In a world where flagship smartphones can cost over $1,000, major brands are carving their own niche by developing alternatives to the midrange. These manufacturers don’t want buyers to crave high-end models.
Also: My new favorite travel accessories make all the other chargers embarrassed – and it’s cheap
Motorola is approaching offering its gold standard in its own way 2025 Moto G.
Pocket-sized cinema
One of the main selling points of Moto G is its role as “pocket size”. [movie] theater. “It has a 6.7-inch HD+ display, running at a 120Hz refresh rate and backed up by Dolby Atmos finely tuned speakers. The sound system is amazing. The audio output is rich, powerful and filled with music.
I’m warm about the screen. Outputs images to HD+. This is only 1,604 x 720 pixels, according to the official spec sheet. Such a solution is serviceable, but nothing impressive. Some of the mobile games I’ve played Honkai: Star Railit looked vague. The gameplay didn’t look sharp. Compared to my personal phone, the OnePlus Nord N30, the Moto G’s colour looked overly saturated. Of course, this is all personal preference, and we’re talking about a $200 phone here.
Also the best phone to buy in 2025
In fact, the luminance at the 1,000 nits of the screen allows you to maintain good visibility in direct sunlight, while the 120Hz refresh rate ensures that on-screen animation is guaranteed.
Motorola made some major decisions when designing the Moto G. This is a slim, lightweight smartphone with corners covered in vegan leather, giving the model a unique texture. Together, they create a mobile device that fits comfortably in your hands.
Solid Camera System
Protruding from behind is a two-camera array containing the word “50mp Quad Pixel” etched into faux leather, referring to the main lens. The fourth “lens” under the flash bulb is actually an ambient light sensor that helps the photo.
Also: This $300 Motorola has better display and battery life than the iPhone 16e – for half the price
The Moto G has a solid camera system. It captures finer details in photos and works well under low light conditions. Below is a photo taken in Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles. I was worried that cloudy days would hinder the lens. Luckily, the images came out wonderfully. I’m happy with what happened.
I noticed that the phone saturates some of the colors in my photos. Neon signs, for example, were more vibrant in photography than Little Tokio. This is the only major criticism of the camera, and yet it’s a personal preference. I prefer a camera with a subtle color balance, but if you prefer saturated images, Moto G will provide it in spades.
Impressive battery
The battery is another area where the Moto G shines. I ran two tests. First, I casually used my phone to see how long it lasted. I ran straight for almost four days. In my second trial, I played a live YouTube stream of 720p nonstop until the battery started. In this example, the device lasted just under 24 hours before tapping out.
Certainly, these are not super scientific tests, but they do understand the longevity of smartphones well. I would also like to emphasize that fast charging time as the quick turnarounds travelled using the Moto G is even better. A 30-minute charging increased the battery by up to 50%.
Don’t buy this for the game
The longevity of the Moto G is impressive, but I can’t say the same thing about the chipset. Runs on a MediaTek Dimenity 6300 Soc (System on a chip). For most applications it’s completely fine. Jumping between web pages while browsing the internet felt seamless, and streaming shows on Netflix were as smooth as possible.
I had a problem playing a mobile game. MediaTek chips have been difficult to render graphical titles like Honkai:Star Rail. There were several examples of stud and instant freezing.
Also: How to clear your Android smartphone cache and make it feel like new in 2025
The phone comes with RAM Boost. This is a feature that converts empty storage space into virtual RAM for better performance. The tool works automatically and is not perfect, but it helps. To be honest, I didn’t expect much from the chipset because it’s a low-cost smartphone. I was even more disappointed with the display.
ZDNET purchase advice
Moto G is currently available $200 On the Motorola website. It’s a steal at that price, especially if you’re not a hardcore gamer who demands the best graphical performance. This is a great mid-range phone with solid hardware and would be recommended for anyone looking for a bargain.
If you are accepting alternatives, consider the new Moto G Power. It has many of the same features, but it supports 15W wireless charging and boasts a more durable design. If you love exploring the outdoors, Moto G Power is your better partner.
