Motorola G96 5G (8GB + 128GB)

Motorola has expanded its lineup with the Motorola G96 5G, a phone built around a 144 refresh rate on a pOLED panel that makes scrolling feel buttery smooth. Designed for media & streaming, everyday use, it brings 5G connectivity, a large 5500mAh battery, a smooth 144Hz display, and the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset into one well-rounded package.

The phone sits at a competitive price in the Indian market. It doesn't try to compete with premium flagships — instead it focuses on delivering a balanced everyday experience, and in that mission it largely succeeds.

The phone sits at a competitive price in the Indian market in the Indian market. It doesn't try to compete with premium flagships — instead it focuses on delivering a balanced everyday experience, and in that mission it largely succeeds.

Design & Build Quality

At 178g, the Motorola G96 5G feels light and comfortable to hold. With an IP68 rating, it offers real protection against dust and splashes for everyday use. A fingerprint sensor unlocks the phone quickly and reliably.

Design Rating: 8.5/10

Display

The phone features a 6.67-inch pOLED panel with a 144Hz refresh rate and 1080 x 2400 resolution. Scrolling through apps, social media and websites feels noticeably smoother than standard 60Hz displays. With 1600 nits of peak brightness, it stays perfectly readable even outdoors. The ~395 PPI density keeps text sharp and crisp. Deep blacks and punchy colours make it excellent for OTT streaming and YouTube.

Display Rating: 9.4/10

Performance

Powering the Motorola G96 5G is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2. Daily tasks such as browsing, video streaming, online classes, messaging and social media all run smoothly. It scores around 6,32,599 on AnTuTu, which is solid for this segment — casual games and multitasking are handled without major issues.

It runs Android 15 with Hello UI on top out of the box. The interface is clean, well-optimised and easy to live with day to day.

Performance Rating: 6.7/10

Camera Performance

The Motorola G96 5G comes with a 50MP main camera along with additional sensors for depth and wide-angle shots. In daylight, the primary camera captures detailed photos with natural colours and good dynamic range. The Sony LYT-700C sensor helps keep low-light shots usable. Video recording goes up to 4K, which is genuinely rare at this price point. Selfies come from a 32MP front camera — good enough for video calls and social posts.

Camera Rating: 7.2/10

Battery Life

Battery life is one of the biggest strengths of the Motorola G96 5G. The 5500mAh battery comfortably gets you through a full day of use. The 33W fast charging tops it up quickly whenever you do need to charge.

Battery Rating: 7.1/10

Software Experience

The phone ships with Android 15 and Hello UI on top. It comes with the usual preloaded apps, most of which can be disabled. For everyday use the software feels smooth and stable, and it stays that way over the long term.

Software Rating: 7.2/10

Should You Buy the Motorola G96 5G?

If you're looking for a phone for media & streaming and everyday use, the Motorola G96 5G is a strong option. Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 performance and 144Hz pOLED display are its standout strengths. It's not perfect though — no wireless charging and no 3.5mm headphone jack may bother some buyers. For students, office users and families looking for a dependable device in this budget, it is an easy recommendation.