$200 Motorola Surpasses Expectations with Impressive Performance

I've noticed that my photos taken with the phone tend to have more saturated colors. For instance, neon signs in Little Tokyo looked far more vibrant in my pictures than they did in real life. While this is my only significant critique of the cameras, it's really just a matter of personal taste. If you're someone who enjoys bold, saturated colors, the Moto G won't disappoint. Personally, I lean towards cameras that offer a more nuanced color balance.

Impressive Battery Life

The Moto G really stands out when it comes to battery life. I conducted a couple of informal tests to gauge its performance. In the first, I used the phone casually and was amazed to find it lasted nearly four days. For the second test, I ran a non-stop YouTube livestream in 720p until the battery died, which took just under 24 hours.

While these tests aren't scientifically rigorous, they give a solid indication of the phone's endurance. Another feature worth mentioning is the fast recharge time; a 30-minute charge can bring the battery up to 50%, which is fantastic for travel and everyday use.

Not Ideal for Gaming

Despite its impressive battery life, the Moto G falls short in the gaming department. It's powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC, which handles most tasks well. I found browsing the web and streaming Netflix to be smooth and seamless.

However, when it came to playing demanding mobile games like Honkai: Star Rail, the chipset struggled. There were moments of stuttering and brief freezing that disrupted my gameplay experience.

The phone does come equipped with RAM Boost, which converts unused storage into virtual RAM to improve performance. While it does help, it's not a complete solution. Given that this is a budget smartphone, I didn't expect top-tier performance from the chipset. My bigger disappointment was with the display.

Buying Advice from ZDNET

You can snag the Moto G for just $200 on Motorola's website. At this price, it's a fantastic deal, especially if you're not into heavy gaming. It's a solid mid-range phone that offers good value for money, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for an affordable option.

If you're considering other options, the new Moto G Power might catch your eye. It shares many features with the Moto G but adds 15W wireless charging and a more robust design. If your adventures often take you outdoors, the Moto G Power could be the better choice for you.