I’ve always appreciated the Moto G series. It’s a testament to the fact that you don’t need to break the bank to get a usable smartphone. These phones are geared towards users who simply need a dependable device for everyday tasks – basic communication, social media browsing, or streaming videos.
When Motorola unveiled the Moto G (2025), I hoped it would bring substantial improvements over its predecessor. At $200, it remains among the most affordable unlocked smartphones available, but is it compelling enough?
The phone boasts a large 5,000mAh battery, a fluid 120Hz refresh rate display, and a vegan leather back for a more premium feel at a budget-friendly price. It features a familiar design, a sizable battery, and a few minor enhancements compared to its predecessor. However, performance hiccups, a low-resolution screen, and an underwhelming camera experience make it difficult to wholeheartedly recommend over its rivals.
Design and Build
The Moto G (2025) features a robust frame with a vegan leather back, offered in Forest Gray and Sapphire Blue. The leather-like texture provides a comfortable grip, although it tends to attract dust. The phone includes a square camera bump that blends seamlessly with the rear panel.
Measuring 6.58 by 3.0 by 0.32 inches and weighing 6.81 ounces, the Moto G (2025) is marginally larger than the previous model. It houses a USB-C charging port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner that doubles as the power button. The phone has an IP52 rating, signifying it can withstand minor splashes but is not waterproof.
Display
The phone features a 6.7-inch LCD panel with a 720p resolution, offering a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling. While the refresh rate is a welcome addition, the low resolution results in a less sharp display compared to competitors.
The brightness levels are adequate for indoor use but can struggle in direct sunlight. Competitors often provide a sharper 1080p AMOLED display, even at a similar price point, making Motorola’s choice of LCD feel outdated.
Performance and Software
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor coupled with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage (expandable via microSD), the Moto G (2025) delivers merely average performance. Apps take longer to load, and multitasking can feel sluggish. A software feature called RAM Boost enables users to allocate up to 8GB of virtual memory, but it only marginally enhances the experience.
Motorola ships the Moto G (2025) with Android 15 and commits to two years of major updates and three years of security patches. The interface remains clean and close to stock Android, which is a benefit for users who prefer a minimalistic experience without unnecessary bloatware. Motorola includes a few of its signature features, such as quick gestures like chopping twice to activate the flashlight and twisting the phone to launch the camera, which add some convenience.
However, bloatware is still present on carrier-locked versions, where pre-installed apps clutter the experience. Thankfully, most of these can be uninstalled. The phone lacks any significant AI-powered enhancements that are becoming more prevalent even in budget phones, meaning no advanced photo processing or intelligent battery optimizations.
While performance is adequate for basic tasks, expect occasional stuttering when juggling multiple apps. It’s a software experience that gets the job done, but without much polish or added value beyond the standard Android baseline. While an improvement over past iterations, it still lags behind Samsung’s six-year software support for budget devices.
Cameras
The Moto G (2025) retains a dual-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor and a virtually useless 2MP macro lens. AI-enhanced scene optimization and a Night Vision mode attempt to compensate, but expect considerable noise in dim lighting. The absence of an ultrawide lens limits versatility. In daylight, photos appear decent but lack sharpness when zooming in. Low-light photography suffers from image noise and poor detail preservation.
The 16MP selfie camera is a slight improvement over the previous year’s 8MP sensor. While it captures clearer images in good lighting, background elements often appear blurry. Video recording is capped at 1080p at 30fps, with stabilization performing adequately in well-lit conditions.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life remains a strength for the Moto G series, outperforming most competitors in endurance tests, making it one of the longest-lasting budget phones on the market. The 5,000mAh battery provides all-day life, lasting over 15 hours in video playback tests. Motorola has increased wired charging speeds to 30W, but not all carrier editions include a power adapter in the box. Charging from 0 to 100% takes roughly two hours with a 20W charger.
Audio and Connectivity
The Moto G (2025) features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support, delivering decent audio quality for a budget device. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a welcome feature.
The phone supports sub-6GHz 5G and NFC for contactless payments but lacks Wi-Fi 6. Network speeds are reasonable, but the absence of mmWave 5G means users won’t experience ultra-fast data speeds.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Large 5,000mAh battery with long endurance.
- 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling.
- Vegan leather design for a premium feel.
- Android 15 with two years of major updates.
- Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support.
- NFC for contactless payments.
- Expandable storage via microSD card.
Cons:
- Low 720p resolution display.
- Sluggish performance with only 4GB RAM.
- Limited camera versatility, no ultrawide lens.
- Poor low-light photography performance.
- Charging adapter not included with all models.
- Lacks Wi-Fi 6 support.
The Moto G (2025) offers a budget-friendly option with a large battery and Android 15 out of the box, however, its low-resolution display and limited camera make it less competitive. At $200, it’s a decent value, but I’d recommend it more confidently closer to $175.