Motorola Moto G84 5G review
Motorola Moto G84 5G Intro
Motorola is known for providing affordable smartphones that deliver on performance, and now, the Motorola Moto G84 5G is joining the lineup, just over a year after its predecessor, the Moto G82, was introduced.
While the Motorola Moto G84 5G doesn't shake things up dramatically in the performance arena, it brings a breath of fresh air to the design and display department. It has a classic design with a modern twist—vibrant color options like Viva Magenta and Marshmallow Blue, paired with a faux leather back panel that adds a touch of sophistication. There is also a version sporting a plastic back in Midnight Blue, keeping the look cohesive with a color-matched camera island and middle frame.
Now, if you are in the US, the Moto G84 5G hasn't hit the scene officially yet, but no worries – you can always import it if you are keen. Just a heads up, this review is all about the European flavor of the Motorola Moto G84 5G. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents:
Moto G84 5G Unboxing
(Image credit - PhoneArena) Inside the Moto G84 box
The Moto G84 makes an eco-friendly entrance, arriving in a plastic-free box boasting a straightforward design with a simple cardboard color. Bucking the trend in the smartphone world, the Moto G84 generously includes a power adapter right in the box.
You'll find a 33W Moto "Turbo Power" charger alongside a handy USB Type-A to Type-C cable. In addition to these, there's the expected SIM tray ejector and, of course, some essential paperwork. While it may not be fancy, rest assured that all the basics are covered for you to dive into using your new smartphone. Oh, and here's a nice touch from Motorola—it throws in a protective cover, saving you the hassle of having to buy one separately.
Moto G84 5G Specs
The Moto G84 doesn't disappoint in the specs department, especially considering its budget-friendly price. It features a big display with a fast 120 Hz refresh rate, offering a visually appealing and smooth user experience.
Additionally, the phone stands out with its stereo speaker setup and a bonus 3.5mm audio jack. The Moto G84 has two Nano-SIM slots, one of which pulls double duty as a microSD expansion slot for added storage flexibility. Let’s dive into the specs.
| Specs | Moto G84 5G |
|---|---|
| Size and Weight | 160 x 74.4 x 7.6mm, [PPMA]166.8g; [Vegan Leather]168.3g |
| Display | 6.5" Full HD+ pOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, 1300 nits max brightness |
| Processor | Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 695 5G |
| RAM, Storage and Price | 12/256 GB for €299 |
| Software | Android™ 13 |
| Cameras | 50 MP wide camera, f/1.88 aperture 8MP ultra-wide camera, f/2.2 aperture 16 MP (f/2.45) front camera |
| Battery Size | 5,000mAh |
| Charging Speeds | TurboPower™ 30W charging |
Moto G84 5G Design & Colors
The Moto G84 5G boasts a familiar design with comfortable flat edges, providing a secure grip despite its sizable 6.5-inch display. Our Midnight Blue variant features a smooth plastic back, maintaining a pleasant feel.
However, the real showstoppers are the Marshmallow Blue and Viva Magenta options, standing out with their eye-catching vegan leather backs. All three versions sport color-coordinated camera islands and middle frames, achieving a sleek, almost brushed metal appearance, although they are plastic to the touch.
In terms of button placement, the power button and volume controls are all situated on the right side. However, this arrangement may prove somewhat inconvenient, leading to accidental power button presses instead of adjusting the volume, especially during activities like gaming.
Moto G84 5G Display
Image credit - PhoneArena
In terms of resolution, the standard 1080 x 2400 pixels or 20:9 FullHD+ configuration results in a crisp pixel density of around 405 ppi. Motorola advertises a maximum brightness of 1300 nits, although our tests revealed a still commendable 732 nits, suitable for normal usage conditions. Activating the Adaptive brightness option is recommended for eye safety.
The Moto G84 5G offers three refresh rate modes: an auto mode dynamically optimizing between 60Hz and 120Hz based on display activity, a battery-saving 60Hz mode, and a smoother 120Hz mode, which will drain your battery faster. However, if you are a gamer, the latter is the best option for you to have a quality experience while racing with your car in Vice City, for example.
The phone also provides two color modes—default saturated and natural. You can correct the color intensity of both modes by using the included color temperature slider.
Display Measurements:
When it comes to biometrics, the Moto G84 5G includes an under-display optical fingerprint reader and image-based face unlock, both of which operate smoothly and swiftly. Unlocking the device with the fingerprint is quick and easy. Users can opt for a combination of fingerprint plus Pattern, PIN, or Password for added security with the same flexibility available for Face Unlock.
Moto G84 5G Camera
Image credit - PhoneArena
Equipped with a 50MP primary camera and an 8MP ultrawide with autofocus for macro shots, the Moto G84 5G is geared up for versatile photography. Its front-facing arsenal includes a 16MP fixed-focus selfie camera. While the camera performs well, it might not elicit the "Wow" effect you'd hope for.
Main Camera - Day
Daytime shooting with the Moto G84 5G was a delight, especially with the vibrant fall colors all around. The main camera delivered pretty decent shots, with colors popping, albeit a tad overexposed in areas where the sky is visible.
Main Camera - Low-light
This is where the Moto G84 5G camera didn't quite meet my expectations. Night Mode comes to the rescue, delivering pretty good photos, but without it, things aren't as great. The main camera holds up decently in low light, but the ultra-wide doesn't quite manage as well in these conditions.
Zoom Quality
I found the zoom on the Moto G84 5G to be pretty solid. I gave it a go in various conditions, and as expected, it struggled a bit in low light. However, in daylight, the images come out clear with sharp colors. Zooming in 5 times does introduce some distortion, but that's pretty normal.
Ultra-wide Camera
True to expectations, the 8MP ultra-wide camera doesn't deliver the highest quality, but it's still quite okay. If you just need to snap a quick photo to show something or share it on your social media, it gets the job done.
Selfies
The 16MP selfie camera on the Moto G84 does a solid job of capturing accurate colors. It offers two modes—one for close-ups and another wider option to fit more people into the frame.
Video Quality
In daylight, the Moto G84 5G impressively captures high-quality video, showcasing effective image stabilization. While it's not lightning-fast at adjusting to changes in the background (as evident when panning the sky), it still does a commendable job. Zooming while shooting video might not be as smooth as when taking a picture, but overall, it delivers solid video quality.
Moto G84 5G Performance & Benchmarks
Apps on the Moto G84 5G launch smoothly, browsing feels satisfyingly speedy, and watching YouTube videos is a breeze. The Moto G84 5G shines with a generous 12GB of RAM and a spacious 256GB of storage, proving to be more than sufficient for one’s needs, or let’s say it this way: there is plenty of room to play with.
Performance Benchmarks:
While our tests show that the Moto G84 5G doesn't outshine its rivals in performance, it should satisfy users who don't have high demands, especially if they don't need a phone for intensive work, heavy gaming, or watching large video files.
Moto G84 5G OS / Android version
The Moto G84 5G comes out of the box running Android 13, delivering a clean and seamless user experience. Motorola adds its touch with a variety of useful extras neatly organized in the Moto settings app. This year, the Moto app sports a fresh new look.
Personalization takes center stage on the Moto G84, offering a range of Moto wallpapers, along with Google's collection. You can even use AI to craft personalized wallpapers from your gallery photos. The phone provides options for choosing different fonts, styles, and colors, allowing you to truly make it your own.
Motorola's signature gesture controls are in play, featuring handy functions like lift-to-unlock, seamlessly integrated with face unlock. The device also lets you access the camera with a quick double wrist twist.
Moto G84 5G Battery
Engaging in gaming or streaming online videos may result in a faster battery drain, but the overall performance remains commendable. For a more detailed assessment, let's dive into the PhoneArena battery test results to see how this smartphone holds its own against others in its price range.
In the PhoneArena battery test, the Moto G84 5G showcased impressive endurance, lasting for approximately 12 hours and 16 minutes during video streaming and around 12 hours and 30 minutes in web browsing. When it comes to gaming, the device held strong for almost six hours before calling it a day.
It's worth noting that the test involves automated web browsing and scrolling over a Wi-Fi network at a pre-set screen brightness. The Moto G84 5G is proving to be a reliable powerhouse in various usage scenarios.
Moto G84 5G Charging Speeds
The Moto G84 comes with a decent 30W wired charging setup, and the company (unlike many others out there) throws in a 33W "Turbo Power" charger in the box. It's a good call to stick with that charger. The Moto G84 5G doesn't support wireless charging, which is pretty standard for a phone in its price range.
Sure, it's not breaking any speed records with its 30W cap, and compared to its competitors in the market, the Moto G84 takes a bit more time to juice up. But hey, it still charges up pretty snappy and if you're not always in a rush, the Moto G84 5G could be a solid choice for you.
Moto G84 5G Audio Quality and Haptics
Image credit - PhoneArena
The Moto G84 rocks a stereo speaker setup, with one speaker at the bottom and an amped-up earpiece handling the other channel—a common "hybrid" arrangement these days. Despite this uneven speaker placement that could mess with audio balance, the G84 surprisingly pulls off a well-balanced sound.
Adding to the audio game, the G84 supports Motorola's Spatial Sound tech, delivering virtualized surround sound that actually works quite nicely in real-world use. Honestly, whether you're grooving to music, gaming, or watching YouTube videos, the sound is seriously impressive, especially at regular volumes. Crank it up to the max, and you might get a bit of distortion, but hey, that's pretty standard for a smartphone with a €299 price tag.
Moto G84 5G Competitors
The Moto G84 5G is currently going head-to-head with budget-friendly contenders like the Samsung Galaxy A54 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro. All three are in the same price range, with subtle differences. Surprisingly, the Moto G84 is the most affordable among them and still holds its ground quite well.
For a deeper dive into the competition, check out our Galaxy A54 review, which lays out all the pros and cons of Samsung's offering. It edges out the Moto G84, particularly in performance, but it comes with a higher price tag, sitting at $450, about $100 more than the Moto G84.
Moto G84 5G Summary and Final Verdict
Image credit - PhoneArena
On the camera front, it may not be the best, especially in low light, but it still delivers a decent performance if you're not expecting top-tier quality. The charging speed, admittedly, was a bit frustrating for me. However, if you're not always in a rush, the charging speed might not bother you.
In a nutshell, as long as you're aware of its limitations, especially in performance, which is still decent for everyday tasks, the Moto G84 5G offers a solid overall package.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: