Lengthy earlier than the iPhone modified the way in which we take a look at smartphones, manufacturers like Motorola and Nokia have been already shaping the cell period with units that outlined total generations. And whereas Motorola now not enjoys the dominance it as soon as had, the corporate has managed to make a spot for itself within the mid-range section.
The Motorola G96 retains issues easy with clear software program and a rugged but light-weight design that feels extra premium. However with so many contenders from Realme, Oppo, iQOO and others combating for consideration, can Motorola’s newest actually make a mark? I took the G96 for a spin – my first Moto because the authentic Moto G to see if it lives as much as the legacy.
The Motorola G96 has a minimal-looking fake leather-based again. (Picture Credit score: Anurag Chawake/Indian Categorical)
Design and show
The Motorola G96 sticks to the model’s tried and examined minimal design language, which could make it exhausting to inform aside from different Moto telephones. And whereas appears to be like are subjective, I prefer it when smartphones have their very own character and look distinctive in a world stuffed with similar-looking candybar units.
Like most telephones from the corporate, the Motorola G96 is a extremely light-weight gadget with a fake leather-based again that feels premium to carry. My overview unit was within the Pantone Greener Pasture colourway, which is principally a really darkish shade of inexperienced. The telephone has a subtly curved show with a plastic body, which, together with the fake leather-based again, affords a strong grip even and not using a cowl.
After years of utilizing cumbersome, brick-like telephones that tire out your fingers, the Motorola G96 feels refreshingly gentle and is well some of the snug telephones I’ve used shortly. Like most fashionable telephones, it is a actually massive and tall gadget with a 6.67-inch pOLED display with a 144Hz refresh charge and 1,600nits of peak brightness.
Whether or not you might be watching a film, binge-watching an online collection, or taking part in video games, the colors are totally on level and correct. One other plus level is that regardless of sporting a light-weight physique and a curved display, the Motorola G96 comes with Gorilla Glass 5 on the entrance and in addition affords IP68 mud and water resistance.
The Motorola G96 comes with Good day UI primarily based on Android 15. (Picture Credit score: Anurag Chawake/Indian Categorical)
Efficiency and software program
Motorola G96 ships with Good day UI primarily based on Android 15 out of the field, making it one of many few telephones within the section that provides a clear and intuitive software program expertise. And whereas there may be some bloatware, most of those apps could be simply uninstalled in a couple of minutes.
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Coming to the efficiency, the telephone is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, a mid-range SoC that may simply deal with a number of apps within the background. Whereas the telephone is snappy for essentially the most half, I randomly encountered some stutters right here and there, which is fairly uncommon for a mid-range smartphone.
I hope Motorola fixes these UI jitters with a future software program replace. One other draw back is that the Motorola G96 will solely get one Android replace, which implies Android 16- the most recent model of Android that’s already out there on the just lately launched Pixel 10 collection will probably be its final OS replace.
And whereas this isn’t a gaming telephone, it will probably easily run video games like Name of Responsibility, BGMI, and Genshin Affect at low to medium settings. Speaking of {hardware}, the Motorola G96 comes with 8GB of RAM and as much as 256GB of storage, which ought to suffice for many customers. This isn’t the quickest telephone within the sub-Rs 20,000 worth bracket, however mixed with the clear close to inventory Android, it affords a extremely good expertise.
The digital camera island additionally will get the fake leather-based therapy. (Picture Credit score: Anurag Chawake/Indian Categorical)
Digicam
The Motorola G96, like most funds mid-range units, sports activities a twin digital camera setup with a 50 MP Sony LYT 700C sensor and an 8MP ultrawide lens that’s neatly hidden below the fake leather-based again.
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Through the day, the first sensor takes actually crisp and detailed photographs. And whereas the photographs captured do look saturated, they’re nice if you wish to share them on social media platforms like Fb and Instagram. As for night time, the photographs are common at greatest, however that is the case with the vast majority of mid-range telephones.
The 8MP ultrawide shooter can be nice in case you use it when there’s sufficient gentle, however I observed that the photographs come out grainy and misses out on particulars when the solar will get low.
Digicam Pattern 1. (Picture Credit score: Anurag Chawake/Indian Categorical)
Digicam Pattern 2. (Picture Credit score: Anurag Chawake/Indian Categorical)
Digicam Pattern 3. (Picture Credit score: Anurag Chawake/Indian Categorical)
Digicam Pattern 4. (Picture Credit score: Anurag Chawake/Indian Categorical)
Digicam Pattern 5. (Picture Credit score: Anurag Chawake/Indian Categorical)
Digicam Pattern 6. (Picture Credit score: Anurag Chawake/Indian Categorical)
Battery
The Motorola G96 comes with a big 5,500mAh battery that helps 30W wired charging. My typical utilization contains utilizing WhatsApp, listening to music on Wi-Fi and cell all day lengthy, scouring the web for information, and utilizing social media apps like Instagram for round half an hour.
In comparison with the competitors, it could really feel just like the telephone has much less battery capability, however the telephone survived all day with round 20 to 30 per cent cost at bedtime. I think about myself a average to heavy person, and in case you use the telephone in the identical means I do, you gained’t must plug it into the charger until the following morning.
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This is likely one of the most balanced telephones you should buy below Rs 20,000. (Picture Credit score: Anurag Chawake/Indian Categorical)
Motorola G96: Must you purchase this mid-range telephone?
The Motorola G96 doesn’t sport a novel design neither is it the quickest telephone in its section, however it does have a light-weight, rugged physique that appears and feels premium. This, mixed with the clear software program expertise and nice main digital camera, makes it some of the well-balanced telephones you should buy below Rs 20,000.
However if you’re somebody who desires uncooked energy or an enormous battery, there are higher alternate options on the market, just like the Infinix GT 30, Realme P3, and the Poco X7.