Motorola has been steadily building its presence in the mid-range smartphone market, and the new Moto G96 5G is one of its strongest attempts yet. At first glance, this phone looks and feels like a premium device, but the real question is: Does it live up to the hype, and is it worth your money? Let’s break it down in detail.
Design and Build Quality
The Moto G96 is not your average budget phone when it comes to design. Motorola has gone for a curved pOLED display and a vegan leather back finish that gives it a very premium look. The phone feels solid in hand, with Gorilla Glass protection on the front and an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, something we usually see in higher-end smartphones.
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This means you don’t have to worry too much about splashes, rain, or accidental drops in water. At this price point, having such durability and premium materials is a big plus.
Display: Smooth and Bright
One of the best things about the Moto G96 is its 6.67-inch curved pOLED display. Motorola has added a 144 Hz refresh rate, which makes scrolling, gaming, and animations look super smooth. The screen also gets really bright (up to ~1600 nits), which is perfect if you’re often outdoors.
Whether you’re binge-watching Netflix or playing a game, the display delivers sharp colors, good contrast, and immersive visuals. For a budget phone, this is one area where the G96 really shines.
Performance: Snapdragon Power
Under the hood, the Moto G96 runs on the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor. This is a capable mid-range chip that balances performance and efficiency quite well. Paired with 8 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of storage, the phone handles everyday tasks smoothly, whether it’s browsing, using social media, or light to moderate gaming.
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However, keep in mind that it uses UFS 2.2 storage, which is not as fast as the latest UFS 3.1 or 4.0. Also, there’s no microSD card slot, so you’ll need to pick your storage variant wisely. For most users, though, 128 GB or 256 GB is more than enough.
Cameras: Better Than Expected
On the camera side, the Moto G96 comes with a 50 MP Sony LYT-700C main sensor with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), along with an 8 MP ultra-wide camera. On the front, you get a 32 MP selfie shooter.
The main camera performs really well in daylight, producing sharp, detailed, and vibrant images. The OIS helps reduce blur and gives better shots in low-light conditions compared to many phones in this segment. The ultra-wide camera, while useful for group shots or landscapes, isn’t as strong and may lose detail in darker settings.
Selfies are clear and social-media ready, though not as sharp as flagship phones. Overall, the G96’s cameras are solid for the price and especially good if you just want reliable results without overthinking.
Battery and Charging
Battery life is another area where Motorola has done well. The 5,500 mAh battery easily lasts a full day of heavy use, and light users might even stretch it to a day and a half.
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The only catch is the charging speed 33 W wired charging. It’s not the fastest, especially when some competitors in this price bracket offer 50 W or even 65 W. Still, it’s acceptable if you mostly charge your phone overnight. If you’re someone who needs quick top-ups throughout the day, you might find it a bit slow.
Software Experience
Motorola’s Hello UI is one of the cleanest Android skins you’ll find. It’s very close to stock Android, with just a few useful custom features like gestures (chop for flashlight, twist for camera). There’s no heavy bloatware or unnecessary ads, which makes using the phone smooth and enjoyable.
The Moto G96 launches with Android 15, and Motorola has promised one major OS update and three years of security patches. While this is decent, it’s less than what some other brands (like Samsung) are offering. If long-term software updates are important to you, that’s worth considering.
Price and Value for Money
The Moto G96 starts at around ₹17,999 in India for the 128 GB variant and goes up to ₹19,999 for the 256 GB model. At this price, it competes with other strong mid-range devices from Realme, iQOO, and Samsung.
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What makes it stand out is the premium design, strong display, OIS-enabled camera, and clean software. But it does lose a few points on charging speed and software update policy.
Should You Buy the Moto G96?
The Moto G96 5G is definitely one of the better budget phones available right now. It offers features that are usually reserved for higher-priced models, like a curved OLED display, an IP68 rating, and an OIS camera.
You should buy it if you want:
- A premium-looking phone at a budget price
- A great display for watching videos and gaming
- Good battery life with reliable day-to-day performance
- A clean Android experience without bloatware
But you may want to skip it if:
- Fast charging is a top priority
- You need longer software support for 3–4 years
- You want the best ultra-wide or night photography in this budget
If you’re looking for a balanced phone that looks stylish, takes good pictures, and doesn’t break the bank, the Moto G96 is absolutely worth buying.
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