Motorola Moto G Play (2023) review
The Motorola Moto G Play (2023) is an unassuming entry-level smartphone that checks all the right boxes without excitingly exceeding them. With a solid battery life and decent camera capabilities, this phone gets the job done for those looking for a no-frills device. While its performance may not be particularly impressive, the Moto G Play's affordability, sleek design, and good build quality make it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers. This review will delve into the details of what makes the Moto G Play (2023) tick, or rather, trudge along without any major surprises.
Build Quality and Design
While reviewing the Motorola Moto G Play 2023, one aspect that caught my attention was its build quality and design. In an era where budget smartphones are becoming increasingly indistinguishable from their more expensive counterparts, it's refreshing to see a device that doesn't skimp on aesthetics. Upon handling the phone, I was pleased to find that the materials used feel premium, even if not entirely luxurious. The buttons are solid, and the phone has a decent weight to it, giving me confidence in its build quality. While some might dismiss the importance of premium materials in today's smartphone landscape, where cases are often used, I appreciate the attention to detail. The design itself is unremarkable yet pleasant. It doesn't deviate significantly from the generic entry-level phone template, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The Moto G Play 2023 looks sleek and modern, with a camera module that adds some visual interest. Although it lacks super thin bezels, the overall aesthetic is still pleasing. One aspect I particularly appreciate is the use of a punch design for the camera. This subtle touch elevates the phone's appearance, making it stand out from more utilitarian options in this price range. In conclusion, while not groundbreaking, the Motorola Moto G Play 2023's build quality and design are commendable. The attention to detail in its construction, combined with a pleasant aesthetic, make for an enjoyable user experience. While not necessarily a selling point on its own, it's a welcome addition to an otherwise unremarkable yet capable smartphone.
Battery Life
When it comes to battery life, the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) is truly a standout device. With its massive 5,000 milliamp hour battery, this phone promises to keep you going all day long and then some. In my testing, I was blown away by just how well the Moto G Play performed in terms of battery life. Whether I was browsing the web, streaming music, or using demanding apps, the phone's battery always seemed to have a bit left over at the end of the day. This is no small feat, especially considering the fact that most phones in this price range tend to struggle with battery life. The secret to the Moto G Play's success lies in its optimized software and efficient hardware design. The phone's processor and memory work seamlessly together to deliver a smooth user experience without draining the battery too quickly. Plus, the addition of a large display only adds to the overall power consumption of the device. Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with the Motorola Moto G Play (2023)'s battery life. Whether you're an avid gamer, streamer, or just someone who loves taking advantage of all your phone's features, this phone is sure to keep up with your demands without leaving you stranded in a dead zone.
Display
The display on the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) is a standard issue IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. It's not particularly impressive, but it gets the job done for an entry-level phone. One notable feature of the display is its relatively fast refresh rate of 90Hz. This can provide a smoother visual experience when scrolling through interfaces or watching videos. However, this feature has become increasingly common in budget-friendly phones, so it's not a unique selling point by any means. In terms of brightness and color accuracy, the Moto G Play's display is average at best. It's bright enough to be readable outdoors, but it can struggle in very sunny conditions. The colors are also somewhat muted, which may be disappointing for those who enjoy vibrant visuals. The display size is 6.5 inches, which is a decent size for an entry-level phone. However, it's not particularly large or small, and some users may find it feels slightly cramped. The bezels around the screen are relatively thin, but they're still noticeable. Overall, the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) has a perfectly adequate display that won't blow anyone away with its quality. It's suitable for casual use such as browsing social media, streaming videos, and playing games. However, it may not be the best choice for those who are particular about their screen quality or want to enjoy more immersive visual experiences. If you're in the market for a budget-friendly phone and don't have high expectations for the display, then the Moto G Play (2023) will likely suffice. However, if you're looking for something with a more impressive screen, you may need to look elsewhere.
Camera
The camera on the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) is one of its standout features. While it may not be the most advanced or high-end camera, it still manages to deliver impressive results in various lighting conditions. Firstly, the camera's ability to take clear and sharp photos is a significant plus point. Whether you're capturing landscapes, portraits, or everyday moments, the Moto G Play's camera does an excellent job of preserving details and colors. One notable aspect of the camera is its performance in low-light situations. Despite not having any major upgrades or new features compared to previous models, it still manages to produce decent images with minimal noise and graininess. The camera app itself is also user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it accessible for both novice and experienced users. Additionally, the presence of various modes such as portrait, landscape, and night mode allows users to experiment with different styles and effects. In terms of quality, the Moto G Play's camera holds its own against other entry-level smartphones in this price range. While it may not be on par with more premium devices from established brands, it still offers a respectable level of image quality that will satisfy most users' needs. One potential area for improvement is in the absence of advanced features like optical zoom, 4K video recording, or manual camera control. However, these omissions are understandable given the phone's budget-friendly price tag and target market. Overall, the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) camera delivers an impressive package that will satisfy most users' needs for everyday photo-taking. While it may not be the best-in-class, its performance is commendable considering its price point. If you're in the market for a reliable and capable entry-level smartphone with a good camera, the Moto G Play should definitely be on your shortlist. Rating: 4/5 Recommendation: * Ideal for those who need a basic yet capable camera for everyday use * Suitable for casual photographers and social media enthusiasts * Not recommended for advanced or professional photographers seeking high-end features and image quality
Price and Value
The Motorola Moto G Play (2023) is an entry-level smartphone that offers good value for its price. Priced around $200-$250, this phone provides a range of features that make it a great option for those looking for a basic device without breaking the bank. One of the standout features of the Moto G Play is its excellent battery life. With a 5000mAh battery, users can expect to get through the day and then some on a single charge. This is a huge plus for anyone who needs a phone that can keep up with their busy lifestyle. The camera on the Moto G Play is also worth mentioning. While it's not the best camera out there, it takes decent photos and videos for its price point. The addition of a 90Hz refresh rate display gives the phone a slight edge over other entry-level devices in this price range. However, the storage options are somewhat limited. With only two storage options available (32GB and 64GB), users may find themselves running out of space quickly if they plan on using their phone for more than just basic tasks. Despite these limitations, the Moto G Play offers great value for its price. It's a solid choice for anyone looking for an affordable smartphone that can get the job done without sacrificing too much in terms of performance and features. In comparison to other phones in this price range, the Moto G Play holds its own. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive devices, it makes up for it with its reliability and affordability. Overall, the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) is a great option for anyone looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that can provide a good experience without breaking the bank. Ultimately, whether or not the Moto G Play is worth the price depends on individual needs and preferences. However, for those who want a basic phone with good battery life and a decent camera, it's definitely worth considering.
Performance
In our review of the Motorola Moto G Play (2023), we found that its performance is decent for basic use but disappointing overall. The phone's processor and RAM, while not uncommon in this price range, can struggle with more demanding tasks. The phone's performance was noticeable when using multiple apps simultaneously or running resource-intensive games. While it didn't freeze or crash, it did slow down significantly, making it difficult to multitask seamlessly. This is particularly frustrating for users who rely on their phones for productivity and entertainment. Additionally, the phone's storage options are limited to just 32GB and 64GB, which may not be sufficient for users with large music libraries, video collections, or app hoarders. While you can expand the storage via a microSD card, this still means that users will have to regularly delete files to free up space. While the phone's performance is not terrible, it's certainly not impressive either. For basic tasks like making calls, sending texts, and browsing the internet, the Moto G Play (2023) should be fine. However, for anyone who wants a more seamless experience or plans to use their phone heavily, this may not be the best choice. It's worth noting that the phone's performance is somewhat comparable to other entry-level devices in its price range. While it may not stand out from the crowd, it doesn't necessarily fall behind either. Overall, we would rate the Motorola Moto G Play (2023)'s performance as average, with room for improvement.
Pros
1. For what it is, I definitely don't think it's a bad phone
2. The camera for what it is is really good
3. If you are looking for a really affordable kind of basic phone but you do want to take some nice pictures from time to time then for that this phone definitely will get the job done
4. It does have a really good battery with a 5,000 milliamp hour battery well it's not really uncommon per se
5. The camera is one of the best cameras in its price range
6. It has a decent amount of weight to it and it definitely doesn't feel like it's about to fall apart or anything
7. The buttons are pretty solid
8. The materials they do feel pretty nice
Cons
1. There's really nothing special about it when it comes to things like the display
2. The performance is also a little disappointing although again for the more basic use it's meant for it's still going to be at least good enough
3. It's easily interchangeable with countless others
4. The storage is definitely a huge drawback albeit it's not really uncommon or anything either
5. It doesn't have NFC so a little disappointing there but honestly not very many phones on this price range do have NFC at this point going into 2023
6. For the more basic use it's meant for it's still going to be at least good enough
7. The display is pretty much exactly the same as every other phone in this price range
8. It doesn't have super thin bezels, and although it looks nice overall, it's not really different from a generic entry-level phone