At a look
Professional’s Score
Professionals
- Wonderful worth for cash
- Improbable battery life
- First rate efficiency
- Nice on the fundamentals
Cons
- Not waterproof
- No 5G
- Display screen may very well be brighter
Our Verdict
Desire a actually low cost cellphone that’s nonetheless respectable to make use of and might even take some good images? Then the Moto G04 is a discount that’s exhausting to withstand with fashion in addition to some substance in sure areas.
Motorola has been among the finest operators within the funds cellphone marketplace for years now, however its newest launch is bound to place that status to the check. Why? As a result of the Moto G04 solely prices £89!
Absolutely not even an organization like Moto can prove one thing respectable when working with these unbelievable budgetary constrictions? I take the G04 for a check run to see if bargains actually do exist.
Check out the G04’s competitors in our greatest funds telephones chart.
Design & Construct
- Easy, sensible design
- Facet mounted fingerprint sensor
- Not waterproof
It wouldn’t be completely unreasonable to anticipate a cellphone at this worth to be held along with gaffer tape and rubber bands, so it’s all of the extra stunning to seek out that the Moto G04 appears like a well-made, sturdy machine. The aesthetic is straightforward however sensible, with clear traces and no evident indicators that it is a low-budget mannequin.
Martyn Casserly
Martyn Casserly
Martyn Casserly
Sure, the rear panel is a skinny plastic, however that’s fantastic because the frosted matt end offers it a delightful look, plus as most telephones find yourself in instances anyway, so who actually cares what materials is used on the rear?
A raised digicam module is the one interruption to the panel, housing the principle lens and a big flash, which I’ll cowl later within the overview.
Martyn Casserly
Martyn Casserly
Martyn Casserly
On the flanks there are the requisite energy and quantity controls all of which have delicate however particular clicks when pressed. No mush right here. The facility button additionally doubles as a fingerprint sensor, which turned out to be quick and dependable all through my time with the machine. You may also use facial recognition to unlock the G04, through the entrance dealing with digicam discovered on the prime of the 6.6-inch show.
Skinny bezels across the panel permits for a display to physique ratio of 89.5%, which retains the scale down, with the display ratio at 20:9 for a tall however not overbalanced really feel.
Alongside the highest edge, there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack, whereas the underside is residence to a USB-C charging port, microphone, and the solitary speaker. All of this provides as much as dimensions of 163.49 x 74.53 x 7.99mm, and a weight of 179g, which sits comfortably within the hand.
Martyn Casserly
Martyn Casserly
Martyn Casserly
Clearly at this worth, there are a number of omissions, which take the type of no waterproofing (Moto says the cellphone is water-resistant, in that it could in all probability survive water being spilled on it, however no immersions), no NFC (so no Google Pay capabilities), and it solely helps as much as 4G community connections (though there are twin nano-SIM slots).
To be trustworthy, these are all comprehensible limitations, commensurate with the worth that’s on the field. The Moto G04 is obtainable in three colors – Harmony Black, Sea Inexperienced, and Satin Blue.
Display screen & Audio system
- 6.6-inch IPS LCD
- 90Hz refresh price
- Single speaker with Dolby Atmos assist
- 3.5mm headphone jack
A 6.6-inch IPS LCD panel is the middle level of the Moto G04, and it’s an honest one too. Working at a decision of 1612 x 720 (269 ppi), it’s not the complete 1080p expertise that you simply’ll discover on greater priced rivals, but it surely doesn’t should be.
The calls for of these shows want a higher-spec processor to deal with the entire rendering, so Moto has made the right alternative right here. Efficiency over prettiness. Let’s face it, it’s labored on the iPhone SE for years, with even the 2022 mannequin sporting a 750p panel, and that prices practically 5 occasions as a lot because the Moto G04.
A 90Hz refresh price is a shock at this worth
Martyn Casserly
Martyn Casserly
Martyn Casserly
Particulars are sharp and the colors are okay, if just a little washed out in relation to reds, however not a lot as to depart you disenchanted. It nonetheless seems good and definitely not like a cheap-as-chips cellphone. Motorola says that the panel maxes out at 537 nits of peak brightness, it the traditional brightness mode I measured it at round 320 nits, which is okay for indoors use and fewer sunny days, however you may discover it troublesome to learn the panel if summer time is in full glow.
A 90Hz refresh price is a shock at this worth and may imply that scrolling is clean and freed from any juddering. Nonetheless, the low RAM allocation might be liable for the lower than buttery look at occasions on image-heavy pages, such because the Google Information feed that lives to the left of the Dwelling Display screen.
Sound is dealt with by a single speaker on the underside fringe of the Moto G04. It delivers fairly skinny audio, with frequencies getting a bit crowded at greater volumes. It’s definitely ok for YouTube movies, though music doesn’t sound balanced. Motorola says that the speaker helps Dolby Atmos, however I feel that’s considerably bold with solely the solitary output on a tool that may be a low cost as this.
In case you desire to utilize audio system or headphones, then you may both plug them into the three.5mm headphone jack or join wirelessly by means of the Bluetooth 5.0 capabilities of the handset.
Specs & Efficiency
- Unisoc T606 processor
- 4/64GB
- microSD card assist as much as 1TB
You may anticipate issues to crumble in relation to the perfomance facet of issues, so it’s a pleasant shock that the Moto G04 equips itself properly, as long as you’re sensible. The machine is fitted with a UniSoc T606 octa-core processor, comprised of 2x A75 1.6GHz and 6x A55 1.6GHz cores, aided by an ARM Mali-G57 MP1 GPU.
Once I first turned on the machine, apps took a short time to load up and change between, which had me a bit nervous. However, after these preliminary boot-up stutters, the efficiency improved to the purpose the place issues moved alongside easily. It’s not the quickest machine round, in fact, however the barely ponderous components are positively within the acceptable vary somewhat than annoying.
It may well take longer than regular to render images after you’ve taken them, which may very well be all the way down to the minimal RAM allocation on this mannequin. 4GB is restrictive as of late, though Motorola does supply an 8GB model in some areas, so verify listings when you’re pondering of shopping for one.
Gaming was even attainable, with Asphalt 9: Legends taking part in with none noticeable stutters or crashes. The machine did get marginally hotter throughout prolonged periods, however not in order that it was uncomfortable or worrying. I wouldn’t advocate PUBG or video games of that ilk, because the cellphone struggled extra, however even doing properly with Asphalt is above the place I assumed the efficiency ranges can be on the Moto G04.
There may be the power to make use of a few of your onboard storage as digital RAM, as much as a most of 4GB, which does assist. You’ll must work out how a lot house you might have obtainable although, because the 64GB storage provides you round 58GB of usable disk capability. This may be elevated by as much as 1TB through a microSD card, however keep in mind none of this can be utilized for the RAM Enhance characteristic.
Martyn Casserly
Martyn Casserly
Martyn Casserly
Motorola Moto G04 benchmarks
Cameras
- 16Mp f/2.2 rear digicam
- 5Mp f/2.2 entrance digicam
- Common images and movies
Motorola doesn’t muck about with a great deal of 2Mp pointless cameras to make issues look extra spectacular than they’re, as an alternative there’s a easy 16Mp f/2.2 shooter on the again and a 5Mp f/2.2 on the entrance. True, the rear module does have the flash designed in order that it seems like a second lens, however that’s only a good aesthetic alternative in my eyes.
give the Moto G04 some respectable mild and also you’ll be capable of seize images and movies that shall be greater than serviceable for social media posts
Martyn Casserly
Martyn Casserly
Martyn Casserly
Pictures captured on the principle digicam are acceptable and at occasions fairly good. They’re not going to idiot anybody into pondering you’re utilizing a Google Pixel 8 Professional, however there don’t have any proper to. In all honesty, for a cellphone that prices as little as this, it’s superb that the pictures are any good in any respect.
However, give the Moto G04 some respectable mild and also you’ll be capable of seize images and movies that shall be greater than serviceable for social media posts. Low mild proves a bit extra of an issue, however in case you have a gentle hand then you should still prove some usable photographs.
Martyn Casserly
Martyn Casserly
Martyn Casserly
The entrance digicam is the weaker of the optics, once more requiring a number of mild to have the ability to take footage you’ll need to use. I can’t stress this sufficient although, when paying lower than £100 for a smartphone, you shouldn’t expect something respectable within the digicam division. Motorola has accomplished very properly certainly to ship one thing as usable for fundamental pictures because the G04.
Right here’s a group of photographs taken on the 2 cameras:
Battery Life & Charging
- 5000mAh battery
- Included 10W charger (helps as much as 15W)
- Spectacular battery life
One space the place the Moto G04 shines in battery life. Utilizing the cellphone throughout most days, with some browsing, messaging, social media and the occasional recreation or two, left loads of cost obtainable by bedtime. In case you’re not a heavy person, then that is simply a two-day cellphone.
In our customary PCMark battery benchmark check, the Moto G04 scored a large 14 hours and 53 minutes, which makes it among the finest we’ve examined this 12 months.
Charging occasions can’t fairly match the spectacular endurance, because the included 10W charger and USB-C cable don’t supply any sort of quick charging, with the cellphone going from 0% to 7% in quarter-hour, 19% in 30 minutes, and a full cost taking round two and a half hours.
Wi-fi charging isn’t supported both, however that’s extra thanfair sufficient for a cellphone at this worth.
In case you’re not a heavy person, then that is simply a two-day cellphone.
Martyn Casserly
Martyn Casserly
Martyn Casserly
One factor value noting is that Motorola does embrace the charger and cable within the field, which is a pleasant contact contemplating how a lot the G04 prices, particularly when this isn’t the case for loads of rather more costly gadgets available on the market – even when it it 5W in need of what the cellphone can deal with.
Software program & Apps
- Android 14
- Preliminary bloat (however it may be eliminated simply)
- 2 years of safety updates
One other nice shock is that Motorola bestows the most recent Android 14 OS on the Moto G04. All of it runs fairly easily too, which is a bonus. As with all Motorola telephones in recent times, the OS is just about inventory, with just a few Moto apps and options baked in.
There’s a small assortment of third-party apps that should be put in as a part of arrange, however these can all be deleted immediately. You’re additionally prompted to put in extra, however this time you may refuse, which ends the pestering and allows you to get on with utilizing the cellphone.
Martyn Casserly
Martyn Casserly
Martyn Casserly
Motorola hasn’t confirmed that the G04 will obtain any Android updates, so when you’re hoping for Android 16 or past then chances are you’ll be disenchanted, however it’s going to no less than get two years of safety updates, which means you should utilize it safely for some time.
Longer would clearly lengthen the lifespan of the G04, however once more, there’s a value to engaged on patches to software program, one which doesn’t appear to make the steadiness sheet work for Motorola.
Worth & Availability
The Moto G04 is obtainable from the Motorola website for £89/€129 in addition to Amazon and Currys, but it surely doesn’t appear to be heading to the USA. At this worth, there aren’t too many rivals that may compete.
There’s the Nokia C32, which does have the same spec sheet, albeit with a bigger pixel rely on its 50Mp principal digicam.
An alternative choice, with a reputation near that of the Nokia, is the Realme C35, which you’ll be able to choose up for round £150 and comes with a Full HD show and an honest principal digicam. Motorola additionally has its personal alternate options, together with the Moto G13 that gives further cameras for round £129, however I feel the G04 is the higher machine general.
Listed below are the very best contracts offers obtainable in the intervening time:
You possibly can take a look at different alternate options in our greatest funds telephones chart.
Do you have to purchase the Motorola Moto G04?
The Moto G04 isn’t for everyone, and it doesn’t faux as such. The cameras are common, efficiency is simply too, however each are far above what you’ll usually anticipate of a cellphone costing as little as this one does.
In case you’re on the lookout for a flagship killer, this isn’t it, however in order for you a cellphone for younger children or aged kin, then it is a actually sturdy candidate. Or presumably one thing low cost to tackle vacation or to a competition the place shedding it received’t be the identical catastrophe as your ordinary handset.
It does the fundamentals properly, prices hardly something, and appears sensible sufficient to make you suppose the worth tag was a bit greater.