The Motorola Moto G35 5G offers impressive value for its price, making it a solid choice in the affordable smartphone category. As the gap between budget and mid-range phones narrows, this device showcases how much performance and features can be packed into an inexpensive handset. With its sleek design, vibrant display, decent performance, and reliable software support, the Moto G35 5G is a noteworthy contender in the budget segment.
Design
The Motorola Moto G35 5G has a lightweight build with smooth edges, making it comfortable to hold. Its rear panel features a glossy plastic finish enhanced by fine, glitter-like particles that add a subtle sparkle. Users seeking a more premium feel can opt for models with a vegan leather finish, which is usually seen in higher-priced Motorola phones.
Its tall and slim design ensures that the phone fits snugly in the hand, allowing for an easier grip compared to wider, bulkier devices. Reaching icons on the far side of the screen is simple, though accessing the top requires a slight adjustment of the hand. The phone’s overall build is practical and user-friendly.
The layout of the device is well-thought-out. The bottom edge houses a USB-C charging port, a three-grill speaker, a microphone, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. On the right side, you’ll find the power button and volume keys, while the SIM and microSD tray are also conveniently located. The dual-camera setup and LED flash sit in a lightly raised module, which minimizes wobbling when placed on a flat surface.
Screen
The Moto G35 5G features a 6.72-inch Full HD display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. This screen delivers vibrant colors and excellent brightness levels, making it enjoyable for streaming videos or scrolling through social media. While it lacks the curved pOLED panels found in higher-end models, it still provides an impressive viewing experience.
One standout feature is its 120Hz refresh rate, which ensures smooth scrolling and reduced motion blur. Whether you’re reading articles, browsing apps, or playing light games, the screen feels responsive and fluid. Having such a high refresh rate on an affordable phone is a rare and valuable addition.
The display supports HDR content, which enhances video quality under appropriate lighting conditions. While the speakers lack depth and richness, they are serviceable for casual media consumption. However, at higher volumes, the sound becomes harsh, which is typical for budget devices.
Camera
The Motorola Moto G35 5G comes equipped with a 50MP primary camera, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 16MP front-facing camera. The main camera performs decently in well-lit conditions but struggles with indoor or low-light shots. Images often appear slightly overprocessed, with noticeable sharpness in some areas and softness in others.
The ultrawide lens provides a broader perspective but sacrifices image quality. While the 2x zoom offers smooth results, the phone cannot deliver detailed close-ups or distant shots. The main camera supports 4K video recording at 30fps, but stabilization is lacking, which affects the quality of moving shots.
The front-facing camera, on the other hand, is a pleasant surprise. Its 16MP sensor produces sharp selfies and works well for video calls. As long as there is sufficient lighting, you can capture decent photos and videos, making it a suitable choice for casual photography needs.
Performance
Powered by the Unisoc T760 chipset and 4GB of RAM, the Moto G35 5G provides solid performance for daily tasks. Navigation feels smooth, and apps open with minimal delays. While the phone’s processing power may not match flagship models, it performs admirably in typical use cases such as browsing, streaming, and light gaming.
The device struggles slightly with storage speed, which can affect tasks like installing apps or saving photos quickly. Despite this limitation, it handles multitasking reasonably well, provided you don’t overburden it with too many apps running simultaneously.
Gaming on the Moto G35 5G is a mixed experience. While simpler games like Roblox run smoothly, demanding titles like Genshin Impact show significant frame drops. For competitive games such as League of Legends: Wild Rift, the phone delivers stable performance on lower settings, which is impressive for a budget device.
Software
The Moto G35 5G runs Android 14 and is upgradeable to Android 15. Motorola promises three years of security updates, ensuring the device remains protected and functional for a reasonable duration.
The software experience is relatively clean, with minimal pre-installed apps. Most of the bloatware can be easily removed, leaving users with a near-stock Android interface. This simplicity contributes to the phone’s snappy performance and makes it appealing to those who prefer an uncluttered user experience.
Battery
The phone packs a 5000mAh battery, providing reliable day-to-day usage. Light activities such as browsing or streaming consume around 5-10% per hour, making it a dependable choice for moderate users. However, its charging capabilities are less impressive.
With a maximum charging speed of 18W, refueling the battery takes considerably longer compared to modern fast-charging standards. A full charge can take over 90 minutes, which might be inconvenient for users accustomed to quicker charging times. Additionally, the lack of wireless charging is a small drawback, though expected at this price point.
Final Thoughts
The Motorola Moto G35 5G is an excellent choice for budget-conscious buyers. While its cameras and speakers have room for improvement, the phone excels in areas like display quality, smooth performance, and reliable battery life. The inclusion of a 120Hz screen and solid software support further adds to its appeal.
For those looking for a well-rounded device at an affordable price, the Moto G35 5G is a great option. However, if photography or fast charging is a priority, alternatives like the Moto G55 or G85 might be worth considering. Overall, the Moto G35 5G strikes a fine balance between cost and functionality, making it a smart pick for everyday use.
