Motorola is heading in the right direction with the upcoming Moto G 5G Plus. The new smartphone mixes a budget price and excellent features.
The Moto G series is the go-to device whenever someone is looking for a sub-US$200[AU$286] smartphone. The Moto G 5G Plus is priced a little higher at around US$400[AU$572]. But, the added price premium is worth it.
Making 5G accessible to everyone
5G is the next big thing when it comes to smartphone connectivity. However, only the flagship devices were set to have the proper module for the connection.
Motorola found a way to included a 5G module on its budget-oriented device. That is a good thing for consumers. This means that people do not need to spend a grand in order to get a 5G enabled device.
High refresh rate display
Besides the 5G connectivity, the Moto G 5 Plus will have a high refresh rate 90Hz screen. It may not be as high as flagship devices. But, the added boost helps greatly in bringing a smoother smartphone experience.
Other than that, this device will have a 6.7-inch screen with a 21:9 aspect ratio. It will come with a 2520 x 1080 resolution display and is capable of HDR 10.
Great processor brings excellent performance
The Moto G 5G Plus is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G with a 4GB 64GB memory storage combo for the base model. The other variant has 6GB of memory and 128GB of storage.
Performance is expected to be smooth. Thanks to the 90Hz display. But, the software experience is what makes it better.
This smartphone will ship with Android 10 installed. The Moto skin is lightweight and looks like stock Android. It has added features such as the Moto gestures that help in doing simple tasks such as turning on the flashlight.
Battery life is another strong point. This device will have a 5000mAh battery with 20W fast charging. The not-so-large resolution display adds to the battery life. Plus, the Snapdragon 765G is not as power-hungry as the top tier Snapdragon 865.
Moto G 5G Plus has a plastic build with added perks
This device is not a glass sandwich like other modern smartphones. Motorola used plastic instead to reduce costs.
However, it does not feel cheaply made. The textured back still gives it a premium feel.
One good thing that Motorola added is splash resistance. The device can take some water exposure but not total submersion.
Nonetheless, it is a great feature considering that minor splashes often damage other devices. The added protection also means that the Moto G 5G Plus might have a higher chance of survival during liquid accidents.
Quad-camera setup
The Moto G 5G Plus will have a quad-camera setup. It has a 48-megapixel main shooter partnered with an 8-megapixel ultrawide sensor. The third camera is a 5-megapixel macro. There is also a 2-megapixel depth sensor.
This camera setup is not new to Android devices. It is fair to consider that Motorola is late to the party when it comes to this four-camera combo.
Based on the previous smartphones with similar sensors, the main camera is still the highlight of the show. It may not have a great dynamic range as flagship smartphones. But, it can hold its own on some well-lit environments.
The ultrawide camera will most likely have softer images. It would still work well for architecture and landscape photos.
The macro and depth sensor will be occasionally used.
There is also a dual selfie camera setup. Something rare to see at this price point.
Is it the new value king?
Motorola sure knows how to create budget devices. The Moto G 5G Plus is one of the must-see upcoming Android devices.
However, there are options available that may provide the same smartphone experience. Xiaomi and Realme both have competitive devices except for the 5G connectivity.
If a 5G connection is a priority, then the Moto G 5G Plus is a great sub-$400 device. The features are great. Lastly, the stock Android-like skin seals the deal.
There is one catch, the Moto 5 5G Plus will not be available in the US. Motorola promised a similar device coming soon though.
All images used courtesy of Moto G 5G Plus/Motorola