Motorola has launched its new Moto G96 5G in India on July 9, 2025! But there is a lot of noise on social media about its specs – some say it is a budget king, while others say it is completely outdated.
Can this phone really compete in the mid-range segment in 2025, or should we look for better options? Let’s break down its specs, performance, and price and see what the scene is!
Moto G96 5G: First Impressions And Design
First of all, let’s talk about the design. The Moto G96 5G comes with a vegan leather finish, which gives a premium feel in the hand. Pantone-validated colours – Ashleigh Blue, Dresden Blue, Cattleya Orchid, and Greener Pastures – give a trendy vibe.
This phone comes with an IP68 rating, which means it can survive up to 30 minutes in 1.5 meters of water. The weight is also just 170-180 grams, and the curved 6.67-inch pOLED display gives a sleek look.
Display: Smooth, Bright, But Is It Enough?
The Moto G96 5G has a 6.67-inch FHD+ pOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate and 1600 nits peak brightness. It offers a very smooth experience for gaming and video streaming. There is also Gorilla Glass 5 protection and Water Touch 2.0 technology, which makes it easy to use the screen even with wet fingers.
Plus, SGS Eye Protection certification protects eyes from strain.
But the slight problem is that in 2025 competitors like Realme P3 or iQOO Z10 are offering 1.5K resolution or AMOLED panels. So the display is good, but not the top-tier of the segment.
Performance: Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 – Outdated or Fine?
This phone runs on Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, which is a 2023 processor. It delivers decent performance in the mid-range segment – enough for daily tasks, social media, and light gaming like BGMI or CoD. But it can struggle a bit in heavy multitasking or high-end games as the LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 2.2 storage are now outdated.
In 2025, phones with chipsets like Dimensity 8300 or Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (like Realme P3) are delivering better performance than this. If you want heavy gaming or future-proofing, then this processor may disappoint.
Camera: Hit or Miss?
In the camera setup, the Moto G96 5G offers a 50MP Sony LYT-700C primary sensor (with OIS) and an 8MP ultra-wide/macro lens.
It captures decent photos even in low-light, and Moto AI features like Magic Editor and AI Photo Enhancement make the shots even better. There is a 32MP front camera for selfies, which is good enough for video calls and Instagram.
But the 8MP resolution of the ultra-wide lens is a bit weak, while competitors like the iQOO Z10 are offering 50MP ultra-wide. This is fine for casual photographers, but camera-focused users may be a little disappointed.
Battery and Charging: Long-Lasting, But Slow
The Moto G96 5G has a 5500mAh battery, which can last up to 1.5 days with moderate use. With 68W fast charging, it gets fully charged in 40-50 minutes, which is solid at this price. But competitors like Realme P3 offers 80W or iQOO Z10 are offering 120W charging, so there is a little lack in this matter.
Software: Android 15, but what about updates?
This phone comes with Android 15 with Hello UI, which gives a clean and stock Android experience. But the update policy is a bit weak – 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of security patches. While iQOO and Realme are giving 4 years of OS updates, it is a bit behind in terms of future-proofing.
Price and Variants
Moto G96 5G has two variants:
- 8GB RAM + 128GB storage: Around ₹19,999
- 8GB RAM + 256GB storage: Around ₹22,999
This phone is available on Flipkart, and you can get bank discounts or exchange deals in launch offers. The colours include Pantone-validated Dresden Blue, Ashleigh Blue, Cattleya Orchid, and Greener Pastures.
Moto G96 5G vs Competitors: Is It Worth It?
If you compare the Moto G96 5G with the Realme P3 or the iQOO Z10, it seems a bit behind. The Realme P3 has a Dimensity 8300 chipset and 80W charging, while the iQOO Z10 offers Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 and 120W charging.
Both phones are also ahead in camera and software updates. If the budget is ₹20,000-25,000, then it is better to check out these options.
Final Verdict
The Moto G96 5G is a stylish phone with a great display, decent camera, and solid battery life. But the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, LPDDR4x RAM, and limited updates make it a bit weak in the 2025 mid-range segment.
If you like design and durability (IP68), this is a safe choice. But for performance and long-term value, options like the Realme P3 or iQOO Z10 seem better. Are you excited for this phone, or plan to skip it? Let us know in the comments!
