Motorola has been steadily building a name in the budget and mid-range segment, especially for those who love clean Android experiences and practical smartphones. The newly launched Motorola G96 5G continues this trend by offering a no-nonsense 5G phone with reliable performance, good battery life, and a stock Android feel. It’s not trying to be flashy—it’s just focused on doing the basics right, and sometimes that’s all a user really needs. Let’s go over all the important points and see where it stands.
Overview Table: Motorola G96 5G Key Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.6-inch IPS LCD, FHD+, 120Hz |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 |
| Rear Camera | 50MP (Main) + 2MP (Depth) |
| Front Camera | 16MP |
| Battery | 5000mAh with 33W TurboPower charging |
| OS | Android 14 (near stock) |
| Storage Variants | 6GB+128GB / 8GB+128GB |
| Expected Price | ₹15,999 onwards |
Design & Style
The Motorola G96 5G looks simple yet elegant. It doesn’t have a glass back or flashy finishes, but its matte plastic back panel feels sturdy and offers a decent grip. The fingerprint-resistant finish is a bonus. The phone is also lightweight despite the large battery, and the slightly curved edges make it easy to hold. The camera module is rectangular and doesn’t stick out too much, giving the phone a balanced look. It’s available in colors like Ink Blue and Charcoal Black, which look classy without trying too hard.
Display & Visuals
The phone features a 6.6-inch Full HD+ LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. While it’s not an AMOLED panel, the LCD is bright, sharp, and fairly color accurate for its price. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling, animations, and better gameplay. Watching videos and browsing social media feels decent on this screen, although deep blacks and contrast will obviously be better on AMOLED phones. Still, for everyday use, the display gets the job done nicely.
Performance & Processor
Powering the Motorola G96 5G is the Snapdragon 695 processor, which is a reliable choice in this segment. It offers stable day-to-day performance and can handle apps like WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram, and even casual gaming without lag. You can play games like BGMI or Asphalt 9 on medium settings comfortably. Paired with 6GB or 8GB RAM, the multitasking is smooth, and app switching doesn’t feel slow. The phone also comes with expandable storage, so if 128GB isn’t enough, you can pop in a microSD card.
Camera Setup
The camera system is basic but functional. The 50MP main sensor takes good photos in daylight with natural colors and decent detail. Low-light performance is average, but that’s expected in this price range. The 2MP depth sensor helps with portraits, but it doesn’t add much value. The 16MP front camera is surprisingly good for selfies and video calls, delivering sharp images with good skin tones. The camera app is clean and offers modes like Night Vision, Portrait, and Pro mode for those who like to tweak settings.
Features & Tech
One of the biggest highlights of this phone is its clean software. The Motorola G96 5G runs Android 14 with almost no bloatware, ads, or heavy customizations. It’s very close to stock Android, which gives the phone a smooth and clean experience. It also supports Moto gestures like chop for flashlight and twist for camera, which are quite handy. You also get side-mounted fingerprint scanner, face unlock, dual SIM + microSD slot, 5G support, and a 3.5mm headphone jack—which many users still prefer.
Battery & Charging
Battery life is one of the strong points here. The phone packs a 5000mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day with normal usage. You can even stretch it to 1.5 days if you’re not gaming much. The 33W TurboPower fast charging isn’t the fastest in the world, but it charges the phone from 0 to 100% in a little over an hour, which is good for this segment. The battery experience overall is reliable and stress-free.
Price & Variants
The Motorola G96 5G is expected to be priced in India as follows:
-
6GB RAM + 128GB storage – ₹15,999
-
8GB RAM + 128GB storage – ₹16,999
This pricing puts it directly in competition with Realme Narzo, Redmi Note series, and Lava Blaze 5G phones. But Motorola stands out for its clean software and solid build.
FAQs
Q1: Does Motorola G96 5G support 5G bands in India?
Yes, it supports multiple Indian 5G bands for future-ready connectivity.
Q2: Is there any bloatware or ads in the UI?
No, the phone runs near-stock Android with no unnecessary bloatware or ads.
Q3: Can I expand the storage?
Yes, it has a dedicated microSD card slot.
Q4: Is the display AMOLED?
No, it’s an IPS LCD, but it supports 120Hz for smooth visuals.
Q5: Does it have stereo speakers?
No, the phone has a single bottom-firing speaker.
Final Verdict
The Motorola G96 5G is a no-frills, value-for-money smartphone that focuses on getting the basics right. It’s not here to win style contests or camera shootouts. Instead, it offers a clean software experience, decent performance, strong battery life, and solid build quality. If you’re someone who prefers smooth stock Android, regular usage, and reliable 5G connectivity on a budget, this phone is worth considering. Simple, practical, and clean—that’s the G96 in a nutshell.