Moto G54 In-Depth Review: Affordable Excellence
Motorola has introduced a new smartphone, and it’s almost the complete package, though not without some caveats. In this India Today Tech review of the Moto G54 5G, we’ve discovered that this phone, available at a relatively affordable price point, delivers commendable performance, impressive battery life, and a clean software experience. In today’s crowded affordable smartphone market, where numerous options exist for under Rs 20,000 in India, finding a standout choice can be challenging. As tech reviewers, we constantly grapple with this reality.
People often approach us with questions like, “Hey, tech experts, which phone should we buy under Rs 20,000?” Our response typically involves recommending one phone for certain features and another for different needs. However, I believe that Motorola has addressed this question remarkably well with the new Moto G54 5G, now available in India, starting at just Rs 15,999. In my opinion, this is one of those phones that’s easy to endorse.
But before delving into the details, let’s cover some basics. The Moto G54 is offered in two variants in India. The base model, priced at Rs 15,999, boasts 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Then there’s the higher-end variant, equipped with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, priced at Rs 18,999. Both variants share the same core components. Powering the Moto G54 is the MediaTek Dimensity 7020 processor, complemented by a hefty 6000mAh battery. The phone features a 50-megapixel primary camera with optical image stabilization and is available in three color options, including two shades of blue and one green. The focus of this review centers on the base variant of the G54, sporting a captivating deep blue shade that Motorola calls “Midnight Blue.
Design and Build of the Moto G54
My perception of Motorola phones has always leaned toward functional yet somewhat uninspiring designs, a sentiment that dates back to my initial experience with the Moto G series back in 2016. However, I recently laid eyes on the Moto G84, launched in India not long ago, and I couldn’t help but feel that Motorola was injecting some pizzazz into its design language. It seemed much more vibrant. Yet, when the Moto G54 arrived on my desk, it appeared to revert to Motorola’s more subdued design approach.
To be clear, there’s nothing inherently wrong with the design of the Moto G54. It’s just that the choice of materials and colors doesn’t captivate attention in the same way as some competitors like Realme and iQOO manage to do. Nonetheless, Motorola’s phones are known for their functional designs. So, once you move beyond the unremarkable aspects, the G54 feels and looks decent enough in your hands during daily use.
The phone boasts a boxy design with gently curved edges, featuring a rectangular camera island on the back and a SIM tray, as well as volume and lock buttons on the sides. The back panel consists of polycarbonate with a matte finish that exhibits a subtle holographic effect when exposed to light from certain angles. The phone’s frame, although plastic, sports a metallic finish.
In terms of build quality, the Moto G54 impresses. Unlike some of its more affordable counterparts, particularly from Indian brands in this price bracket, the G54 lacks any roughness or rough edges. It’s coated with a 3D Premium PMMA, a synthetic resin that offers 360-degree protection. Additionally, it boasts an IP52 rating, rendering it water-repellent, though not fully water-resistant. Surprisingly, despite housing a 6000mAh battery, the G54 remains remarkably lightweight, tipping the scales at just 192 grams. It feels surprisingly lighter in hand compared to my primary phone, the iPhone 13, despite the Apple phone being smaller and theoretically lighter on paper.
The Display of Moto G54
The Moto G54 boasts a 6.5-inch IPS LCD panel with a pleasantly surprising 120Hz refresh rate, a feature typically found in more expensive phones. The display offers a Full HD+ resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels.
Due to its use of an LCD screen, the G54 cannot quite match the vibrant colors and high contrast levels of AMOLED panels, which are becoming more common in this price range. However, the G54’s LCD screen is of high quality. During usage, I found that it reproduces colors that are vivid, sharp, and not overly saturated. It excels at rendering natural tones in photos and videos. Additionally, the panel’s brightness is quite good, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
One standout feature of the G54’s screen is its smooth 120Hz refresh rate. This higher refresh rate results in fluid scrolling and enhances the overall experience, especially when playing games.
It’s worth noting that the G54 doesn’t consistently support 4K playback. For instance, in the YouTube app, the phone is limited to a maximum resolution of 1440P. However, this limitation isn’t a deal-breaker, as even 1440P offers sharp visuals on a 6.5-inch screen.
Despite not featuring an AMOLED display, the G54 does support the always-on display (AOD) feature. This feature displays the time and notifications on the screen when the phone is locked, adding convenience to everyday use.
Performance and Battery Life of Moto G54
In a single word: proficient. The Moto G54 exhibits the ability to handle nearly all tasks you’d typically perform on your smartphone. This capability is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7020 processor, combined with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage in the case of the review unit.
However, beyond the hardware specifications, the Moto G54’s commendable performance can be attributed to its uncluttered software. One of the standout aspects of Motorola phones is their commitment to providing a clean Android experience devoid of unnecessary bloatware. This trend continues with the Moto G54. The device includes only essential applications, without any preloaded gaming apps or additional software like Facebook or Spotify that often occupy precious storage space on smartphones from competing brands.
Furthermore, Motorola’s user interface closely resembles stock Android, offering an experience akin to Google Pixel phones. This similarity is evident in elements such as the app drawer and notification panel, contributing to a clean and user-friendly interface.
To put the phone through its paces, I engaged in gaming sessions with titles like Asphalt and BGMI, cranked up to the highest settings. Motorola highlights that the Dimensity 7020 processor is complemented by something called “HyperEngine Game Technology,” which purportedly enhances gaming performance. While the technical jargon may be perplexing, the real-world experience was pleasantly surprising. Whether HyperEngine is mere marketing or genuinely impactful, the gameplay in titles like Asphalt and BGMI remained consistently smooth.
During extended gaming sessions, I observed that the phone maintained relatively cool temperatures. Even after playing for 20-30 minutes straight, the device remained comfortably warm to the touch.
While the software provides a clean experience, I did encounter occasional bugs. There were instances when the Play Store app experienced glitches.
Despite its budget-friendly price, the Moto G54 boasts stereo speakers, proudly displaying the Dolby Atmos certification. In practical use, these speakers delivered loud and clear audio, enhancing both call quality and multimedia experiences when watching videos or listening to music.
One of the standout features of the Moto G54 is its impressive battery life, in line with its substantial capacity. If you’re seeking a phone that can last approximately 18 to 20 hours on a single charge, the G54 won’t disappoint. Even during intensive gaming sessions, the G54’s battery consistently held up, easily lasting an entire day. To top it off, the included 33W turbo charger efficiently replenishes the battery from 0 to 100 percent in approximately two hours.
The Camera System of Moto G54
Impressive overall performance, a commendable display, a functional yet uninspiring design, and excellent battery life make up the Moto G54’s highlights. However, how does its camera system fare? Mostly well, but it faces challenges in low-light conditions.
One aspect of the G54’s camera that left me somewhat unsatisfied is its night mode. While it does a reasonable job of capturing light and delivering overall decent pictures, it falls short in preserving fine details. Night mode struggles with auto-focus, resulting in many blurry shots.
In favorable lighting conditions, the G54 performs admirably. It may encounter some difficulties with contrast and color depth, especially when capturing softer hues. However, in terms of focus, metering, and overall detail, it delivers a satisfactory performance for a phone in the Rs 15,000 price range.
I particularly appreciated the bokeh mode in portrait shots, as it adeptly identifies edges. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that there’s a slight delay when taking photos, especially in portrait mode, necessitating a few seconds of waiting to see the final result.
The Ultra Wide angle feature functions effectively and produces good photos. However, the macro photography capability stands out even more, with the camera sensor excelling at capturing close-up shots.
In contrast to the rear camera, the 16-megapixel front-facing camera leaves room for improvement. It struggles with capturing details even in favorable lighting conditions and frequently tends to overexpose photos, resulting in muted colors.
Thanks to Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), the G54 performs reasonably well when recording videos. It captures vibrant, clear, and well-stabilized footage.
Considering the Moto G54: Is It Worth Your Investment?
If you’ve read through my comprehensive review up to this point, you’ve likely already discerned my stance. In my assessment, the Moto G54 represents a straightforward recommendation within its price range. Motorola’s G54 delivers exceptional value for your money, particularly for individuals seeking a robust smartphone with outstanding battery performance.
While certain aspects, such as the camera and design, leave room for improvement, the Moto G54 impresses with its amalgamation of clean software, functional design, strong performance, and exceptional battery life. Although the camera exhibits some inconsistency, it remains serviceable. Overall, the Moto G54 undeniably justifies its price point, with the base variant, priced at Rs 15,999, offering incredible value to those in search of a reliable and well-rounded smartphone.
