Moto G84 5G: A Budget Champion

In the ever-evolving landscape of smartphones, finding a device that balances cutting-edge features with an accessible price point can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. However, Motorola has consistently strived to bridge this gap, and with the Moto G84 5G, they appear to have struck gold. This device is being hailed as a budget champion, and for good reason. It offers a compelling package of specifications and user experience that often commands a significantly higher price tag. Let's delve into what makes the Moto G84 5G stand out in a crowded market.

Unpacking the Moto G84 5G's Strengths

One of the most immediate draws of the Moto G84 5G is its generous allocation of RAM and storage. Coupled with the intuitive Android 13 interface, this translates into a fluid and responsive user experience. Navigating through apps, multitasking, and general usage feel remarkably snappy, a testament to Motorola's optimisation. Beyond the core performance, the familiar and beloved Motorola features are present, enhanced by thoughtful additions. A standout among these is Moto Secure, a dedicated security application. This app acts as a central hub, providing a clear overview of the phone's security features and guidance on how to maximise their effectiveness. Features like phishing and malware protection, a handy PIN shield, SIM card lock, and a personal folder are typically found on much more expensive devices, making their inclusion here a significant value proposition.

A Visual and Auditory Delight

The Moto G84 5G boasts a substantial 6.5-inch display that serves as the gateway to its multimedia capabilities. This screen is complemented by dual stereo speakers, enhanced with spatial sound and powered by Dolby Atmos for mobile. This combination creates an immersive audio-visual experience, adding an extra dimension to watching films, listening to music, or enjoying podcasts. The vibrant colours and clear audio make for an engaging experience that punches above its weight class.

Innovative Biometrics and Premium Feel

A notable advancement for the Moto G-series is the integration of an under-screen fingerprint sensor. Strategically placed just above the USB port, it also doubles as the home button, offering a sleek and modern aesthetic. This sensor is not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, providing quick and reliable device unlocking. Furthermore, it seamlessly integrates with Google Pay and the Google Play Store for secure authentication of purchases and supports other applications requiring biometric verification. The phone's design also contributes to its premium feel. The vegan leather finish, particularly in the Marshmallow Blue and Viva Magenta colour options, offers a soft and tactile experience that belies its affordable price. Even the Midnight Blue variant, with its frosted plastic rear, exudes a sense of quality. The inclusion of a clear plastic case is a thoughtful touch, protecting the device's aesthetics without obscuring its design.

Connectivity and Charging Considerations

While the Moto G84 5G generally impresses, there's a minor point of caution regarding the included charger. Some units may come with an EU plug, intended for mainland European retail. However, Motorola assures users that software updates will be delivered concurrently with UK models. A welcome inclusion, however, is a car charger, making it ready for road trips right out of the box. For those seeking more versatile charging, a 50W charger with dual USB-C and USB-A ports is recommended, allowing for simultaneous charging of multiple devices.

Key Specifications at a Glance

To provide a clearer picture of what the Moto G84 5G offers, here's a breakdown of its key specifications:

Performance: A Mixed Bag?

While the Moto G84 5G excels in many areas, its performance, powered by the Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, warrants a closer look. Benchmarks place it on par with some of its contemporaries, but it's notably outperformed by the significantly cheaper Moto G54 5G, a device launched concurrently. This is a point of contention, as one might expect a more powerful processor in a higher-tier model. However, for everyday tasks such as browsing, social media, and casual gaming (think Candy Crush rather than demanding titles like PUBG Mobile), the G84 5G is perfectly capable. The GPU performance is generally on par with competitors, meaning it doesn't significantly lag behind in graphical tasks, but the value proposition of the G54 5G in this regard is undeniable.

Battery Life: A True Endurance Champion

Where the Moto G84 5G truly shines is in its battery performance. The 5000mAh battery is a powerhouse, consistently delivering outstanding battery life. In tests, it comfortably lasted over 26 hours, easily outlasting most of its competitors and securing a spot on lists of phones with the best battery longevity. This makes it an excellent choice for users who need a phone that can reliably keep up with a full day, and often two, of moderate usage without needing a midday charge.

Camera Capabilities: Solid Main, Underwhelming Ultrawide

The 50MP main camera sensor on the Moto G84 5G, while similar to its predecessor, produces punchy and vibrant images in good lighting conditions, with strong contrast and ample detail. Low-light performance, often a weak point for budget Motorola phones, is also improved here, offering a better showing than many of its siblings, though some noise and lack of detail can still be present. The 8MP ultrawide camera, however, is a point of weakness. While it expands the field of view without completely distorting colours, the level of detail captured is noticeably sub-par, especially when compared to the main lens. Ironically, this ultrawide lens performs best when used for macro photography, capturing sharp details of close-up subjects with effective background blur. Video recording is functional, topping out at 1080p at 60fps, with the main lens providing decent detail and light balancing.

Software Experience: Clean and Near-Stock

The Moto G84 5G runs Android 13 out of the box, with a commitment to only one OS update, bringing it to Android 14. This is a point of disappointment for those who value long-term software support. However, Motorola's software is renowned for its cleanliness and minimal bloatware. The user interface is close to stock Android, offering a smooth and uncluttered experience, with only a few pre-installed games that might be considered intrusive. This focus on a clean software experience contributes significantly to the overall usability of the device.

Is the Moto G84 5G Worth It?

The Motorola Moto G84 5G presents a compelling case for budget-conscious consumers. Its strengths lie in its stunning OLED display, exceptional battery life, generous RAM and storage, and thoughtful software features like Moto Secure. The premium feel, thanks to the vegan leather finish, adds to its appeal. However, the choice of the Snapdragon 695 5G processor, which is outperformed by a cheaper sibling, and the limited OS update commitment are drawbacks to consider. If you prioritise a beautiful display, long-lasting battery, and a smooth, bloatware-free software experience, and can overlook the middling performance in demanding tasks, the Moto G84 5G is a strong contender. If raw performance for the absolute lowest price is your primary concern, then exploring options like the Moto G54 5G might be more suitable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is the Motorola Moto G84 5G waterproof?

The Moto G84 5G has an IP54 rating, meaning it is resistant to dust and splashes of water. It is not designed to be fully submerged in water.

Q2: How long does the Moto G84 5G battery last?

The 5000mAh battery in the Moto G84 5G can typically sustain two days of moderate usage, making it a strong performer in terms of battery endurance.

Q3: What are the main advantages of the Moto G84 5G?

Key advantages include its flawless pOLED display, outstanding battery life, 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, Moto Secure features, and a premium design with an under-screen fingerprint sensor.

Q4: What are the main disadvantages of the Moto G84 5G?

The primary disadvantages are its mid-range performance due to the Snapdragon 695 5G processor (which is outperformed by cheaper alternatives like the Moto G54 5G) and the promise of only one major OS update.

Q5: Does the Moto G84 5G support fast charging?

The Moto G84 5G supports 30W charging, which is considered a decent speed for its price segment.

Q6: Can I expand the storage on the Moto G84 5G?

Yes, you can expand the storage using a microSD card in one of the SIM tray slots, up to 1TB.