The Moto G10 Power: A Big Battery Phone With Big Ambitions
Motorola’s Moto G10 Power is a budget-friendly smartphone that promises to deliver exceptional battery life and a near-stock Android experience. Priced just under Rs. 10,000, it aims to challenge the perception that smartphones at this price point are typically underpowered and feature-lacking. However, while the G10 Power boasts impressive endurance and a clean software experience, does it truly offer better value than its predecessor, the Moto E7 Plus, or other contenders in the market? Let’s dive in and find out.
Design: A Step Up From the Moto E7 Plus
The Moto G10 Power’s design is a welcome departure from the basic aesthetic of its predecessor. The diagonal 3D texture on the back, reminiscent of the Realme Narzo 30A, adds a touch of visual interest and helps the phone stand out in a crowded market. Though the body is constructed entirely of plastic, it feels surprisingly sturdy. While the buttons are generally responsive, the placement of the Google Assistant button may prove inconvenient for some users. However, Motorola retains the headphone jack and includes a USB Type-C port, ensuring more flexibility for users. The Aurora Grey color option does an excellent job of hiding fingerprints, maintaining a polished look.
The rear fingerprint sensor proves reliable, but the unlocking process feels a bit sluggish. Face recognition is significantly slower and likely to be a less appealing option for most users. While the quad-sensor camera module is a welcome sight at this price point, the HD+ display feels distinctly low-budget. Jagged edges are noticeable around icons, and slight color banding can appear in gradients. Viewing angles are also underwhelming, though the display remains legible even in direct sunlight.
Specifications and Software: Clean Android, But Not a Performance Beast
The Moto G10 Power is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 SoC, which offers a modestly powerful experience, but falls short of the competition, such as the Realme Narzo 30A which boasts the MediaTek Helio G85. However, Motorola compensates for the performance gap with standout features like an IP52 rating for water resistance and dual-band Wi-Fi. It also includes a comprehensive suite of satellite navigation systems and all the essential sensors (except for a compass).
Motorola’s commitment to a clean Android experience remains steadfast. The G10 Power runs a near-stock version of Android 11 with minimal modifications. The "Adaptive Performance” toggle in the Settings app promises to improve app launch times, while the Moto app offers a collection of handy shortcuts and gestures that are a staple of Motorola’s user experience.
Performance and Battery Life: Endurance is King, Performance is Average
The Moto G10 Power’s performance, unfortunately, suffers from the limitations of its Snapdragon 460 SoC. While navigating the system menus or switching between applications, you will experience a noticeable lag, requiring a bit of patience. Benchmark scores reflect this, with AnTuTu delivering a paltry 1,47,290 points. The lack of bloatware is a welcome relief, and users can rejoice in the absence of ads or spammy notifications during regular use. Motorola achieves a desirable balance between a stock Android experience and thoughtful additions such as Gaming Mode.
While the G10 Power manages to remain cool during regular use, the back does warm up slightly during extended gaming sessions. Simple games like Xenowerk run smoothly, but demanding titles like Call of Duty: Mobile require lower graphics settings for a decent gameplay experience. The single speaker delivers loud and acceptable sound quality with adjustable equalizer presets. However, the underwhelming display hinders video playback, making the experience less than ideal.
Battery life is arguably the G10 Power’s biggest selling point. The massive 6,000mAh battery easily delivers two full days of usage, even with heavy use. Casual users can expect even more extended battery life. The charging speed is commendable considering the substantial battery capacity, with roughly 54 percent charge in an hour and a full charge achievable in approximately two hours. In our HD video loop test, the G10 Power managed over 25 hours of playback.
Cameras: Daylight Performer With Low-Light Limitations
The Moto G10 Power sports a 48-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 2-megapixel depth sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. The 8-megapixel selfie camera rounds out the camera setup. The camera app is packed with features, including a Night mode for the selfie camera, Pro mode with RAW capture, and unique creative modes such as Spot Colour for stills and videos. While this abundance of features can seem overwhelming initially, the camera app requires some exploration to understand its intricacies.
The primary camera is the primary point of interest, as the remaining cameras fall short of the main sensor. Daylight shots are impressive, showcasing good HDR, detail, and color accuracy. Close-ups also perform well, and minimal shutter lag allows for capturing sharp shots of moving objects. The ultra-wide camera, absent on the Moto E7 Plus, is a welcome addition, even with slightly weaker image quality compared to the main sensor, it’s a usable option in good lighting conditions.
The depth sensor seems to function effectively, producing pleasing portrait shots with an appealing depth of field. The macro camera unfortunately disappoints even when using it under optimal lighting. In low light, the main camera produces images with softer details. Night mode, while improving exposure, struggles to enhance details significantly. The ultra-wide camera lacks night mode support, resulting in poor image quality in low-light scenarios.
The Moto G10 Power can capture video at up to 1080p 60fps with its main camera. Stabilization is available for both the main and ultra-wide cameras when recording at 30fps. While video quality shines in daylight, a clear drop in quality is observed in low-light conditions.
Verdict: Strong Battery Life and Stock Android, But With Trade-offs
The Moto G10 Power offers a compelling package at Rs. 9,999. Its attractive design, exceptional battery life, fast charging, and stock Android experience stand out as key strengths. The main camera performs admirably in daylight, but the photo and video capabilities are relatively basic. The display and low-light camera performance are areas where noticeable compromises have been made.
Compared to its predecessor, the Moto E7 Plus, the G10 Power boasts superior battery life and faster charging. However, if prioritizing gaming or system performance within this price range, the Realme Narzo 30A offers compelling alternatives. For those seeking an even more premium experience, the Moto G30, available for a slightly higher price, further elevates the bar with enhanced hardware and features.
Ultimately, the Moto G10 Power presents itself as a solid choice for value-conscious consumers who prioritize long-lasting battery life and prioritize a clean, uncluttered Android experience. However, those demanding top-tier performance or exceptional camera performance across a range of lighting conditions may find other contenders within this price bracket more appealing.
