The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
Reliable budget phone with outstanding battery life but compromised performance.What's good
- Great battery life
- Budget-friendly price
- Decent camera performance
- Fast, reliable fingerprint scanner
- Expandable storage
What's bad
- Poor performance speed
- Dim display under sunlight
- Lacks 5G and NFC
- Slow charging speeds
- Limited Android updates
Design
The phone's body is entirely plastic. This keeps it lightweight and manageable, even with a large battery. A textured back helps prevent slips and hides fingerprints, leaving it looking clean despite frequent handling.
While the plastic frame contributes to durability, it doesn't give a premium feel found in metal or glass designs. Reviewers appreciated the placement of the rear fingerprint scanner in the Motorola logo, calling it "super reliable," as noted by experts.
The usual budget phone pitfalls are here. The screen has big bezels, particularly the noticeable chin at the bottom. This can detract from its overall visual appeal and modern look.
Display(s)
The 6.5-inch screen is large and includes a rare 90Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling on budget phones. This makes everyday use feel a bit more refined and enjoyable.
While the display size and refresh rate are commendable at this price, reviewers agree that color quality falls short, giving colors a bleak look with inconsistent white balance. Android Authority noted, "the display is not the most pixel-rich," which impacts visual clarity despite decent brightness levels.
Sunlight legibility is a challenge due to its less-than-ideal brightness, meaning outdoor use may require squinting or shade-hunting.
Performance
The MediaTek processor in this phone impacts its performance significantly, leading to lag when launching apps and switching tasks. Reviewers found the phone "laggy at times", particularly during more demanding tasks like gaming.
You'll notice delays often, which can be frustrating if you are used to smoother experiences. Simple tasks like opening the camera or web browsing may test your patience due to the phone's sluggish nature.
For those who value smoothness and speed in their everyday phone use, this phone's performance may fall short of your expectations, especially considering other budget alternatives in the market.
Software & Storage
The interface on this phone is clean and easy to use, allowing you to navigate smoothly through tasks and apps.
Motorola includes handy gesture shortcuts like quickly turning on the flashlight or launching the camera with a quick movement, mentioned by reviewers as user-friendly additions.
Unfortunately, the phone arrives with Android 11 and may only receive one major update, leaving some users concerned about staying up-to-date.
Cameras
The Moto G Power 2022 features a triple rear-camera setup with a standout 50MP main camera that captures crisp photos in good lighting. Experts note it performs well for budget pricing, yet "quality quickly falls apart in dim conditions," according to an expert review.
The Night Vision mode does add some light in darker environments, but expect muted colors and less detail. The additional 2MP macro and depth lenses offer limited value, adding little to the overall camera performance.
For selfies, the 8MP front camera provides decent photos under proper lighting but struggles in low-light scenarios.
Battery
The phone stands out with unmatched battery endurance, reputed to last up to three days under moderate use. This is particularly ideal if you often forget to charge your devices.
Reviewers note the slow 10W charging speed, explaining "you’ll have to wait about an hour for a 50% charge, and it took just over two hours to fill the battery" (Ryan Haines / Android Authority).
This slow charging may test the patience of those accustomed to quicker charge times, emphasizing the need for overnight charging for convenience.
Audio
You won't have issues with call quality, as it remains clear and reliable. Reviewers agree the phone handles calls just fine.
However, if you try to enjoy music or videos without headphones, the audio experience disappoints. The single speaker distorts at higher volumes, and bass is lacking, leading to a flat and unbalanced sound.
Moto G Power users celebrating the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack will find plugging in offers a much better listening experience. Experts suggest using this or Bluetooth headphones for improved audio.
The Bottom Line
This phone stands out for its incredible battery life, lasting up to three days, making it perfect for users who need their phone to last without frequent charging. Its large 6.5-inch display provides ample screen space for everyday activities.
"You'd be amazed at how long it lasts through the day," says Android Central. Yet, the performance may test your patience due to its sluggish processor, which impacts the smoothness of using apps and features.
Opt for this if battery life is your top priority and you aren't relying heavily on high-speed performance or advanced features.
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Erika Rawes, Digital TrendsWith a slightly better main camera sensor, more memory, a reasonably fast refresh rate, and an excellent battery capacity, the Moto G Power 2022 is a pretty good value, improving in many of the areas where it counts, but lagging behind in terms of speed and processing performance. This is absolutely...
- Victor Hristov, PhoneArenaThe G Power 2022 edition is all about budget and battery life, and if you highly value those, then it will get the job done. Still, if you care about performance or camera quality, you should spend a tiny bit more, which will buy you a vastly more powerful phone all around.
- Mike Blea, GeekSpinThe Moto G Power 2022 is a solid affordable option for those looking for a reliable budget phone with great battery life. But its laggy performance and lack of more premium-like features make it difficult to recommend over other budget phones in 2022.
- Andrew, PhandroidIt’s really disappointing and frankly, depressing, to see how far Motorola has fallen. But as long as the company continues to release cheap phones under $200, they’ll continue to see rises in sales until something else comes along.
- Ryan Haines, Android AuthorityThe Motorola Moto G Power (2022) comes up disappointingly short in its tenth generation. For all the good of the improved RAM and storage, and added IP rating, Motorola took large steps back in wired charging, the overall display, and processing power.
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
Motorola Moto G Power (2022) prices 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. Motorola's suggested retail price is $199.99. You can compare Moto G Power (2022) prices from around the web here on The Informr.
Motorola backs up the Moto G Power (2022) with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Moto G Power (2022) 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
Helpful Links Share / Embed
Maybe one of your friends will find this review helpful? Please help us spread the word.
