TechRadar Verdict
Motorola had a disappointing outing with the previous G53.
Yes it was certainly affordable, but too many corners had been cut to reach its low asking price.
And the company is actually charging less for this latest model than it did for the G53.
(Image credit: Future)
That alone should be lauded.
They should certainly be worried.
For anyone looking for an affordable phone, I cant personally think of anything better than this.
Well shouldnt I now just eat my shoes.
I was wrong and I applaud Motorola for producing a genuinely good gear for not a lot of money.
The fact that Motorola has taken what was already an affordable phone and made it cheaper is seriously impressive.
The result is a tactile phone that really is a joy to hold.
Elsewhere it is largely business as usual.
A large 6.5-inch screen dominating the front with a small punch hole camera in the top center.
(Image credit: Future)
I either had to shuffle the phone down in my hand, or move to two-handed operation.
A minor issue to most, I would expect, but an issue I found nonetheless.
While it did support a 120Hz refresh rate, the resolution was a big let down at only HD+.
(Image credit: Future)
The resolution this time around has been increased to 2400 x 1080, resulting in 405 ppi.
The same cant be said of the Moto G54.
My experience this time was far more enjoyable across the board.
(Image credit: Future)
If anything, I preferred the image produced by the Moto G54, owing to it looking more natural.
I also loaded up a Netflix stream of Edge of Tomorrow and again, was thoroughly impressed.
Colors appeared natural, whether it be skin tones, sandy beaches or blue skies.
(Image credit: Future)
Contrast was admirable too and fast-moving scenes were handled well.
Black levels werentquiteOLEDdeep, but honestly, they werent far off.
For a sub-200/AU$300 phone, the Moto G54 5Gs display is nothing short of outstanding.
(Image credit: Future)
However, Motorola has reduced the micrometer from 1.28 to 1.22.
Changing the setting to Natural made things look more… natural.
But, as smartphone cameras in general go, it does still leave a lot to be desired.
(Image credit: Future)
Motorola has confirmed its team is working on the upgrade, but doesnt yet have a release date.
Its an intuitive app, and I was able to adjust multiple prefs in no time at all.
The 3DMark app told me this was only 56% better than results from other devices.
In fact, I played through a good number of races and the phone performed admirably.
In terms of audio, I was pleased with the volume produced by the speakers.
I switched the setting to Music when playing songs viaAppleMusic, and there was a noticeable difference.
But, for the best overall audio performance, I would recommend leaving the Smart Audio setting on.
All in all, an impressive presentation.
The same was the case for playing music, again from Apple Music.
It did for me, anyway.
Where Motorola has improved things compared to the G53 is by adopting a faster charging speed.
Charging from 18% to 100% using the supplied charger took roughly an hour and a half.
Its also worth noting that wireless charging isnt supported.
You need a phone that lasts
The Moto G54’s battery life is yet again a standout feature.
But you’re also going to want to get the absolute most bang for your buck.
The A14 5G does cost more than the Moto G54, and it shares a similar screen resolution.
Its also just under 30 grams heavier than the Moto.
If your primary concern is general daily usage and watching video content, wed stick with the Motorola.
Read we test.
[First reviewed December 2024]
