Motorola Moto G5S Plus: A Deep Dive Review

When it comes to the vast and ever-evolving landscape of mobile technology, certain devices stand out not for their bleeding-edge innovation, but for their steadfast reliability and exceptional value. The Motorola Moto G5S Plus, released back in August 2017, carved out a significant niche for itself in the mid-range smartphone market. At a time when flagship phones were pushing price boundaries, the G5S Plus offered a compelling package for consumers seeking a capable device without breaking the bank. This article delves into the core features of this popular handset, examining its specifications, performance, and whether it still holds relevance in the modern era.

Upon its launch, the Moto G5S Plus arrived with Android 7.1 Nougat pre-installed, offering users a clean, near-stock Android experience that Motorola became known for. This commitment to a less-bloated operating system generally translated into smoother performance and quicker updates compared to some custom UIs. Furthermore, the device was designed with future-proofing in mind, supporting upgrades all the way up to Android 8.1 Oreo. This upgrade path was a significant selling point, ensuring users could benefit from improved notification controls, picture-in-picture mode, and various under-the-hood optimisations that enhanced battery life and overall system efficiency. For a phone in its price bracket, receiving multiple major Android updates was a considerable advantage, extending its usable lifespan and keeping it relatively current from a software perspective for a good few years after its initial release.

Physically, the Motorola Moto G5S Plus presented a sensible and ergonomic design. Weighing in at 168 grams and boasting a slim 8mm thickness, it was a comfortable device to hold and operate, even with one hand. Its construction aimed for a premium feel without the premium price tag, often incorporating metal elements that lent it a more robust and sophisticated appearance than many of its plastic-clad competitors. The dimensions allowed for a generous screen size, providing ample real estate for media consumption, web browsing, and productivity tasks. The balance between screen size, weight, and thickness made it a practical choice for everyday use, fitting comfortably into pockets and bags without feeling cumbersome.

Storage capacity was another key consideration for potential buyers, and the Moto G5S Plus offered flexibility in this regard. Available in both 32GB and 64GB internal storage variants, it provided sufficient space for a good number of applications, photos, and videos. Crucially, both versions supported microSDXC expansion. This feature was, and still is, incredibly important for many users, as it allows for significantly increased storage at a relatively low cost. Whether you were an avid photographer, a mobile gamer, or simply someone who liked to keep a vast music library offline, the option to expand storage meant you wouldn't quickly run out of space, enhancing the device's longevity and utility. The ability to offload media files to an external card freed up valuable internal storage, ensuring the phone continued to run smoothly.

Under the bonnet, the Motorola Moto G5S Plus was powered by a 2GHz Octa-core processor. This chipset, while not top-tier, was more than capable of handling typical daily tasks with ease. An octa-core processor, as the name suggests, features eight processing units, allowing it to manage multiple applications and processes simultaneously more efficiently. This meant that navigating through menus, browsing the web, checking emails, and running popular social media applications were generally fluid experiences. For casual gaming, the G5S Plus also performed admirably, though it might struggle with the most graphically intensive titles at their highest settings. The processor was optimised for a balance between performance and battery efficiency, contributing to the phone's overall reputation for solid, reliable operation.

Connectivity options on the Moto G5S Plus were comprehensive for its time, catering to the essential needs of most smartphone users. It supported HSPA speeds, offering downloads of up to 42.2 Mbps and uploads of up to 5.76 Mbps. These speeds were more than adequate for streaming standard-definition video, rapid web browsing, and efficient social media use over mobile networks. For local connectivity, the device featured Bluetooth 4.1 + A2DP, enabling seamless pairing with wireless headphones, smartwatches, and in-car entertainment systems. Wi-Fi capabilities included 802.11 a/b/g/n, supporting both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, along with MIMO technology. MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) helps improve Wi-Fi performance by allowing the device to send and receive multiple data streams simultaneously, leading to faster and more stable wireless connections, especially in busy network environments.

However, one notable omission from the connectivity suite, which often becomes a point of discussion for this model, is the lack of NFC (Near Field Communication). In an increasingly cashless world where mobile payments are becoming ubiquitous, the absence of NFC meant that users could not utilise services like Google Pay for tap-to-pay transactions. While this might not have been a deal-breaker for everyone in 2017, it has certainly become a more significant limitation in the years since. For those who rely on contactless payments or quick pairing with NFC-enabled accessories, this was a clear drawback. It's a key feature to consider if you're looking at this phone today, as modern convenience often hinges on such capabilities.

Despite this, the Moto G5S Plus often appeared in various deals, cementing its reputation as a strong value proposition. Motorola frequently bundled the device or offered significant price cuts, making it an attractive option, especially for families looking to purchase multiple devices without a hefty outlay. Deals like buying two decent Motorola phones for the price of one, or price drops bringing the handset under $180, highlighted its affordability. This aggressive pricing strategy, combined with its robust feature set for the price, meant that many consumers found the Moto G5S Plus to be an excellent investment, offering a satisfying user experience that far outweighed its modest cost. Its budget-friendly nature made it accessible to a wide audience.

The battery life of the Moto G5S Plus was frequently touted as 'long-lasting' in promotional materials and user reviews. While specific battery capacity details aren't provided here, the mention of "long-lasting batteries included" in deal descriptions suggests that Motorola designed the phone to provide a full day's usage for most users. This would typically involve a combination of calls, texts, web browsing, and some media consumption. Good battery optimisation from the near-stock Android experience, coupled with the efficient octa-core processor, likely contributed to this commendable endurance, reducing the need for frequent recharges throughout the day.

Let's summarise some of the key specifications and considerations in a comparative format:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are the main features of the Motorola Moto G5S Plus?
A: The Motorola Moto G5S Plus was released in August 2017, running Android 7.1 Nougat (upgradable to Android 8.1 Oreo). It features a 2GHz Octa-core processor, 32GB or 64GB of internal storage with microSDXC expansion, and weighs 168g with an 8mm thickness. Connectivity includes HSPA speeds (up to 42.2 Mbps download), Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4GHz, 5GHz) with MIMO, and Bluetooth 4.1 + A2DP. Notably, it lacks NFC connectivity.

Q: What is the Motorola Moto G5S Plus XT1800?
A: The Motorola Moto G5S Plus XT1800 refers to a specific model variant of the device. This model, like others in the G5S Plus family (e.g., XT1806), supports HSPA mobile data speeds, offering downloads of up to 42.2 Mbps and uploads of up to 5.76 Mbps. These are the maximum theoretical speeds the device can achieve on compatible 3G/3.5G networks, providing a robust internet experience for its time.

Q: Is the Motorola Moto G5S Plus worth it in today's market?
A: While the Motorola Moto G5S Plus was considered excellent value at its release, especially when purchased through promotional deals, its worth today depends heavily on your specific needs and expectations. It offers a solid Android experience (up to Android 8.1), expandable storage, and decent performance for basic tasks. However, its lack of NFC for mobile payments, older Android version, and potentially slower performance compared to modern budget phones are significant drawbacks. If you need a very basic, inexpensive smartphone for non-intensive use and don't require NFC, it might still serve a purpose, especially if found at a very low price. For most users, newer budget options will offer better long-term value and more contemporary features.

Q: Does the Motorola Moto G5S Plus have NFC?
A: No, the Motorola Moto G5S Plus, specifically models like the XT1806 32GB, does not have NFC (Near Field Communication) connectivity. This means it cannot be used for contactless payments (like Google Pay) or for quick pairing with NFC-enabled accessories simply by tapping them together. This is a crucial detail for anyone considering the phone for modern convenience features.

In conclusion, the Motorola Moto G5S Plus was a commendable offering in the mid-range smartphone segment of 2017. Its commitment to a clean Android experience, upgradable software, expandable storage, and solid performance for everyday tasks made it a popular choice for those seeking a balance between cost and capability. While its lack of NFC is a significant consideration in today's mobile landscape, and its performance won't match newer devices, its historical value proposition and robust build quality ensured it delivered a satisfying experience for its target audience. For enthusiasts of classic devices or those with very specific, non-demanding needs, understanding its features fully is key to appreciating this dependable, albeit ageing, smartphone.

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