Motorola Moto G04s (128GB, Black): Honest Review
Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the Motorola Moto G04s (128GB, Black). This phone has been making waves in the budget-friendly segment, and I wanted to give you my honest take after putting it through its paces. We'll cover everything from the design and display to performance, camera, and battery life. So, if you're considering picking one up, stick around – this review is for you!
Design and Build Quality
First impressions matter, right? The Motorola Moto G04s sports a sleek and modern design that definitely punches above its weight class. The black color variant we have here has a matte finish, which not only looks premium but also does a great job of repelling fingerprints – a huge win in my book. The phone feels surprisingly solid in hand, with no noticeable flex or creaking. Motorola has clearly paid attention to the build quality, making it feel like a device that can withstand the rigors of daily use. The rounded edges and slim profile contribute to a comfortable grip, making it easy to hold and operate with one hand. The button placement is also well thought out, with the power button and volume rocker located on the right side, easily accessible with your thumb. The power button also doubles as a fingerprint sensor, which is quick and reliable. On the bottom, you'll find a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack – a welcome addition for those of us who still prefer wired headphones. The rear camera module is relatively flush with the body, preventing the phone from wobbling when placed on a flat surface. Overall, the design and build quality of the Moto G04s are impressive for a budget device, offering a premium feel without breaking the bank. It's clear that Motorola has focused on delivering a device that not only looks good but also feels durable and well-built. Whether you're a student, a young professional, or simply someone looking for a reliable and affordable smartphone, the Moto G04s won't disappoint in terms of design and build quality.
Display: Is it Good Enough?
The display is your window to the digital world, and the Motorola Moto G04s features a 6.6-inch IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. Now, I know what you're thinking – 720p in 2024? But hear me out. While it's not the sharpest display out there, it's surprisingly decent for everyday use. The colors are vibrant and the contrast is good, making videos and photos look pleasing to the eye. The viewing angles are also wide, so you won't experience any color distortion when viewing the screen from different angles. The brightness is adequate for indoor use, but it can struggle a bit in direct sunlight. However, the adaptive brightness feature works well, automatically adjusting the screen brightness based on the ambient light conditions. One of the standout features of the display is its 90Hz refresh rate, which makes scrolling and animations feel smoother and more responsive. This is a feature that's often reserved for more expensive phones, so it's great to see it included in the Moto G04s. While the resolution may not be the highest, the 90Hz refresh rate definitely makes a noticeable difference in the overall user experience. Of course, there are some limitations. The lower resolution means that text and images may not appear as crisp as they would on a 1080p display. However, for most everyday tasks like browsing the web, checking social media, and watching videos, the display is perfectly adequate. If you're a pixel peeper or someone who demands the sharpest possible image quality, you may want to consider a phone with a higher resolution display. But for the average user, the display on the Moto G04s is more than capable of delivering a pleasant viewing experience. Considering the price point of the phone, the display is a good compromise between image quality and performance. Motorola has clearly prioritized delivering a smooth and responsive user experience, and the 90Hz refresh rate is a key factor in achieving that goal.
Performance: Can it Handle Your Daily Grind?
Under the hood, the Motorola Moto G04s is powered by a Unisoc T606 processor paired with 4GB of RAM (in some configurations, you might find other RAM options). This isn't a powerhouse by any means, but it's sufficient for handling everyday tasks like browsing the web, checking email, and using social media apps. Multitasking can be a bit slow at times, especially with multiple apps open in the background. However, the phone generally manages to keep up with most tasks without too much lag or stuttering. Gaming is where the Moto G04s starts to show its limitations. While it can handle less demanding games like Candy Crush and Subway Surfers without any issues, more graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 9 will require you to lower the graphics settings to achieve playable frame rates. Even then, you may experience some occasional lag and stuttering. If you're a serious gamer, you'll definitely want to consider a phone with a more powerful processor and dedicated graphics card. However, for casual gaming, the Moto G04s is adequate. The phone also comes with 128GB of internal storage, which is plenty of space for storing your photos, videos, and apps. If you need more storage, you can expand it via a microSD card. The phone runs on Android 14 (Go edition), which is a lightweight version of Android designed for entry-level smartphones. The Go edition of Android is optimized for performance and data usage, making it ideal for phones with limited resources. The software is clean and uncluttered, with no unnecessary bloatware. Motorola has also added a few of its own customizations, such as Moto Actions, which allow you to perform certain tasks with gestures. Overall, the performance of the Moto G04s is decent for a budget phone. It's not the fastest or most powerful phone out there, but it's capable of handling everyday tasks without too much trouble. If you're looking for a phone that can handle demanding games and heavy multitasking, you'll need to spend more money. But for basic use, the Moto G04s is a solid performer.
Camera: Snapshots and Memories
The camera is often a key factor in deciding which smartphone to buy, and the Motorola Moto G04s features a single 50MP rear camera. In daylight conditions, the camera is capable of capturing decent photos with good detail and accurate colors. The dynamic range is also surprisingly good, with the camera able to capture details in both the highlights and shadows. However, in low-light conditions, the camera struggles to capture detail and the images can be quite noisy. The phone also lacks a dedicated night mode, which further limits its low-light performance. The camera app is simple and easy to use, with a variety of shooting modes, including portrait mode, panorama mode, and video mode. The portrait mode does a decent job of blurring the background, but it's not as refined as the portrait mode on more expensive phones. The video mode can record videos at up to 1080p at 30fps. The video quality is decent for a budget phone, but the stabilization is not great, so you'll need to hold the phone steady when recording videos. The front-facing camera is a 5MP sensor, which is adequate for taking selfies and making video calls. The image quality is decent in good lighting conditions, but it can be quite noisy in low-light conditions. Overall, the camera on the Moto G04s is decent for a budget phone. It's not going to win any awards, but it's capable of capturing decent photos and videos in good lighting conditions. If you're looking for a phone with a great camera, you'll need to spend more money. But for casual use, the camera on the Moto G04s is perfectly adequate. It's important to remember that this is a budget phone, and the camera performance reflects that. However, for capturing everyday moments and sharing them on social media, the camera is more than capable of getting the job done. Just don't expect to take professional-quality photos with it.
Battery Life: Power Through Your Day
Battery life is crucial, and the Motorola Moto G04s packs a 5000mAh battery, which is impressive for a phone in this price range. In my testing, I was able to easily get through a full day of moderate use on a single charge. This included browsing the web, checking email, using social media apps, and watching videos. Even with heavy use, I was still able to get close to a full day of battery life. The phone also supports 15W fast charging, which allows you to quickly top up the battery when needed. However, the phone doesn't come with a fast charger in the box, so you'll need to purchase one separately. The battery life of the Moto G04s is one of its strongest selling points. The large battery capacity combined with the power-efficient processor and Android 14 (Go edition) software results in excellent battery life. Whether you're a heavy user or a light user, you can expect to get through a full day on a single charge. This makes the Moto G04s an ideal phone for people who are always on the go and don't want to worry about running out of battery. The long battery life is also a great feature for travelers who may not have access to a charger for extended periods of time. Overall, the battery life of the Moto G04s is excellent and is one of the main reasons why I would recommend this phone. It's a reliable and long-lasting phone that won't let you down when you need it most.
Final Verdict: Is the Motorola Moto G04s Worth Buying?
So, is the Motorola Moto G04s worth buying? Absolutely, if you're on a tight budget and need a reliable smartphone for everyday tasks. It nails the essentials: a decent display, acceptable performance, a usable camera, and fantastic battery life. While it's not perfect, the compromises are understandable given the price point. You get a lot of bang for your buck with this device. The Motorola Moto G04s is a great option for students, seniors, or anyone who just needs a basic smartphone without breaking the bank. It's also a good choice for a secondary phone or a backup device. Of course, if you're a power user or someone who demands the best possible performance and camera quality, you'll need to spend more money on a higher-end device. But for the average user, the Moto G04s offers a compelling combination of features and affordability. In conclusion, the Motorola Moto G04s is a solid budget smartphone that delivers on its promises. It's not the flashiest or most powerful phone out there, but it's a reliable and affordable option that will get the job done. If you're looking for a budget-friendly smartphone, the Moto G04s is definitely worth considering.
