Motorola has continued to bolster its popular G-series with the launch of the Moto G96 5G, a device that aims to blend a premium aesthetic and a high-end display experience with solid mid-range performance. Targeted at value-conscious consumers, the phone offers a compelling package, featuring a sleek design, a vibrant 144Hz pOLED curved display, and a dependable camera system.
Design and Display: High-End Look and Feel
The Moto G96 5G immediately stands out in its segment with its design. It features a modern, lightweight build, measuring just 7.93mm thick and weighing 178g. A key design highlight is the vegan leather finish on the back, available in attractive PANTONE-certified colors like Greener Pastures, Cattleya Orchid, Ashleigh Blue, and Dresden Blue. This not only adds a touch of class but also provides a better grip and resistance to fingerprints.
Durability is also a strong suit, as the phone comes with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, a feature still relatively rare in this price bracket. The front is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
The visual experience is arguably the phone’s star feature. It sports a 6.67-inch Full HD+ (2400 x 1080p) pOLED 3D curved display with a buttery-smooth 144Hz refresh rate. This panel supports 10-bit colors and reaches a peak brightness of 1600 nits, making it excellent for multimedia consumption, gaming, and outdoor visibility. An in-display optical fingerprint sensor is also included for secure and convenient unlocking.
Performance and Software: Capable for Daily Use
Under the hood, the Moto G96 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, built on a 4nm process. This octa-core processor, coupled with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage, delivers reliable performance for daily multitasking and mid-level gaming. While some competitors might offer slightly faster performance, the G96 provides a consistently smooth and lag-free experience for typical use.
On the software front, the phone runs on Android 15 with Motorola’s clean and functional Hello UI skin. Motorola has committed to one year of OS upgrades and three years of security updates. The software also includes useful security features like Moto Secure 3.0, powered by ThinkShield.
Camera: Focus on the Primary Sensor
The camera setup is centered around a capable primary sensor. The rear features a dual-camera system:
- 50MP Sony Lytia 700C Main Camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and an f/1.8 aperture.
- 8MP Ultrawide Camera (118-degree FOV), which also doubles as a macro shooter.
In good daylight, the main camera captures detailed photos with vibrant, slightly saturated colors. The inclusion of OIS helps with both still images and video stability. The 8MP ultrawide camera performs adequately but is not as strong as the main sensor. For selfies and video calls, there is a 32MP front camera capable of recording in 4K resolution. Both front and rear cameras support 4K video recording at 30fps.
Battery and Charging: Enduring Power
Keeping the lights on is a large 5500mAh battery, which offers excellent endurance, often lasting a full day or more with moderate usage, even with the 144Hz display enabled. Charging is handled by 33W TurboPower wired charging, with the adapter thankfully included in the box. While not the fastest charging speed available, it can replenish the battery to full in a reasonable amount of time (around 75 minutes).
Verdict
The Moto G96 5G positions itself as an excellent mid-range option, particularly for users who value a premium feel and a top-tier display. Its key strengths lie in the beautiful 144Hz pOLED curved screen, the durable IP68 rating combined with a vegan leather finish, and all-day battery life.
Starting around ₹17,999 for the base variant, it offers a strong blend of features. While the processor is not the most powerful in the segment and the update policy could be longer, the Moto G96 is a solid, well-rounded device that delivers a distinctly premium user experience for its price.