As the world becomes more linked, having a smartphone that can connect to 5G networks is becoming necessary. Many high-end devices support 5G, but they are very expensive, which can stop people on a tight budget from buying them.

Thankfully, Motorola has stepped into the spotlight with the release of the Moto G 5G, a smartphone that offers 5G connectivity at a reasonable cost without sacrificing necessary features. This review will go into more detail about why the Motorola Moto G 5G is widely regarded to be the best affordable 5G phone on the market.

What is Motorola As a Brand? 

Motorola is a globally recognized telecommunications and consumer electronics company that has played a significant role in shaping the mobile phone industry. Founded in 1928 by Paul Galvin and initially known as Galvin Manufacturing Corporation, the company changed its name to Motorola in 1947, inspired by the popularity of its car radios (“motor” + “ola” = sound). Over the decades, Motorola has evolved from producing radios and televisions to becoming a pioneer in the mobile communications industry.

Why You Can Trust Motorola? 

Motorola is widely credited with creating the world’s first handheld mobile phone, the Motorola DynaTAC, in 1983. This groundbreaking invention revolutionized telecommunications and paved the way for modern mobile technology. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Motorola continued to innovate, introducing iconic devices such as the Motorola StarTAC (one of the first flip phones) and the Motorola RAZR, which became one of the most popular and iconic mobile phones of the early 2000s.

Motorola has been known for pushing the boundaries of mobile technology. From its early work in mobile communications, two-way radios, and car radios, the brand has continuously explored new frontiers in mobile communication, including 3G and 4G technologies, and now 5G networks. Its strong focus on providing accessible, high-quality technology for everyday consumers has cemented its place in the global mobile market.

Why Motorola Moto 5G (2023)?

The Moto G series continues Motorola’s long-standing tradition of creating sturdy, dependable, and reasonably priced handsets. Building on this history, the Moto G 5G offers modern technologies at a price that won’t break the bank. Motorola released the Moto G 5G as part of their budget 5G line. It’s made for people who want to use 5G but don’t want to pay flagship prices.

5G Connectivity: At a Budget Price

The most compelling reason to consider the Moto G 5G is right in the name: 5G connectivity. As 5G networks continue to roll out across the globe, having a phone capable of accessing these networks is a significant advantage. 5G allows for faster download and upload speeds, lower latency, and improved network capacity, which is especially useful for streaming, gaming, and downloading large files.

The Motorola Moto G 5G brings 5G technology to consumers at a fraction of the cost compared to flagship models like the Samsung Galaxy S23 or iPhone 15. While other budget-friendly 5G phones exist, the Moto G 5G’s blend of performance and price makes it one of the most attractive options available.

Key Features

• • 5G Sub-6GHz Support: Provides access to mid-band 5G networks, offering a good balance of speed and coverage.
  • Carrier Compatibility: Compatible with most major carriers worldwide, providing wide 5G availability.

Performance: A Smooth and Capable Experience

At the heart of the Motorola Moto G 5G is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G processor, an entry-level chipset designed to bring 5G capabilities to budget smartphones. While it doesn’t compare to the premium processors found in flagship devices, the Snapdragon 480+ delivers sufficient power for everyday tasks and moderate gaming.

Performance Breakdown

• • Everyday Tasks: Web viewing, social media, and streaming are all easy for the Moto G 5G to do. There’s no noticeable lag in navigating between apps or running multiple apps at the same time.
  • Gaming: While not a gaming powerhouse, the Snapdragon 480+ can handle casual games like Candy Crush and Clash Royale without issues. More demanding games, like Call of Duty: Mobile, will require reduced graphics settings to maintain smooth gameplay.
  • Memory: The Moto G 5G is available with 4GB or 6GB of RAM, depending on the model, which helps keep multitasking smooth. The 6GB variant is recommended for users who frequently switch between apps.

Overall, the Moto G 5G delivers a smooth and capable performance for everyday users who want a solid smartphone experience without needing flagship-level power.

Battery Life: A Marathon Runner

One of the standout features of the Moto G 5G is its exceptional battery life. Packed with a 5,000mAh battery, the phone is built to last through an entire day of use, even with 5G connectivity enabled. For budget-conscious consumers who want a phone that won’t require constant charging, this is a major selling point.

Battery Performance

• • Full Day Usage: With moderate usage (social media, web browsing, streaming, etc.), the Moto G 5G easily lasts a full day on a single charge. Even with heavy use, including 5G streaming and gaming, the phone still manages to hold up for most of the day.
  • Standby Mode: If you don’t want to worry about charging your phone overnight, this is the best option because of its excellent standby efficiency and minimum battery depletion when not in use.
  • Charging: The Moto G 5G supports 15W fast charging, which is decent but not as fast as some competitors. It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to fully charge the phone from 0%, which is reasonable for a budget device.

Display: Crisp and Clear for the Price

The 6.5-inch LCD display on the Motorola Moto G 5G strikes a good balance between size and clarity. While it lacks the OLED panel seen on more expensive devices, the display quality is still impressive for a budget phone. It has a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels with an impressive 120Hz refresh rate, which is higher than many other budget options.  Extra pixels of 1920 x 1080 are available if you are willing to pay more for an upgraded version.  

Display Quality

• • Resolution:  The 1600 x 720 pixels are sufficient for gaming, photo browsing, and video viewing.
  • Refresh Rate: With a refresh rate of 120Hz, scrolling and transitions are fluid and easy to see, especially when switching between apps or social media posts.
  • Brightness: The display is bright enough for indoor use and does a decent job outdoors, though it may struggle under direct sunlight.

Although it can’t match flagship models’ OLED or AMOLED screens, the Moto G 5G’s screen provides an excellent viewing experience at a more affordable price.

Camera: Good, Not Great

The camera system on the Moto G 5G is solid, though not groundbreaking. The rear camera setup includes a 48MP main sensor Quad Pixel, a 2MP macro sensor, and a 2MP depth sensor. On the front, there’s a 8MP selfie camera. For a budget phone, the camera delivers decent quality, but it won’t replace a dedicated point-and-shoot camera or higher-end smartphone.

Camera Performance

• • Daylight Photography: In good lighting conditions, the 48MP main camera takes pictures that are clear, sharp, and full of color. It’s ideal for everyday photos of landscapes, food, or pets.
  • Low-Light Performance: The Moto G 5G struggles in low-light environments. While it has a night mode, images tend to appear grainy, and the overall quality is reduced.
  • Macro and Depth Sensors: The 2MP macro and depth sensors are more for show than utility. The macro lens produces decent close-ups, but its performance pales compared to higher-end macro shooters.
  • Selfies: The 13MP front-facing camera is capable of capturing decent selfies, but it lacks some of the advanced features seen in more expensive models. In good lighting, photos are sharp and detailed.

While the Moto G 5G’s camera won’t blow anyone away, it gets the job done for basic photography needs, especially for users who don’t prioritize camera quality.

Design and Build: Practical and Durable

In terms of design, the Motorola Moto G 5G takes a more practical approach. It doesn’t try to mimic the glass-and-metal constructions of flagship models but opts for a plastic build that feels sturdy in hand. It’s not the sleekest phone on the market, but the trade-off is a durable and lightweight device that’s easy to hold and use.

Design Elements

• • Plastic Build: While the plastic back may feel less premium than glass, it offers the benefit of being more resistant to drops and scratches.
  • Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: The Moto G 5G features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor embedded in the power button, which is convenient for quickly unlocking the phone.
  • Weight: At 212g, the phone is slightly on the heavier side, but this is due to the large battery. It’s not unwieldy, though, and fits comfortably in most hands.
  • Water-Repellent Coating: Motorola has equipped the phone with a water-repellent design, meaning it can handle the occasional splash or light rain, but it’s not fully waterproof.

The design of the Moto G 5G is utilitarian, focusing on durability and practicality over flashy aesthetics. It’s a good-looking phone for the price, even if it doesn’t turn heads.

Software: Stock Android Experience

The Motorola Moto G 5G runs Android 13 out of the box, with Motorola’s near-stock version of the operating system. This means there’s minimal bloatware, providing a clean and intuitive user experience. Motorola includes a few useful enhancements, such as gesture controls (chop for flashlight, twist for camera) and a customizable UI, but otherwise, it stays close to the stock Android experience.

Software Highlights

• • Clean UI: The Moto G 5G’s interface is free from unnecessary pre-installed apps and gimmicks, making it easy to use and navigate.
  • Regular Updates: While Motorola isn’t known for offering the fastest Android updates, it has committed to providing security patches and at least one major Android update.
  • Moto Actions: Motorola’s signature Moto Actions add some fun and useful gestures to the phone, such as the double twist to open the camera and a chop motion to turn on the flashlight.

For users who prefer a clean and simple Android experience, the Motorola Moto G 5G delivers exactly that, with no heavy skins or overwhelming customization options.

Pricing and Value

What truly sets the Motorola Moto G 5G apart from its competition is its incredible value for money. Priced in the $250-$300 range, depending on where you buy it and the specific configuration, the Moto G 5G offers features typically found in more expensive devices, such as 5G connectivity, a large battery, and a decent display.

Value Proposition

• • Affordable 5G: The Moto G 5G is one of the cheapest ways to access 5G networks, making it a fantastic choice for budget-conscious consumers who don’t want to sacrifice on speed and connectivity.
  • No Major Compromises: While there are some trade-offs in terms of camera performance and processing power, the overall package offers incredible value for the price.
  • Competitors: In comparison to other budget 5G phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G or OnePlus Nord N200 5G, the Moto G 5G holds its own, often offering a better overall experience for a similar or lower price.

Moto G Power 5G (2023) vs. Moto G Power 5G (2024): What’s the Difference

The 2023 and 2024 versions of the Moto G Power 5G offer similar core experiences, but with some notable differences that may influence your buying decision. Let’s break down the comparison between these two models.

1. Design and Display

• • Moto G Power 5G 2023: Comes with a 6.5-inch Full HD+ (1600 x 720) LCD display, offering a 120Hz refresh rate, making it suitable for smooth scrolling and multimedia consumption. It weighs 189 grams and maintains a plastic frame and back.
  • Moto G Power 5G 2024: The 2024 model has a slightly larger 6.7-inch Full HD+ display (1920 x 1080), still retaining the 120Hz refresh rate. This provides a better viewing experience, especially for those who consume a lot of content. However, it is also heavier at 201 grams, which might be noticeable in hand​​.

2. Performance and Hardware

• • Moto G Power 5G 2023: Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G chipset paired with 6GB of RAM, the 2023 model performs well for general tasks like web browsing and social media but struggles with more demanding tasks like gaming. Its 256GB of internal storage is a big advantage, offering plenty of space for apps, photos, and videos​.
  • Moto G Power 5G 2024: The 2024 model brings a slight upgrade with the MediaTek Dimensity 7020 chip, which is a rebranded version of the 930, but the major performance bump comes from its 8GB of RAM. This allows for better multitasking and future-proofing. However, the 128GB of storage might be a downside for those who need more internal space, though both models support microSD expansion​.

3. Camera

• • Moto G Power 5G 2023: The camera setup includes a 48MP main sensor, a 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth sensor. While it performs decently in good lighting conditions, the additional sensors are often not very useful, especially the macro and depth cameras​.
  • Moto G Power 5G 2024: The 2024 model features a similar 50MP main sensor but replaces the depth and macro cameras with an 8MP ultra-wide camera, which can also handle macro shots. This makes the 2024 model more versatile in terms of photography. Both phones have a 16MP front camera for selfies​..

4. Battery and Charging

• • Moto G Power 5G 2023: Equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, the 2023 model offers a solid battery life that can easily last a full day of usage. It supports 15W wired charging, which is adequate but not fast compared to modern standards​.
  • Moto G Power 5G 2024: The 2024 model retains the same 5,000mAh battery, but upgrades to 30W wired charging and introduces 15W wireless charging, making it more convenient for users with wireless charging setups​.

5. Software and Connectivity

• • Moto G Power 5G 2023: Ships with Android 13, which provides a smooth experience with Motorola’s near-stock Android interface. It lacks NFC, so contactless payments are not an option​.
  • Moto G Power 5G 2024: Comes with Android 14 out of the box, providing a more up-to-date software experience. The 2024 model also adds NFC support, a significant upgrade, especially for users who rely on mobile payments​.

6. Additional Features

• • Moto G Power 5G 2023: The 2023 model is a bit lighter and more compact. It still includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming rare in modern smartphones​.
  • Moto G Power 5G 2024: Though larger and heavier, the 2024 version brings wireless charging and NFC to the table. The build quality and water-repellent design remain consistent with the 2023 model, but with a refreshed color palette​.

6. Released Dates

• • Moto G Power 5G 2023: Was first released on May 25, 2023
  • Moto G Power 5G 2024: Recently launched on March 29, 2024

Moto G 5G (2024) 

33% DEAL on AMAZON

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Read our full review: 8 Best Budget Smartphones of the Year: A Comprehensive Guide

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The Bottom Line

Why the Motorola Moto G 5G is the Most Affordable 5G Phone?

The Motorola Moto G 5G shows how far budget smartphones have come in the last few years. By offering 5G connectivity, a large battery, a solid display, and reliable performance at an affordable price, Motorola has created a phone that meets the needs of everyday users without compromising too much on features. It might not have all the bells and whistles of a top device, but the price makes up for it many times over.

If you are looking to upgrade to a 5G-capable device without breaking the bank, the Motorola Moto G 5G is a wise buy. Its combination of affordability, performance, and practicality make it the best affordable 5G phone on the market today.