It is the market force of innovation and design that eventually dictates the consumer's choice in the fiercely contested smartphone market. Lenovo-owned Motorola has launched its latest mid-range smartphone, the Moto G85 5G. Ideally, it fuses classic design aspects with contemporary enhancements to make its products more attractive to both Motorola loyalists and potential new users. Here is a Moto G85 Review review of its features and performance and its place against some competition in a crowded marketplace.
The Moto G85 5G is Motorola's latest offering in the mid-end category, which boasts a Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chipset and up to 12GB RAM. The smartphone packs a 50-megapixel camera at the back and a large 5,000mAh battery supporting 33W fast charging. This places the Moto G85 5G squarely against budget smartphones such as the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite 5G, the CMF Phone 1, the Infinix Note 40 5G, iQoo Z9, and the Samsung Galaxy M35 5G.
In India, it comes for Rs. 17,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage option and Rs. 19,999 for the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage option. The Moto G85 review unit sent for review has the 256GB storage option, so it gave an insight into the top-of-the-line offering for the Moto G85 series.
Design and Build Quality
The Moto G85 5G comes with an evolved design over the predecessor by featuring a curved display, which is slowly becoming common even in mid-range phones selling in India for under Rs. 20,000. The vegan leather finish at the back panel forms a comfortable grip on your palms. It also houses the Motorola batwing logo but comes in an Olive Green color option that might not work as eye candy for everyone since it's on the darker side and attracts more marks than the Urban Grey color variant, which has a matte finish.
The plastic sides of the phone make the device feel a bit more budget-friendly. At the bottom lies a speaker grille and a USB Type-C port. Surprisingly, there isn't a 3.5mm audio jack on the Moto G85 5G something which can still be found on the Moto G84. This might turn off some people. Other bundle contents include a charging brick that provides up to 20W Fast Charging, a USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable, and even a slim, transparent TPU cover.
The Moto G85 5G runs Android 14 with Motorola's new Hello UI interface onboard. As far as user experience goes, it's pretty close to Google's version of Android running on the Pixels. That because, at the end of the setup process, the phone ends up installing quite several games and bloatware that are pretty noisy. Further, its MotoHub app tends to spam you with frequent notifications regarding news and app suggestions, most of which are clickbait.
Away from these distractions, however, Hello UI has a lot going for it: Family Space for parental controls, Moto Unplugged for digital well-being and Moto Secure for improved security, the interface also houses better levels of customization than stock Android and SmartConnect for performing tasks across devices. Motorola has promised to support the Moto G85 5G with two major Android updates and four years of security updates, par for the course. But the Samsung Galaxy M35 does even better on the update front.
The Moto G85 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 processor, an incremental update to the Snapdragon 695 SoC. It was slightly higher on performance in the CPU department, but much less so about competing chipsets at this price point, like the iQoo Z9 and CMF Phone 1, which both run on advanced MediaTek Dimensity processors.
The Moto G85 5G does all routine stuff like browsing, social media, and messaging easily. There is, however, some lag with apps like Snapchat, again which is a very common issue for this price segment. It also plays games like Asphalt Legends Unite and BGMI quite easily without any fuss. However, there's a bit of lag when playing quite demanding titles such as Genshin Impact, especially in crowded scenes. The device doesn't seem to heat up that much during extended gaming sessions.
The camera setup in the Moto G85 5G does a good job, particularly during the day. Primary camera: It works by boosting exposure and contrast while still endeavoring to hold onto subjective colors. It also takes a few seconds to process but without affecting usability in any way. The ultra-wide camera has marginally less saturated images, and sometimes it tends to overexpose some parts of the image; however, edge distortion is kept at a minimum. The camera in the Moto G85 5G, in general, boosts its picture quality with AI-driven improvements.
Moto G85 5G houses a 5,000mAh battery, lasting easily over a day with moderate gaming, messaging, and social media. It will provide you with close to six hours of on-screen time and up to 20 hours of standby. In our HD video battery loop test, the phone went for 21 hours and 14 minutes. The 33W TurboPower charger refills the battery to 100% in about 1 hour 15 minutes.
The Moto G85 Review 5G stands out with a curved OLED display, reliable camera performance, and robust battery life. But the concerns are the bloatware and spam notifications. These shortcomings don't count against the overall value of this phone. With well-balanced features and performance, this is a commendable choice for one on the lookout for a reliable and affordable smartphone: the Moto G85 5G.
The Moto G85 stands out with several key features that enhance its appeal in the mid-range smartphone market. It is powered by the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chipset, coupled with up to 12GB of RAM, which ensures smooth performance for most tasks. The device includes a 50-megapixel rear camera that captures detailed and vibrant photos, complemented by a 5,000mAh battery supporting 33W fast charging. The Moto G85 also features a curved display, a notable design upgrade from its predecessors, offering a more immersive viewing experience. In terms of software, it runs on Android 14 with Motorola's new Hello UI interface, providing a clean and customizable user experience.
In comparison to its competitors like the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite 5G, CMF Phone 1, Infinix Note 40 5G, iQoo Z9, and Samsung Galaxy M35 5G, the Moto G85 holds its ground with its blend of features and price. The Moto G85’s Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chipset provides adequate performance, though it lags slightly behind competitors using newer MediaTek Dimensity chips. The phone’s design, including its curved OLED display and vegan leather back, offers a premium feel at a competitive price point. While some competitors might offer more advanced chipsets or additional features, the Moto G85’s balance of performance, battery life, and camera capabilities makes it a strong contender in its price bracket.
The Moto G85 5G is priced competitively in India, with the 8GB+128GB variant available for Rs. 17,999. For those seeking more storage, the 12GB+256GB model is priced at Rs. 19,999. These prices make the Moto G85 an appealing option for users looking for a feature-rich smartphone without exceeding a mid-range budget. For potential buyers interested in exploring deals or purchasing online, checking platforms like Moto G85 Flipkart could provide additional offers or discounts.
The Moto G85 runs on Android 14, paired with Motorola’s Hello UI interface, which offers a streamlined and customizable experience similar to Google’s Pixel devices. However, users may encounter pre-installed bloatware and notifications from apps like MotoHub, which can be distracting. Despite these minor inconveniences, the Moto G85 provides useful features such as Family Space for parental controls, Moto Unplugged for digital well-being, and Moto Secure for enhanced security. Performance-wise, the Moto G85 handles everyday tasks efficiently and can manage moderate gaming without significant issues. The Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chipset performs well for most applications, though it does show some lag with more demanding tasks.
Pros:
Curved Display: The curved OLED display enhances the visual experience, providing vibrant colors and a premium feel.
Battery Life: The 5,000mAh battery ensures extended usage, with impressive longevity in both regular use and during battery tests.
Camera Performance: The 50-megapixel rear camera delivers clear and colorful photos, with decent performance in various lighting conditions.
Build Quality: The vegan leather back offers a comfortable grip and a premium touch, distinguishing it from other mid-range options.
Cons:
Bloatware: The presence of pre-installed games and apps can clutter the user experience and consume valuable storage space.
Lack of Audio Jack: The absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack may be a downside for users who prefer wired audio options.
Software Distractions: Frequent notifications from the MotoHub app and other bloatware can be intrusive and detract from the overall user experience.