Motorola Moto E22i review
The Motorola Moto E22i: a budget-friendly phone that defies expectations with its premium design and smooth display. Priced at just $179 outright, this device is a compromise between performance and affordability. With a 6.5-inch LCD screen and stereo speakers, it's an attractive option for those seeking a low-cost phone. However, its limitations are evident in its cameras, battery life, and processor power. Can the Moto E22i deliver on its promise of value at this price point?
Build Quality and Design
Motorola's Moto E22i is a budget phone that bucks the trend of its affordable brethren. While most cheap phones are content with simplistic plastic designs, the E22i boasts a premium look and feel. Its flattened design, reminiscent of Motorola's more expensive Edge series, gives it a distinctly upscale appearance. Available in Starlight White or Interstellar Black, both color options are stylish and well-executed. The phone's build quality is also noteworthy, feeling solid and substantial despite its low price point. A power button and fingerprint reader sit atop the right-hand side, accompanied by volume controls that add to the phone's premium feel. One design aspect that may strike some as peculiar is the power-fingerprint combination on the right-hand side. While functional, this layout can look a bit awkward at times. Additionally, Motorola has opted for a USB-C port and a headphone jack at the base and top of the phone respectively, a welcome inclusion in an era where many devices have abandoned these features. If I were to nitpick, the placement of the headphone jack is slightly offset against the frame, giving it a somewhat unpolished appearance. However, this is a minor quibble for a budget phone that generally excels in terms of design and build quality. Overall, the Motorola Moto E22i's premium-inspired design makes it stand out from its more utilitarian peers, making it an attractive option for those seeking a stylish low-cost phone. The phone's physical appearance is complemented by its Starlight White and Interstellar Black color options, both of which look great in their own right. The combination of these factors makes the Moto E22i a compelling choice for anyone looking for a budget phone that doesn't skimp on style or build quality.
Battery Life
In my experience with the Motorola Moto E22i, battery life is just average, even within its budget category. The phone's 4,020 milliamp hour (mAh) battery is a compromise due to its compact size and design. While it's possible for the phone to last a day on moderate usage, pushing it harder, especially with the 90Hz display enabled continuously, can lead to battery drain. In my tests, I found that the Moto E22i would fall short if you're an avid user or have demanding needs. However, if you use the phone moderately, such as for occasional social media checks and some browsing, it should be able to make it through a day without needing a recharge. It's worth noting that the 90Hz display, while nice for smoother scrolling and gaming experiences, can take a toll on battery life. If you're not keen on having this feature enabled all the time, turning it off or setting it to auto mode might help eke out some extra usage from your phone's battery. Overall, I wouldn't say that the Motorola Moto E22i's battery life is particularly impressive, but it's not a deal-breaker either. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option and don't have excessive power needs, this phone should still manage to get through a day without any major issues.
Display
The display on the Motorola Moto E22i is a notable aspect of its design. Measuring 6.5 inches, it's a decent size for watching videos or browsing the web. The resolution is 1600 x 720 pixels, which is not particularly high-end but still sufficient for everyday use. One positive feature is that it's 90Hz capable, making scrolling and navigating smoother. In terms of performance, the display is relatively basic. It doesn't have any advanced features like an always-on screen or a high-refresh-rate option, which might be a drawback for some users. However, Motorola does offer a decent viewing experience considering its price point. The Moto E22i's display is not particularly impressive in low-light conditions, and it can struggle to show detailed images. Additionally, the color accuracy is average at best. It's not bad by any means, but it doesn't stand out either. One thing worth mentioning is that Motorola has done a good job with the design of the phone. The flattened look gives it a more premium feel than what you'd expect from a budget device. The screen itself looks nice, and the Starlight white or Interstellar black color options are both attractive. In conclusion, while the display on the Moto E22i is not going to win any awards for its performance, it's still a decent effort considering its price point. It gets the job done, but don't expect it to blow you away with its visuals.
Camera
The camera on the Motorola Moto E22i is one of its most underwhelming features. While it's not surprising given the phone's sub-$200 price point, the lack of effort in this area is still disappointing. The rear camera setup consists of a primary 16-megapixel sensor paired with a 2-megapixel depth sensor for focusing effects only. In reality, you'll only ever shoot with that primary sensor, and it's not particularly impressive. Basic shots in good lighting conditions are acceptable, but anything beyond that will reveal the phone's limitations. The camera struggles with fast motion, low light, or any kind of difficult shot, quickly showing cracks in its performance. Daytime photos may look decent, but they're hardly memorable, and any expectation of capturing great images should be tempered. Furthermore, the lack of features like ultra-wide shots, zoom capabilities beyond four times digital, and a dedicated macro camera makes it feel like an afterthought in the design process. The front-facing selfie camera is similarly unimpressive, with only a five-megapixel sensor on tap. Given the phone's price point, one might expect some concessions to be made in terms of camera quality, but even cheap phones from other manufacturers have managed to deliver more impressive results. The Motorola Moto E22i's cameras are simply not worth getting excited about, and any hopes for a decent photography experience will likely go unfulfilled. In summary, the camera on the Motorola Moto E22i is its most significant flaw, especially considering it's one of the phone's few attempts to justify its existence in the market. While some may still find acceptable results from the camera, others might be left disappointed by the lack of effort put into this area.
Price and Value
Priced at $179 outright in Australia, the Motorola Moto E22i is one of the brand's cheaper offerings. While it may not have the same premium feel as some of its Edge series phones, this budget device still manages to deliver a good value proposition. With sub-$200 phones, it's all about finding that delicate balance between features and affordability. The Moto E22i does an admirable job in this regard, offering a solid design that belies its price tag. The phone's flattened profile, available in Starlight White or Interstellar Black, gives it a premium look that's hard to find at this budget. One of the standout aspects of the Moto E22i is its value equation. While not overly powerful, the device's processor and storage capacity are sufficient for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and streaming. The addition of Android 12 Go also ensures a smoother experience on low-power devices. In terms of camera capabilities, the Moto E22i is predictably limited. However, it still manages to deliver decent daytime photos, which is more than can be said for many other budget phones in its class. Battery life, while not exceptional, is still respectable, especially considering the phone's 90Hz display. For $179, the Motorola Moto E22i is a decent deal that offers a solid value proposition. If you're after a basic phone for everyday use, this device should meet your needs without breaking the bank. Just be aware of its limitations, such as its processing power and camera capabilities, and you'll find the Moto E22i to be a reliable companion.
Performance
The Motorola Moto E22i's performance is its most significant compromise. It's powered by a MediaTek G37 processor, which is the same chip used in many budget phones. This means that you can expect some slowdowns and lag when using multiple apps simultaneously or engaging in demanding tasks. Android 12 Go is optimized for low-power, low-cost devices like the E22i, but it's not without its limitations. You'll notice a significant difference between the phone's performance on Android Go versus standard Android builds. The Go-optimized apps are designed to use less processing power, which can lead to smoother performance in theory. However, in practice, this means that multitasking is limited, and even simple tasks like quick app switching can be sluggish. Loading times for apps may also take longer than expected. If you're used to more powerful phones, the Moto E22i's performance will likely feel underwhelming. Battery life on the E22i is average at best. The phone has a 4,020mAh battery, which is less than some of its competitors in this price range. You can expect a day's use on moderate usage, but pushing it harder with demanding tasks or using features like the 90Hz display will drain the battery quickly. The MediaTek G37 processor and Android Go are designed to keep costs low, making them essential compromises for achieving the E22i's price point of under $200. While the phone is not bad in performance terms, it falls short of expectations set by higher-end devices. If you're looking for a basic phone with decent battery life, the Moto E22i might be a viable option. However, if you need more processing power or smoother multitasking experiences, there are other options available that will better meet your needs.