The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
A budget-friendly device with solid design and battery life but lacks in camera performance and speed.What's good
- Affordable price
- Long battery life
- Elegant design
- Surprisingly good speakers
- Expandable storage
What's bad
- Aging processor
- Weak camera performance
- Display lacks brightness
- Pre-installed bloatware
- Poor software update commitment
Design
The Moto G's design impresses without flashy gimmicks, featuring a faux leather back that adds character and elegance, akin to businesswear. This choice augments the phone's tactile appeal, ensuring it feels more upscale in your hand, despite being crafted largely from plastic.
Reviews from Android Central celebrate this feature, noting, "the back isn't some shiny plastic that’s going to attract fingerprints, but a lovely vegan leather finish." This selection not only enhances grip but also resists smudges better than typical backings.
Additionally, a well-integrated camera bump complements the subtlety of the overall aesthetic, aligning closely with the phone’s understated professional look. Overall, you’ll appreciate the clever blend of materials that make it simultaneously affordable and stylish.
Display(s)
The Moto G 5G (2024) features a 6.6-inch screen offering a 120Hz refresh rate for fluid scrolling and animations. Despite its size, it's a bit low on brightness, challenging to view in sunny outdoors.
Colors look decent, but reviewers point out a desire for enhanced saturation. One said the colors are good "but it's right on the edge of being exceptional," highlighting its potential to impress under the right conditions.
The LCD panel doesn't boast the depth of an OLED screen, making blacks appear more like gray. Enjoy enhanced fluidity in animations, but expect some fallbacks with viewing angles and brightness.
Performance
The device is powered by a Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 processor, which fits well for daily tasks but may not handle demanding apps smoothly. You'll find general navigation is fluid, especially with the 120Hz refresh rate enhancing the screen experience.
"While I didn’t expect much," reflects a user, "I was pleasantly surprised by how well it managed multitasking without frequent stutters."
Although the phone supports gaming, it’s not the best for graphics-heavy games, and some lag is likely when dealing with high-intensity tasks.
Software & Storage
Motorola's software offers an intuitive experience with a clean interface and useful gestures, perfect for those who enjoy simplicity without clutter.
Users can enjoy practical features like quick gestures despite the phone's budget nature, adding a touch of efficiency to daily interactions.
Reviewers highlight the lack of excessive pre-installed apps, allowing you to enrich your phone as you see fit with essentials rather than bloatware.
The Moto G 5G's Android integration means you'll get Android 15 and three years of security updates, bringing a reliable software experience albeit with limited long-term support.
Cameras
You'll find this phone's camera performance decent outdoors, but less so in low-light environments. The 50MP main sensor struggles with detail and clarity, even with Quad Pixel technology.
Reviewers reveal that the colors and contrast often appear off, variably oversaturated or washed out. Android Central mentions, "The main camera delivers soft photos even in daylight." While budget-friendly, consider your photo needs as this isn't its strong suit.
Battery
The Moto G's 5000mAh battery shines with all-day endurance, making it a reliable partner through your busiest hours. Many were surprised by its stamina, testifying that even heavy use couldn't drain it swiftly.
You'll enjoy peace of mind knowing your phone can last from sunrise to sunset without stress.
Charging, on the other hand, is another story. With a cap at 18W, reviewers like those from Android Central expressed disappointment at the "lack of faster charging options," meaning you might need patience when waiting for a full charge.
Audio
The Moto G 5G (2024) delivers a surprisingly powerful audio experience for its price. "The speakers are impressively loud," found various reviewers, though bass levels may seem minimal.
This makes listening to music, watching videos, or playing games enjoyable without feeling the need for extra speakers.
When making calls, the sound quality remains clear thanks to effective microphones and audio enhancements. This ensures conversations are easy to understand, even in bustling places.
The Bottom Line
This phone offers elegant design and durable build quality, making it feel more premium than its price tag suggests. It achieves great battery life, providing users a full day of use without worry.
While the performance is decent for basic daily tasks, the device struggles with demanding applications, requiring patience for heavier usage. The camera experience is underwhelming, especially in low-light or detailed capturing situations.
Overall, it’s an affordable choice with practical benefits, ideal if premium camera and high-speed performance aren't priorities.
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Ryan Haines, Android AuthorityOf all of the Motorola Moto G devices, this is certainly one of them. It offers a little bit more than you get with the basic Moto G Play, but still suffers from a poor update commitment, limited wired charging speeds, and inflexible cameras. Mix in Motorola's ad-filled software, and it's tough to r...
- Philip Michaels, Tom's GuideIt's hard to find a phone as inexpensive as the $199 Moto G 5G (2024). And while you'll need to excuse some performance hiccups and a dull screen, you'll appreciate the phone's long-lasting battery and stylish-for-its-price design.
- Sherri L. Smith, Android PoliceThe Moto G 5G (2024) is a $200 smartphone that offers solid performance, excellent audio, and good battery life. However, in order to reach such an affordable price, some caveats must be made, including a dim display with a passable camera.
- Sarah Lord, PC MagazineThe 2024 Motorola Moto G 5G offers long battery life for a good price, but that isn't enough to offset its uneven cameras, sluggish performance, and dim display.
- Nicholas Sutrich, Android CentralThe Moto G 5G 2024 drops the price of the series by $50, yet adds in subtle improvements to the overall experience. The vegan leather back feels great, and Motorola's software features are always good. Daily performance and camera quality aren't the best, but long battery life and fast charging help...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
The Moto G (2024) price will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. You can compare Motorola Moto G (2024) prices from around the web here on The Informr.
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Motorola Moto G (2024) user manual here.
Motorola backs up the Moto G (2024) with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Moto G (2024) has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Motorola support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Motorola's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
Ask the Community
No questions for the moment.
Resources
Manuals / User Guides Helpful Links Share / Embed
Maybe one of your friends will find this review helpful? Please help us spread the word.
