There aren’t many smartphones in the entry-level market that provide an almost stock Android experience. With the launch of the Moto G04, a new G-series smartphone, Motorola has entered the battle. The base 4GB RAM form of the phone costs Rs 6,999 in India, while the 8GB RAM version costs Rs 7,999. In this review, we examine whether the Moto G04‘s real-world performance warrants the device’s asking price. Examine it.
Rating: 7.5 / 10
Verdict
Your first choice for an entry-level smartphone can be the Moto G04. It has the newest software and can handle even the most basic chores with ease, making it one of the cleanest devices in its class. The smartphone‘s other features, like its cameras, are on par with or even superior to those of its rivals.
Design and display
With its matte finish around the rear, the Moto G04—especially in the Sea Green color variant—may give you the idea that it is made of vegan leather. In addition, the phone is available in Sunrise Orange, Satin Blue, and Concord Black. The smartphone’s general style is similar to other recently released G-series smartphones, namely the Moto G24 Power and Moto G34. In terms of perspective, the two rings that house the camera sensor and an LED flash are the only visible bump in the otherwise smooth surface of the phone that houses the camera module.
In terms of display, the Moto G04 has a 6.56-inch IPS LCD panel with a 90Hz refresh rate, HD+ resolution, and a centrally located punch-hole for the selfie camera. Although the quality is good indoors, with lovely, vibrant color calibration, sunlight legibility is a little lackluster, which is understandable given its budget-conscious design. The UI and compatible apps function flawlessly with the 90Hz display rate, and the touch responsiveness is smooth.
Cameras
The Moto G04 has two cameras: a 5MP front-facing camera and a 16MP AI main camera. These cameras have functions including FHD video recording, time-lapse, portrait mode, and night mode. But one shouldn’t anticipate very good camera quality. The device’s cameras are somewhat basic; in well-lit conditions, they produce photographs with respectable details and color fidelity. They are also quite good at image processing and facial detection.
Moreover, portrait photographs with a little mixing and smoothing seem acceptable for the price. The smartphone‘s low-light performance is mediocre at best. There is a constant noise throughout the frame, and the images lack both sharpness and detail.
Performance and software
A Unisoc T606 chipset with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of user-expandable storage powers the Moto G04. The device provides a performance that is budget-friendly and able to manage simple functions like streaming, navigation, and communication. The phone performs best on low-end games like Candy Crush, Subway Surfer, and Ludo, according to AnTuTu and Geekbench results. However, the phone came back with a remarkable 93 percent score on the CPU Throttle test, indicating a well-tuned system to withstand heavy loads.
In terms of software, the Moto G04 runs MyUX out of the box, which is based on Android 14. With comparable app icons and themes, the program offers an Android experience that is more like to stock. A few third-party apps are pre-installed; these can be uninstalled if preferred. The phone also has many Moto gestures, such as a three-finger screenshot, double-pressing the power button to open the camera app and Chop twice to turn on the flashlight.
Battery and charging
The Moto G04 has a battery capacity of 5,000mAh. The phone is designed for light use, so it should easily survive up to a day. With 50% brightness and volume level during a 30-minute YouTube video playback test, the device only used 5% of its battery life. Regarding charging, it takes about 2.5 hours to fully charge the provided 10W charger from 0 to 100%, which is a little bit slower than expected.
Final verdict
For its asking price, the Moto G04 is an intriguing option because it provides near-stock Android functionality and respectable performance for everyday work. The phone also has an attractive appearance, a pleasant grip, and IP52 certification against light water splashes. Even though the camera quality is good, serious photographers might not be satisfied. The item A70 is worth looking at if that’s what matters to you. Compared to its cousin, the 13MP AI camera produces marginally better photos with more brilliant colors and a higher dynamic range. However, with only 4GB of RAM, the A70’s performance may be limited in several ways.
RAM options for the Motorola smartphone are 6GB and 8GB. Because of this, the Moto G04 ought to be a good option for people looking for a budget without sacrificing important features.
