The smartphone market in 2025 is more crowded than ever, and Motorola is back to spice things up with its brand-new mid-range warrior—the Motorola G96. This phone brings a fresh perspective to budget-conscious buyers with solid specs, decent performance, and Motorola’s trusted clean Android experience.
But does the G96 deliver enough to stand out in a sea of budget-friendly smartphones? Let’s dive into the full review!
Table of Contents
Motorola G96—User Opinions and Reviews
Motorola has quietly built a loyal fan base over the years, especially among users who prefer clean software and no-frills design. Early adopters of the Motorola G96 seem impressed with
- Smooth day-to-day performance
- Crisp full-HD+ display
- Good battery life
- Minimal bloatware
That said, some have noted that the camera is “average at best,” and the phone may struggle with graphic-heavy games. But overall? It’s being praised as a great value-for-money option.
Design and Build Quality
The G96 keeps it simple—and that’s a good thing. It sports a plastic back with a matte finish that feels nice in the hand and doesn’t attract fingerprints easily. At just under 200 g, it’s comfortable to use one-handed.
- Color Options: Charcoal Grey, Misty Blue
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
- Splash-resistant coating
Display Performance
The G96 features a 6.6-inch IPS LCD panel with FHD+ resolution (2400×1080) and a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s bright enough for outdoor use and delivers sharp visuals for binge-watchers.
- 120Hz makes scrolling buttery smooth
- Widevine L1 certification for HD streaming
Performance Under the Hood
The phone is powered by the MediaTek Helio G96 chipset, the namesake of the phone itself.
- 6GB/8GB RAM variants
- 128GB UFS 2.2 storage
- Handles multitasking, browsing, and casual gaming without hiccups
- May lag under extreme gaming loads (think Genshin Impact or PUBG Ultra)
Camera Setup
Let’s talk photography. The Motorola G96 features
- 50MP main camera
- 2MP depth sensor
- 16MP front camera
Photos in daylight are sharp and vibrant, but night shots can get grainy. Selfies are decent, with natural skin tones. There’s no ultra-wide sensor, which might be a downer for photography lovers.
Battery Life and Charging
The G96 packs a 5000mAh battery, offering nearly 2 days of moderate use.
- Supports 33W TurboPower fast charging
- It takes about 1 hour 10 minutes for a full top-up
Software and Features
Here’s where Motorola shines. The phone runs Android 14 with MyUX, which is practically stock Android with a few helpful additions.
- No ads, no bloatware
- Ready for Android 15 update
- Gesture controls, peek display, and Moto Gametime features
Connectivity and 5G Support
Despite its name, the Helio G96 does NOT support 5G, which may be a dealbreaker for some. But it does offer
- Dual 4G VoLTE
- Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1
- Dedicated microSD card slot
Price and Availability
As of now, the Motorola G96 is available in India and a few select markets.
- 6GB/128GB – ₹13,499
- 8GB/128GB – ₹14,999
It’s available via Flipkart, Motorola India’s official site, and retail outlets.
Launch Offers and Bank Discounts
To make things sweeter, here are some limited-time offers:
- ₹1,000 cashback on select bank cards
- No-cost EMI for up to 6 months
- Free screen replacement for 6 months (on select platforms)
Comparison With Competitors
The G96 sits in the same budget range as
- Redmi 13C 5G
- Realme Narzo 60x
- Samsung Galaxy M14
Compared to these, it offers a better software experience and competitive battery life but loses out on 5G support.
Related Devices
If you’re researching the Motorola G96, you’re likely comparing it with
- Motorola G73 5G
- Redmi Note 13
- Infinix Zero 5G 2023
- POCO M6 Pro
Each has its pros and cons—G96 stands out for its clean UI and battery backup.
Who Should Buy the Motorola G96?
The Motorola G96 is ideal for:
- Students and professionals who want a reliable daily driver
- Android purists who hate bloatware
- Budget-conscious users looking for a balanced phone under ₹15,000
If you must have 5G, this isn’t your phone. But if you value user experience and simplicity? The G96 is a solid choice.
Conclusion
To sum it up—the Motorola G96 is not flashy but functional. It checks most boxes for a daily-use smartphone, especially if you can live without 5G. Its clean software, sturdy design, and long battery life make it a worthy pick in the crowded mid-range segment.
If you’re after a budget-friendly Android phone with no fuss and solid performance, this one’s definitely worth checking out.
FAQs
1. Does the Motorola G96 support 5G?
No, it only supports 4G LTE. For 5G, consider the Motorola G73.
2. Is the Motorola G96 good for gaming?
It handles casual games well, but high-end games may struggle at max settings.
3. How is the camera quality on the G96?
Daylight photos are good; night shots are average. Great for everyday photography.
4. Is there a microSD card slot?
Yes! It has a dedicated microSD slot, along with dual SIM support.
5. Will the G96 get future Android updates?
Yes, it ships with Android 14 and is expected to get Android 15.
