Motorola has once again upped the ante in the mid-range smartphone market with its latest release, the Moto G85. This device promises a perfect blend of performance, aesthetics, and value for money, making it a compelling option for consumers seeking a reliable and stylish phone. In this review, we’ll explore every aspect of the Moto G85, from its design and display to its performance, camera capabilities, and software features.
Unboxing and First Impressions
Opening the Moto G85 box, you immediately notice the improved packaging quality. Motorola has clearly put effort into enhancing the unboxing experience. Inside the neatly organized box, you’ll find:
- A SIM card tool
- Documentation
- A 33W charger
- A USB Type-A to Type-C charging cable
- A protective case
The Moto G85 impresses right out of the box. The phone’s slim profile and lightweight design are immediately noticeable. At just 173.7 grams, it feels incredibly light in the hand, which is remarkable considering the solid build quality. The protective case included in the box adds an extra layer of security without adding much bulk, making the phone even more appealing to users who prioritize a sleek look and feel.
Design and Build Quality
Motorola has excelled in the design department with the Moto G85. The phone features a sleek design with a vegan leather back available in three different colors, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication. The build quality is robust, and the inclusion of Gorilla Glass 5 ensures durability against everyday wear and tear.
Key Design Features:
- Vegan Leather Back: Adds a premium feel and enhances grip. The use of vegan leather not only provides a luxurious touch but also makes the phone more environmentally friendly.
- Gorilla Glass 5 Protection: Offers better resistance to scratches and drops.
- Weight: At 173.7 grams, it’s one of the lightest phones in its segment.
- Dimensions: The phone’s dimensions make it comfortable to hold and easy to maneuver, even for extended periods.
The overall aesthetic of the Moto G85 is modern and sophisticated, with a design that rivals even higher-end smartphones. The phone’s slim bezels and compact form factor contribute to a highly appealing visual appeal, making it a device that users would be proud to show off.
Display
The Moto G85 boasts a stunning 6.67-inch P-OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering smooth scrolling and an immersive viewing experience. The display supports 1600 nits peak brightness and 1200 nits high brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even under direct sunlight. The thin bezels and a screen-to-body ratio of over 93% make the display stand out.
Display Highlights:
- Screen Size: 6.67 inches
- Type: P-OLED
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
- Brightness: 1600 nits peak, 1200 nits high
- Screen-to-Body Ratio: Over 93%
- Resolution: Full HD+
Watching videos and playing games on the Moto G85 is a delight, thanks to the vibrant colors and sharp details provided by the P-OLED display. The high refresh rate ensures that animations and transitions are fluid, making for a more enjoyable user experience.
Performance
Under the hood, the Moto G85 is powered by the 6S Gen 3 processor, an upgrade from its predecessor. This chipset, paired with either 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM, ensures smooth multitasking and efficient performance for everyday tasks and gaming. The phone also comes with UFS 2.2 storage, available in 128GB and 256GB variants.
Performance Specs:
- Processor: 6S Gen 3 (slightly overclocked from the previous generation)
- RAM: 8GB/12GB LPDDR4X
- Storage: 128GB/256GB UFS 2.2
- Battery: 5000mAh with 33W charging
Gaming Performance
The Moto G85 can handle popular games like PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at 40FPS and 60FPS, respectively. For a smoother gaming experience, 40FPS is recommended. The phone’s performance is more than adequate for casual gamers, providing a balanced mix of power and efficiency. The 6S Gen 3 processor, combined with the ample RAM, ensures that apps load quickly and run smoothly, even when switching between multiple applications.
Software and User Interface
The Moto G85 comes with Hello UI, which is a departure from Motorola’s previous My UX. Hello UI brings several new features and enhancements, providing a more intuitive and customizable user experience. One of the standout features is Smart Connect, which allows seamless file transfer between the phone, tablet, and PC.
Software Features:
- Hello UI: New and improved user interface with added features.
- Smart Connect: Wireless connection to bigger screens and seamless file transfer.
- Customization: Extensive options for personalization.
- Bloatware: Minimal, with an option to deselect unwanted apps during setup.
Updates
Motorola promises 2 years of major updates and 4 years of security updates, ensuring that the Moto G85 remains up-to-date with the latest software advancements. This commitment to long-term support is a significant advantage for users who want to keep their devices secure and running smoothly.
Camera
Motorola has made significant improvements in the camera department with the Moto G85. The phone features a versatile triple-camera setup, with a primary 50MP Sony sensor, an 8MP multifunctional sensor (for macro and ultrawide shots), and a 32MP front-facing camera for selfies.
Camera Specifications:
- Primary Sensor: 50MP Sony sensor
- Secondary Sensor: 8MP (macro and ultrawide)
- Front Camera: 32MP
Camera Features:
- Modes: Slow motion, portrait, pro mode, photo booth, ultra resolution mode, night vision, spot color mode, document scan, panorama, dual capture mode, time lapse.
- Video: 1080p at 60FPS (no 4K recording).
- Quality: Excellent image quality in various lighting conditions.
Sample Photos
The Moto G85 captures detailed and vibrant photos in daylight. Colors are accurate, and the dynamic range is impressive, allowing for stunning landscape shots and crisp portraits. Low-light performance has also been improved, thanks to the advanced sensors and night vision mode. The camera can capture clear and detailed images even in challenging lighting conditions, making it a reliable companion for night photography.
Connectivity
The Moto G85 offers robust connectivity options, including support for 13 5G bands, ensuring future-proofing for next-generation networks. It also features dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.1, and VoNR. However, it lacks NFC and WiFi 6, which are notable omissions in an otherwise well-rounded connectivity suite.
Connectivity Options:
- 5G Bands: 13 bands supported
- WiFi: Dual-band
- Bluetooth: 5.1
- VoNR: Supported
- NFC: Not available
- SIM Slot: Hybrid (supports either two SIM cards or one SIM card and one SD card)
Battery Life
The Moto G85 is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, which provides excellent battery life. Coupled with 33W fast charging, the phone can easily last through a full day of heavy usage and quickly recharge when needed. This makes it an ideal choice for users who are always on the go and need a reliable device that can keep up with their demanding lifestyle.
Battery Specifications:
- Capacity: 5000mAh
- Charging: 33W fast charging
Battery Performance
In real-world usage, the Moto G85’s battery performs admirably. Whether you’re streaming videos, playing games, or browsing social media, the battery can easily last through a day of intensive use. The fast charging capability ensures that you can quickly top up the battery when needed, reducing downtime and keeping you connected.
Multimedia Experience
Motorola has ensured that the Moto G85 offers a top-notch multimedia experience. The P-OLED display with high brightness and vivid colors, combined with Dolby Atmos stereo speakers, makes for an immersive video viewing and audio experience. However, it’s worth noting that the phone does not support HDR on Netflix due to the limitations of the 6S Gen 3 processor.
Multimedia Features:
- Display: 6.67-inch P-OLED with 120Hz refresh rate
- Audio: Dolby Atmos stereo speakers
Overall, the Moto G85 is a well-rounded mid-range smartphone that delivers on its promises. With its sleek design, robust performance, impressive camera capabilities, and long-lasting battery life, it stands out as a strong contender in the mid-range market. If you’re looking for a reliable and stylish device that offers great value for money, the Moto G85 is definitely worth considering.