Motorola G85 5G: The smartphone landscape has witnessed another compelling entry with the Motorola G85 5G, a device that challenges the traditional boundaries between premium aesthetics and budget-friendly pricing. Since its market debut, this mid-range contender has captured attention not just for its attractive price point but for bringing flagship-level design elements to a segment where compromises are typically expected.
Curved Elegance That Defies Price Tags
What immediately distinguishes the Motorola G85 5G from its competition is its sophisticated design language. The device features an ultra-slim profile measuring just 7.6mm in thickness, making it one of the thinnest offerings in its price category. The curved-edge pOLED display design, typically reserved for premium smartphones, creates an elegant aesthetic that feels surprisingly luxurious in hand.
The phone’s construction showcases Motorola’s attention to detail, with multiple color options that cater to diverse preferences. Users can choose between the sophisticated Cobalt Blue and Olive Green variants featuring a soft vegan leather finish, or opt for the classic Urban Grey with its refined matte texture. This variety ensures that the device appeals to both style-conscious users and those preferring a more understated appearance.
Weighing in at just 172 grams, the G85 5G manages to feel substantial without being cumbersome. However, the device does make some concessions in durability, with an IP52 rating that provides basic protection against light splashes and dust but falls short of the comprehensive water resistance found in some competitors.
Display Technology That Impresses
The centerpiece of the Motorola G85 5G experience is undoubtedly its 6.67-inch pOLED display. This screen technology delivers exceptional visual quality that punches well above the device’s price class. With a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and support for 1.07 billion colors, content appears vibrant and detailed across various lighting conditions.
The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and responsive touch interactions, creating a fluid user experience that rivals more expensive alternatives. Peak brightness levels reaching 1600 nits make the display clearly visible even under direct sunlight, while HDR10+ support enhances the viewing experience for compatible content. The curved edges not only contribute to the premium aesthetic but also provide practical benefits by reducing accidental touches and improving grip comfort.
Protection comes courtesy of Corning Gorilla Glass 5, offering reasonable scratch and impact resistance for everyday use. The edge-to-edge design maximizes screen real estate while maintaining manageable device dimensions.
Performance That Balances Efficiency and Capability
Under the hood, the Motorola G85 5G relies on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 processor, built on a 6nm architecture that prioritizes energy efficiency. This octa-core chipset, featuring two Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.3GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8GHz, provides adequate performance for most daily tasks including social media, web browsing, and light multitasking.
The device comes in two memory configurations: 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR4 RAM paired with either 128GB or 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. The higher RAM variant offers improved multitasking capabilities, while the expandable storage via microSD card slot ensures users won’t quickly run out of space for photos, videos, and applications.
Gaming performance, while not exceptional, proves adequate for casual titles and older games at moderate settings. The Adreno 619 GPU handles everyday graphics tasks competently, though demanding 3D games may require reduced settings for optimal performance. Thermal management remains reasonable during extended use, with noticeable warming only during intensive tasks or while charging.
Camera System That Captures Life’s Moments
Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the Motorola G85 5G’s camera setup, headlined by a 50MP primary sensor featuring the Sony LYTIA 600 technology. This main camera includes Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), a feature increasingly rare in this price segment, which significantly improves photo quality in challenging lighting conditions and reduces motion blur.
The camera system is complemented by an 8MP ultra-wide lens that captures expansive landscapes and group photos with a 118-degree field of view. For selfie enthusiasts, the front-facing 32MP camera delivers detailed self-portraits with natural skin tone reproduction and adequate performance in various lighting conditions.
The camera software includes various shooting modes and AI enhancements that help users capture better photos with minimal effort. Night mode performance, while not groundbreaking, produces usable results in low-light scenarios, making the device suitable for everyday photography needs.
Audio Excellence and Battery Endurance
Audio quality receives special attention with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support, creating an immersive listening experience for music, videos, and games. This audio enhancement adds genuine value for users who consume multimedia content regularly.
The 5000mAh battery provides reliable all-day performance for typical usage patterns. Fast charging capabilities, while not the fastest available, ensure reasonable charging times that minimize downtime. The device supports modern connectivity standards including 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and NFC, ensuring compatibility with current and future network infrastructures.
Motorola G85 5G Conclusion: Style Meets Substance
Currently priced at approximately ₹15,833 in India, the Motorola G85 5G represents compelling value for users seeking premium design elements without flagship pricing. While it may not lead in raw performance or camera versatility compared to some competitors, its combination of elegant design, quality display, and solid everyday performance creates an appealing package.
The device succeeds in bringing typically expensive design elements to a more accessible price point, making it an attractive option for users who prioritize aesthetics and display quality. For those willing to accept moderate performance limitations in exchange for premium design and a superior visual experience, the Motorola G85 5G stands as a worthy consideration in the competitive mid-range smartphone market.