Motorola Moto G Play (2023) Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Motorola Moto G Play (2023) is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers impressive features at an affordable price. With its sleek design and water-repellent coating, it is built to withstand everyday use. The 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate provides a smooth and immersive viewing experience. Powered by the Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 chipset and coupled with 3GB of RAM, this device delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks. The triple camera setup on the rear, including a 16MP wide lens, captures detailed and vibrant photos, while the 5MP front camera is perfect for selfies. With its long-lasting 5000mAh battery, you can stay connected all day. Available in Deep Indigo, the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) is priced at $147.99, making it an excellent choice for those on a budget.

Design and Build Quality

The Motorola Moto G Play (2023) features a design that focuses on practicality and functionality rather than luxury. With a plastic frame and back, it may not offer the premium feel of metal or glass, but it does contribute to the device's lightweight nature. The device measures 167.2 x 76.5 x 9.4 mm (6.58 x 3.01 x 0.37 in) and weighs 203g (7.20 oz), making it comfortable to hold and carry around. The plastic build also allows for a water-repellent coating, providing some level of protection against accidental spills or light rain.

In terms of aesthetics, the Moto G Play (2023) adopts a clean and minimalist approach. The device sports a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, offering smooth and responsive visuals. Although the resolution is 720 x 1600 pixels, which may not be as sharp as higher-end smartphones, it still delivers decent image quality with a pixel density of approximately 270 ppi. The slim bezels and the 79.7% screen-to-body ratio contribute to an immersive viewing experience.

When it comes to ergonomics, the Moto G Play (2023) aims to provide a comfortable grip with its dimensions and weight. The placement of physical buttons and fingerprint sensor on the rear allows for easy access and intuitive use. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is also a practical choice for those who prefer wired audio connectivity.

Durability and construction are vital considerations for any smartphone, and the Moto G Play (2023) doesn't disappoint. While the plastic build may not be as robust as metal or glass, it still offers reasonable durability for everyday use. Additionally, the device features a water-repellent coating, which adds an extra layer of protection against minor water exposure.

In summary, the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) showcases a practical and functional design. Its lightweight plastic construction, ergonomic form factor, and water-repellent coating contribute to a comfortable and durable user experience. While it may not boast premium materials or extravagant aesthetics, it focuses on delivering reliable performance at an affordable price point.

Display

The Motorola Moto G Play (2023) features a 6.5-inch display with an IPS LCD panel. The screen size is quite generous, providing ample space for multimedia consumption and gaming. The display resolution is 720 x 1600 pixels, which results in a pixel density of about 270 ppi. While this may not be as sharp as some higher-end devices, it still offers decent clarity for everyday use.

The aspect ratio of the Moto G Play's display is 20:9, which makes it taller and narrower compared to traditional 16:9 displays. This aspect ratio is well-suited for consuming content in portrait mode, such as browsing websites and social media feeds.

In terms of color accuracy and vibrancy, the Moto G Play's display performs reasonably well for its price range. It offers vibrant colors that are pleasing to the eye, although it may not have the same level of color accuracy and vibrancy as more premium devices with OLED technology.

The brightness levels of the Moto G Play's display are decent, allowing for comfortable indoor usage. However, outdoor visibility may be a bit challenging under direct sunlight, as the display may struggle to combat glare and reflections.

The touch responsiveness of the display is generally smooth and accurate, providing a pleasant user experience. It ensures that interactions such as swiping, scrolling, and tapping are executed accurately and without delay.

In terms of display protection, the Moto G Play features a water-repellent coating, which offers some level of protection against accidental spills or light rain. However, it does not have any mention of specific protection like Gorilla Glass.

The Moto G Play does not mention having a high refresh rate or HDR support, which means it may not offer the smoothest scrolling experience or the enhanced contrast and color range that HDR content provides. Additionally, there is no mention of a wide color gamut or specific viewing angles.

Overall, the Moto G Play's display is a decent offering for its price range. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of higher-end devices, it provides a satisfactory viewing experience with its adequate size, decent resolution, and reasonable color reproduction.

Performance

The Motorola Moto G Play (2023) offers decent performance for its price range. Powered by the Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 chipset and an octa-core CPU, it delivers satisfactory performance in everyday tasks and light gaming. The GPU, PowerVR GE8320, provides acceptable graphics performance for casual gaming experiences.

In terms of CPU benchmarks, the Moto G Play (2023) performs adequately for its class. The quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU clocked at 2.3 GHz handles most tasks smoothly, ensuring a lag-free experience during multitasking and app loading speeds. The processor efficiency is commendable, offering a balance between power consumption and performance.

When it comes to gaming capabilities, the Moto G Play (2023) is capable of running less demanding games with ease. However, it may struggle with more resource-intensive titles due to its entry-level GPU and limited RAM. While it may not excel in gaming performance, it still provides a satisfactory gaming experience for casual gamers.

In terms of GPU benchmarks, the Moto G Play (2023) achieves moderate scores. It can handle graphics-intensive tasks reasonably well, but it may struggle with higher settings in graphically demanding games. The GPU efficiency is decent, ensuring a smooth user experience during light gaming sessions.

The Moto G Play (2023) also performs well in system optimization and thermal management. The device efficiently manages its resources, ensuring smooth performance even during extended usage. It maintains a reasonably cool temperature, preventing overheating issues during prolonged gaming sessions.

Benchmark tests and synthetic benchmarks reveal that the Moto G Play (2023) delivers respectable performance considering its price point. While it may not match the performance of higher-end devices, it offers a satisfactory level of performance for everyday use.

Overall, the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) provides a smooth and lag-free performance for day-to-day tasks and light gaming. Its chipset and CPU deliver satisfactory performance, while the GPU handles casual gaming experiences adequately. The device's system optimization and thermal management contribute to a smooth user experience. However, it is important to note that the Moto G Play (2023) is not designed for heavy gaming or resource-intensive tasks.

Software and User Interface

The Motorola Moto G Play (2023) comes with an operating system of Android 12, providing users with the latest version of the popular mobile platform. This ensures that users have access to the most up-to-date features and security enhancements. The device also offers a user-friendly interface, allowing for easy navigation and customization. Users have the ability to personalize their device by choosing from a wide range of wallpapers, themes, and icons.

In terms of pre-installed apps, the Moto G Play (2023) includes a selection of useful applications that cater to the needs of users. These apps cover various areas such as productivity, communication, entertainment, and more. While there are pre-installed apps, the device does not come with excessive bloatware, which can often be found on other smartphones. This ensures that users have a clean and clutter-free experience, as they can choose which apps they want to keep and which ones they prefer to uninstall.

The Android 12 operating system on the Moto G Play (2023) offers a smooth and responsive performance, allowing users to seamlessly navigate through the device's features and functions. The device is powered by a Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 chipset and an octa-core processor, which ensures efficient multitasking and overall responsiveness.

Overall, the software on the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) provides a user-friendly experience with the latest Android operating system, customization options, and a selection of pre-installed apps that cater to the diverse needs of users. The absence of excessive bloatware ensures a clean and streamlined interface, allowing users to make the most out of their device.

Camera

The Motorola Moto G Play (2023) comes with a triple-camera setup on its rear, featuring a 16-megapixel main camera with an f/2.2 aperture. This camera allows for detailed shots with a wide field of view, making it suitable for capturing a range of subjects. The additional 2-megapixel macro and depth cameras provide versatility for close-up shots and portrait photography, respectively. The camera also includes features such as LED flash, HDR, and panorama mode, enhancing the overall image quality and dynamic range.

In terms of image quality, the Moto G Play (2023) performs well in daylight photography, delivering sharp and vibrant images with natural colors. The camera's sensor size and image stabilization contribute to reducing blurriness and ensuring crispness in photos. However, in low-light conditions, the camera's performance may be slightly limited, requiring the use of night mode or relying on its low-light sensitivity to capture decent shots with reduced noise.

The Moto G Play (2023) also offers various camera features, including portrait mode, HDR, and AI scene recognition, allowing users to experiment with different photography styles and enhance their images. When it comes to video recording, the device is capable of capturing 1080p videos at 30/60fps, providing smooth and detailed footage. Additionally, it supports features like video stabilization, slow-motion video, and time-lapse, adding creativity and versatility to the user's video recording experience.

Overall, the camera of the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) offers a satisfactory performance, especially in well-lit conditions, making it a suitable choice for casual photography and video recording. However, it may face some limitations in challenging lighting situations and may not deliver the same level of image quality as higher-end smartphone cameras.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Motorola Moto G Play (2023) offers a range of connectivity options to keep you connected wherever you go. It supports 5G network compatibility, ensuring fast and reliable data speeds for seamless browsing, streaming, and downloading. Additionally, it features Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, allowing you to connect to both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks for a stable internet connection. The device also supports Bluetooth 5.0, enabling you to connect wireless headphones, speakers, and other compatible devices with ease. While it lacks NFC capabilities, it compensates with a USB Type-C 2.0 port for fast and convenient charging and data transfer. The Moto G Play (2023) also provides GPS and GLONASS for accurate navigation and positioning. It does not support wireless charging, but its 5000 mAh non-removable battery ensures long-lasting usage. Additionally, it comes with dual SIM support, allowing you to use two SIM cards simultaneously for better flexibility and convenience. Overall, the Moto G Play (2023) offers a solid range of connectivity features to cater to your everyday needs.

Additional Features

The Motorola Moto G Play (2023) comes with a range of additional features that enhance its user experience. Although it does not offer water resistance or dust resistance, it does come with a water-repellent coating, which provides some protection against accidental splashes or light rain. The device also includes a dedicated microSD card slot, allowing for storage expansion and giving users the option to increase their device's memory capacity.

In terms of connectivity, the Moto G Play (2023) supports dual SIM functionality, enabling users to use two SIM cards simultaneously. This can be particularly useful for individuals who want to separate work and personal phone numbers or for those who frequently travel and need to use local SIM cards.

The device is equipped with a range of sensors, including an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and fingerprint sensor located on the rear of the device. These sensors enhance the device's usability and security features. However, it does not support wireless charging or have advanced environmental sensors such as a gyroscope or barometer.

Overall, the Moto G Play (2023) offers some additional features that enhance its functionality and usability, such as expandable storage and dual SIM card slots. However, it lacks certain advanced features like water resistance and wireless charging that can be found in higher-end devices.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Motorola Moto G Play (2023) offers a budget-friendly option for consumers looking for a reliable smartphone. When comparing it with related gadgets in the market, we can see how it stacks up against its competitors. One such competitor is the Moto G Power 5G (2023), which is also offered by Motorola.

In terms of specifications, the Moto G Play (2023) features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, while the Moto G Power 5G (2023) boasts a slightly larger 6.8-inch display. Both devices run on Android 12 and are powered by the Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 chipset. However, the Moto G Play (2023) comes with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, while the Moto G Power 5G (2023) offers 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage.

When it comes to camera capabilities, the Moto G Play (2023) features a triple-camera setup with a 16MP main camera, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. On the other hand, the Moto G Power 5G (2023) offers a quad-camera system, including a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. This provides users with more versatility in their photography.

In terms of pricing, the Moto G Play (2023) is priced at $147.99, making it a highly cost-effective option for budget-conscious consumers. Comparatively, the Moto G Power 5G (2023) is priced slightly higher at $199.99. This price difference may play a significant role in the purchasing decision for some consumers.

In the competitive landscape of budget smartphones, the Moto G Play (2023) offers a competitive advantage with its affordable price point and decent specifications. While it may not have all the high-end features of flagship devices, it provides excellent value for money. Its water-repellent coating and long-lasting 5000mAh battery stand out as unique features in its price range.

Overall, the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) competes well with related gadgets in the market, offering a balance between affordability and functionality. Its competitive pricing, decent specifications, and unique features make it a compelling choice for budget-conscious consumers in the crowded smartphone market

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) offers an affordable option for budget-conscious buyers. With its solid build quality and water-repellent coating, it provides durability and peace of mind. The 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate delivers smooth visuals, although the resolution could have been higher. The performance is decent thanks to the Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 chipset and 3GB of RAM. The triple camera setup captures decent photos and videos, while the 5MP front camera is suitable for selfies. The 5000mAh battery provides long-lasting usage, but the 10W wired charging is a bit slow. Overall, the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) is a good choice for users who prioritize affordability and basic smartphone functionality.