Motorola Moto G84 5G Review: Still a Value King or Outdated Budget Choice?

The real truth is, the Indian smartphone market is obsessed with “new.” Every month, a brand launches a “Pro Max Plus” model that promises to change your life. But look closely at the Motorola Moto G84 5G. Currently hovering around the ₹17,000 – ₹18,999 mark, it offers a spec sheet that makes even 2026 flagships look twice: 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage as standard.

But here is the catch—it’s powered by the aging Snapdragon 695 processor. In a world where 5G is everywhere and gaming is getting heavier, can this stylish “Viva Magenta” beauty keep up? Don’t waste your money on the hype until you see how this phone actually handles real-world Indian conditions.

QUICK SPECS TABLE:

Feature	Specification
Display	6.55-inch FHD+ pOLED, 120Hz, 1300 nits Peak
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm)
RAM/Storage	12GB LPDDR4X
Rear Camera	50MP Main (OIS) + 8MP Ultra-wide (AF/Macro)
Front Camera	16MP Selfie
Battery	5000mAh
Charging	33W TurboPower (In-box)
Weight	168.3g (Vegan Leather variant)
OS	Android 13 (Upgradable to Android 14)

DESIGN & BUILD (Deep Dive):

Motorola has nailed the “in-hand feel” better than anyone else in this segment. While most brands give you cheap, glossy plastic that becomes a fingerprint magnet in two seconds, the Moto G84 5G offers a Vegan Leather back (in Viva Magenta and Marshmallow Blue).

• Weight & Feel: At just 168.3 grams, it is incredibly light. If you are coming from a bulky 200g+ phone, this will feel like air.
• The Pantone Factor: The collaboration with Pantone makes this phone a fashion statement. The Viva Magenta is bold, vibrant, and doesn’t require a case to look premium.
• Durability: It comes with an IP54 rating. Don’t take it for a swim, but it can easily handle the unpredictable Indian monsoon splashes or a sweaty palm during a long gaming session.

DISPLAY & VISUALS:

This is where the G84 5G punches way above its weight class. Most phones under ₹20k give you an LCD or a basic AMOLED. Motorola gives you a 10-bit pOLED panel.

• Brightness: With 1300 nits peak brightness, the screen is perfectly legible under the harsh afternoon sun in Delhi or Mumbai.
• Colors: Because it’s a 10-bit display, it can show over a billion colors. Watching Netflix or YouTube HDR content is a treat; the blacks are deep, and the contrast is infinite.
• The “Small” Detail: The bezels are remarkably thin for the price, giving it a modern, symmetrical look that even some ₹40,000 phones struggle to match.

PERFORMANCE & GAMING:

Let’s address the elephant in the room: the Snapdragon 695.

The real truth is, if you are a hardcore Genshin Impact player, this is not the phone for you. The processor is efficient but lacks raw power. However, for 90% of users who use WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube, the 12GB RAM makes this phone feel faster than rivals with better chips but less RAM.

• Daily Tasks: It handles multitasking like a pro. You can keep 20+ apps open, and they won’t restart.
• Gaming: BGMI and Call of Duty run fine on “Smooth + Ultra” settings (40 FPS). If you try to push it to “High” graphics, you will see frame drops and the phone will heat up to around 41°C after 30 minutes.

CAMERA PERFORMANCE:

Motorola opted for quality over quantity. Instead of three useless sensors, you get two functional ones.

• Main 50MP (OIS): The Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) is a lifesaver for shaky hands. In daylight, the photos are sharp with natural colors.
• Night Mode: This is where OIS shines. It keeps the shutter open longer without blurring, making night shots usable, though there is still some visible noise in the shadows.
• The 8MP Ultra-wide: Unlike most budget phones, this lens has Auto-Focus. This means it doubles as a Macro lens, letting you get incredibly close to flowers or insects with better detail than a dedicated 2MP macro sensor.

BATTERY & ENDURANCE:

The 5000mAh battery combined with the power-efficient 6nm chip is a match made in heaven.

• Battery Life: On a full charge, I consistently got 7 to 8 hours of Screen-On Time (SOT). For a moderate user, this is easily a 1.5-day phone.
• Charging: Here is a slight letdown. While it comes with a 33W charger, it takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to go from 0 to 100%. In 2026, where rivals are hitting 67W or 80W, this feels slow.
• The Stats: * 0-50% in 32 minutes.
  • Full charge in 75-80 minutes.

Read more : Poco F7 Pro

THE COMPETITION:

Motorola Moto G84 5G vs Poco X7 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy M36

Feature	Moto G84 5G	Poco X7 Pro	Samsung M36
Price	~₹17,999	~₹19,999	~₹18,499
Processor	Snapdragon 695	Dimensity 8300-Ultra	Exynos 1480
Display	120Hz pOLED	120Hz AMOLED	120Hz Super AMOLED
RAM	12GB	8GB	8GB
OS Experience	Clean, Ad-free	HyperOS (Feature rich)	OneUI (Updates King)

The Verdict on Rivals: If you want raw speed and gaming, the Poco X7 Pro destroys the Moto. If you want 4 years of OS updates, go for the Samsung. But if you want a phone that feels premium, has a stunning screen, and zero annoying ads or “bloatware,” the Moto G84 5G is the winner.

FINAL VERDICT:

The Motorola Moto G84 5G is a “Sane” phone. It doesn’t try to be a gaming console; it tries to be a great smartphone.

Buy it if:

• You want a clean, stock Android experience with no ads or “Hot Apps” folders.
• You love a lightweight and stylish design that stands out.
• You do a lot of media consumption (The pOLED screen and Dolby Atmos speakers are elite).

Skip it if:

• You are a heavy gamer; the Snapdragon 695 will frustrate you.
• You want the fastest charging in the segment.
• You need 4K video recording (The G84 is capped at 1080p).

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