Moto G7 Plus: A Budget Powerhouse?

Motorola, a brand long associated with delivering excellent value in the smartphone market, continues its tradition with the Moto G7 range. Following on from the successful Moto G6 series, the Moto G7 Plus emerges as the most advanced of the four new handsets. This review delves into whether Motorola has once again struck the perfect balance between price and performance, making it a serious contender for budget-conscious consumers.

The Moto G7 Plus is readily available from a wide array of high street and online retailers, including prominent names like Carphone Warehouse and Amazon. Whether you prefer a monthly contract or a SIM-free purchase, you'll find it accessible. With prices starting as low as £269.99 SIM-free, it presents a significantly more affordable option compared to flagship devices that can command prices four times higher. This makes it an attractive proposition for those seeking a capable smartphone without the premium price tag.

Design and Display: A Premium Look for Less

The Moto G7 Plus sports a respectable 6.2-inch display with a resolution of 1,080 x 2,270 pixels. While it shares the same dimensions and pixel count as the standard Moto G7, the display is bright and legible, though it can appear slightly washed out at its maximum brightness setting. Motorola has opted for an LCD panel, likely to keep costs down, which means it doesn't quite achieve the deep blacks and vibrant colours of pricier OLED screens found in Samsung flagships. Nevertheless, the screen is more than adequate for everyday tasks such as watching videos, browsing the web, and messaging.

The tall 19:9 aspect ratio provides ample screen real estate, perfect for scrolling through social media feeds and websites. In the hand, the phone feels surprisingly lightweight, and despite being constructed from aluminium and glass, it has a slightly plasticky feel. This is a clear indicator that it's not a premium-priced device, but it doesn't feel poorly constructed; rather, it feels decidedly more budget-friendly. A welcome addition is the inclusion of a basic plastic case, a thoughtful accessory that adds a layer of protection.

Motorola has done a commendable job in minimising the bezels, featuring a slim chin at the bottom and a subtle teardrop notch at the top. The overall aesthetic is pleasing, and from a distance, it could easily be mistaken for a more expensive handset. The Motorola branding on the chin is discreet and unlikely to bother most users. The right side houses the volume and power buttons, the SIM card slot is located at the top, and the bottom features a single speaker grille and a 3.5mm headphone jack, alongside the USB-C port for power and connectivity. The rear of the phone is home to the fingerprint sensor, subtly branded with the Motorola logo, and the dual-lens camera system.

While the design isn't groundbreaking, and the default wallpaper might be a little uninspiring, for a phone priced under £300, it certainly hits the mark. For those seeking a touch more flair, the Viva Red colour option offers a more vibrant alternative to the Deep Indigo (almost black) model reviewed here.

Specifications and Performance: Capable for Everyday Use

As is common with budget smartphones, the most significant cost-cutting measures are typically found within the internal specifications. The Moto G7 Plus is powered by the Snapdragon 636 processor, a chipset also found in devices like the Nokia 6.1 Plus and the Moto Z3 Play. While it won't be setting any benchmarking records, and apps might take a fraction longer to launch compared to high-end phones like the Google Pixel 3 XL, the Snapdragon 636 is perfectly capable of handling most user demands. The phone comfortably ran demanding games like Asphalt and other intensive titles without any noticeable issues, suggesting that the processor, while not top-tier, won't significantly hinder the user experience.

With 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, the Moto G7 Plus offers a generous amount of memory and storage for its price point, matching the RAM found in the more expensive Pixel 3 XL. Crucially, the inclusion of a microSD card slot for expandable storage is a welcome feature, always recommended for phones with lower internal storage options. Benchmarking tests on GeekBench show the Moto G7 Plus lagging behind more expensive handsets, but in terms of value for money, it still represents a good deal. For everyday tasks such as using chat apps, browsing the web, taking photos, and general smartphone usage, the difference in processor speed is unlikely to be a major concern.

While the long-term performance over two to three years is difficult to predict, it's a fundamental aspect of silicon physics that phones with slower processors may not age as gracefully as their more powerful counterparts. However, the Moto G7 Plus is expected to serve users well for several years. Our testing revealed a snappy and responsive device with minimal lag and no crashes. While loading times might occasionally be longer than expected, and frame rates in games might be lower than on premium devices, these are not deal-breaking issues. It's worth noting that the Snapdragon 636 in the G7 Plus is a slight upgrade over the Snapdragon 632 found in the standard Moto G7, offering a bit more processing power.

GeekBench 4 Benchmarks - Moto G7 Plus

Camera: Impressive for the Price

Motorola has positioned the camera as a key selling point for the Moto G7 Plus, and the results are largely impressive. While it doesn't compete with the absolute best from Apple, Google, or Samsung flagships, and the existence of the £399 Google Pixel 3a with its exceptional camera poses a challenge, the Moto G7 Plus delivers very usable shots for the majority of situations. Well-lit environments produce the best results, with plenty of detail and rich colours. Even on a dull, overcast day, the images captured were still very decent, suitable for social media sharing or even printing.

Low-light performance is where the phone shows its limitations, with an increase in noise and blur in very dark scenes. However, it generally manages to capture something, and in semi-darkness with at least one light source, reasonable shots can be achieved. The portrait mode is quick and effective, reproducing colours and details well. While the HDR mode can be inconsistent, it usually enhances photos. Close-up shots are sharp and detailed, retaining good colour vibrancy. Ultimately, for most everyday photographic needs, whether it's capturing family moments or social outings, the Moto G7 Plus is unlikely to disappoint.

The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) is a significant advantage, helping to reduce camera shake and image blur. While not always overtly noticeable during testing, its presence is reassuring. The camera app also offers various shooting modes and filters, including a useful spot colour effect. The 12MP front-facing selfie camera is adequate, and the screen flash feature, which illuminates the entire screen to act as a flash, is a handy addition for low-light selfies.

Video recording is also impressive, with support for 4K resolution, and the OIS comes into its own here, ensuring smoother footage. Overall, the Moto G7 Plus produces images and video clips that belie its sub-£300 price point, which is precisely what one can ask for in this segment.

Software and Features: A Clean Android Experience

Motorola's approach to software is commendable, largely sticking to a clean, stock Android experience. Accessing the app drawer is a simple upward swipe, and pre-installed bloatware is minimal, limited to a few useful utilities for tech support and phone usage guidance. The bundled Moto Actions and Moto Voice features offer convenient gesture controls and voice commands, respectively, adding a touch of extra functionality without being intrusive.

The phone runs on Android 9 Pie, and while the timeline for future updates like Android Q and dark mode remains uncertain, the Moto G6 series received its Android 9 update a few months after its release, suggesting a potential wait of several months. However, with many OS updates focusing on behind-the-scenes improvements, this delay is less critical than it once was.

While the Moto G7 Plus doesn't offer official waterproofing, it does feature a thin water-repellent coating, providing a basic level of protection against splashes and light rain – a reasonable inclusion at this price point. The inclusion of Dolby Audio enhances the audio experience for supported apps. The phone's speakers deliver clear and loud audio, making it suitable for watching videos and even capable of filling a small room with music in a pinch.

The 27W fast charging is a significant advantage, with Motorola claiming 12 hours of power from just 15 minutes of charging, a claim that our testing largely supported. A one-hour Netflix session at maximum brightness and reasonable volume resulted in a battery drain from 100% to 83%. While slightly below par, this indicates that the 3,000mAh battery should comfortably provide all-day battery life for most users. Throughout our testing, we rarely ended the day with less than 20% battery, even with moderate usage. For users prioritising battery life above all else, the Moto G7 Power with its larger 5,000mAh battery is a notable alternative.

Verdict: Excellent Value for Money

From its design and performance to its camera capabilities, the Moto G7 Plus offers a substantial amount for its price. It punches well above its weight, delivering features and performance that often exceed expectations for a sub-£300 smartphone. While it's not a device you'd mistake for a flagship, its overall package is highly compelling.

The competition in the budget smartphone segment is fierce. The aforementioned Pixel 3a, though costing around £100 more, offers a superior camera experience. Brands like Honor and Nokia are also applying pressure on Motorola in this price bracket. Despite this, the Moto G7 Plus remains a standout performer. It may lack premium features like IP68 waterproofing or wireless charging, but it delivers a well-rounded experience that excels at fulfilling everyday user needs. For those seeking a capable, reliable, and affordable smartphone, the Moto G7 Plus is a highly recommended option that provides excellent value.

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