Moto G45 5G: The Best 5G Phone Under ₹10,000?

Motorola has consistently been a brand that resonates with value-seeking consumers. In 2024, they continue their tradition with the Moto G45 5G—a budget smartphone that manages to offer features typically found in mid-range devices, all while keeping the price impressively low. Priced at ₹10,999, with offers bringing it down to ₹9,999, the Moto G45 5G positions itself as one of the most affordable 5G smartphones available today. But does it truly deliver on its promises? Let’s delve into every aspect of this device, from design and performance to camera and software experience, to see if it’s worth your money.

Unboxing the Moto G45 5G: What’s Inside?

When you first open the box, you’ll find that Motorola has kept things simple and functional. Here’s what you get:

• 20W Charger: While faster chargers are becoming more common, a 20W charger is still a solid inclusion in this price segment. It’s capable of juicing up the battery in a reasonable time frame.
• USB Type-A to Type-C Cable: Standard in most modern smartphones, this cable ensures that you can connect to both legacy and newer devices without any issues.
• SIM Card Ejector Tool: A simple but necessary tool that makes swapping out your SIM card easy.
• Documentation: The usual manuals and warranty cards are tucked inside for those who need them.

The packaging itself is minimalistic, reflecting the phone’s budget segment. Unlike Motorola’s Edge series, which boasts premium packaging with added flair, the G series prioritizes cost-effectiveness. However, the lack of unnecessary fluff in the packaging is actually refreshing—everything you need is there without any extra frills.

Design and Build Quality: Premium Looks on a Budget

One of the standout features of the Moto G45 5G is its design. Motorola has managed to infuse a sense of premium build quality into this budget device, especially with the use of vegan leather on the back. This material not only gives the phone a unique texture but also makes it feel more luxurious in hand compared to the glossy plastic backs found on many competitors.

Available in bold colors like blue, green, and pink, the Moto G45 5G certainly doesn’t shy away from making a statement. The colors are vibrant, and the finish is resistant to fingerprints, which is always a plus.

The device is slightly thick, which is typical for budget phones, and weighs 183 grams. While it’s not the lightest phone out there, the weight distribution is well-balanced, so it doesn’t feel cumbersome during long periods of use. The flat sides add to the robust look, and the overall design ensures that the phone feels solid in your hand.

In terms of durability, the Gorilla Glass 3 protection on the front is a welcome feature. It provides a basic level of protection against drops and scratches, which is crucial for a device in this price range where users might not invest in a screen protector immediately.

Display: 120Hz Refresh Rate on a Budget

The Moto G45 5G sports a 6.5-inch HD+ IPS LCD. While it’s true that Full HD displays are becoming more common in this price range, the HD+ resolution still delivers sharp and vibrant visuals. The 120Hz refresh rate is one of the standout features, especially at this price point. This ensures smooth scrolling, enhanced gaming performance, and a generally more responsive feel when navigating through the UI.

The 580 nits of brightness is adequate for most indoor settings, and while it might struggle in direct sunlight, it remains legible for most users. The bezels are moderate, with the chin being slightly thicker, but this is standard for budget devices. Despite the slightly thicker bottom bezel, the screen-to-body ratio is still decent, giving you a large display area for consuming media and playing games.

Performance: Snapdragon 695 Delivers

When it comes to performance, the Moto G45 5G punches above its weight class. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 SoC, this device can handle everyday tasks with ease. From browsing the web to streaming videos and even light gaming, the phone doesn’t break a sweat. The chipset, built on a 6nm process, ensures efficient performance and better battery life.

For gaming enthusiasts, the Adreno 619 GPU provides enough power to handle titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile on medium settings. While it might not be a gaming powerhouse, it’s more than capable of delivering a smooth gaming experience in this price bracket.

The AnTuTu score of 4.5 lakh (450944) is impressive and places the Moto G45 5G firmly in the mid-range performance category. This is especially noteworthy given the phone’s budget pricing.

You have the option to choose between 4GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variants. The UFS 2.2 storage ensures faster read and write speeds, making the phone feel snappy when launching apps or transferring files.

Battery life is another area where the Moto G45 5G shines. The 5000mAh battery easily provides a full day of usage, even with moderate to heavy use. Whether you’re streaming videos, playing games, or browsing social media, the battery holds up well. And when you do need to charge, the 20W fast charging ensures you’re back up and running in no time.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the performance specs:

Software Experience: Clean and Secure

Motorola’s reputation for providing a clean Android experience is well-deserved. The Moto G45 5G runs Android 14 out of the box, with minimal bloatware. This is a refreshing change in a market where many budget phones come loaded with unnecessary apps. The clean interface not only makes the phone more responsive but also enhances the overall user experience.

Motorola’s commitment to 1 major OS update (Android 15) and 3 years of security updates ensures that the device remains secure and up-to-date, which is critical for users who plan on keeping the phone for several years.

One of the standout features is Smart Connect, typically found in higher-end devices. This feature allows for seamless connectivity between Motorola devices, making it easier to transfer files, share content, and sync notifications.

Other notable software features include:

• Moto Secure: A comprehensive security suite that helps you manage permissions, secure personal data, and protect against malware.
• RAM Boost: A virtual RAM expansion feature that allows you to allocate up to 8GB of virtual RAM for improved multitasking.
• Moto Gestures: Popular Motorola gestures like Quick Capture (double twist to open the camera) and Three Finger Screenshot are included, making the device more intuitive to use.

Connectivity: Comprehensive 5G Support

One of the main selling points of the Moto G45 5G is its extensive 5G band support. With 13 5G bands, the phone ensures that you’re future-proofed when it comes to 5G connectivity. Whether you’re in an urban area or a more rural setting, you’ll likely be able to tap into 5G networks as they continue to expand.

Beyond 5G, the Moto G45 5G supports dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, and 4CA (4 Carrier Aggregation). These connectivity features ensure that whether you’re streaming high-definition content or downloading large files, the connection remains stable and fast.

While the 5G connectivity is a major plus, some users have reported occasional network stability issues. However, this seems to be more related to network provider coverage than the phone itself.

Camera Performance: More Than Just Megapixels

For a phone under ₹10,000, the Moto G45 5G offers a surprisingly capable camera system. The 50MP main sensor is the highlight, and it performs well in good lighting conditions, delivering crisp and detailed photos. Motorola’s camera software also includes various shooting modes, such as Night Vision, Portrait Mode, and Pro Mode, giving users the flexibility to experiment with different styles.

Low-light performance is where the camera struggles a bit. While the Night Vision mode helps to some extent, the images can still appear noisy, and details get lost in the shadows. However, for everyday photography, the Moto G45 5G is more than capable.

The 8MP ultra-wide sensor allows for more dynamic shots, capturing more of the scene in a single frame. The 2MP macro sensor is fun to play with, although its utility is somewhat limited. The 16MP front camera is adequate for selfies and video calls, offering decent quality even in indoor lighting.

Gaming Experience: Capable but Not Exceptional

Gaming on the Moto G45 5G is a solid experience, thanks to the Snapdragon 695 SoC and Adreno 619 GPU. While it might not be able to handle the latest AAA mobile titles at max settings, it performs admirably on medium settings. Casual games like Candy Crush or Clash of Clans run smoothly without any hiccups, and even more demanding games like Asphalt 9 and PUBG Mobile are playable, though you might need to dial down the graphics for a smoother frame rate.

The 120Hz refresh rate does add to the gaming experience, making the gameplay feel more fluid, especially in fast-paced action games. The phone also does a decent job of managing heat, with minimal thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.

While the Moto G45 5G isn’t a dedicated gaming phone, it strikes a good balance between performance and battery efficiency, making it a suitable choice for casual gamers on a budget.

Real-World Usage: Day-to-Day Performance

Beyond the specs and benchmarks, how does the Moto G45 5G fare in daily usage? The answer is: surprisingly well. For tasks like social media browsing, email, video streaming, and light multitasking, the phone handles everything with ease. The 120Hz display makes interactions feel smooth, and the battery life ensures that you’re not constantly searching for a charger.

The audio quality is another area where the Moto G45 5G impresses. The single bottom-firing speaker gets surprisingly loud, and while it lacks the depth and richness of more expensive devices, it’s more than adequate for watching videos or listening to music on the go.

Call quality is solid, with clear audio on both ends, and the 3.5mm headphone jack is a welcome feature for those who still prefer wired audio.

Conclusion: Is the Moto G45 5G Worth Buying?

The Moto G45 5G is a fantastic option for those seeking an affordable 5G smartphone without compromising too much on performance, design, and features. Motorola has struck a fine balance between cost and capability, delivering a phone that meets the needs of most users.

For those on a tight budget who want to future-proof themselves with 5G, the Moto G45 5G is a no-brainer. The 120Hz display, solid battery life, and clean software experience make it stand out in a crowded market. While there are a few compromises, such as the lack of a Full HD display and average low-light camera performance, these are minor trade-offs considering the price point.

If you’re in the market for a reliable, budget-friendly smartphone that offers excellent value for money, the Moto G45 5G should be on your shortlist.