The Moto G82 5G: A Premium Challenger in the Mid-Range Market
Motorola’s G series has always been known for offering great value for money, but the latest addition, the Moto G82 5G, marks a significant shift. This smartphone breaks the Rs. 20,000 price barrier, placing it firmly in the premium mid-range segment. With its 120Hz pOLED display, stereo speakers, 50-megapixel camera with OIS, and the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 SoC, the Moto G82 5G promises a compelling package for its price. This first impressions review will delve into the key features and design of the Moto G82 5G and see how it stacks up against the competition.
Design and Build: A Sleek and Stylish Performer
Motorola claims that the Moto G82 5G is the slimmest and lightest smartphone in its segment, measuring a mere 7.9mm thick and weighing 173g. The phone adopts the same boxy design seen on the latest Motorola Edge series, like the Motorola Edge 30 and the recently launched Moto E32s. The flat frame is constructed from plastic and houses the side-mounted fingerprint sensor integrated with the power button on the right. While the volume buttons are also on the right, reaching them requires a slight stretch. Thankfully, they offer decent feedback despite their minimal protrusion.
The bottom edge of the Moto G82 5G features a 3.5mm headphone jack, USB Type-C port, and a speaker, while the top edge houses an additional microphone and the earpiece acting as a secondary speaker for stereo sound. Completing the build is an IP52 rating that protects the device against light splashes of water.
The Moto G82 5G features an acrylic back panel, offering a glass-like appearance while enhancing durability against accidental drops. This surface, however, attracts smudges quite easily. Thankfully, the Meteorite Grey color of our review unit effectively hides these smudges. Alternatively, Motorola also offers the White Lily finish. The bundled case should further address the smudge issue.
The triple camera setup on the Moto G82 5G comprises a 50-megapixel primary camera with OIS, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera that also acts as the depth sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. The flat back panel with curved sides ensures a comfortable grip.
Display: Vibrant and Responsive
The Moto G82 5G boasts a 6.6-inch pOLED display with a full-HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, resulting in a smooth and responsive visual experience. The screen also boasts DC dimming for enhanced battery life and a 360Hz touch sampling rate for lightning-fast responsiveness. Motorola highlights the pOLED technology’s contribution to a thinner display with slim bezels. A hole-punch cutout houses the 16-megapixel selfie camera.
Performance: Powering through Everyday Tasks
The Moto G82 5G relies on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 SoC, a chipset familiar within this price range, also used in the Moto G71 5G. Two RAM variants are available: 6GB and 8GB, both paired with 128GB of storage. The 6GB variant is priced at Rs. 21,499, while the 8GB variant costs Rs. 22,999. Motorola is currently offering a cashback offer on select credit cards, reducing the price of both variants by Rs. 1,500.
Although users can expand storage further, doing so requires sacrificing a SIM card slot, as the Moto G82 5G utilizes a hybrid SIM slot. Connectivity options include Bluetooth 5.1, dual-band Wi-Fi, 13 5G bands, dual 4G VoLTE, NFC, and support for six satellite navigation systems. Powering the device is a 5,000mAh battery with 30W fast charging support, and Motorola bundles a 33W TurboPower fast charger in the box.
Software: Near-Stock Android with Motorola’s MyUX
The Moto G82 5G runs Android 12 out of the box, overlaid with Motorola’s MyUX UI. The interface closely resembles stock Android, making it highly user-friendly. Pre-installed apps include Google’s suite and Facebook. Motorola guarantees an update to Android 13 and provides three years of Android security updates. While an Android 14 upgrade would have been preferred, Motorola currently offers only two major OS updates for its premium Edge 30 series.
Camera: Capture Memories with Confidence
The Moto G82 5G carries a triple camera setup that aims to deliver impressive image quality. The 50-megapixel primary camera with OIS, the 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and the 2-megapixel macro camera promise versatility and detail. However, the true performance of this camera system will be tested in our full review, where we will evaluate its image quality in various lighting conditions.
Conclusion: A Contender with a Premium Touch
The Moto G82 5G represents Motorola’s foray into the higher price bracket of the G series. It boasts a sleek design, a vibrant display with a high refresh rate, the powerful Snapdragon 695 SoC, a robust camera setup, and a near-stock Android experience. However, the competitive landscape within this price range includes strong contenders like the Vivo T1 5G, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, and the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G, all offering similar hardware at potentially lower price points.
Key features such as the optically stabilised main camera and the IP rating could be decisive factors for potential buyers. The full review of the Moto G82 5G will delve deeper into its performance and camera capabilities, providing a comprehensive evaluation of its worthiness in the competitive mid-range market. Stay tuned for the detailed review on Gadgets 360 for a final verdict on this intriguing new offering from Motorola.
