Motorola Moto G23 review

The Motorola Moto G23 is a budget-friendly smartphone that delivers on the promise of a clean user experience. The phone's design is unassuming, with a plastic frame and back panel making it lightweight at 184 grams. The 6.5-inch IPS LCD display features a 90Hz refresh rate, but its brightness is relatively low, and the bezels are thick. Under the hood, the Moto G23 runs on a MediaTek Helio G85 chipset, paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. While this setup provides decent performance, it doesn't quite live up to expectations in this price range. A more powerful Snapdragon 695 chipset would have been a better choice. The camera setup is triple-camera configuration, with a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 5-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro lens. Image quality is good in daylight conditions, but struggles in low-light environments. The front-facing camera offers full HD video recording capabilities. Battery life is a highlight of the Moto G23, with a 5000mAh battery that easily lasts for one or two days on a single charge. Fast charging support at up to 30 watts adds convenience. Overall, the Motorola Moto G23 is an average smartphone in terms of hardware specifications. While it delivers on Motorola's promise of a clean UI and minimal bloatware, its performance falls short of expectations. For those looking for better specs, the Realme 10 Pro offers more at a similar price point.

Build Quality and Design

The Motorola Moto G23 is a device that promises much but delivers slightly less. Upon unboxing, you'll find the smartphone itself, a card from the manufacturer, a USB cable, a 30W charger, and some documentation. The design of the phone is where things get interesting – or rather, not very interesting. The Moto G23's design is almost identical to its predecessor, the Moto G13. The only differences are the placement of the logo and the camera module, which is now a triple-camera setup in a circular ring. This lack of innovation in design is somewhat disappointing, especially considering the device's price point. In terms of build quality, the Moto G23 fares better. The phone has a plastic frame and back panel, which makes it feel lightweight – it tips the scales at 184 grams. The thickness is also remarkably slim at 8.2 millimeters, making it comfortable to hold in your hand. However, this use of plastic means that the overall build quality feels somewhat average. The weight distribution is another point of contention. Despite being made from a relatively lightweight material, the phone still manages to feel substantial in your hand. The matte finish on the back panel helps with grip and handling but doesn't add any premium feel to the device. Overall, while the Moto G23's build quality is decent, it fails to impress in terms of design innovation. This lack of flair might be a turn-off for some buyers, especially considering the competition in the same price bracket. However, if you're looking for a reliable and uncomplicated phone experience, the Moto G23 still has its strengths – we'll explore those in our next review section.

Battery Life

One aspect where the Moto G23 manages to shine is its battery life. The device comes equipped with a 5000mAh battery, which should be more than enough for a day's use, considering moderate usage patterns. In our testing, the phone indeed managed to last for over a day, although this could vary depending on individual usage habits. The inclusion of 30W fast charging support is also a welcome addition, allowing users to quickly top up their battery when needed. Charging times are respectable, with the device going from 0-100% in approximately an hour and a half. While not exceptional by any means, the Moto G23's battery performance is certainly decent, making it suitable for users who don't need or want a high-end phone with long battery life. However, for those who require more juice, there are other options available that may better suit their needs. In conclusion, the Moto G23's battery life is one of its stronger points, but it's not necessarily a game-changer in this price range. If you're looking for a budget phone with good battery performance, the Moto G23 should be considered, but don't expect it to blow you away with exceptional longevity.

Display

The Motorola Moto G23's display is one area where the phone falls short of expectations, particularly in this price range. The 6.5-inch IPS LCD panel boasts a 90Hz refresh rate and 408 nits of peak brightness. However, the actual performance is somewhat lacking. Firstly, the bezels around the screen are quite thick, which can make the overall design feel dated. Moreover, the screen itself is not very bright, making it difficult to use in direct sunlight or well-lit environments. This can be frustrating for users who want a phone that can handle everyday tasks without compromising on visibility. Furthermore, the 83% screen-to-body ratio is also a drawback, as it leaves noticeable gaps around the edges of the display. While this might not be a deal-breaker for some users, it does take away from the overall aesthetic appeal of the device. In terms of resolution, the Moto G23's IPS LCD panel provides decent visuals, but nothing spectacular. The 720x1600 pixel resolution is standard fare in the budget segment, and while it gets the job done, it doesn't exactly wow. Overall, the Motorola Moto G23's display is an average affair, particularly when compared to other phones in this price range. While it will suffice for casual use, such as browsing the web or streaming videos, it may not be the best choice for users who demand a superior visual experience. In comparison, higher-end phones often boast more impressive displays with features like AMOLED panels, HDR support, and higher refresh rates. The Moto G23's display is certainly passable but doesn't exactly set the bar high.

Camera

The Motorola Moto G23 boasts a triple camera setup at the back, consisting of a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 5-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro lens. In daylight conditions, the image quality is commendable, with minimal noise and good detail capture. However, as soon as you enter low-light environments, the camera's performance takes a hit. Images taken in poorly lit conditions suffer from noticeable noise, lack of detail, and an overall grainy appearance. While it's understandable that budget smartphones can't match the performance of high-end flagships, the Moto G23's camera struggles to deliver even average results in low-light situations. The 50-megapixel primary sensor does its job well when there is ample light, but it's not enough to save the overall experience. The ultra-wide lens and macro lens are decent additions, but they don't compensate for the primary sensor's shortcomings. On the front, you'll find a 16-megapixel selfie camera capable of recording full HD video. While this might be considered an upgrade in some budget smartphones, it still lags behind mid-range devices that offer higher-resolution cameras. In conclusion, while the Motorola Moto G23's camera has its moments, particularly in daylight conditions, it falls short in low-light situations and can't compare to more established brands' offerings in the same price range. For a budget smartphone, you might be better off exploring other options like the Realme 10 Pro, which offers improved specifications at a similar price point. While not disastrous, the Moto G23's camera performance is mediocre and doesn't quite live up to expectations for a device in this price range.

Price and Value

The Motorola Moto G23 is a budget phone that offers an average hardware setup, but excels in providing a clean user experience with minimal bloatware. In this review, we'll focus on the device's price and value. At first glance, the Moto G23 seems like a decent option for those looking for a budget-friendly smartphone. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the device's hardware is not particularly impressive. The Mediatek Helio G85 chipset, although based on 12nm technology, feels outdated compared to the Snapdragon 695 found in similarly priced phones. The Moto G23's display, too, falls short of expectations. While the 6.5-inch IPS LCD panel offers a respectable 90Hz refresh rate and decent brightness, its 83 security-to-body ratio is not ideal. The overall display quality feels underwhelming, especially considering the price point. The phone's performance, while adequate for everyday tasks, is not particularly satisfying in this price range. With only two RAM options (4GB or 8GB) and a maximum storage capacity of 128GB, users who want more will need to rely on microSD cards. In terms of camera quality, the Moto G23's triple camera setup delivers good results in daylight conditions, but struggles in low light. The front-facing camera is decent, allowing for full HD video recording. One redeeming factor is the phone's battery life, with a 5000mAh capacity that should last users one or two days on a single charge. Fast charging support via a 30W charger is also a welcome feature. Considering its average hardware setup and lackluster display, the Motorola Moto G23 feels overpriced in its current form. While it may appeal to those who value a clean UI and bloatware-free experience, there are better options available at similar price points, such as the Realme 10 Pro.

Performance

The Motorola Moto G23's performance is an area that leaves much to be desired, considering its price point. The device comes with the MediaTek Helio G85 chipset, which, although based on 12nm technology, seems underwhelming compared to what other smartphones in this range offer. Specifically, it features a 2GHz clock speed and Mali-G52 graphics for gaming. While these specs are not terrible, they don't quite meet expectations given the phone's overall value. To put it into perspective, the Snapdragon 695 chipset, which is used in some competitors, is based on 6nm technology - an improvement over the Moto G23's processor. Furthermore, the device only offers 4GB or 8GB of RAM as options, with a maximum storage capacity of 128GB. If you want more storage than that, you'll need to use a microSD card, which might be seen as a bit of a limitation for those who prefer expandable storage. In terms of everyday usage, the Moto G23 seems to handle tasks without too much hassle. However, when it comes to more demanding activities like gaming or multitasking, the phone's performance becomes somewhat sluggish. This is not necessarily a deal-breaker, but considering what other smartphones in this price range offer, the Moto G23 falls short. Overall, while the Moto G23's performance is adequate for basic use, it doesn't quite match up to expectations given its price point. If you're looking for a more potent device with improved processing power and better multitasking capabilities, there are other options available in this range that might be worth considering.

Pros

1. Motorola phones provide clean UI and make people prefer a bloatware free interface

2. The battery life is good, can use for one or two days

3. 5000 mAh battery that is enough for one or two day use

4. 30 watt fast charging sport

5. Good image quality in daylight with low noise

6. 16 megapixel selfie camera and full HD video recording from front and back wall

Cons

1. Average hardware setup, even compared to last three generation of Entry levels phone

2. Less bezels are very much thicker

3. 408 speed brightness is very less

4. Only two options for Ram: 4G band 8GB and maximum storage is 128gb if you want to go above 120 LGB then you have to use microSD card

FAQ