Motorola released the latest member of its affordable Moto G series – Moto G Play (2024). This device is the 2024 version of the Moto G Play, a budget-friendly smartphone that comes with notable enhancements compared to its predecessor. One of the most significant upgrades is the inclusion of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 SoC, which promises improved performance and efficiency. Compared with the previous generation, the new machine has undergone a series of improvements and upgrades. Let us now take a look at the details of this new mobile phone from the Chinese mobile phone maker.
Display and appearance
In terms of appearance, Moto G Play (2024) continues to use a 6.5-inch 90Hz display with slightly wider bezels. The back of the fuselage has a matte texture and is available in a sapphire colour, and the screen also has a waterproof coating. This device comes with three buttons on the right side (power and volume up and down) while the left side has the SIM card tray. The edges of this device are rounded giving it a sleek appearance. On the front, there is a single punch-hole which indicates that this device uses a single selfie camera. On the rear, we have the Motorola logo in the centre as usual and the camera module is on the top left. Just like the entire design of the phone, the camera module also comes with rounded edges design.
Camera
In terms of cameras, the biggest highlight is that the main camera has been upgraded to a 50MP sensor (f / 1.8, 0.64μm). It is capable of shooting video at 1080p or 720p at 30fps. This is a significant improvement compared to the previous generation’s 16MP. Thanks to pixel binning technology, sharper images can be captured at lower resolution output. In addition, the phone also adds HDR and phase detection autofocus functions to further improve the shooting effect.
The main camera also supports 8x digital zoom, quad-pixel tech, HDR, and phase detection autofocus. It also supports a variety of shooting modes, including night vision, Portrait, Live Filters, Panorama, Pro Mode (w/ Long Exposure), Dual Capture Photo, Burst Shot, and more. The front camera has also been upgraded to 8MP and supports Google Lens integration and AI-powered smile detection.
Sound
In terms of sound quality, Moto G Play (2024) is equipped with Dolby Atmos stereo speakers, which can bring a high-quality audio experience. On this device, Dolby Atmos can be used to deliver a premium listening experience through the phone‘s loudspeakers. It will offer a surround sound experience and allow users to select different sound profiles, such as music, movies, games, or podcasts, to suit their preferences
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Performance
In terms of performance, Moto G Play (2024) is equipped with the Snapdragon 680 4G processor. The phone memory is upgraded to 4GB. The 4GB of RAM may limit the phone’s ability to handle multiple apps simultaneously, but it should be sufficient for basic usage. However, the virtual memory feature allows users to expand the RAM capacity by 2GB. Thus, users can get a total of 6GB RAM on this device. The 64GB of internal storage is an upgrade from the 32GB storage used in the previous generation. In terms of general performance, the phone is designed for budget-conscious consumers who prioritize battery life and essential features over raw power and speed.
On the software end, this device comes with the Android 13 system out of the box. However, the company will likely release an update for this device to take it to Android 14 in the future.
Battery
In terms of battery life, Moto G Play (2024) is equipped with a 5000mAh battery. Considering that this is the battery capacity of many mid-range mobile phones, it is interesting to see it in an entry-level device. The official claims that it can be used for 46 hours on a single charge. Although it is not as good as the 72 hours of the previous generation, it is still very good. In addition, the charging speed has also been increased from 10W to 15W, but the 10W charger is still included in the box.
Connectivity
The Motorola Moto G Play (2024) supports 4G LTE connectivity but not 5G networks. No doubt, the lack of 5G is a shortcoming for this device. However, it is an entry-level mobile phone thus we do not expect it to have all the necessary features. It also supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4GHz & 5GHz. The phone can automatically connect to nearby Wi-Fi networks that you have connected to before, and you can search for available networks and connect to them by entering a password or scanning a QR code. The phone also supports Bluetooth 5.0 for connecting to accessories.
Price and availability
The starting price of the Motorola Moto G Play (2024) is $149.99. This is a very decent price for a phone with all these features. In terms of availability, the company stated that this device will be available in the U.S. from February 8.
Final Words
The Moto G Play (2024) is a budget-friendly smartphone that boasts several significant upgrades. It uses a 6.5-inch 90Hz display, a 50MP main camera, Dolby Atmos stereo speakers, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 SoC. It also features 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage, and a 5000mAh battery. This device is designed for budget-conscious consumers who prioritize battery life and essential features over raw power and speed. Despite not supporting 5G networks, the Moto G Play (2024) offers significant improvements over its predecessor. This makes it an appealing option in the budget smartphone market.
