The smartphone market is flooded with choices, but budget-friendly devices often fail to balance affordability with performance. Motorola, a brand known for offering solid smartphones in the mid-range and budget categories, has launched the Moto G05 to cater to those who want a reliable device without breaking the bank. The Moto G05 is the latest addition to the G-series lineup, promising improved performance, a better camera system, and long-lasting battery life.

In this comprehensive review, we will delve into every aspect of the Moto G05, including design, display, performance, battery life, camera quality, and software experience. We will also compare it with other budget smartphones and evaluate whether it stands out in a highly competitive market. If you’re considering buying the Moto G05, this detailed analysis will help you make an informed decision.

Key Specifications of Motorola Moto G05

Design and Build Quality

Motorola has always managed to deliver sleek yet functional designs, and the Moto G05 follows the same pattern. The phone features a polycarbonate back panel with a subtle matte texture that minimizes fingerprints and smudges. While glass backs have become a trend, plastic offers better durability, making the Moto G05 an excellent choice for users who prioritize longevity over aesthetics.

The phone has rounded edges, ensuring a comfortable grip, and despite its large battery, it remains relatively lightweight. The power and volume buttons are conveniently positioned on the right side, offering tactile feedback. Additionally, Motorola has included a side-mounted fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button for seamless unlocking.

At the bottom, you’ll find a USB Type-C port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a single speaker grille. Motorola has retained the headphone jack, which is a welcome feature for users who still prefer wired headphones. The overall build quality is sturdy, and while it may not have the premium feel of a flagship phone, it does not feel cheap by any means.

🏆 Verdict: For a budget phone, the design is functional and ergonomic, though not premium.

Display: A Budget Screen That Impresses

The Moto G05 features a 6.6-inch IPS LCD panel with a 720p HD+ resolution. While many budget smartphones have made the jump to Full HD displays, Motorola has decided to stick with a 720p panel to optimize battery life. The display is vibrant with natural color reproduction, and the 90Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and animations.

Under direct sunlight, the brightness level reaches up to 500 nits, which is decent but not the best in its category. For indoor usage and casual media consumption, the display performs well, providing good contrast and viewing angles. The lack of AMOLED technology is noticeable when compared to some competitors, but given the price range, the display quality is respectable.

If you are someone who streams a lot of videos, browses social media, and plays casual games, the display on the Moto G05 should suffice. However, for those who prefer higher resolution and deeper blacks, there are alternative options in the same price range.

🏆 Verdict: The 90Hz refresh rate is a welcome addition, but a Full HD display would have been better.

Performance: Can It Handle Daily Tasks?

The Moto G05 is powered by the Unisoc T606 processor, an entry-level chipset designed for budget smartphones. While this may not sound impressive, Motorola has optimized the software to ensure a smooth experience for everyday tasks. With 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, the phone handles basic multitasking, web browsing, social media apps, and video streaming without major issues.

Gaming on the Moto G05 is decent but not spectacular. Titles like Subway Surfers, Clash Royale, and Call of Duty Mobile (on low settings) run smoothly. However, demanding games like Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile struggle, exhibiting occasional frame drops and longer loading times.

The Mali-G57 GPU ensures that graphical performance remains adequate for light gaming, but this device is not meant for high-end gaming enthusiasts. For day-to-day usage, such as using WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and watching YouTube videos, the performance is more than sufficient.

🏆 Verdict: Stock Android experience is a plus, but the Helio G37 processor limits performance.

Software and User Experience

Motorola continues to use its near-stock Android 13 skin, ensuring a clean and bloat-free experience. Unlike other budget smartphones loaded with unnecessary apps, the Moto G05 keeps things simple with only essential pre-installed apps.

Key software features include:

• Moto Gestures – Simple hand movements to execute quick actions like opening the camera or turning on the flashlight.
• Customizable UI – Allows users to personalize icons, themes, and wallpapers.
• Three years of security updates – Motorola promises long-term software support, which is rare in the budget segment.

The software experience is one of the biggest advantages of this phone. There are no intrusive ads, unnecessary notifications, or bloated apps that slow down performance, making the Moto G05 an excellent choice for those who prefer a simple and efficient Android experience.

Camera Performance

The Moto G05 features a dual-camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. The camera app is simple, with AI enhancements that automatically adjust settings based on lighting conditions.

In daylight conditions, the primary camera captures good-quality photos with decent dynamic range and color accuracy. The AI scene detection helps in optimizing images, but sometimes, colors appear slightly oversaturated.

Low-light photography is where the Moto G05 struggles. While Motorola has included a Night Mode, it doesn’t work as effectively as some competitors. Images appear grainy, and details are lost in darker areas. The 2MP depth sensor helps with portrait shots, but edge detection is inconsistent at times.

For selfies, the 8MP front camera produces decent results with natural skin tones. It is adequate for video calls and casual selfies but lacks the sharpness found in higher-end models.

Battery Life: The Biggest Strength

The Moto G05 is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, ensuring two days of battery life under moderate usage. Whether you are browsing, streaming, or using social media, the battery life holds up exceptionally well.

Motorola includes 15W fast charging, which is slower compared to some rivals offering 25W or even 30W charging speeds. A full charge takes around 2 hours, which is acceptable but could have been faster.

Comparison with Competitors

Final Verdict: Is the Moto G05 Worth It?

The Moto G05 is an excellent budget smartphone for casual users who prioritize battery life, clean software, and a simple user experience. While it may not be the most powerful or camera-focused device, it offers a solid balance between performance and affordability.

If you are looking for a no-nonsense phone that gets the job done without unnecessary complexities, the Moto G05 is a great choice. However, if you require a better display or faster charging speeds, you may want to explore other options like the Samsung Galaxy M14 or Realme C55.

Pros and Cons

✅ Pros:

✔ Affordable price with good value ✔ Stock Android experience (no bloatware) ✔ 50MP camera captures good daylight shots ✔ Massive 5000mAh battery life ✔ 90Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling

❌ Cons:

✘ No Full HD display ✘ Helio G37 limits gaming performance ✘ No 5G support ✘ Slow 15W charging