Moto G72 First Impressions: Solid Performer or 5G Fumble?

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In an era where the smartphone market is saturated with 5G-enabled devices, Motorola takes a bold stance by launching the Moto G72, a 4G phone designed to offer a compelling, uncompromised experience for under Rs. 20,000. While many brands race to include 5G in their budget offerings, Motorola focuses on delivering a well-rounded package with a standout display, powerful performance, and a robust camera system, making a compelling case for 4G in a 5G world. Let’s delve into the details that make the Moto G72 a potential contender in this competitive market.

A Design That Stands Out

The Moto G72 arrives in a Polar Blue color variant, a choice that sets it apart from the usual suspects in its price range. Motorola achieves this distinctive look with a PMMA acrylic glass finish on the rear, boasting a matte finish that gracefully hides fingerprints. While the phone sports a polycarbonate back and a plastic frame, it remarkably avoids feeling or looking cheap. This is a testament to Motorola’s attention to detail and ability to craft a device that feels premium in hand.

The G72’s design goes beyond aesthetics; it’s designed to be sleek and ergonomic. Motorola touts it as the slimmest and lightest phone in its segment, weighing in at 166g and measuring just 7.99mm thick. The curved back is a welcome addition, offering a comfortable grip and a modern look.

Beyond its physical dimensions, the Moto G72 adopts practical design elements. The power and volume buttons sit conveniently on the right side, while the hybrid dual-SIM tray is located on the left. The USB Type-C port is neatly positioned at the bottom, sandwiched between the 3.5mm headphone jack, a microphone, and the primary speaker grille. The earpiece at the top doubles as a secondary speaker for stereo sound, enhancing the audio experience.

Visual Delight: A Stunning Display

Motorola equips the Moto G72 with a 6.6-inch pOLED display, a premium feature rarely seen at this price point. This display boasts a vibrant full-HD+ resolution and HDR10+ certification, delivering stunning visuals and a rich viewing experience. The 10-bit panel supports a billion colors, bringing a lifelike quality to images and videos.

The display’s 1300 nits of peak brightness ensure clear visibility even in bright environments. While the bezels surrounding the display are relatively thin, the chin is slightly thicker, a common trade-off in this price category. However, this minor caveat is overshadowed by the overall visual experience.

The Moto G72’s display is further enhanced by a 120Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth scrolling experience and a responsive feel when navigating through menus and apps. This smoothness is particularly noticeable in games, where it contributes to a more immersive and fluid gameplay experience.

Performance That Delivers

Under the hood, the Moto G72 is powered by a MediaTek Helio G99 SoC, built on the efficient 6nm process, promising robust performance. This processor, coupled with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, ensures smooth multitasking and fast app loading times.

For those who need more storage, the G72 offers storage expansion of up to 1TB via a microSD card, catering to users with large media libraries. The phone’s ability to handle demanding tasks and seamlessly transition between multiple apps makes it a capable device for everyday use.

Powering Through the Day: Battery Life and Charging

The Moto G72 packs a substantial 5000mAh battery, providing ample power to last through a full day of heavy use. This battery life is further amplified by 33W fast charging, allowing users to quickly replenish the battery and minimize downtime. Motorola’s emphasis on prolonged battery life, combined with the efficient fast charging capabilities, ensures a hassle-free experience.

Connecting Seamlessly: Features and Connectivity

Staying connected is effortless with the Moto G72, thanks to its Bluetooth 5.1 and dual-band Wi-Fi ac support. This combination ensures reliable and fast wireless connectivity for seamless streaming, downloads, and communication.

Capturing Moments: The Camera Setup

Motorola has equipped the Moto G72 with a triple-camera setup housed within a square-shaped module, adding a touch of sophistication to the design.

The primary camera boasts a 108-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL HM6 sensor with an f/1.7 aperture, promising high-resolution images with excellent detail and clarity. The secondary camera is an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens, which doubles as a depth sensor, allowing for wide-angle shots and creating professional-looking portraits. Lastly, the rear camera system includes a 2-megapixel macro camera for close-up shots of small subjects.

While video recording on the rear main camera is limited to 1080p at 60fps, the G72 delivers impressive results with crisp detail and accurate colors, especially in well-lit conditions.

Selfies That Shine: The Front Camera

For selfies, the Moto G72 features a 16-megapixel front camera positioned within the hole-punch cutout on the display. This camera captures sharp selfies with good color reproduction and a wide field of view. It can also record videos at 1080p at 30fps.

Software Experience: Android 12 with a Touch of Customization

The Moto G72 runs on Android 12, with Motorola’s MyUX skin layered on top. MyUX provides a near-stock Android experience with subtle customizations, offering a clean and intuitive interface. Users can personalize their experience with features like Moto gestures, a collection of handy actions initiated with simple hand motions, as well as options to customize wallpapers, icon shapes, and fonts, allowing them to tailor the phone to their preferences.

Security and Updates: Long-Term Support

Motorola has ensured the G72’s long-term relevance by committing to three years of security updates, safeguarding users from potential vulnerabilities. Moreover, the phone is confirmed to receive the Android 13 update, further extending its software lifecycle.

Final Thoughts: The Moto G72’s Standing in a Competitive Market

The Moto G72 presents a compelling proposition in the sub-Rs. 20,000 market, offering a well-rounded package that prioritizes key features without compromising on overall quality. With a stunning pOLED display, a robust processor, a long-lasting battery, and an impressive camera system, the G72 proves that a compelling 4G experience can still hold its own in a world dominated by 5G.

While the lack of 5G connectivity may be a dealbreaker for some users, the Moto G72 is a solid choice for those seeking a device that delivers a smooth, reliable, and enjoyable user experience without breaking the bank. The phone’s combination of premium features, thoughtful design, and long-term software support sets it apart from its competitors and positions it as a strong contender in the budget smartphone segment.

Article Reference

Brian Adams
Brian Adams
Brian Adams is a technology writer with a passion for exploring new innovations and trends. His articles cover a wide range of tech topics, making complex concepts accessible to a broad audience. Brian's engaging writing style and thorough research make his pieces a must-read for tech enthusiasts.