Price and Specifications

The Motorola Moto G Play (2024) is a budget-friendly smartphone that has garnered attention for offering solid performance, impressive battery life, and an attractive design at a relatively low price. Positioned in Motorola’s popular Moto G series, the Moto G Play (2024) is designed to meet the needs of users looking for a reliable, everyday phone without breaking the bank. The phone comes with essential features such as a large display, decent camera setup, and a long-lasting battery, making it a great option for those on a tight budget or for users looking for a secondary phone.

Below is an in-depth analysis of the price, specifications, and key features of the Motorola Moto G Play (2024).

Price of Motorola Moto G Play (2024)

As of 2024, the Motorola Moto G Play (2024) is priced around $169.99 USD for the base model with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. This makes the Moto G Play one of the most affordable smartphones in the market that still offers a decent user experience with modern features. The device is available through various retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Motorola’s official store.

In some regions, the price may vary slightly depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions or discounts. In certain cases, the phone may also be available in higher storage variants (64GB), although these models may be priced a little higher.

Key Specifications of Motorola Moto G Play (2024)

1. Display

• Size: 6.5-inch
• Type: IPS LCD
• Resolution: HD+ (1600 x 720 pixels)
• Aspect Ratio: 20:9
• Pixel Density: 270 PPI
• Refresh Rate: 90Hz

The Motorola Moto G Play (2024) features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display, which is an adequate size for watching videos, browsing the web, and playing casual games. The display resolution is HD+ (1600 x 720 pixels), which is a bit lower than the Full HD+ found in higher-end models but still provides acceptable clarity for everyday tasks. The 270 PPI pixel density ensures that text and images are reasonably sharp.

The phone’s 90Hz refresh rate is an attractive feature for this price range, as it helps provide smoother scrolling and a better overall user experience compared to standard 60Hz displays found in many budget devices. While it’s not as smooth as higher-end phones with 120Hz or 144Hz displays, the 90Hz refresh rate helps improve the responsiveness of the screen, making it a nice addition in this budget category.

2. Performance

• Processor: MediaTek Helio G37
• CPU: Octa-core (4x Cortex-A53, 4x Cortex-A53)
• GPU: PowerVR GE8320
• RAM: 3GB
• Storage: 32GB / 64GB (expandable via microSD card up to 512GB)
• Operating System: Android 13 (stock version)

Under the hood, the Moto G Play (2024) is powered by the MediaTek Helio G37 chipset. This is a budget-friendly processor designed for entry-level smartphones, providing enough power for day-to-day tasks like social media browsing, video streaming, light gaming, and messaging. The Octa-core CPU (four high-efficiency Cortex-A53 cores) is adequate for moderate multitasking but might struggle with more demanding apps or intense gaming sessions.

The phone comes with 3GB of RAM, which is typical for budget phones, and 32GB of internal storage, which is enough for basic usage and a few apps. If you need more space for photos, videos, and apps, the device supports expandable storage via a microSD card slot, allowing you to add up to 512GB of additional storage.

The Android 13 operating system is a nice touch, as it brings the latest features and improvements to the phone. Motorola typically provides a clean, bloat-free version of Android, which means users get a near-stock experience without unnecessary pre-installed apps.

3. Camera System

• Rear Camera: 13 MP (f/2.2), PDAF
• Depth Sensor: 2 MP (f/2.4)
• Front Camera: 5 MP (f/2.2)

While the camera setup on the Moto G Play (2024) is relatively basic compared to higher-end phones, it is perfectly adequate for everyday photography. The phone features a 13 MP primary camera with an f/2.2 aperture that captures decent photos in well-lit environments. The Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) technology ensures that the camera locks focus quickly for clear shots. However, low-light performance is expected to be limited, with photos appearing softer or grainy in challenging lighting conditions.

In addition to the main camera, the Moto G Play also features a 2 MP depth sensor, which is used for enhancing portrait shots by creating a blurred background effect (bokeh). While this feature is basic, it adds a bit of depth to portrait photos and can be fun to experiment with.

On the front, the 5 MP selfie camera with an f/2.2 lens is decent for capturing selfies and video calls, although the quality will not match higher-end devices. Still, for casual use, the front camera should suffice.

4. Battery and Charging

• Battery Capacity: 5000 mAh
• Charging: 10W wired charging

The Motorola Moto G Play (2024) comes equipped with a 5000 mAh battery, which is quite large for a budget phone and ensures excellent battery life. Under typical usage, the phone can easily last a full day of moderate use, including social media browsing, texting, web browsing, and video streaming. With lighter usage, it can even last into the second day, making it a great option for users who prioritize battery life.

However, the phone is limited to 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow compared to newer devices that support faster charging speeds. While it won’t be the quickest option to top up, the large battery means that even with slow charging, the Moto G Play (2024) still offers great endurance overall.

5. Design and Build Quality

• Dimensions: 167.2 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm
• Weight: 204 grams
• Material: Plastic back and frame
• Colors: Misty Blue, Phantom Black

The Motorola Moto G Play (2024) features a simple but functional design. It has a plastic back and frame, which is typical for budget smartphones, but still feels durable. The device has a comfortable size, with 167.2 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm dimensions, and a weight of 204 grams. It is slightly on the heavier side, but this weight is often a characteristic of phones with large batteries.

The phone is available in two colors: Misty Blue and Phantom Black, which offer a sleek, minimalistic aesthetic. While it’s not the most premium device in terms of materials, the design is clean and appealing for a budget-friendly smartphone.

6. Additional Features

• Fingerprint Scanner: No (uses PIN or pattern unlock)
• Face Unlock: Yes
• Audio: Single speaker, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C
• IP Rating: None (no official water or dust resistance)

While the Moto G Play (2024) doesn’t feature an in-display fingerprint sensor or face unlock with the same level of security as premium phones, it does support face unlock as an alternative method of unlocking the phone. However, the lack of a fingerprint sensor may be a downside for those looking for more secure biometric options.

For audio, the device has a single speaker and retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming increasingly rare on modern smartphones. This is a welcome feature for users who prefer wired headphones or have a collection of legacy audio accessories.

However, its basic camera setup, slow charging speed, and lower resolution display may limit its appeal for users who demand more from their smartphone. Despite these limitations, for the price, the Moto G Play (2024) remains a fantastic value for those who want a reliable, budget-friendly device without the premium price tag.