Motorola Moto G Play (2024) Review: Better than its predecessor, but far from expected!
In this article, we’re diving into the latest budget smartphone from Motorola, the Moto G Play (2024). As Motorola’s entry-level device in the Moto G series, the Moto G Play caters to users seeking a wallet-friendly Android experience with essential features. Now, while the previous iteration of the Moto G Play left much to be desired, the 2024 model aims to redeem itself with significant improvements across the board.
Last year’s Moto G Play fell short in numerous aspects, rendering it practically unusable for many users. It was a puzzling offering from Motorola, leaving consumers questioning the rationale behind such a subpar device hitting the market. However, with the introduction of the Moto G Play 2024, it seems that Motorola has taken heed of the feedback and embarked on a complete overhaul, both internally and externally.
Stay tuned as we explore everything you need to know about this promising budget device from Motorola.
Moto G Play (2024): Video Review
| Specs | Motorola Moto G Play (2024) |
| Display | 6.5 inches, IPS LCD, 720 x 1600 pixels, 90Hz, 500 nits (typ), 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| CPU | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 |
| Memory | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| Memory Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| OS | Android 13 |
| Rear Camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF |
| Front Camera | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM |
| GPS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS |
| NFC | No |
| Battery | 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | 15W wired |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 75 x 8.3 mm (6.45 x 2.95 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Protection | Water-repellent design |
| Colors | Sapphire Blue |
Unboxing
Let’s take a moment to unbox the Moto G Play (2024) smartphone and explore what’s inside the packaging. Slicing through the sticker and flipping open the lid, the first thing you’ll find is the phone itself, elegantly presented in its signature sapphire blue color.
As you delve deeper, you’ll come across reminders of Motorola’s eco-friendly packaging initiatives. While the company emphasizes sustainability, it’s hard to overlook the excess of paperwork and bulky inserts made of recycled cardboard.
Also you’ll find a SIM ejector tool, alongside it, there’s the USB-A to USB-C cable for charging the phone. Despite the device’s modern USB-C port, the presence of a USB-A cable seems contradictory and raises concerns about compatibility with newer charging standards.
Moto G Play (2024): Design
The Motorola Moto G Play (2024) looks nothing like last year’s phone.
One of the most noticeable changes is the updated design. The phone now boasts a modern look, with slim bezels and a more refined appearance reminiscent of its higher-tier counterparts. Despite its larger 6.5-inch display, the device manages to be slightly smaller overall, thanks to an improved screen-to-body ratio.
In terms of color, the 2024 Moto G Play comes in a striking shade of sapphire blue, adding a touch of elegance to its exterior. While the design may exude a premium feel, it’s important to note that the phone retains its budget-friendly plastic build. However, Motorola has taken steps to enhance durability, incorporating a water-repellent design to protect against splashes and minor spills.
Examining the phone’s physical features, you’ll find a flat, minimalist design without any taper or contours along the edges. The rear houses a single camera lens accompanied by an LED flash, contributing to the device’s streamlined aesthetic.
Moving to the sides, the Moto G Play offers expandable storage via a SIM and SD card tray, with onboard storage doubled to 64GB this year. Additionally, the power button now doubles as a fingerprint sensor, providing a more convenient and modern biometric authentication method.
Despite its budget classification, Motorola hasn’t skimped on essential features. The phone retains a headphone jack, located at the top, along with a USB-C port and dual speakers at the bottom for an enhanced audio experience.
Display
The viewing experience on the Moto G Play (2024) is characterized by its large 6.5-inch display, albeit with a modest 1600 x 720 resolution IPS LCD panel. With around 270 pixels per inch, the display lacks sharpness, and pixelation is noticeable upon close inspection. While the screen’s maximum brightness may have been increased, the display specifications remain basic, although the addition of Gorilla Glass 3 helps mitigate glare issues to some extent.
On a positive note, the inclusion of a 90Hz panel offers a smoother and more responsive visual experience, enhancing the device’s overall performance. Despite the screen’s limitations, it remains suitable for tasks such as watching YouTube videos and scrolling through social media, particularly given its expansive size.
Performance
One of the significant improvements in this year’s Moto G Play is the inclusion of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G chipset. This upgrade ensures better processing power, allowing for improved multitasking and faster app loading times. Additionally, Motorola has bumped up the RAM to 4GB, providing ample memory for seamless performance even when running multiple applications simultaneously.
Furthermore, the storage capacity has been doubled to 64GB, offering users more space to store their apps, photos, and videos without worrying about running out of storage.
While the hardware specifications may not be cutting-edge, Motorola’s strategy of balancing performance with affordability is evident. The Geekbench scores of the Moto G Play highlight its respectable performance, with a single-core score of 411 and a multi-core score of 1,321. While these scores may not compete with those of flagship devices, they demonstrate a notable improvement over the previous generation and ensure a smooth Android experience for everyday tasks.
Software
One aspect where the Moto G Play falls short is software updates. The device ships with Android 13 out of the box, and Motorola’s track record for pushing software updates isn’t the most stellar. Users may have to wait longer than desired for the latest Android updates, raising concerns about the longevity of software support for the device.
Another inconvenience is that installing phone updates takes a significant amount of time – approximately 45 minutes or more.
During the setup process, users are presented with a plethora of optional pre-checked apps, although the amount of bloatware has decreased compared to previous iterations. A new lock screen option called “Glance” introduces dynamic lock screen images, adding a touch of uniqueness to the device.
Camera
The camera setup on the Motorola Moto G Play (2024) represents a mixed bag of improvements and omissions. Unlike some of its competitors, this device opts for a single rear camera lens, albeit a vastly improved 50-megapixel sensor with an F/1.8 aperture. Paired with an equally sizable LED flash, this camera promises better image quality and low-light performance compared to its predecessor.
However, Motorola’s decision to omit features like the macro lens and depth sensor from last year’s model may disappoint some users. While these features aren’t necessarily essential, their absence limits the device’s versatility in certain photography scenarios. Additionally, the lack of an ultrawide lens feels like a missed opportunity, especially considering its increasing popularity among smartphone users.
Inside the camera app, users will find familiar Moto shooting modes and features, albeit limited by the single lens configuration. While basic functionalities like digital zoom and night mode are present, advanced features like 4K video recording are notably absent. The camera setup prioritizes simplicity experience over complexity, offering a straightforward shooting with minimal frills.
In terms of image quality, the Moto G Play captures photos that are acceptable for casual use but fall short of the standards set by higher-end devices. Images tend to be soft with limited detail, and color balance leans towards a duller, more true-to-life style. Additionally, overexposure is a common issue, detracting from the overall image quality.
Battery life
The Motorola Moto G Play (2024) has a 5,000 mAh battery, ensuring prolonged usage without the need for frequent recharges.
In a battery rundown test involving streaming full HD video at maximum brightness, the Moto G Play demonstrated commendable endurance, lasting an impressive 11 hours and 10 minutes. While this performance falls slightly short of the Samsung Galaxy A15, which managed to endure for 14 hours and 5 minutes under similar conditions.
While the Moto G Play may come bundled with an outdated USB-A charging cable, it supports faster charging speeds. With support for 15-watt wired charging, users can expect a slightly quicker recharge time.
Moto G Play (2024): Conclusion
The Motorola Moto G Play (2024) represents a significant leap forward from its predecessor. One of the most noticeable improvements is the device’s design, which has undergone a modern makeover to align with Motorola’s higher-end offerings.
Under the hood, the improvements continue with a more powerful processor, increased RAM, and double the storage compared to its predecessor. These upgrades translate to smoother performance and enhanced multitasking capabilities, ensuring a more responsive user experience.
The display also sees enhancements, with a slightly brighter screen that makes content more vibrant and enjoyable to view. The addition of dual speakers further enhances the multimedia experience, delivering richer audio quality for music, videos, and games.
Despite these improvements, perhaps the most compelling aspect of the Moto G Play (2024) is its affordability. Priced at just $150, it offers exceptional value for budget-conscious consumers who are seeking a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank.
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