Moto G5 has a small 5-inch Full HD (1080p) display and a 2800mAh battery inside.
Motorola has always impressed with its Moto G series, offering comfortable design and great hardware at an affordable price. This year the company wants to deliver the same level of experience, without any compromise. Moto 5 has been arrived today in India, and it seems to have improved over its predecessor, the G4.
Moto G5’s metal body casing is surely a step up from the plastic build of the G4. Yes, the new aesthetic is pleasing and soothing to eyes. The phone has a matte finish and will be available in “lunar grey” and “fine gold”. Well, it’s not the most premium looking smartphone I’ve held, but it’s a nice addition to a sub Rs 12,000 smartphone.
Let’s talk about the display. Unlike last year’s Moto G4, the G5 has a smaller 5-inch Full HD (1080p) display. The display is not great by any means, but I found it to be bright and sharp enough. Inside a metal case is a 2800mAh battery (it’s actually removable), which Moto claims will last a full day on a single charge. Plus, the supplied 10w rapid charger will give hours of usage in just a few minutes.
Moto G5’s metal body casing is surely a step up from the plastic build of the G4.
Under the hood is a Snapdragon 430 processor and 3GB RAM, which felt zippy in my little hands-on time. Yes, Motorola has added a fingerprint scanner to the Moto G5, which will make unlocking the device easy. This finger scanner is on the front, and thankfully Motorola has done away with the square shaped button from last year.
On the camera front, Moto G5 gets an upgraded 13-megapixel rear-facing camera with improved software. The phone also includes phase detection autofocus (PDAF) which allows for faster and better autofocusing. I was quite impressed with my initial play around the device, but its performance in low light will tell the true story. On the front, there’s a 5-megapixel front-facing shooter for taking selfies.
Moto G5 gets an upgraded 13-megapixel rear-facing camera with improved software.
But perhaps my favourite part of Moto G5 is the software. The phone runs Android Nougat out-of-the-box – and everything is clean and user friendly. The app drawer slides up from the home row of icons, just like it does on Google Pixel. There are a few minor customisations like Moto Display and Moto Actions.
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Overall, this is not a device that geeks will appreciate, if you are going just by specifications sheet. I have many geeky friends, but they will not be impressed by this. In fact, I’d say if you already own the Moto E or Moto G4 Play, Moto G5 can be considered a replacement. But for Moto G4 Plus this is not an upgrade.
Moto G5 is priced at Rs 11,999 and will be available exclusively on Amazon.
Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle.
Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University.
Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include:
Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech.
Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture.
Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups.
Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech.
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Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape.
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3 min read
Moto G5 has a small 5-inch Full HD (1080p) display and a 2800mAh battery inside.
Moto G5’s metal body casing is surely a step up from the plastic build of the G4.
Moto G5 gets an upgraded 13-megapixel rear-facing camera with improved software.
