The new Motorola Moto G (2025) is a budget smartphone that offers a fair mix of features without breaking the bank. At a price of about $200, it is designed to deliver a solid everyday experience for those who want a reliable phone without extra frills. This review takes a close look at the device to see if it truly lives up to its promise as an affordable option. Over the past few weeks, I’ve spent time using the Moto G (2025) to test its performance, design, and overall usability, and in this article, I will share my honest thoughts on every aspect of the phone.
In today’s fast-moving mobile market, it is not uncommon to see budget devices that try to pack in as many features as possible. The Moto G (2025) is no exception. It comes with a 6.7-inch display, a decent set of cameras, and a large battery—all powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset paired with 4GB of RAM. While it may not compete with high-end smartphones, it aims to deliver enough speed and reliability for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and casual gaming. In this review, I will break down the pros and cons of this device and discuss if its small compromises are acceptable for a phone in this price range.
The purpose of this hands-on review is to help you decide whether the Moto G (2025) is the right choice for your needs. I will cover each part of the phone in detail—from its battery life and performance to its design, display, and camera quality. Every section is built from my own testing and observations to give you a clear picture of what owning this device feels like on a daily basis. My goal is to present a straightforward and honest view without any confusing jargon, so even if you are not a tech expert, you can easily understand what to expect.
Throughout the review, you will learn about the key strengths and weaknesses of the Moto G (2025) in simple terms. I have rearranged the sections to help you focus on what matters most, whether that’s how long the battery lasts, how well the phone performs under pressure, or how comfortable it is to hold and use. By the end of this article, you should have a clear idea of whether you should spend your money on this budget-friendly device or consider a more expensive alternative if you have higher demands. Now, let’s dive into the various aspects of the Moto G (2025) starting with its battery and charging performance.
Motorola Moto G (2025) Battery Life and Charging
One of the first things I noticed about the Moto G (2025) is its impressive battery performance. The phone is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, which is a good size for a device in this price range. During my testing, the phone managed to last a full day of heavy use, and even stretched into two days with moderate use. This is especially important for those who need a reliable device that can go through a busy day without constantly needing a charge.
When it comes to charging, the Moto G (2025) supports 30W wired charging. I found that the charger included in the box works well, and the phone can go from nearly empty to about 50% in just 30 minutes. After about an hour and 15 minutes, the battery was full, which is pretty impressive for a $200 phone. This means that if you’re in a hurry, a short charging session will give you enough juice to last a good part of the day.
What I also liked about the battery performance is that it feels steady even during heavy tasks. Whether I was watching videos or browsing online, the battery drain was consistent and predictable. It’s clear that Motorola has optimized the phone well for battery life, which is one of the key concerns for anyone using a budget device. Overall, if you value not having to worry about your phone dying quickly, the Moto G (2025) does a good job in this area.
Performance and Software
Under the hood, the Moto G (2025) is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 6300 chipset, built on a 6nm process. While this processor is not the fastest on the market, it is more than enough for everyday tasks like checking email, using social media, and light gaming. The phone comes with 4GB of RAM, but it also features a handy RAM Boost feature that can allocate up to 8GB of extra virtual RAM. I found that when I maxed out this feature, the phone’s performance improved noticeably, especially during multitasking.
The performance in day-to-day use is mostly smooth, though there were moments when the phone felt a bit sluggish. For instance, unlocking the phone or switching between apps sometimes showed slight stutter. These issues were not constant but did pop up often enough to remind you that this is a budget device. Despite these occasional hiccups, gaming performance was decent. I played PUBG Mobile at high resolution settings, and while the experience was not completely smooth all the time, it was acceptable for a phone in this price range.
Software-wise, the Moto G (2025) runs on Android 15 with Motorola’s Hello UI on top. I appreciate that the interface stays close to stock Android, making it easy to use for anyone familiar with Android. The design is simple and direct, with a few neat touches like the fingerprint scanner built into the power button and the hidden features like the three-finger screenshot. However, the default font in Hello UI has very tight spacing, which made reading some text a bit challenging. Thankfully, there are options to adjust these settings. Overall, while the performance is not top-notch, the Moto G (2025) handles most tasks without major issues and offers a clean, if slightly basic, software experience.
Design and Build Quality
The design of the Moto G (2025) is a pleasant surprise for a phone that costs just $200. At first glance, it does not look like a typical budget phone. The back of the phone is covered in a Forest Gray vegan leather finish that gives it a premium feel and a better grip than most plastic backs. The sleek leather adds a touch of elegance that makes the device stand out, even when compared to more expensive phones.
The mid-frame is made of plastic but is designed in a two-tone style with metallic paint on one side, creating the illusion of a more expensive material like aluminum. This design trick works very well, and I almost thought the frame was made of real metal. The camera bump is designed with a gentle slope, which adds to the overall aesthetic. One thing to note is that the camera area is raised, which means that the phone might not lay perfectly flat on a table. Despite this, the overall build feels solid and durable.
The placement of the buttons is practical, though there is a small downside. The power button doubles as a fingerprint scanner and works reliably, but its location sometimes caused me to unlock the phone unintentionally while handling it. The volume rocker, which sits right above the power button, feels a bit soft in comparison and does not provide the same satisfying feedback. The sides of the phone include a slot for SIM and microSD cards on the left, and at the bottom, you get a USB-C port along with a 3.5mm headphone jack. Additionally, the phone has stereo speakers that deliver clear and loud sound, which adds to the overall impression of quality in a budget device.
Display Quality
The Moto G (2025) features a 6.7-inch LCD display with an HD+ resolution of 1604 x 720 pixels. While this resolution might seem low compared to high-end phones, it is quite adequate for daily use. The display appears sharp and is bright enough for most indoor and outdoor situations. With a 120Hz refresh rate, the screen feels smooth during scrolling and app transitions. However, the high refresh rate sometimes puts pressure on the phone’s underpowered chipset, leading to occasional stutter when performing heavy tasks.
The overall look of the display is good for its price, even if the color reproduction and contrast do not match those of more expensive devices. The bezels around the screen are a bit uneven and offset, which is a small trade-off for a phone in this category. Protection is provided by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which should help guard against minor scratches, though it may not hold up against drops. In bright sunlight, the display reaches up to 1000 nits of brightness, making it usable even on cloudy days, although in direct sun, you might need to increase the brightness for optimal viewing.
While the display isn’t perfect, it does a good job for everyday tasks such as reading, watching videos, and browsing social media. The 120Hz refresh rate brings a level of smoothness that you might not expect from a $200 phone, and this feature sets it apart from many other budget devices. The screen quality, in short, is one of the strong points of the Moto G (2025), even if it occasionally shows minor performance issues related to the processor.
Camera Experience
The camera setup on the Moto G (2025) is a mixed bag, which is common in budget devices. The rear camera system includes a 50MP main sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, which is designed to bin images down to 12.5MP by default. In good lighting, the main camera produces decent shots with good color and detail. However, when it comes to dynamic range, the images sometimes suffer, with shadows appearing too dark and details getting lost. This means that while the camera works well in bright conditions, it struggles a bit in scenes with high contrast.
Alongside the main camera, there is a 2MP macro lens that is intended for close-up shots. Unfortunately, the macro lens feels more like an afterthought. It produces images that are not as sharp as one would hope, and it seems to be there more for the sake of the spec sheet than for practical use. The front camera is a 16MP unit with an f/2.4 aperture, and it does a decent job of capturing selfies and handling video calls. Portrait mode on the front camera is acceptable, although it occasionally struggles with fine details like hair edges.
One of the noticeable issues with the camera system is shutter lag. There were times when there was a one- to two-second delay between pressing the shutter and the image being captured, especially in modes like Night Vision. This delay can lead to motion blur in fast-moving subjects, which is frustrating if you are trying to capture a clear shot quickly. Despite these issues, the camera setup on the Moto G (2025) is capable of producing good images in friendly lighting conditions, making it a decent option for casual photography. However, if you are looking for a phone with a consistently great camera experience, you might need to look at higher-end models.
User Experience and Overall Value
Using the Moto G (2025) on a daily basis has been a mixed experience. On the one hand, the phone offers a lot of value for its price. The design is attractive, with its unique vegan leather back and two-tone frame, and the battery life is solid, ensuring you can go through the day without constantly worrying about charging. The addition of features like a 120Hz refresh rate on the display and stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support further adds to the appeal of the device. For many users, these features make the phone a strong contender in the budget market.
On the other hand, there are areas where the Moto G (2025) falls short. Performance can be inconsistent due to the limited RAM and the underpowered MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset. Everyday tasks like unlocking the phone and switching between apps sometimes feel sluggish and jittery. While the RAM Boost feature helps by adding virtual RAM, it does not completely solve these issues. The camera system, though promising on paper, has its share of problems, particularly with shutter lag and inconsistent results in low-light conditions. These shortcomings mean that if you require smooth performance or top-notch camera quality, you might be better off spending a bit more on a different device.
When you compare the Moto G (2025) to other phones in the same price range, such as the Samsung Galaxy A35 or the Nothing CMF Phone 1, it becomes clear that while the Moto G offers a decent overall experience, it is not without its compromises. The design and battery life are definite highlights, and the inclusion of features like a 120Hz display and a good set of connectivity options makes it a competitive choice. For users who are willing to accept a few hiccups in performance and camera quality in exchange for a stylish and reliable device at a very attractive price, the Moto G (2025) is an excellent option.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
After spending ample time with the Motorola Moto G (2025), I can say that it delivers what you would expect from a budget phone in the $200 range. It is designed for users who do not need the most powerful processor or the best camera but want a device that looks good, lasts long, and can handle everyday tasks with ease. The unique design with its vegan leather back, the smooth 120Hz display, and the robust 5000mAh battery are major pluses that make it stand out in a crowded market.
However, if smooth performance and excellent camera quality are top priorities for you, the Moto G (2025) may leave you wanting more. The slight sluggishness in app switching, occasional stutter, and the shutter lag in the camera app are areas that could be improved. In addition, while the design is attractive, the raised camera module means the phone does not lie perfectly flat, which might bother some users. Despite these small drawbacks, the overall experience is positive, and the phone offers great value for its price.
For anyone on a tight budget looking for a phone that balances good looks, a decent camera, and long battery life, the Moto G (2025) is worth considering. It may not have all the bells and whistles of a flagship device, but it provides the essentials in a reliable and attractive package. The phone is particularly appealing if you value design and battery performance over top-tier processing power. While it may not be perfect, it does a solid job in most everyday tasks and stands as one of the best options available for under $200.
In conclusion, the Motorola Moto G (2025) is a well-rounded budget phone that meets the needs of everyday users without excessive frills. It offers a unique design, a bright and smooth display, and impressive battery life, all of which combine to create an enjoyable user experience. Although it has its shortcomings—such as inconsistent performance at times and some camera lag—these issues are understandable given its price point. If you are looking for a cost-effective phone that still delivers on many fronts, the Moto G (2025) is a compelling choice that won’t disappoint.
