Motorola Moto E32 review
The Motorola E32 is a budget smartphone that offers decent value at an affordable price point. Officially priced at $229 AUD, it's often found for under $200, making it a reasonable option for those on a tight budget. However, it's essential to understand the compromises that come with this level of pricing. The phone's 6.5-inch LCD display and triple rear lens camera are notable features, but its performance is mediocre, and it lags behind in terms of software updates.
Build Quality and Design
The Motorola Moto E32 is a budget smartphone that doesn't skimp on style, despite its affordability. The device boasts a sleek design, reminiscent of Motorola's more premium Edge series phones. The Slate Grey color I've got here looks particularly sharp, and the phone's build quality feels sturdy enough to withstand daily wear and tear. One of the standout features of the Moto E32 is its 6.5-inch LCD display. It's not uncommon for budget phones to sport larger screens these days, but Motorola has done a good job of making it look nice and vibrant. The screen also supports a 90Hz refresh rate, which adds to its overall snappiness. The phone's design is fairly basic, but in a charming way. There are no fancy curves or angular lines to speak of; just a clean, minimalist aesthetic that's easy on the eyes. The camera module at the back is a triple-lens affair, which is impressive for a budget phone. However, as we'll discuss later, those cameras aren't exactly going to win any awards. The Moto E32 also comes with a slipcase in the box, which is a nice touch. It's not uncommon for budget phones to skimp on accessories, so it's refreshing to see Motorola including one here. Overall, the Motorola Moto E32's build quality and design are a pleasant surprise given its affordable price tag. While it may not be the most exciting or premium-feeling phone out there, it's certainly solid enough to get the job done without breaking the bank.
Battery Life
The Motorola Moto E32's battery life is a mixed bag. On paper, the 5,000mAh battery sounds impressive, but its performance is somewhat tempered by the phone's slower processor and 90Hz display. In my testing, I found that average moderate use can easily stretch to a day, although it's worth noting that no phone will last all day if pushed to its limits. However, for light users, multi-day battery life is possible, especially when using power-saving features. The supplied charger, while a USB-C one, is relatively slow, so you may need to charge the phone overnight to ensure enough juice for the next day. While the battery capacity is generous, it's not quite enough to offset the performance limitations of the phone's hardware. This means that heavy users or those who rely on their phone for demanding tasks like gaming will likely find themselves needing to top up the battery more frequently than they'd like. Overall, while the Motorola Moto E32's battery life is decent, it's not exceptional. However, for a budget phone, it's still a reasonable performance, especially considering the price point. If you're in the market for a cheap phone and need something that can last a day or two on a single charge, then the Moto E32's battery life may be sufficient. In short, while the phone's battery life is not its strong suit, it's still a decent performer in this budget space. Just don't expect exceptional longevity, even with light use.
Display
The Motorola Moto E32 is a budget smartphone that offers decent value for money, despite its compromises in various areas. One of the standout features of this phone is its display. The 6.5-inch LCD screen is not uncommon in this space, but it's still nice to see a generous size on offer. What makes the display truly noteworthy is its ability to run at 90Hz. This can provide a smooth scrolling experience when browsing web pages or playing games, although the phone's processor may not be powerful enough to take full advantage of this feature. The 90Hz refresh rate can make gaming more enjoyable, but it's not ideal for demanding titles. The display is available in two shades: Misty Silver and Slate Grey, which are both nice options. However, the design itself is quite basic, with a style that reminds one of Motorola's fancier Edge phones. It's great to see a budget phone like this include a slipcase in the box for added protection. The display is also worth mentioning because it's not often we find a budget smartphone with such a generous screen size and decent quality. While it may not be the best display on the market, it's certainly good enough for casual use. Overall, the Motorola Moto E32's display is one of its redeeming features, making it a decent option for those in need of a budget phone. However, if you're willing to spend a bit more money (around $300 AUD), you can find phones with much better cameras and performance.
Camera
When reviewing budget smartphones, it's essential to consider the compromises that come with affordability. The Motorola Moto E32 is a case in point, offering a range of features at an attractive price point of $229 Australian. While it may not be a powerhouse device, I was pleasantly surprised by its display and some notable features. However, one area where the Moto E32 falls short is its camera performance. On paper, the triple rear lens setup seems impressive for a budget phone, with a 16-megapixel primary wide lens accompanied by two 2-megapixel macro and depth sensors. However, in practice, this setup results in disappointing macro shots, which are often blurry or lacking in detail. Every cheap phone nowadays features a 2-megapixel macro lens, but unfortunately, they're all pretty subpar. The Moto E32 is no exception, requiring you to work hard to capture decent macro shots. Even then, the results are inconsistent and not always satisfactory. I found myself struggling to get good macro shots, even in good lighting conditions. The 16-megapixel primary lens can take reasonable photos in bright light, but it's nothing special. The depth sensor is useful for portrait mode shots of other people, but not so much when taking selfies with the 8-megapixel front-facing camera. Selfies are just okay and won't blow anyone away. It's worth noting that budget phones often prioritize affordability over advanced features like high-quality cameras. While I was hoping for more from the Moto E32, it's clear that compromises were made to keep costs low. Overall, while the Motorola Moto E32 is a decent budget smartphone with some great features, its camera performance is unfortunately not one of them. If you're looking for a phone that can take good photos and selfies, I'd recommend considering alternatives in this price range or even splurging a bit more to get a better camera experience. 3/5 If you need a budget-friendly smartphone with some compromises on features, the Motorola Moto E32 might be worth considering. However, if camera performance is crucial for your needs, I'd recommend exploring other options.
Price and Value
The Motorola Moto E32 is a budget smartphone that officially retails for $229 Australian, but can be found in the sub-$200 space by several merchants. When it comes to budget phones, compromises are inevitable, and the Moto E32 is no exception. In terms of value, the Moto E32's price point raises questions about which compromises are acceptable and whether they're worth the cost. While you get a 6.5-inch LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, which is great for smooth scrolling and gaming, this phone's performance isn't exactly top-notch. The camera setup, which includes a triple rear lens, seems impressive at first glance, but it's actually quite basic. The primary wide lens is 16 megapixels, while the other two lenses are just 2 megapixel macro and depth sensors. Don't expect outstanding results from these cameras, especially in low-light conditions. The phone's specs include a unisox T606 processor with only 4GB of RAM running Android 11. This recipe spells mediocrity, particularly when it comes to multitasking and gaming performance. However, this is not unique to the Moto E32, as many phones in the sub-$200 space suffer from similar issues. If you're willing to pay a bit more ($300), you can find phones with much better cameras, improved performance, and additional features. In that case, the Moto E32's value proposition becomes questionable. Ultimately, if you need a phone for basic tasks and are on a tight budget, the Moto E32 might be a reasonable buy. However, don't expect it to blow you away in terms of performance or camera capabilities. If you're willing to pay more for better specs and features, there are other options available. The Moto E32's value is decent but not exceptional, making it a good option only if you're on a tight budget and need a phone that gets the job done.
Performance
In today's budget smartphone market, compromises are inevitable. The Motorola Moto E32 is no exception, aiming to deliver a device that balances affordability with decent specs. However, performance-wise, the phone falls short of expectations. Underneath its 6.5-inch LCD display lies a Unisoc T606 processor paired with 4GB of RAM and running Android 11. This mediocre combination results in laggy performance, making multitasking and gaming a chore. The device struggles to keep up with demanding tasks, and games run poorly due to the underpowered hardware. The sub-200 space is notorious for this kind of performance, but it's essential to note that faster processors come at a cost – often exceeding the budget range. While the Moto E32's performance might be expected within its price bracket, it still feels sluggish in everyday use. To make matters worse, the phone's 4GB of RAM severely hinders performance. The added burden of resource-intensive apps and games leads to frequent lag spikes, making the overall experience less than ideal. Even moderate usage can result in occasional stutters, which is unacceptable for a device with these specs. Battery life, however, fares slightly better. With a 5,000mAh battery on board, you can expect a day's use with average to heavy activity. However, charging times are slower due to the supplied charger, and you may want to consider using a faster USB-C charger if possible. For those seeking an affordable phone for basic tasks, the Moto E32 might still be worth considering – especially at sub-200 prices. But for users requiring a more robust performance, there are better options available within this price range that offer superior specs and features. Overall, Motorola's attempt to balance affordability with decent specs results in a device that feels like a compromise in terms of performance.
Pros
1. The display is a nice size at 6.5 inches, and it's 90Hz capable for smooth scrolling and gaming.
2. The phone has a triple rear lens camera setup, which is rare in this budget space.
3. The phone comes with a clean Android UI, which is great for users who want a stock-like experience.
4. The phone supports microSD cards, so you can expand the storage up to 64GB or more.
5. The battery is large at 5,000mAh and can last a day on moderate use.
6. The phone has a fast charger via USB-C, which is a plus in this budget space.
7. The phone's design is reminiscent of Motorola's fancier Edge phones, but with a more basic look.
8. The phone comes with a slipcase to protect it from scratches and drops.
Cons
1. The phone has a mediocre processor with only four gigs of RAM, leading to laggy performance.
2. The camera is not great, especially the macro lens which takes awful photos.
3. The phone's performance in games is subpar, making it not ideal for gaming enthusiasts.
4. The phone lags behind on security updates and Android updates, which can be a concern for users.
5. The supplied charger is slow, so you'll need to charge the phone overnight to ensure full power for the next day.
6. Multitasking is hard due to the underpowered processor and limited RAM.
7. The camera's depth sensor can help with portrait photos of other people, but not selfies.
8. The phone's price point is feeling a bit of a push, making it less competitive in the budget space.