Motorola Moto G04 review
The Motorola Moto G04 is an Android phone that offers decent value for its price point. The phone features a stylish design with a nice screen, but the camera performance is underwhelming. With a 90Hz refresh rate, scrolling through web pages and watching videos is a smooth experience. However, the phone's performance is not exceptional, particularly when it comes to gaming. Higher-end games may struggle to run on this device, while more basic games like pinball should be fine. The phone runs Android 14, but Motorola has committed to only providing two years of security updates and no further OS upgrades. One of the highlights of the Moto G04 is its battery life. With a 5,000mAh battery, it's capable of lasting a day with average usage, and possibly even two days for more casual users. However, charging is not particularly fast, maxing out at 15W in Australia, where the phone does not come with a charger. Overall, the Motorola Moto G04 strikes a balance between its price point and features. While it may not be the most exciting phone, it's a solid option for those on a tight budget. The phone's performance is decent, but not exceptional, and the camera could be improved. The Moto G04 is not a powerhouse device, but it should still provide decent value for those in the market for an affordable Android phone. With its stylish design, smooth screen refresh rate, and decent battery life, it's worth considering for those who want a solid workhorse without breaking the bank.
Build Quality and Design
The Motorola Moto G04 has a solid build quality that justifies its price point. The phone's design is sleek and modern, with a premium feel to it. The device's dimensions are compact, making it easy to handle and carry around. One of the standout features of the Moto G04 is its 6.5-inch HD+ display. The screen is crisp and clear, with vibrant colors that make watching videos and browsing through content a pleasure. The 90Hz refresh rate also helps to reduce motion blur and lag, making it ideal for gaming and video streaming. The phone's design is also notable for its minimalist approach. There are no unnecessary flourishes or embellishments, just a clean and simple aesthetic that should appeal to those who value form over function. The device's back is made of plastic, but it feels sturdy and well-built, with a subtle texture that provides a comfortable grip. In terms of build quality, the Moto G04 has a solid rating. While it may not be as robust as some other devices in its class, it's clear that Motorola has put thought into designing a phone that should last for several years without major issues. The device's durability is also improved by its IP52 rating, which means it can withstand dust and water exposure to a certain extent. Overall, the Motorola Moto G04's build quality and design are a major strength of the device. While it may not be perfect, it's clear that Motorola has put effort into creating a phone that should appeal to those on a budget. With its sleek design, compact dimensions, and crisp display, the Moto G04 is certainly worth considering for anyone looking for a reliable and affordable smartphone.
Battery Life
In my assessment of the Motorola Moto G04, one aspect that stood out was its battery life. Packing a 5,000 mAh battery, this phone has ample power to last through most days, even with moderate usage. My standard YouTube battery test revealed a respectable 7% decrease in battery life after an hour-long video playback session. This suggests that the Moto G04 can easily survive for a day of average use, and possibly even two if you're a casual user. During my experimentation, I was able to push the phone to its limits, running it flat within a single day's usage. However, most days saw it holding up well, lasting through normal use without issue. While recharging may not be particularly fast, with a maximum output of 15 Watts in Australia, this is still a compromise that many users will accept at this price point. In conclusion, the Motorola Moto G04's battery life is one area where it shines. While not exceptional, its ability to last through most days without needing a top-up makes it an attractive option for those seeking a reliable device on a budget.
Display
The display on the Motorola Moto G04 is a highlight of the device. It boasts a 6.5-inch HD+ screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, which provides a smooth and seamless viewing experience. The display itself is bright and vibrant, with accurate color reproduction. One of the standout features of the display is its fast refresh rate. While it's not uncommon to see devices with higher refresh rates in the mid-range segment, 90Hz is still a notable feature that sets the Moto G04 apart from some of its competitors. In terms of brightness, the screen is plenty bright enough for everyday use, and it's also quite readable outdoors, although it may struggle in extremely bright conditions. The display's bezels are relatively thin, which helps to create an immersive viewing experience. Color accuracy is another area where the Moto G04 excels. While it may not be as vibrant or saturated as some of the more high-end displays on the market, colors are generally accurate and well-represented. In terms of overall display quality, the Moto G04 is a solid performer that should meet the needs of most users. It's not the best display on the market by any stretch, but it's certainly one of the better mid-range offerings out there. Ultimately, the display on the Motorola Moto G04 is a significant strength of the device. While it may have some limitations, it provides a pleasant and engaging viewing experience that's perfect for everyday use. If you're in the market for a mid-range device with a good display, the Moto G04 is certainly worth considering.
Camera
The Motorola Moto G04 is an Android phone that checks many boxes at an affordable price point, but unfortunately, its camera performance falls short of expectations. The camera system in the Moto G04 consists of a 13-megapixel primary sensor, a 2-megapixel depth sensor, and a 5-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens. While this sounds like a decent setup on paper, real-world results tell a different story. In daylight conditions, photos taken with the Moto G04's camera are average at best. They lack detail and can appear soft around the edges. The dynamic range is also limited, resulting in washed-out highlights and lost details in shadows. Low-light performance is even more disappointing, with noisy and grainy images that are barely usable. One of the biggest issues with the Moto G04's camera is its lack of depth control. Photos taken with the ultra-wide-angle lens often suffer from a weird distortion effect, making objects appear stretched or warped. This can be particularly annoying in landscape shots where you want to capture a wide angle without compromising on image quality. The camera app itself is basic and lacks advanced features like RAW image capture or manual exposure control. While this won't matter to casual users, enthusiasts will find themselves frustrated by the lack of options. Overall, the Motorola Moto G04's camera performance is disappointing, especially considering the phone's price point. If you're in the market for a budget Android phone and prioritize photography, there are better options available elsewhere. However, if you're looking for a basic phone that gets the job done, the Moto G04 might still be worth considering. The Motorola Moto G04's camera performance is a major letdown, making it difficult to recommend this phone to photography enthusiasts. While it may not be the worst camera in its class, there are better options available at similar price points.
Price and Value
The Motorola Moto G04 is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers decent value for its price. Priced around $200-$250, this phone manages to strike a balance between performance, features, and affordability. At this price point, the Moto G04 delivers a good compromise in terms of performance. The processor, although not fast, handles everyday tasks with ease. The 90Hz refresh rate is also a nice touch, making navigation and scrolling through web pages a smooth experience. However, when it comes to gaming, the phone struggles to keep up with more demanding titles. The camera on the Moto G04 is another area where the phone falls short. While it's not terrible, the image quality is average at best. However, for casual users who just want to take the occasional selfie or snap a quick photo, the camera will suffice. One of the standout features of the Moto G04 is its battery life. The 5,000mAh battery provides more than a day's worth of usage, making it ideal for those with moderate usage habits. In terms of value, the Moto G04 delivers decent performance and features at an affordable price. While it may not be the most powerful phone on the market, it's a solid option for those on a budget. If you're looking for a reliable phone to get you through your daily tasks without breaking the bank, the Moto G04 is definitely worth considering. Ultimately, the Motorola Moto G04 is a decent phone that offers good value for its price. While it may not be perfect, it's a solid choice for those on a budget who want a reliable phone that can handle everyday tasks with ease.
Performance
The Motorola Moto G04 is an Android phone that aims to provide decent value for its price tag. However, when it comes to performance, the device falls short in certain areas. Firstly, the processor, a MediaTek T606, is not particularly fast and struggles with demanding tasks such as gaming. In benchmark tests, the phone scored relatively low compared to other devices in its class. This means that everyday usage will be satisfactory, but expect some sluggishness when engaging in more resource-intensive activities like gaming. In terms of gaming performance, the Moto G04 can only handle basic games smoothly, while more demanding titles may struggle with frame rates and responsiveness. The 90Hz refresh rate is a nice feature to have, but it's not enough to compensate for the phone's processing limitations. Additionally, the device's operating system, Android 14, will not receive any major updates or upgrades, only security patches for two years. This is disappointing, especially considering that many budget phones in this category now offer some form of software support beyond just security fixes. In conclusion, while the Motorola Moto G04's performance is adequate for its price point, it's not exactly stellar. If you're looking for a phone to handle everyday tasks with ease and perhaps some light gaming, the Moto G04 might be suitable. However, if you want more robust performance or plan to use your phone for more demanding activities like heavy gaming, video editing, or multitasking, there are better options available elsewhere. 3/5 stars For those on a tight budget and seeking a basic phone for everyday use, the Moto G04 is an acceptable choice. However, if you can stretch your budget to accommodate more capable devices, consider exploring other options that offer stronger performance and features.