Motorola G96 5G Review

The Motorola G96 5G enters the competitive mid-range smartphone market with a combination of premium design, a vibrant curved pOLED display, dependable Snapdragon performance, and Motorola's signature clean software experience. Positioned around the ₹20,000–₹25,000 price segment, it aims to offer flagship-inspired features without the premium price tag.

Powering the smartphone is Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor, paired with 8GB RAM, 128GB UFS 2.2 storage, and support for virtual RAM expansion. Motorola complements the hardware with its lightweight Hello UI based on Android 15, providing a smooth, clutter-free user experience.

The biggest highlight of the Moto G96 5G is undoubtedly its 6.67-inch curved pOLED display. With a 144Hz refresh rate, 1600 nits peak brightness, support for the 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection, the display delivers a premium viewing experience that stands out in its price segment.

Photography is handled by a 50MP Sony LYT-700C primary camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) alongside an 8MP ultra-wide camera, while a 32MP front camera caters to selfie lovers and video callers. Motorola also includes premium features like IP68 dust and water resistance, Dolby Atmos stereo speakers, Moto AI, and an in-display fingerprint scanner, making the phone feel more premium than its price suggests.

On paper, the specifications look highly competitive, but how does the Moto G96 5G perform in real-world usage? In this detailed review, we'll evaluate its design, display, performance, gaming, camera quality, battery life, software experience, connectivity, and overall value to help you decide whether it's the right smartphone for your budget.

Design & Build Quality

Motorola has consistently impressed with its smartphone designs, and the Moto G96 5G continues that tradition. The device features a sleek, lightweight body with elegantly curved edges that provide a comfortable grip and give it the appearance of a far more expensive smartphone.

Weighing just 178 grams and measuring only 7.93mm thick, the phone feels noticeably lighter than many competing devices in this price range. Whether you're browsing social media, watching videos, or using the phone one-handed, the ergonomic design makes extended usage comfortable.

The rear panel is available in attractive Pantone-inspired color options, giving the phone a modern and premium look. Motorola's minimalist design language keeps the camera module clean without unnecessary visual clutter, while the curved front glass blends seamlessly into the frame for a refined finish.

Durability is another strong point. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, helping resist everyday scratches, while the IP68 rating offers excellent protection against dust and water. This level of durability is still relatively uncommon in the mid-range segment and adds significant value for buyers seeking a long-lasting device.

The in-display fingerprint scanner is quick and reliable, unlocking the phone within a fraction of a second. Face Unlock also works efficiently in good lighting conditions, providing users with an additional convenient authentication method.

Although the Moto G96 5G omits the 3.5mm headphone jack and expandable storage, it compensates with premium features like stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos support, USB Type-C connectivity, and a modern slim profile.

Overall, Motorola has successfully balanced aesthetics, comfort, and durability, making the Moto G96 5G one of the best-designed smartphones in its category.

Design Rating: 9.2 / 10

Display

The display is easily one of the Moto G96 5G's strongest selling points.

Motorola equips the phone with a 6.67-inch Full HD+ curved pOLED display featuring a resolution of 1080 × 2400 pixels, an ultra-smooth 144Hz refresh rate, and a responsive 300Hz touch sampling rate. These specifications translate into fluid animations, faster touch response, and a noticeably smoother overall user experience.

The display supports 100% DCI-P3 color coverage, producing rich, vibrant colors with excellent contrast. Thanks to OLED technology, black levels are deep, colors appear vivid, and HDR-compatible content looks particularly impressive. Whether you're streaming movies, scrolling through social media, or editing photos, the screen consistently delivers a premium visual experience.

Outdoor visibility is equally impressive. With up to 1600 nits peak brightness and 1200 nits High Brightness Mode, the display remains easily readable even under direct sunlight. Motorola also includes Water Touch technology, allowing the touchscreen to remain responsive even when your fingers or the display are slightly wet.

The curved edges enhance the immersive feel of the display while maintaining a modern flagship-like appearance. Combined with slim bezels and a centered punch-hole camera, the screen-to-body ratio creates an engaging viewing experience for multimedia consumption and gaming.

Protection is provided by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, adding durability against accidental scratches and everyday wear.

Overall, the Moto G96 5G delivers one of the finest displays available in the mid-range segment. Between the high refresh rate, excellent brightness, vibrant OLED panel, and premium curved design, it's a display that genuinely elevates the overall smartphone experience.

Display Rating: 9.4 / 10

Performance

The Motorola G96 5G is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, a capable 4nm mid-range processor designed to deliver excellent efficiency and reliable everyday performance. Combined with 8GB LPDDR4X RAM, 128GB UFS 2.2 storage, and support for up to 16GB Virtual RAM, the device comfortably handles everything from daily multitasking to demanding applications.

In day-to-day use, the Moto G96 feels consistently fast and responsive. Applications such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Chrome, Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps, and Microsoft Office launch quickly, while switching between multiple apps remains smooth without noticeable lag. Motorola's lightweight Hello UI further enhances the experience by avoiding unnecessary background services and pre-installed applications.

Benchmark performance also places the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 among the stronger chipsets in the under ₹25,000 segment. The processor provides sufficient power for productivity, entertainment, and moderate content creation while maintaining excellent thermal efficiency during extended workloads.

Storage performance is equally dependable. Although the phone uses UFS 2.2 storage instead of newer UFS 3.x standards, app loading speeds remain fast enough for everyday users and contribute to the phone's smooth overall experience.

For buyers looking for dependable performance without paying flagship prices, the Moto G96 5G delivers a balanced and refined experience that easily meets the needs of most smartphone users.

Performance Rating: 8.6 / 10

Gaming Performance

Gaming is one of the Moto G96 5G's strongest areas within the mid-range category.

The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 paired with the Adreno 710 GPU delivers stable performance across most popular Android games. Titles such as BGMI, Call of Duty Mobile, Free Fire MAX, Mobile Legends, Asphalt Legends Unite, and EA FC Mobile run smoothly on medium to high graphics settings while maintaining stable frame rates.

The 144Hz pOLED display significantly improves the overall gaming experience. Touch response feels quick and precise thanks to the 300Hz touch sampling rate, while smooth animations provide better visual fluidity during fast-paced gameplay.

Motorola has also managed heat exceptionally well. During long gaming sessions, the phone becomes only moderately warm without excessive thermal throttling or sudden frame drops. This allows users to enjoy extended gaming sessions without major performance degradation.

Audio quality further enhances gameplay. The dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos produce loud, balanced sound with impressive clarity, making games and movies more immersive without always requiring headphones.

Although competitive gamers may still prefer flagship processors for maximum graphics performance, the Moto G96 5G offers one of the best gaming experiences currently available in its price segment.

Camera

Photography is another area where the Moto G96 5G performs surprisingly well.

The phone features a 50MP Sony LYT-700C primary camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide camera with Macro Vision. On the front, Motorola includes a high-resolution 32MP selfie camera, making the device suitable for selfies, video calls, and content creation.

In daylight conditions, the primary camera captures sharp images with excellent detail, balanced colors, and wide dynamic range. Motorola's image processing remains relatively natural without applying excessive sharpening or oversaturation, resulting in photos that look realistic and pleasing.

The Sony LYT-700C sensor performs particularly well in challenging lighting conditions. Thanks to OIS and Motorola's Night Vision mode, low-light photography retains good detail while reducing image noise and improving overall brightness.

The 8MP ultra-wide camera expands shooting flexibility for landscapes, architecture, and group photography. While image quality isn't as detailed as the primary camera, color consistency remains respectable, making it useful for occasional wide-angle shots.

Selfie performance is equally impressive. The 32MP front camera produces detailed selfies with natural skin tones and accurate exposure. Whether you're attending video meetings or uploading photos to social media, image quality remains consistently good.

Video recording supports 4K at 30fps, with OIS helping produce smoother handheld footage. Motorola also includes several useful camera features, including Ultra-Res, Portrait Mode, Pro Mode, HDR, Night Vision, Macro Vision, Google Lens, and AI-powered scene optimization.

Overall, the Moto G96 5G delivers one of the strongest camera systems in the under ₹25,000 category, offering excellent versatility for both photography enthusiasts and casual users.

Camera Rating: 8.9 / 10

Battery Life & Charging

The Motorola G96 5G is equipped with a 5500mAh battery, providing reliable battery life for a full day of heavy usage. Whether you're gaming, streaming videos, browsing social media, attending online meetings, or using 5G connectivity throughout the day, the phone consistently delivers dependable endurance.

Moderate users can comfortably achieve one and a half to two days of battery life, while heavy users can still expect a full day without battery anxiety.

Charging is handled by Motorola's 33W TurboPower Fast Charging technology. While several competing smartphones now offer faster charging speeds, Motorola prioritizes battery longevity and stable charging performance. A complete charge takes just over an hour, which is perfectly acceptable considering the large battery capacity.

Battery optimization is another strength. Motorola's software intelligently manages background processes, helping reduce standby battery drain while maximizing screen-on time.

Although 33W charging is no longer class-leading, the combination of a power-efficient Snapdragon processor, optimized software, and a large battery ensures the Moto G96 remains an excellent companion for everyday users.

Battery Rating: 8.7 / 10

Software & User Experience

The Motorola G96 5G runs Android 15 with Motorola's clean Hello UI, delivering one of the most refined software experiences in the mid-range smartphone segment. Unlike many competing brands that heavily customize Android with advertisements and unnecessary pre-installed apps, Motorola focuses on simplicity, speed, and usability.

The interface feels smooth from the moment you power on the device. App opening animations are fluid, multitasking is effortless, and system navigation remains responsive even after extended use. The clean software also helps maximize the performance of the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor by reducing unnecessary background activity.

Motorola includes several useful software features such as Moto AI, Moto Secure, ThinkShield for Mobile, Smart Connect, Edge Lights, and the popular Moto Gestures like Quick Capture, Fast Flashlight, Flip for DND, and Three-Finger Screenshot. These additions improve productivity without making the interface feel cluttered.

Security is another strong point. The phone includes an in-display fingerprint scanner, Face Unlock, and Motorola's ThinkShield security platform for additional protection. Regular security updates further enhance the overall user experience.

Although some competitors now promise longer Android version updates, the Moto G96 5G still provides one of the cleanest and most enjoyable Android experiences in its category.

Software Rating: 8.9 / 10

Connectivity & Multimedia

The Moto G96 5G offers a comprehensive connectivity package suitable for modern smartphone users. It supports Dual SIM 5G, VoLTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, USB Type-C 2.0, GPS, and USB On-The-Go, ensuring stable connectivity for everyday communication and entertainment.

Call quality remains consistently clear, while 5G connectivity delivers fast download and upload speeds in supported network areas. GPS accuracy is reliable for navigation, and Bluetooth connectivity works seamlessly with wireless earbuds, smartwatches, and other accessories.

One of the highlights is the dual stereo speaker system with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio support. The speakers produce loud, balanced sound with impressive clarity, making the phone excellent for watching movies, listening to music, and gaming.

The only notable omission is the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack, which may disappoint users who still prefer wired audio devices. However, for most buyers using wireless accessories, this is unlikely to be a major drawback.

Overall, Motorola delivers a well-rounded multimedia experience that complements the phone's premium display and dependable performance.

Value for Money

The Motorola G96 5G strikes an impressive balance between premium features and affordability. It brings together a 144Hz curved pOLED display, Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor, Sony LYT-700C camera with OIS, IP68 water resistance, Dolby Atmos stereo speakers, and Motorola's clean software experience in a package priced around ₹23,000.

While some competitors offer faster charging or slightly more powerful processors, few devices combine display quality, camera performance, software optimization, and premium design as effectively as the Moto G96 5G.

Its lightweight build, IP68 certification, premium curved display, and reliable everyday performance make it one of the strongest all-round smartphones in the ₹20,000–₹25,000 segment.

For buyers seeking a balanced smartphone rather than chasing a single standout specification, the Moto G96 5G represents excellent value for money.

Overall Conclusion

The Motorola G96 5G successfully delivers a premium smartphone experience at a competitive mid-range price. It excels in the areas that matter most to everyday users, including display quality, design, software optimization, camera performance, and overall usability.

The stunning 144Hz curved pOLED display is easily among the best in its class, while the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 provides dependable performance for productivity, gaming, and entertainment. The 50MP Sony LYT-700C camera with OIS captures impressive photos, the 5500mAh battery comfortably lasts a full day, and Motorola's clean Hello UI remains one of the best Android implementations available.

Although the phone lacks expandable storage, a headphone jack, and ultra-fast charging, these compromises are relatively minor considering everything else it offers.

If you're looking for a stylish, dependable, and feature-rich smartphone under ₹25,000, the Motorola G96 5G deserves a place on your shortlist. Its premium display, clean software, capable cameras, and solid overall performance make it one of the most balanced mid-range smartphones currently available.