The Moto G04s, launched in India in May 2023, offers a compelling budget-friendly option by building upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, the Moto G04. This new iteration boasts an upgraded chipset, a 90Hz refresh rate for a smoother user experience, and a significant camera improvement, making it an enticing choice for those seeking value-for-money in the budget segment. Dive into the article to explore the features, specifications, and performance of the Moto G04s, comparing it to its predecessor and assessing its overall worth in the competitive Indian market.
An Overview of the Moto G04s: Features and Specifications
The Moto G04s is a budget-friendly Android phone with a price tag of Rs. 6,999 for the 4GB + 64GB variant. It showcases several key features and specifications that make it stand out:
A 6.56-inch HD+ (1,612 x 720 pixels) IPS LCD screen with a 90Hz refresh rate offers a smoother scrolling experience. It is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for enhanced durability.
The Unisoc T606 chipset with an ARM Mali-G57 MP1 GPU powers the phone alongside 4GB of RAM. The RAM can be virtually expanded up to 8GB, offering a more seamless multitasking experience.
The phone includes 64GB of onboard storage using the UFS 2.2 standard. Users can further expand the phone’s storage up to 1TB via a microSD card.
Camera capabilities are a significant upgrade: a 50-megapixel main sensor graces the rear along with an LED flash. The front camera, housed in a hole-punch design, offers a respectable 5-megapixel sensor.
- The 5,000mAh battery provides extended usage time and supports standard 15W wired charging.
Key Advantages and Points to Consider
The Moto G04s offers several advantages for budget-conscious users:
Pros:
- Competitive Price: Its appealing price point makes it an attractive option within the budget smartphone segment, especially in India.
- Smooth Display Experience: The 90Hz refresh rate enhances the overall fluidity and responsiveness of the user interface.
- Ample Storage: The ample 64GB internal storage with further expandability via microSD card ensures that users can store photos, videos, and apps without worry.
- Decent Camera Performance: The 50-megapixel main camera delivers decent image quality, particularly in daylight conditions.
- Durable Build: With Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection and an IP52 rating for dust and splash resistance, the phone is designed to withstand moderate wear and tear.
Cons:
- HD+ Resolution Display: While the 90Hz refresh rate is beneficial, the HD+ resolution is slightly lower than the FHD+ displays found in some competitors within the same price range.
- Average Processor Performance: The Unisoc T606 chipset, although functional, delivers average performance compared to popular Snapdragon or MediaTek processors in this segment.
- No Fast Charging Support: The lack of support for fast charging might require longer charging times compared to phones offering faster charging technologies.
Performance of the Moto G04s: Benchmarking and Review
Here’s how the Moto G04s stacks up in benchmark testing:
- Geekbench 5: The Moto G04s scores around 150 for single-core and 700 for multi-core, indicating that the Unisoc T606 processor delivers decent performance for general tasks, but it falls short in demanding scenarios.
- AnTuTu Benchmark: It achieves a score of approximately 160,000, which places it within the expected range for a budget phone.
In practical use, the Moto G04s performs adequately for everyday tasks such as browsing, messaging, and social media usage. It handles light gaming relatively well, but demanding or graphically intensive games might experience frame drops and lag.
Comparing the Moto G04s with its Predecessor: Key Differences
The Moto G04s offers several key advantages over the Moto G04:
- Display: The Moto G04s benefits from a faster 90Hz refresh rate compared to the 60Hz refresh rate on the Moto G04, resulting in a smoother visual experience.
- Camera: The Moto G04s features a significantly upgraded main camera sensor, boasting a 50-megapixel sensor compared to the 48-megapixel sensor on the Moto G04.
- Processor: The Moto G04s leverages the Unisoc T606 chipset, which offers marginally better performance against the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 processor on the Moto G04.
However, the Moto G04s retains some of the key features from the Moto G04:
- Battery: Both phones feature a 5,000mAh battery providing extended usage time.
- Charging: Both phones support 15W wired charging, which is a standard charging rate within the budget segment.
The Moto G04s in the Context of the Indian Market: Its Position and Competitors
The Moto G04s competes directly with a range of budget smartphones in the Indian market, each offering a unique mix of features and price points. Some key competitors include:
- Redmi 9i: This Xiaomi-branded phone offers good value for money with a larger display, a more powerful processor, and a lower starting price.
- Realme C31: Realme’s offering boasts a large battery capacity, a decent main camera, and an attractive design, making it a compelling option.
- Samsung Galaxy M13: The Galaxy M13 features a larger and higher-resolution display, a more powerful processor, and a superior main camera, though it comes at a slightly higher price.
It is important to note that these competitors come with their own sets of advantages and disadvantages. The decision to choose the Moto G04s ultimately depends on the specific requirements and priorities of the individual user.
Conclusion: Is the Moto G04s a Worthy Contender in the Budget Segment?
The Moto G04s successfully addresses key aspects of the budget segment, offering a compelling value proposition to Indian consumers. Its 90Hz refresh rate, large internal storage, and 50-megapixel main camera make it a solid upgrade over its predecessor and a worthy option for those seeking specific features within a tight budget.
However, the phone’s reliance on the Unisoc T606 chipset signifies a compromise in raw performance compared to competitors with Snapdragon or MediaTek processors. Additionally, the lack of advanced charging technologies might hinder users seeking fast charging capabilities.
Ultimately, the Moto G04s shines as a budget-friendly phone for those prioritizing a fluid display experience, ample storage, and an improved camera. It’s a viable option for those who primarily use their smartphone for everyday tasks such as communication, social media, and light browsing, but users with demanding gaming preferences or those seeking premium performance might need to consider other options.
