When it comes to the entry-level segment, there are very few smartphones that offer a near-stock Android experience. Motorola is joining the fray with its recent G-series smartphones, Moto G04, The base 4GB RAM variant of the handset is priced in India at Rs 6,999, while the 8GB RAM option will cost you Rs 7,999. In this Moto G04 review, we'll take a look at whether real-world performance justifies the smartphone's asking price. Check it out.
Decision
Design and performance
The Moto G04 has a matte finish on the back, which can give you the feel of vegan leather, especially with the Sea Green color variant. The handset also comes in Concord Black, Satin Blue and Sunrise Orange shades. The overall design of the smartphone resembles other recently launched G-series smartphones, such as the Moto G24 Power and Moto G34. For perspective, the camera module is seamlessly integrated into the surface of the phone, with only a slight hump where two rings for the camera sensor and an LED flash are housed.
The handset also doesn't stain easily and has flat edges for a comfortable grip. With a weight of around 179 grams, the device is also easy to hold for long periods of use. The handset is IP52 certified against minor splashes of water. For I/O, the phone has a USB Type-C port on the bottom edge, while there is a 3.5mm headphone jack on the top edge. It has a single bottom-firing speaker, fine-tuned by Dolby Atmos, which delivers relatively crisp audio with 50-60 percent volume levels. For security, the Moto G04 has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, which is both quick and accurate for unlocking the device.
Talking about the display, the Moto G04 sports a 6.56-inch IPS LCD panel with a centered punch-hole for the selfie camera, HD+ resolution, and a 90Hz refresh rate. While indoor quality is satisfactory with good and bright color calibration, sunlight clarity is a bit low, reflecting its budget-oriented nature. Touch response is fluent, and the 90Hz refresh rate works fine on the UI and supported apps.
camera
In terms of optics, the Moto G04 sports a 16MP AI primary camera and a 5MP front-facing camera. These cameras offer features like portrait mode, night mode, time-lapse and FHD video recording. However, one should not expect exceptional camera quality. The device's cameras are fairly basic, providing images with acceptable detail and color accuracy mainly in well-lit environments. They also excel in face detection and image processing.
Additionally, portrait shots look satisfactory for the price with a little smoothing and blending. The low light performance of the smartphone is average. Images lack both detail and sharpness, and there is persistent noise throughout the frame.
Display and Software
The Moto G04 is powered by the Unisoc T606 chipset paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of user-expandable storage. The handset offers budget-centric performance that is capable of handling basic tasks like communications, navigation and streaming. The AnTuTu and Geekbench scores of the phone indicate that it is only good for some low-end games like Candy Crush, Subway Surfer and Ludo. Still, the handset returned with an impressive 93 percent score in the CPU throttle test, suggesting a well-optimized performance for handling intense loads.
Software-wise, the Moto G04 boots MyUX based on Android 14 out of the box. The software offers a near-stock Android experience with similar app icons and themes. It has some third-party apps pre-installed, which can be removed if desired. The handset comes with several Moto gestures, including tapping twice for the flashlight, pressing the power button twice to launch the camera app, three-finger screenshot and more.
Battery and Charging
Moto G04 is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery. Considering that the phone is meant for basic use, it should comfortably last for a day. In our 30-minute YouTube video playback test in HD resolution with 50 percent brightness and volume levels, the handset consumed only 5 percent of battery life. When it comes to charging, the included 10W charger takes about two and a half hours to get a full charge from 0-100 percent, which is a bit slow.
final call
The Moto G04 presents an attractive option for its asking price, offering a near-stock Android experience and acceptable performance for routine daily tasks. Additionally, the handset boasts a clean design, offers a comfortable grip, and is IP52-certified against minor water splashes. Although the camera quality is adequate, it may not satisfy photography enthusiasts. If this is your priority, itel A70 Worth checking out. Its 13MP AI camera captures slightly better images with vibrant colors (though enhanced) and better dynamic range than its counterpart. However, the A70's performance may be somewhat limited as it only comes with 4GB of RAM.
The Motorola smartphone is equipped with 6GB and 8GB RAM options. This will make the Moto G04 a solid option for those looking for an affordable price without compromising on essential features.
Editor's Rating: 7.5/10
reason to buy
- Near-stock Android experience with limited third-party apps.
- Clear design with comfortable grip and IP52 splash resistance rating.
- Satisfactory performance in basic tasks.
reason not to buy
- No major software updates expected
- Camera quality could be better
