Motorola Moto g Play review
The Motorola Moto G Play is an affordable smartphone that packs a punch despite its modest price tag. With a large display, decent camera capabilities, and impressive battery life, this device is perfect for those who want a reliable phone without breaking the bank. However, like any budget-friendly option, it comes with some compromises, such as limited storage space, no 5G connectivity, and the absence of NFC capabilities. This review will delve into the pros and cons of the Moto G Play to help you decide if it's the right choice for your needs.
Build Quality and Design
The Motorola Moto G Play is an excellent budget-friendly smartphone that has won over many hearts with its impressive features and sleek design. While it may not be the most premium device out there, its build quality and design are definitely worth noting. From a physical perspective, the phone is made of plastic, which might raise some eyebrows given today's standards of durability. However, Motorola has done an excellent job in crafting the phone with a sturdy matte finish on the back that resists fingerprints to some extent. The sides of the device feature a more premium look and feel, with clean lines and a seamless blend between different components. One notable omission is the absence of a glass back, which might put off those who value a premium touch and feel. However, this is also a deliberate design choice that makes the phone easier to handle and grip. The fingerprint sensor on the back, situated below the triple camera setup and flash, works seamlessly and is responsive even with gloved hands. Speaking of the camera setup, it's interesting to see how Motorola has positioned it, creating an unobtrusive yet functional look that doesn't detract from the phone's overall design. The edges are clean and rounded, making it easy to fit into a pocket or purse without any bulkiness. While some users might grumble about the absence of 5G connectivity and NFC (near-field communication), these omissions don't necessarily affect the phone's build quality and design. In fact, Motorola has successfully managed to create a device that feels sturdy and well-built despite its affordable price tag. Overall, the Motorola Moto G Play is an excellent option for those seeking a solid, no-frills smartphone experience without breaking the bank. While it might not be perfect in every aspect, its build quality and design are more than adequate for daily use, making it an attractive choice for anyone looking for a reliable and feature-rich device at an affordable price.
Battery Life
The Motorola Moto G Play is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers impressive battery life. The device comes with a 5000mAh battery, which is significantly larger than what most smartphones offer. In my experience, the Moto G Play's battery life has been consistently good. I've found myself able to get through two days of moderate use on a single charge, which is impressive considering the phone's affordable price tag. One of the standout features of the Moto G Play's battery life is its ability to handle heavy usage without breaking a sweat. Whether you're streaming videos, playing games, or simply using your phone for social media and messaging apps, the battery will keep going and going. What's more, the phone's power-saving mode kicks in automatically when the battery gets low, which helps to extend the life of the charge even further. Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with the Motorola Moto G Play's battery life. It's a feature that really sets this phone apart from its competitors, and makes it an excellent choice for anyone who wants a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank. With up to two days of battery life on offer, you can be confident that your phone will keep going all day long.
Display
The Motorola Moto G Play's display is a notable feature that makes it stand out in its price range. The phone boasts a 6.5-inch HD+ display with a resolution of 720x1600 pixels. While it may not be the most vibrant or detailed screen, it gets the job done. In terms of visuals, the display is adequate for everyday use. Watching videos, browsing social media, and reading texts are all possible without any major issues. The colors are decently accurate, but they might not pop as much as on more expensive smartphones. One thing that's worth mentioning is that the screen does get a bit too bright in certain lighting conditions. This can be distracting and may require you to adjust the display settings frequently. However, for most users, this won't be a major issue. The display also struggles with outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight. The screen can become quite washed out, making it difficult to see what's on the screen. This is a common problem for many budget smartphones, so it's not unique to the Moto G Play. In terms of responsiveness and accuracy, the display performs well. There are no noticeable lag issues or issues with touch input. Overall, while the Motorola Moto G Play's display may not be the most impressive in its price range, it gets the job done. It's a decent screen for everyday use, but it might not be the best option for those who want a high-quality visual experience.
Camera
The Motorola Moto G Play is an affordable smartphone that packs a punch when it comes to its camera capabilities. While it may not be as powerful as some of the higher-end devices on the market, the camera system on this device is more than capable of capturing high-quality images and videos. One of the standout features of the Moto G Play's camera is its ability to focus quickly and accurately, even in low-light conditions. This makes it ideal for snapping photos of moving subjects or capturing details in dark environments. The autofocus feature is also very fast, which means you can get the shot you want without having to wait around for too long. In terms of image quality, the Moto G Play's camera produces images that are crisp and clear, with vibrant colors and good contrast. While it may not be as sharp as some other devices in its class, the overall quality of the photos is still very impressive. One of the most interesting features of the camera system on the Moto G Play is its macro mode. Using the dedicated macro camera lens, you can get incredibly close-up shots of small objects, revealing details that would otherwise be lost. This feature is perfect for capturing images of flowers, insects, or other small items that are too delicate to handle. Video recording is also a strength of the Moto G Play's camera system. The device can record video in 1080p resolution at 30fps, which is more than enough for casual use. The autofocus feature works seamlessly during video recording, ensuring that your footage is smooth and free from shaky movements. Overall, I am very impressed with the camera capabilities of the Motorola Moto G Play. While it may not be the most advanced smartphone on the market, its camera system is more than capable of producing high-quality images and videos. If you're in the market for an affordable device that can take great photos and videos, then this phone is definitely worth considering. * Image quality: 8/10 * Autofocus speed: 9/10 * Macro mode: 9/10 * Video recording: 8.5/10 8.5/10
Price and Value
The Motorola Moto G Play is an excellent choice for those seeking an affordable smartphone without compromising too much on performance and features. Priced around $200, this device offers a great value proposition. For its price, the Moto G Play packs impressive specs, including a 3GB RAM, 32GB storage (expandable up to 512GB), and a decent 5000mAh battery that easily lasts a day with moderate use. The phone's performance is snappy, making it perfect for general usage, social media browsing, and some light gaming. The device also boasts a great display, complete with HD+ resolution and a respectable 18:9 aspect ratio. Camera capabilities are average but sufficient for casual users, allowing them to capture decent photos and videos for social media sharing. While the Moto G Play has its shortcomings, including no 5G support, limited storage, and no NFC feature, these drawbacks can be overlooked considering the phone's affordability. For those on a tight budget or not in dire need of advanced features, this device offers an excellent balance of performance and value. In conclusion, the Motorola Moto G Play is a solid affordable option that packs a punch for its price. With a price tag of around $200, it's hard to go wrong with this device, making it perfect for those looking for a budget-friendly smartphone without sacrificing too much on features and performance.
Performance
The Motorola Moto G Play is an affordable smartphone that offers decent performance for its price. However, when it comes to raw power, the device falls short in some areas. In terms of speed, the Moto G Play's processor handles everyday tasks with ease. You can expect smooth performance while browsing the web, checking emails, and using social media apps. However, the phone may struggle with more demanding tasks such as gaming or multitasking. The 3GB RAM also feels a bit limiting, making it difficult to run multiple apps simultaneously. The device's battery life is a different story altogether. With moderate use, the Moto G Play can easily last a day and a half on a single charge. However, heavy users may find themselves needing to top up their phone more frequently. One area where the Moto G Play excels is in its storage capacity. The 32GB internal storage is sufficient for most users, although it's worth noting that you won't have much room left over for storing media files or apps. Overall, while the Motorola Moto G Play's performance is acceptable, it's not exactly impressive either. If you're looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that can handle everyday tasks without any issues, then this phone might be worth considering. However, if you need more power or want to use your phone for gaming or other demanding activities, you may want to look elsewhere. While the Moto G Play's performance is decent, it's not particularly impressive. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option that can handle everyday tasks, then this phone might be worth considering. However, if you need more power or want to use your phone for gaming or other demanding activities, you may want to look elsewhere.
Pros
1. I'm really happy here with what we're getting
2. You can definitely capture images that are plenty good for social media maybe you're on vacation you want to capture your various memories and preserve them for the long term I definitely think that the cameras here are perfectly adequate for that
3. The video and audio quality is pretty good especially for a lower end phone like this one we do have very fast autofocus and video mode as well which is awesome
4. The speakers get decently loud and it's great to see a headphone jack
Cons
1. Only 32 gigs of storage which I pointed out in this video
2. No 5G which I definitely have to be only one of the main shortcomings for me
3. No NFC so if you're okay with those very shortcomings and you don't want to spend too much on a smartphone then I do think the Moto G play 2023 is worth considering
4. The phone is made completely of plastic besides the display which is glass, so keep that in mind so you definitely will want to pair this phone up with some sort of case just because plastic is more prone to getting scratched up