The Moto G30 is theoretically the superior version. If you listen to product names, then the Moto G50, which costs PS199.99 (around $275/AU$360) is another Motorola cheap Android 11 phone for 2021.
It’s a 5G phone, and it’s the most affordable way to get on the 5G bandwagon. However, its other features are a bit more basic.
The Moto G50’s everything is fine, from the 90Hz screen to the Snapdragon 480 chipset with three main cameras and its trio of main camera, but nothing really stands out.
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This is less of a problem than you might think, as the Moto G50 is very reliable and solid at every level. Don’t expect to be impressed at any stage. If you are on a tight budget and don’t want to be compared to your friends, this is the phone for you.
The Moto G50’s design is best described as solidly plastic. It is made of plastic with a frame and back. The Moto G50 measures 164.9×74.9x9mm in dimensions and weighs just under 200g.
The phone’s back houses a fingerprint sensor. It is somewhat sensitive, but a bit too high for people with smaller hands. The side buttons include a volume knob, power button and a Google Assistant button. Unfortunately, this button can’t be remapped. Depending on how often you have used Google Assistant, your mileage may vary.
The 6.5-inch display is what you will be focusing on. It’s attractive, considering it has a 90Hz refresh rate. But, there is a problem. The resolution of the display is 720×1600. This may not be a problem for you in normal use, but it is a clear indication of a price-cutting scheme.
The camera setup may sound great on paper, but it is not as effective in real life. The 13MP front-facing camera works well and is placed in a small notch to avoid stealing focus. The rear camera setup has a 48MP main sensor and a 5MP macro. A 2MP depth sensor is also available. The picture results are very good, even though there is no ultra-wide lens. It’s fine.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Although images look good, there are some issues. For example, the digital-only zoom can restrict depth and create restrictions. It’s surprising at the price. It’s not really that expensive, but we could still hope for more. It won’t be a budget camera that wows photographers. We’re left wondering, however, how the Moto G30 can squeeze in an ultra-wide lens.
The Moto G50’s battery life is excellent, which is even more pleasing. It packs a huge 5,000mAh battery and charges at 15W. This means that you don’t need to charge it as often as other phones.
The Moto G50 is a solid, if not remarkable performer in terms of performance. Navigating menus and opening apps is fairly quick. The only noticeable slowdown when loading games like Call of Duty: Mobile is the negotiation of menus. Although it does catch up, there are some minor problems when you open a new map.
Keep in mind that 64GB is the maximum storage you have, so if you are a serious gamer, you might want to use the microSD card option to increase your storage.
That’s what the Moto G50 is all about. Although it works well, the Moto G50 is not going to wow you. It’s only unique feature is its 5G price. We don’t blame anyone if that’s what makes it stand out. It’s an excellent way to enjoy faster data speeds for a fraction of the price – which is why it ranks among the most affordable phones.
Moto G50 pricing and availability
- Now Available in Europe and the UK
- Retails at PS199.99 (around $250 / AU$360).
- No signs of release elsewhere
The Moto G50 is already available in select areas of Europe and the UK. The release date for the US and Australia are still unknown.
You can choose from two colors: Aqua Green or Steel Grey. The only storage option is 64GB in the UK. An 128GB version is available elsewhere.
Design
- Plasticky design
- Two colors
- Dedicated Google Assistant buttons
Due to its large bezels, and plasticky finish, the Moto G50 feels cheap and bulky. This is a normal feeling considering the price and you don’t need to worry about it crashing into things. However, it’s thick.
It can feel a little too big for people with small hands, though. There may be some stretching required when reaching for the fingerprint sensor.
It’s all business as usual with the Moto G50’s design. The bottom of the Moto G50 is home to the USB-C port and a 3.5mm audio jack. The volume rocker, power and dedicated Google Assistant buttons are located on the right-hand side. This button cannot be remapped, which is annoying. It may end up being a useless button in the long-term, depending on how much you use Google services.
The back features the Motorola logo. It also doubles as the fingerprint sensor. Three camera lenses are stored on the left side. They are all fairly common and not offensive.
Although the Moto G50’s looks won’t light up the world, its inoffensive nature sums it all. The Moto G50 feels very smooth in the hands, thanks to its curved edges. It also feels a bit plasticky. It’s also a fingerprint magnet, as you might expect. However, this is not the only flaw.
Display
- 6.5-inch LCD display
- 90Hz refresh rate
- 720 x 1600 resolution
The Moto G50’s 6.5-inch IPS LCD screen is only slightly disrupted by the notch for the selfie cam at the top-center.
It has a remarkable 90Hz refresh rate. This is not something you’d expect to see on a phone this expensive. However, its resolution of 720×1600 is quite low. This will be a significant difference in daily use. It doesn’t really matter, but it is a sign that the phone is still very affordable.
The Moto G50’s display is fine, but it isn’t much else. I am impressed by the smoothness of the refresh rate when browsing websites at high speed.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
It doesn’t seem to have any problems when it is used in bright environments, but the colors and contrast levels are pretty standard. It’s fine to watch YouTube videos or stream content, but it is far from vibrant.
Camera
- 48MP + 5MP + 2MP rear cameras
- 13MP selfie camera
- Average performance
Three rear cameras are available on the Moto G50. One 48MP f/1.7 main camera has a macro camera of f/2.4, one 5MP f/2.4 macro and one 2MP depth camera. It’s a shame that there is no ultra-wide lens on the Moto G50.
It is also confusing because it feels less capable than the Moto G10 or Moto G30, both of which have four rear cameras, including an ultrawide lens.
The camera quality is generally good, but not great. The colors are decent, but not exceptional. There is also no depth to the images. You won’t be capable of zooming in very well without an optical zoom. However, the digital zoom can do the trick if you are in a pinch.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
We like that the Moto G50 can spot if you are trying to take photos in low lighting conditions and recommends switching to night mode. Even though the phone is quite expensive, night mode works well. It’s worth paying attention to the software recommendation. You shouldn’t expect miracles, especially in low-light situations.
The Moto G50’s photo quality problems are not unique to it, to be fair. There are many other phones at this price that will deliver similar results. However, we are still disappointed by the absence of an ultra-wide lens. This makes the entire camera setup less flexible than some of the rivals.
The 13MP f/2.2 lens is used for the selfie camera. Don’t expect to see many details. A beautification slider can make you feel better.
You can choose between 1080p at 30fps and 60fps, with either front- or back-cameras. Video recording is also available. It’s very fast to get going.
Camera samples
Image 1 of 8
This quick shot of a distant sheep looks great. (Image credit: TechRadar)
Zoom in to 2x, and the sheep still looks great, even though you lose some detail. (Image credit: TechRadar)
8x zoom is a surefire disaster. Avoid at all cost. (Image credit: TechRadar)
This is a standard shot of scenery without much detail. (Image credit: TechRadar)
The water appears reasonably well captured. (Image credit: TechRadar)
HDR is a great tool. (Image credit: TechRadar)
This hilly shot lacks depth. (Image credit: TechRadar)
These landscapes call for an ultra-wide mode. (Image credit: TechRadar)
Performance and specifications
- Powered By the Snapdragon 480 5G
- 64GB storage
- 4GB RAM
People who pay attention to Snapdragon chip numbers might be concerned that the Snapdragon480 5G is slow. It’s a lower model than what you might see elsewhere.
It’s still relatively new and offers 5G support, unlike other low-end Snapdragon chipsets. It offers decent performance. It has a limited 4GB RAM, so it isn’t very exceptional. However, you won’t have to worry about switching between apps or loading games.
We love to play Call of Duty: Mobile. It took some time to load but once it does, it runs pretty well. This phone’s performance won’t bother you or make you feel impatient. It is important to temper your expectations in order to keep the price in line.
The phone scored a multicore score (1,628) and singlecore (504), during our Geekbench 5 tests. This is quite good for the price. This is similar to the 1,690 multicore score of the Moto G9+ and more than the 1,267 for the Moto G30.
Storage is where you might want to upgrade. You only have 64GB storage on the Moto G50, which feels even smaller when you consider Android 11’s requirements. You can always increase your storage by using the microSD card slot.
We were not able to obtain a 128GB Moto G50 in some regions.
Battery life
- 5,000mAh battery
- Low battery life
- 15W fast Charging Support
The Moto G50’s 5,000mAh battery capacity is combined with an efficient chipset. This means that the battery life is very long and you won’t have to worry about it dropping throughout the day.
The Moto G50 doesn’t have wireless charging or reverse charging capabilities. However, it does provide 15W charging which is much faster than other low-end phones. The charger that comes with the Moto G50 doesn’t support reverse charging, so you will need to purchase a separate one.
You can expect to recharge your phone for at least a day and a quarter, with some days lasting longer depending on what you are doing.
Do I need to buy the Moto G50 or not?
It’s a good deal if…
You need 5G with a budget
Are you looking for 5G speed but are limited on budget? This phone is perfect for you. It offers much faster data speeds and you don’t have to spend a lot.
You want dependability
Although the Moto G50 isn’t a standout, it is reliable and sturdy. You won’t be disappointed. The Moto G50 is sturdy, has a good battery life, and delivers just the right amount of performance for its price. You won’t be disappointed.
It’s not necessary to take many photos
The Moto G50 is a good choice for those who don’t want to be photographers.
It’s not worth the risk if it…
You take many photos
However, if you are passionate about taking photos, then the lack of an ultra wide lens is going to be a problem. Especially since cheaper models do include one.
