Motorola Moto G54 5G: A Mid-Range Contender in 2024?

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Motorola’s Moto G series has carved a niche in the budget-conscious smartphone market. The Moto G54 5G, released in April 2024, aims to continue this tradition by offering 5G connectivity, a large battery, and a capable camera system at an attractive price point.

But can the Moto G54 5G stand out in a crowded mid-range field? This in-depth review will delve into the phone’s design, performance, camera, battery life, software, and verdict on whether it’s the right choice for you.

Motorola Moto G54 5G Design Simple Yet Stylish

The Moto G54 5G doesn’t boast a groundbreaking design. It follows the current trend of a large, bezel-less display with a punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera. The back panel is constructed from plastic and has a glossy finish in two color options: Mint Green and Pearl Blue. While the glossy finish can be prone to fingerprints, it does give the phone a sleek and modern look.

The phone is comfortable to hold, thanks to its curved edges and relatively lightweight 185 grams. A fingerprint sensor is conveniently located on the power button on the right side, while the volume buttons are positioned just above it. The bottom edge houses the USB-C charging port and a single speaker grille.

The phone boasts an IP52 water-repellent design, meaning it can withstand light splashes and accidental spills but is not fully waterproof. Overall, the Moto G54 5G’s design is functional and inoffensive. It won’t win any design awards, but it gets the job done and looks decent.

Moto G54 5G Display Big and Bright, But Not Top-Tier

The Moto G54 5G features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a Full HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) resolution. The display offers vibrant colors and good viewing angles. The maximum brightness is sufficient for most indoor and outdoor use cases. However, some users might find the display a bit dimmer than AMOLED displays in higher-end phones.

The display refresh rate is 120Hz, offering a smoother and more responsive experience than the standard 60Hz displays. This is a welcome feature, especially for gamers and those who enjoy scrolling through social media feeds.

One drawback of the display is the lack of HDR support. This means that HDR content from streaming services like Netflix or YouTube won’t look its absolute best. Overall, the Moto G54 5G’s display is a good fit for everyday use. It offers a large viewing area, vibrant colors, and a smooth refresh rate. However, if you’re a power user who demands the absolute best display quality, you might want to look elsewhere.

Performance Capable Enough for Most Users

The Moto G54 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7020 processor, which is paired with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage. The Dimensity 7020 is a mid-range chipset capable of handling everyday tasks like browsing the web, checking social media, and streaming videos without issues. It can even handle some light gaming, although you might need to lower the graphics settings for demanding titles.

The phone has two RAM and storage configurations: 8GB RAM with 128GB storage and 12GB RAM with 256GB storage. The 8GB RAM variant is sufficient for most users, but if you’re a power user who multitasks heavily or stores a lot of media on your phone, the 12GB RAM variant might be a better option.

In terms of benchmarks, the Moto G54 5G scores decently on benchmarks like AnTuTu but falls short of some of its competitors powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon series processors. However, benchmarks don’t always tell the whole story. In real-world use, the Moto G54 5G feels responsive and smooth for most everyday tasks.

Camera Hits and Misses

The Moto G54 5G sports a triple-camera system on the back, consisting of a 50MP primary sensor with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), an 8MP ultrawide sensor, and a 2MP depth sensor. The front-facing camera for selfies is 16MP.

The 50MP primary sensor on the Moto G54 5G is in good lighting conditions and can capture detailed and sharp photos. The OIS helps to minimize blur from shaky hands. However, photos taken in low-light conditions can be noisy and lack detail.

The ultrawide sensor is decent for capturing broader landscapes, but the image quality could be better than the primary sensors. The 2MP depth sensor is primarily used for portrait mode photos, which can be hit or miss. The 16MP front-facing camera takes decent selfies in good lighting but struggles in low-light situations.

Overall, the Moto G54 5G’s camera system is adequate for casual users who take occasional photos. However, you’ll likely be disappointed if you’re a mobile photography enthusiast. Better camera options are available in the mid-range segment.

Battery Life Long-Lasting

The Moto G54 5G packs a 6000mAh battery, a welcome sight in today’s power-hungry smartphones. The phone can easily last a full day on a single charge with moderate usage. Even with heavier use, you’ll likely still make it through the day without needing to reach for a charger.

The phone also supports 30W fast charging, which can quickly top up the battery when running low on juice. In a 30-minute charge, you can expect to get the battery from 0% to around 50%. While not the fastest charging solution on the market, it’s sufficient for most users.

Stock Android with a Few Extras

The Moto G54 5G runs near-stock Android 13. This means you get a clean and bloatware-free experience. Motorola adds some of its apps and features, such as Moto Display, which shows notifications on the lock screen, and Moto Actions, which allows you to customize specific actions using gestures.

One of the benefits of stock Android is that you’re guaranteed to receive timely software updates. Motorola has a decent track record of updating its phones, so you can expect to receive security updates and the occasional new Android version for at least a couple of years.

Moto G54 5G A Decent Mid-Range Option, But Not Without Competition

The Moto G54 5G is a solid mid-range smartphone that offers good value for money. It has a large, vibrant display, a capable processor for everyday tasks, a long-lasting battery, and a clean software experience. The 5G connectivity is a future-proof feature, and the camera system is decent enough for casual users.

However, the Moto G54 5G faces stiff competition from other mid-range devices. Some competitors offer better camera performance, faster processors, or higher refresh rate displays. Ultimately, deciding whether to buy the Moto G54 5G depends on your priorities and budget.

Here’s a quick recap of the Moto G54 5G’s pros and cons to help you decide

Pros:

Oversized and vibrant display with 120Hz refresh rate
Capable processor for everyday tasks
Long-lasting battery with fast charging support
Clean software experience with near-stock Android 13
5G connectivity for future-proofing

Cons:

The design is a bit generic
Display isn’t the brightest and lacks HDR support
Camera system is sound in good lighting but struggles in low light
Not the most powerful processor on the market

Who Should Buy the Moto G54 5G?

The Moto G54 5G is a good option for a well-rounded mid-range smartphone with 5G connectivity. It’s an excellent choice for those prioritizing battery life and a clean software experience. However, if you’re a power user who needs the best camera performance or the fastest processor, consider other options in the market.

This in-depth review of the Moto G54 5G has helped you decide whether or not it’s the right smartphone for you.