The mid-range smartphone market continues to thrive, and Motorola’s Moto G85 5G stands as a top contender. Offering a sleek design, robust performance, and standout features, all under the sub-Rs 20,000 category, it grabs attention. With a Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chipset, 120Hz pOLED display, and a 50MP camera, this phone promises an excellent balance between price and functionality. But how does it fare in real-world use? Let’s break down everything you need to know about the Moto G85 5G in this detailed review.
Design and Build Quality
The Moto G85 5G catches the eye with its premium design that includes a curved display and a vegan leather back. At only 7.5mm thick and weighing 172 grams, it’s extremely light and feels comfortable in hand, making it a great fit for extended use.
- Available in three colors: Olive Green, Urban Grey, and Cobalt Blue.
- IP52 rating ensures basic dust and water resistance, a welcome feature for the price.
- The curved display seamlessly integrates into the body, contributing to an ergonomic experience.
Despite its lightweight build, the phone feels sturdy, thanks to the Gorilla Glass 5 protection. Motorola has also taken care of small details like the USB Type-C port and stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support, enhancing the user experience.
Display
A key highlight of the Moto G85 5G is its 6.7-inch pOLED display, which delivers punchy colors and deep contrasts, perfect for media consumption. The 120Hz display ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations, making everything from gaming to web browsing a breeze.
- 1600 nits brightness provides excellent visibility even under bright sunlight.
- The Corning Gorilla Glass 5 adds durability.
- With a 240Hz touch sampling rate, the phone feels highly responsive, a significant advantage for gamers.
For those into streaming or multimedia, the HDR support and the expansive screen with its curved edges offer an immersive experience. If you’re switching between apps or playing videos, the quality of the display remains impressive.
Performance
Powered by the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3, the Moto G85 5G handles multitasking with ease. Whether you’re browsing social media or playing games, this device provides a seamless experience without significant lag. The inclusion of up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage means there’s ample space and speed for all your apps and media.
- Day-to-day tasks, such as browsing and app switching, run smoothly.
- Gaming performance is solid, especially on medium settings for popular titles like PUBG and Call of Duty.
- The Geekbench score highlights its ability to compete with other mid-range smartphones.
Although it excels in casual gaming and day-to-day tasks, those seeking high-end gaming performance may find alternatives in the same price range with more robust chipsets like MediaTek Dimensity options.
Battery Life
The 5,000mAh battery ensures that the Moto G85 5G can last all day with moderate use. Paired with 33W fast charging, this phone charges to full in approximately 80 minutes, making it highly convenient for users constantly on the go.
- Battery life comfortably exceeds 24 hours with moderate usage.
- 33W charging provides a full day’s charge in less than 1.5 hours.
- Compared to other devices in the mid-range market, the battery performance is competitive, ensuring that you won’t be left scrambling for a charger during the day.
Camera Quality
Motorola equips the Moto G85 5G with a 50MP camera featuring Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), ensuring stable, high-quality shots even in motion. Alongside it is an 8MP ultra-wide lens, offering versatility for different types of photography.
- Daylight photography produces clear, sharp images with excellent color reproduction.
- Low-light performance is solid, thanks to the OIS and dedicated night mode.
- The 32MP selfie camera is great for selfies and video calls, offering detailed shots even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.
When compared to competitors, the Moto G85’s camera performance holds its own, though phones like the Vivo Y37 Pro may have an edge in certain low-light scenarios due to their enhanced AI features.
Software and UI
The Moto G85 5G runs on Android 14, with Motorola’s signature Hello UI. The interface is clean and intuitive, free from heavy bloatware, although some pre-installed apps like MotoHub can occasionally send notifications.
- Motorola’s classic gestures are a welcome addition, including chop twice for the flashlight and twist to open the camera.
- Customization options are abundant, especially with My UX, allowing users to tweak the look and feel of the interface to their liking.
While Android 14 ensures access to the latest features, some users may find the notifications from MotoHub a bit intrusive. However, the user experience is generally smooth, making this device suitable for both tech-savvy users and those who prefer a simpler interface.
Gaming and Multimedia Experience
For mobile gamers, the Moto G85 5G delivers. The Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chipset, combined with the 120Hz display, makes gaming a fluid experience. While you might not be able to max out the settings for every game, popular titles like PUBG run smoothly on medium settings.
- The stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos elevate the audio quality during gameplay and media playback.
- The curved display adds to the immersive feel, particularly when watching videos or playing games.
Connectivity and Sensors
As expected from a 5G smartphone, the Moto G85 supports Dual SIM 5G connectivity, ensuring strong network performance across a variety of regions.
- Fingerprint sensor: Embedded under the display and highly responsive.
- Other sensors include accelerometer, proximity sensor, and ambient light sensor, which add to the overall usability.
Additionally, the Moto G85 5G includes support for NFC, which is essential for contactless payments and file transfers. The USB Type-C port adds modern convenience for fast data transfers and charging.
Pricing and Value for Money
The Moto G85 5G delivers an impressive amount of features for a budget-friendly price point, typically falling under Rs 20,000. Given the 5000mAh battery, Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chipset, and 50MP camera, it’s hard to find a comparable device that offers this level of performance without going over budget.
- 256GB storage ensures ample room for apps, media, and files.
- While some competitors may offer a slightly better mobile gaming performance, the Moto G85 excels in everyday use, camera capabilities, and overall build quality.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Moto G85 5G shines as a mid-range smartphone with a premium design, solid camera performance, and great battery life. Whether you’re into gaming, photography, or just need a reliable daily driver, this phone delivers. While it may not outperform every competitor in the market, such as the Vivo Y37 Pro, it offers a well-rounded experience that’s hard to beat for the price.
For those seeking a budget-friendly smartphone without sacrificing on premium features, the Moto G85 5G is a fantastic choice.
READ ALSO: Realme 13+ 5G Review
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Does the Moto G85 5G support fast charging?
A. Yes, the Moto G85 5G supports 33W fast charging, which allows the phone’s 5000mAh battery to charge fully in around 80 minutes.
Q. What chipset powers the Moto G85 5G?
A. The Moto G85 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chipset, which delivers smooth performance for multitasking, mobile gaming, and daily use.
Q. How good is the camera on the Moto G85 5G?
A. The Moto G85 5G features a 50MP primary camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. It performs well in daylight photography, and its low-light performance is also impressive.
Q. Is the display of the Moto G85 5G suitable for media consumption?
A. Yes, the phone has a 6.7-inch pOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering sharp visuals and smooth scrolling. It also has a brightness of up to 1600 nits, making it suitable for outdoor visibility.
Q. Does the Moto G85 5G come with Dual SIM support?
A. Yes, the Moto G85 5G supports Dual SIM functionality, making it convenient for users who need two active numbers on one device.
Q. What are the color options for the Moto G85 5G?
A. The Moto G85 5G is available in three color options: Olive Green, Urban Grey, and Cobalt Blue, giving users stylish choices to match their preferences.
Q. Does the Moto G85 5G have water resistance?
A. The phone comes with an IP52 rating, which means it’s resistant to dust and minor splashes, but it’s not fully waterproof.