Motorola has officially launched the Moto G96 5G in India, positioning it as a premium yet affordable successor to the popular Moto G85. Known for offering clean software and solid build quality, the brand’s latest entry in the G-series aims to dominate the sub-₹20,000 market. The Moto G96 5G stands out with its curved display and high-end camera sensor, features typically reserved for more expensive flagship devices.
This article covers the key specifications, pricing details, and the overall impact of this device on the Indian smartphone market.
Design and Display Experience
The most striking feature of the Moto G96 5G is its 6.67-inch 3D Curved pOLED display. It supports a 144Hz refresh rate, providing a very smooth experience while scrolling through social media or playing games. The screen is also quite bright, reaching a peak brightness of 1600 nits, which makes it easy to read even under direct sunlight.
Motorola has continued its partnership with Pantone, offering the phone in unique colors like Cattleya Orchid, Dresden Blue, and Greener Pastures. The back of the phone features a vegan leather finish, giving it a soft and premium feel in the hand. Despite the large screen, the phone remains slim at 7.93mm and lightweight at 178 grams.
Performance and Software
Under the hood, the Moto G96 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset. While not the fastest chip in its class, it is built on a 4nm process, making it very power-efficient. It handles daily tasks like multitasking and light gaming without any noticeable lag. The device comes with 8GB of RAM and offers storage options of 128GB or 256GB.
In terms of software, the phone runs on Android 15 with Motorola’s Hello UI. One of the biggest draws for Motorola fans is the “clean” software experience, which is free from the heavy ads and “bloatware” often found in other budget phones. However, it is important to note that Motorola has promised only one year of major OS updates for this model.
Camera and Battery Life
For photography, the Moto G96 5G uses a 50MP Sony LYTIA 700C primary sensor equipped with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). This helps in taking sharper photos and stable videos, even in low-light conditions. There is also an 8MP ultra-wide lens that doubles as a macro camera for close-up shots. For selfies, the phone features a high-resolution 32MP front camera that supports 4K video recording.
The device is backed by a large 5,500mAh battery, which is a significant upgrade over many competitors. It easily lasts more than a full day on a single charge. For refueling, it supports 33W TurboPower charging. While the charging speed is decent, it is slower than some other phones in this price range that offer 45W or 65W charging.
Why It Matters in India
The Indian smartphone market is highly competitive in the ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 segment. By including an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, Motorola is offering a level of durability that is rare at this price point. Most phones in this bracket only offer basic splash resistance, but the Moto G96 5G can survive being submerged in water.
Furthermore, the 5G connectivity ensures that the phone is future-ready for Indian carriers. With its combination of a curved display, premium design, and reliable camera, it targets users who want a phone that looks expensive but fits a mid-range budget.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the price of Moto G96 5G in India?
The Moto G96 5G starts at ₹17,999 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant. The 256GB storage version is priced at approximately ₹19,999.
2. Does the Moto G96 5G have a headphone jack?
No, the Moto G96 5G does not include a 3.5mm headphone jack. You will need to use USB-C earphones or Bluetooth headphones.
3. Is the Moto G96 5G waterproof?
Yes, the phone comes with an IP68 rating, which means it is protected against dust and can handle being underwater for a short period.
4. How many Android updates will the Moto G96 5G get?
Motorola has committed to providing one year of Android OS upgrades and three years of security updates for this device.
5. Does it support expandable storage via a microSD card?
No, the Moto G96 5G does not have a microSD card slot. It is recommended to choose the storage variant that best fits your needs.