Motorola Moto G (2025) Review: A sensible option

      **Motorola Moto G (2025)**

      **MSRP**: $200.00

      “Motorola’s Moto G 2025 excels in battery life and design, but does have some performance compromises.”

      **Pros**

      - Premium design features

      - Impressive battery life with rapid charging

      - LCD display is attractive with a 120Hz refresh rate

      - Clean execution of Android

      - Very affordable

      **Cons**

      - Inconsistent performance

      - Unreliable camera system

      - Soft volume buttons

      - Limited to 2 years of OS updates

      The Moto G 2025 is an economical smartphone that acknowledges its constraints while providing enough functionality to appeal to the right audience. At this price point, compromises are to be expected, but the key question is whether these sacrifices fit with your priorities. I tested the new Moto G (2025) to determine if it’s worth the purchase or if you should invest a bit more for a superior device.

      **Moto G 2025: Specifications**

      **Motorola Moto G (2025)**

      - **Dimensions**: 167.05 x 76.30 x 8.16mm (6.6 x 3.0 x 0.32 inches)

      - **Weight**: 193 grams (6.81 ounces)

      - **Display**: 6.7″ LCD display; 1604 x 720 pixels (HD+); 120Hz refresh rate

      - **Processor and RAM**: MediaTek Dimensity 6300; 4GB of RAM; Up to 12GB with RAM Boost

      - **Storage**: 64GB/128GB; Up to 1TB expandable via microSD card

      - **Operating System**: Android 15 with Hello UI; 2 years of OS updates, 3 years of security updates

      - **Connectivity**: 5G, fingerprint reader, NFC, GPS, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, USB-C, 3.5mm jack, Bluetooth 5.3, Dual SIM (1 physical, 1 eSIM)

      - **Cameras**:

       - Rear: 50MP primary, f/1.8; 2MP macro, f/2.4; ambient light sensor

       - Front: 16MP, f/2.4

      - **Durability**: IP54; Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3

      - **Battery and Charging**: 5000mAh; 30W wired charging

      - **Colors**: Forest Gray, Sapphire Blue

      - **Price**: $200

      **Moto G 2025: Design**

      At a glance, the Moto G 2025 does not immediately appear to be a budget phone, which is a major advantage. It is tall, notably slim, and lightweight, devoid of any hollow feel within its structure. A notable aspect is the Forest Gray vegan leather back, which lends an element of sophistication and improves grip. This backing enhances the gentle sloping of the distinctive camera bump.

      The plastic mid-frame presents a dual-tone effect with metallic paint on one half, while the shinier plastic around the glass screen adds to the design. Although not made from high-end materials, the design convincingly mimics premium quality, which made me almost mistake the frame for aluminum, enhancing the overall impression of a costlier device.

      The durable power button also functions as a fingerprint scanner and operates reliably, although its side placement occasionally caused unintentional unlocks during use. In contrast, the volume rocker above it feels soft and lacks the satisfying feedback of the power button, a subtle reminder of the phone's budget nature. On the left, there's a card slot for SIM and microSD, while the bottom features a USB-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The device includes two stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support, which delivered impressive loudness, clarity, and spatial depth during music and video playback.

      **Moto G 2025: Display**

      The Moto G 2025 features a 6.7-inch LCD HD+ display with a resolution of 1604×720 (263ppi). While this resolution may seem modest compared to current standards, the screen provides sufficient clarity for everyday tasks. The 120Hz refresh rate, which was once a feature exclusive to premium devices, greatly enhances the display's fluidity, although there were occasional performance issues likely related to the less powerful SoC and limited RAM, which disrupted the smoothness at times. The bezels are somewhat uneven, but that didn’t greatly bother me, as I consider it an acceptable trade-off for a device in this price range.

      Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, the display is resistant to scratches but not entirely shatter-proof if dropped. With a peak brightness of 1000 nits, the Moto G 2025 was bright enough for most cloudy days but occasionally struggled in