Moto G96 5G Honest Review – Worth Upgrading from G85 or Just a New Name?
Thinking of buying a new 5G phone under ₹20,000? Motorola just launched the Moto G96, and the big question is: Is it really better than the G85 or is it just a renamed version with a few tweaks?
In this blog, we’re going to break it all down — real-world impressions, camera tests, gaming experience, and the truth behind the upgrades. No technical jargon, just the kind of review you’d share with a friend.
First Impressions: Familiar Yet Slightly Better
At first glance, the Moto G96 feels similar to the G85. But once you hold it, the slightly curved edges and upgraded vegan leather back make it feel a bit more premium. Motorola has stuck to a lightweight design (178g) even with a bigger battery. And yes — finally — an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
Unboxing Experience: Simple but Useful
No clear case in the box, but you do get a 33W fast charger and USB Type-A to Type-C cable. No fragrances or extras like the S-series phones, but the box is plastic-free and eco-friendly. Minimal, but gets the job done.
Design & Build: Clean, Classy & Comfortable
The back panel is made of vegan leather — it feels good and avoids fingerprints. The color names are fancy (HL Blue, etc.), but to be honest, they look like light sky blue, dark blue, and a pinkish lavender. Side frames are plastic, but the phone doesn’t feel cheap.
Display – The Smooth 144Hz Upgrade
- 6.67-inch Full HD+ pOLED curved display
- 144Hz refresh rate (upgraded from 120Hz)
- Peak brightness: 1600 nits
- HDR not supported on YouTube
- Gorilla Glass 5 protection
Scrolling through Instagram, Twitter, and Chrome feels smooth. Most apps actually run at 144Hz — not just on paper. The display quality is great for this price, though 4K HDR playback is still missing.
Performance – Smooth, Not a Gaming Beast
Powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chip with 8GB RAM and UFS 2.2 storage, the G96 handles daily tasks well. Gaming is fine for casual users — it runs BGMI and CoD smoothly, but hardcore gamers might want more. The Antutu score is around 627,000, which is a big jump from the previous G85.
Battery Life – Bigger and Better
The 5500mAh battery lasts a full day even with 144Hz enabled. It charges with a 33W fast charger and gives you around 50% juice in under 30 minutes. Battery optimization seems solid, and Motorola kept it light despite the larger cell.
Camera – Solid Upgrade with Some Flaws
- 50MP Sony primary sensor
- 8MP ultra-wide lens
- 16MP front camera with 4K recording
The main sensor captures colorful and detailed shots in daylight. Dynamic range is good. Portraits are sharp and natural-looking. Ultra-wide is okay for daylight, but soft in low light. Front camera surprised us with 4K support and decent stabilization. No flagship magic, but very capable in this range.
Video – Finally, 4K Recording
The G96 now supports 4K 30FPS video from both front and back cameras. Audio recording is clear. Exposure and color balance were tested under sunlight and shadows — results were decent for this segment.
Software & Features – Clean UI with Useful Add-ons
It runs on Android 14 with Motorola’s Hello UI — clean, minimal, and almost stock. No bloatware. Features like Circle to Search, Family Space, Moto Secure, and Smart Connect are handy. Only downside? Just one major Android update promised (plus 3 years of security updates).
Price & Variants
- 8GB + 128GB – ₹17,999
- 8GB + 256GB – ₹19,999 (expected)
Final Verdict – Should You Buy It?
If you’re using a G85 or anything older, the Moto G96 is worth the upgrade. It nails the basics — smooth display, better battery, improved cameras, and clean UI. It’s not made for power gamers, but for everyday users, it’s an easy recommendation.
👍 Pros:
- 144Hz smooth pOLED display
- Improved cameras (especially 4K video)
- IP68 water resistance
- Solid battery life
- Clean Android UI
👎 Cons:
- No NFC support
- Only 1 major Android update
- Low-light camera still needs work
Umovies Rating: ⭐ 4.3/5
What do you think about the Moto G96? Let us know in the comments! And for more real, honest tech reviews — stay tuned with Umovies.in.