Introduction
Motorola ups the game once again in India’s sub-₹20,000 segment with the Moto G96 5G. Flaunting a quad-curved pOLED display, a slim vegan leather build, and the efficient Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, the G96 seems ready to tackle everything from binge-watching to gaming. Add a 5500mAh battery, clean Motorola UI, and IP68 durability, and you get one of 2025’s most anticipated all-rounders.
Let’s break down if the G96 can outshine peers like the iQOO Z10R, vivo T4, and Redmi Note 14 Pro, following the clear sectioned style you love.
📌 Moto G96 5G: Key Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.67″ FHD+ pOLED, 3D quad-curved, 144Hz, HDR10+ |
| Processor | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Octa-core (2.4 GHz) |
| RAM/Storage | 8GB RAM (up to 16GB with virtual), 128/256GB UFS2.2 |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP Sony Lytia 700C (OIS) + 8MP Ultra-wide/macro |
| Front Camera | 32MP punch-hole |
| Battery | 5500mAh, 33W TurboPower fast charging |
| Software | Android 15, Hello UI |
| Build | Vegan leather, Gorilla Glass 5, IP68 water/dust |
| Weight/Thickness | 178g, 7.93mm |
| Extras | In-display fingerprint, stereo speakers, Moto Secure |
🎨 Design & Build Quality
✅ Curved, Light, and Premium Vegan Feel
The G96 is a looker—its 3D quad-curved edges blend into the vegan leather back, making it sleek yet grippy. Motorola brings Pantone style with Greener Pastures, Ashleigh Blue, Cattleya Orchid, and Dresden Blue finishes, all fingerprint-resistant and comfortable during long holds. The phone’s slim 7.93mm profile and light 178g weight make it wearable in your hand or pocket all day without fatigue.
Corning Gorilla Glass 5 covers the display, fending off scratches, while an IP68 rating means accidental drops in water or rain aren’t a problem. The camera module sits flush, so there’s no annoying “wobble” on flat surfaces.
Verdict: Distinctive, durable, and delightfully practical—Moto nails daily usability and stylish looks while keeping the G96 robust for outdoor, gym, or commute use.
🌈 Display: The 144Hz Curved Showstopper
✅ Immersive and Ultra-Smooth
A 6.67-inch Full HD+ pOLED curving on all four edges instantly sets the G96 apart. The 144Hz refresh rate delivers slick scrolling, and the panel manages turbo-charged smoothness for gaming or social feeds alike. Touch sampling jumps to 300Hz, making every tap and swipe instant.
Colors pop with support for 1B colors and DCI-P3 wide gamut, offering deep blacks and vivid HDR10+ playback. With up to 1600 nits peak brightness, outdoor use is effortless, and Moto’s Water Touch 2.0 tech means the screen responds even with wet or oily fingers—handy for Indian weather.
The punch-hole design and slim bezels grant an immersive feel. Gorilla Glass 5 ensures screen longevity.
Verdict: If you crave sharp visuals, fluid gaming, and great outdoor readability, the G96’s display sets a new benchmark in its price class.
Motorola Edge 60 Pro is a Mid-Range Marvel and does it compete with Moto G96 5G?
⚡ Performance & Hardware
✅ Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 Delivers Dependable Power
The G96 runs on the efficient Snapdragon 7s Gen 2—a 4nm chip clocked at 2.4GHz—that eats up routine tasks and moderate to heavy gaming without breaking a sweat. With 8GB RAM (plus virtually expandable to 16GB), app launching and split-screen multitasking rarely slow down.
UFS 2.2 storage (up to 256GB) ensures quick file transfers. 5G dual-SIM, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and comprehensive GPS support make navigation and connectivity reliable. No microSD slot, so pick your storage tier wisely.
Thermal performance impresses: Motorola’s integrated vapor chamber cooling minimizes heating during intense play or video marathons.
Verdict: Expect dependable performance for students, work-from-home warriors, and casual gamers; it’s easily among the snappiest sub-₹20K phones of 2025.
📸 Camera System: Crisp for Socials and Reels
✅ 50MP Sony Lytia Sensor + 8MP Ultra-Wide
Moto leans into photography with a dual rear camera: a 50MP Sony Lytia 700C main lens with OIS for blur-free shots, and an 8MP ultra-wide/macro for landscapes or close-ups. Images in daylight are detailed, vibrant, and sharp—AI optimization pumps up colors for social media without overdoing it. In low light, Night Vision mode keeps noise in check and OIS makes handheld night shots, parties, or cityscapes easier.
Pro and Portrait modes bring creative bokeh and advanced controls. Macro mode is good for food, flowers, or tiny objects, though detail falls short of flagships. Video is handled up to 4K at 30fps; stabilization is robust, so vlogs and walking shots are smooth.
The 32MP punch-hole selfie shooter is excellent for video calls or Instagram—with Quad Pixel tech for brighter, richer selfies even in dim cafes or late evenings.
Verdict: The dual setup gets creative, thumbnail-ready results, even if ultra-wide and macro detail can’t match premium rivals. For its bracket, it’s versatile, social-friendly, and surprisingly reliable.
vivo T4 the Ultimate Battery Beast for the Smart Budget Buyer? Or is Moto G96 better than Vivo T4?
🔋 Battery Life & Charging
✅ Enduring and Fast to Fill
The G96 boasts a 5500mAh battery—sizable for a phone this slim. With optimized Android 15 and the 7s Gen 2 chip, most users can clear 1.5 days with mixed cameras, gaming, and 5G. Light users stretch toward two days.
The bundled 33W TurboPower charger takes you from 0–100% in about 70 minutes, and just half an hour gives nearly 50%. Battery health algorithms learn your habits for smarter overnight charging and longer cell lifespan.
Smart battery modes—like Bedtime Saver, Adaptive Charging, and app sleep—extend usage during travel or when you forget your charger.
Verdict: Among slim phones, the G96 is a true all-day performer—perfect for commuters, students, and anyone who hates battery anxiety.
🎯 Software & User Experience
✅ Hello UI: Clean, Practical, and Ad-Resistant
Running Android 15 with Hello UI, the G96 offers near-stock simplicity blended with handy Moto features. Navigation is breezy, free from bloatware or forced advertising. Security patches are promised for three years; you’ll get at least two major Android upgrades.
Moto’s gestures are front and center: chop to flashlight, wrist twist to camera, three-finger screenshot, pick up to silence, and Quick Launch for rapid app access. Sidebar shortcuts let you split apps or pull up favorite tools without digging through menus.
Moto Secure and ThinkShield protect your files and activity, while Attentive Display keeps the screen on if you’re looking. Digital Wellbeing and Kids Mode help families set boundaries and healthy habits.
Dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos round out the experience, delivering crisp, punchy sound for both music and calls.
Verdict: If you hate clunky UIs and RAM-hungry skins, you’ll love Hello UI’s blend of stock Android fluidity with useful, non-intrusive extras.
🔊 Connectivity & Extra Features
✅ Fully Loaded Every Day
Dual nano-SIM 5G with support across major Indian bands makes the G96 futureproof. Wi-Fi 6 boosts download and streaming speeds at home, and Bluetooth 5.2 ensures reliable wearable and audio connections. There’s no headphone jack, but Type-C delivers decent wired audio output for enthusiasts.
An in-display fingerprint reader unlocks fast and works with moist or dusty fingers—a key improvement for on-the-go users. Moto’s IP68 rating gives safe passage through downpours, kitchen accidents, or splashes.
No microSD slot, but cloud integration in Google Photos and Docs minimizes storage anxiety for most users.
Verdict: All essential modern connectivity and security bases are covered, tailored for work-from-anywhere and travel.
🧪 Real-World Usage Experience: Smart, Smooth, and Stamina-Focused
Daily use cements the Moto G96 as a rock-solid choice for the average Indian user. Notifications always arrive on time, Google integration is deep and lag-free, and multitasking (with 10+ apps running) never stutters. From editing PDFs, switching between social apps, or running two messenger accounts side-by-side, the phone doesn’t break stride.
The screen is comfortable for long e-book reading or late-night texting thanks to blue light reduction modes and adaptable brightness. Gamers get smooth, quick reactions in battle royales; even after an hour of play, frame rates hold steady and the frame never gets hot.
Voice calls sound rich over stereo speakers, and the phone maintains good network hold even in weak areas. The camera is quick to launch—never missing a moment—and social uploads are ready instantly courtesy of strong 5G.
Verdict: Whether you’re a student, remote worker, gamer, or content creator, this device just keeps up—making it a wallet-friendly multitasker you can rely on.
✅ Pros & Cons at a Glance
Pros:
✔️ Stunning 144Hz curved pOLED display with top-tier brightness
✔️ Ultra-slim, vegan leather, and IP68 rugged build
✔️ Consistent Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 performance
✔️ All-day battery life, fast charging, smart features
✔️ Clean, quick, and secure Motorola Hello UI
✔️ 50MP main camera with OIS, robust selfie camera
✔️ Useful Moto gestures, stereo speakers, in-display fingerprint
Cons:
✘ No microSD card slot or headphone jack
✘ Ultra-wide/macro camera is decent, but could be sharper
✘ Only 33W fast charging—not class-leading
✘ Charger and case included, but no wired headphones
🤔 FAQs
Q: Is storage expandable on the Moto G96 5G?
No, there’s no microSD slot. Choose 128GB or 256GB variant as per your requirement.
Q: How long will the phone receive updates?
It comes with three years of security updates and two major Android upgrades, ensuring good mid-term support.
Q: Can the G96 handle heavy games?
Yes, thanks to Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 and 8GB RAM, most popular 2025 games run smoothly at medium to high settings.
Q: Are the cameras good for night shots?
OIS and Night Vision mode provide social-ready shots in most low-light situations, though it can’t outdo high-end flagships.
Q: Is there Face Unlock and fast fingerprint?
Yes, both in-display fingerprint and face unlock are fast and accurate.
🆚 Alternatives in the Price Range
| Model | Key Features | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| iQOO Z10R | Quad-curve AMOLED, Dimensity 7400, 4K selfie | ₹19,499 |
| vivo T4 | 7,300mAh, AMOLED 120Hz, SD 7s Gen 3 | ₹22,499 |
| Redmi Note 14 Pro | 120Hz AMOLED, Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, 64MP cam | ₹21,999 |
| realme P3 Pro | Dimensity 7200, 108MP, 67W fast charge | ₹22,999 |
Moto G96 emphasizes curved design, clean UI, OIS camera, and IP68. Others bring higher-res cameras, slightly larger batteries, or faster charging. Pick the G96 for elegance, endurance, and balanced daily usability.
🌟 Final Verdict
The Moto G96 5G brings together a gorgeous 144Hz quad-curved display, efficient performance, IP68 build, and a clean Android experience into an affordable, everyday hero phone. Its camera, battery life, and ultra-slim, premium feel punch way above its price, even if hardcore users might pine for more storage or a headphone jack.
In one sentence: if you want power, style, reliability, and Motorola’s legendary simplicity in one of 2025’s sleekest under-₹20K packages, the Moto G96 5G is a genuinely smart buy.
