, with brands like Xiaomi, Realme, and iQOO aggressively pushing performance-focused devices, while Apple and Samsung dominate the ultra-premium space. The Signature's combination of a top-tier processor, high-refresh-rate display, and competitive pricing could appeal to tech enthusiasts looking for performance without the absolute highest price tag.

The device's availability on Flipkart is also significant. Flipkart is one of the largest e-commerce platforms in India and has a strong presence in the smartphone sales channel. Partnering with them ensures wide reach and access to various financing and exchange offers that are popular with Indian buyers.

Motorola's ecosystem, while not as locked-in as Apple's or Samsung's, offers a relatively clean Android experience with timely updates. The company has been improving its software update policy, offering longer support for its flagship devices. This is an important consideration for buyers who plan to keep their phones for several years.

The Indian launch on January 23 will provide final confirmation on pricing, availability of different color variants, and any launch-specific offers. Given the leaked prices, the Motorola Signature is poised to be a compelling option for users seeking a high-performance Android phone that balances flagship specs with a more accessible price point.

For more details on the global specifications, you can visit the official Motorola product page. The device is part of Motorola's broader push to re-establish itself in the premium segment, a move that began with the successful Razr foldable series and is now extending to traditional slab-style flagships.