Moto G 85 5G Full Review

The Moto G 85 5G stands as one of Motorola’s latest budget-friendly smartphones in the highly competitive 5G market, offering a good mix of performance, 5G connectivity, and a large battery, all while maintaining a value-oriented price tag. Aimed at users who want fast connectivity, solid performance, and a decent camera setup without paying a premium, the Moto G 85 5G presents a compelling option. Here’s a detailed look at its design, performance, camera quality, and overall value.

Design and Display

The Moto G 85 5G adopts a sleek and modern design, with a plastic back and plastic frame, which helps keep the device lightweight and durable. Weighing in at 192g and measuring 8.9mm in thickness, it offers a comfortable grip despite its large size. The back features a simple, clean look with a dual-camera setup housed in a vertical module, while the front sports a punch-hole cutout for the front camera.

The 6.5-inch LCD display on the Moto G 85 5G offers a Full HD+ resolution (2400 x 1080), delivering decent clarity and sharpness for most everyday tasks. It supports a 90Hz refresh rate, ensuring smoother scrolling and improved responsiveness compared to the standard 60Hz found on many budget devices. While the display is vibrant and clear in most situations, it doesn’t match the color depth and contrast of OLED screens, making it less impressive for media consumption. Overall, the display is solid for its price range but lacks the punch of more premium models.

Performance

The Moto G 85 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset, coupled with 4GB or 6GB of RAM and 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. This setup allows for smooth performance in everyday tasks such as browsing, social media, and watching videos. The Dimensity 700 is an entry-level 5G chip, providing an adequate balance of power and energy efficiency for budget-conscious users looking to experience 5G connectivity without breaking the bank.

The phone runs Android 12, which is paired with Motorola’s clean My UX interface. The UI is close to stock Android, offering a smooth and bloat-free experience, with a few useful features like Moto Actions (gesture controls) and Moto Display (for quick notifications). The 90Hz refresh rate enhances navigation and app usage, contributing to a smoother experience.

For gaming, the Moto G 85 5G handles casual titles like Subway Surfers and Candy Crush easily but struggles with graphically intensive games such as PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile. While playable, the performance may not be smooth at the highest settings, and the device may experience some frame drops.

Camera System

The Moto G 85 5G features a 50MP primary camera and a 2MP depth sensor. The 50MP sensor delivers decent photos in good lighting, with good color reproduction and sharpness. It performs well in daylight and in well-lit conditions, though low-light photos show noticeable noise and a lack of detail. The 2MP depth sensor assists with portrait shots, adding a nice background blur effect, though it doesn’t offer the level of detail or accuracy found on more expensive devices.

The front camera is an 8MP sensor, which takes clear selfies in good lighting, but low-light performance can be a bit underwhelming. While it’s not a standout feature, it’s sufficient for everyday social media use and video calls.

The Moto G 85 5G can record 1080p video at 30fps, which is good enough for casual video recording. However, the lack of stabilization means that videos may be shaky when recording in motion, especially when shooting at higher resolutions.

Battery and Charging

One of the standout features of the Moto G 85 5G is its large 5000mAh battery. With moderate use, including browsing, social media, and streaming, users can expect the device to easily last a full day. Light users may even stretch it into a day and a half. The phone supports 15W charging, which is relatively slow compared to other budget devices with faster charging speeds, but it gets the job done without significant waiting.

Conclusion

The Moto G 85 5G is a solid budget smartphone that offers great value for users looking to experience 5G connectivity, solid performance, and a capable camera system without spending too much. The MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor, 90Hz display, and 5000mAh battery make it a well-rounded device for everyday use. While its camera and display may not stand out in the competitive budget segment, it provides a reliable experience at an affordable price. For users seeking a budget-friendly 5G device with decent performance and battery life, the Moto G 85 5G is a worthwhile option.