Motorola is once again stepping up in the mid-range smartphone market with the launch of the Moto G96 5G. Designed to deliver premium features at a much more accessible price point, this phone is packed with modern tech, from a curved pOLED display to a Sony camera sensor and Snapdragon performance. Here’s everything you need to know about Motorola’s latest contender.
Motorola Moto G96 5G Premium Features
Design and Build: Vegan Leather & IP68
The Moto G96 5G immediately captures attention with its soft vegan leather back, available in stunning shades such as Ashleigh Blue, Cattleya Orchid, Dresden Blue, and Greener Pastures. The phone is sleek and light, weighing just 178 grams and measuring only 7.93 mm thick.
It’s also built to last — with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, something rarely seen at this price point. Depending on the source, some even suggest an IP69 certification. Security-wise, it comes with an in-display fingerprint scanner, though some reports say it could be side-mounted.
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Display: A Stunning Visual Experience
Motorola has made significant investments in the display department. The Moto G96 5G sports a 6.67-inch curved pOLED screen (some reports mention a 6.7″ AMOLED). It delivers a 144 Hz refresh rate, Full HD+ resolution, and up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness, making it one of the brightest and smoothest displays in its class.
You’ll also enjoy 10-bit color depth, DCI-P3 color range, and SGS certifications for low blue light and reduced motion blur. Additionally, Motorola has included Water Touch 2.0 technology, improving touch response in wet conditions.
Performance and 5G Support
Under the hood, the Moto G96 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, built on a 4nm architecture. Some sources suggest a Snapdragon 695 instead, but the 7s Gen 2 is more likely given the phone’s positioning.
The phone includes
- 8GB LPDDR4X RAM, expandable up to 16GB with RAM Boost
- 128GB or 256GB of UFS storage
- AnTuTu Score: Around 605,833 points
- Support for 13 5G bands, ensuring wide coverage across India
This setup promises smooth multitasking, gaming, and app performance.
Camera System: Sony Lytia Sensor and 4K Video
One of the standout features of the Moto G96 5G is its dual rear camera setup, featuring
- 50MP Sony Lytia 700C primary sensor
- f/1.8 aperture, OIS, Ultra Pixel tech, Quad – PDAF
- 8MP ultrawide + macro vision camera
- 32MP front-facing camera with Quad Pixel tech
Photo modes include night vision, portrait with natural tones, and more. For video, you can shoot in UHD at 30 fps, FHD at 60 fps, and use Horizon Lock for stabilized shots.
Battery and Charging
The 5,500mAh battery delivers impressive longevity, including:
- Up to 16+ hours of video playback
- Around 8+ hours of gaming
There’s some confusion about charging speed: some sources claim 33W TurboPower charging, while others suggest a faster 68W option. Either way, at 33W, you can expect around 60% charge in just 30 minutes.
Software Experience
The Moto G96 5G runs on Android 15 with Motorola’s minimal Hello UI. It’s a clean experience with no bloatware.
When it comes to updates, reports are mixed:
- Some claim 1 major Android upgrade + 3 years of security updates
- Others hint at 3 OS upgrades (up to Android 18)
- However, Motorola has not officially confirmed an Android 16 update yet
Additional Features
Here’s what else you get:
- Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio
- Smart Connect for seamless integration with Lenovo devices
- FM Radio included
- No 3.5mm headphone jack
- NFC support remains uncertain — some say it’s included, others don’t
Moto G96 5G – At a Glance
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.67″ pOLED, 144Hz, 1,600 nits brightness |
| Processor | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) |
| RAM & Storage | 8GB RAM, 128GB/256GB UFS, RAM Boost to 16GB |
| Rear Camera | 50MP + 8MP (ultrawide/macro) |
| Front Camera | 32MP Quad Pixel |
| Battery | 5,500mAh, 33W or 68W fast charging |
| OS | Android 15 with Hello UI |
| Design & Protection | Vegan leather back, IP68 rated |
| Price (Expected) | ₹20,000 – ₹22,000 |
Moto G96 5G vs Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G vs Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G
| Feature | Moto G96 5G | Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G | Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (India) | ₹20,000 – ₹22,000 (Expected) | ₹23,999 (Starting) | ₹19,999 (Starting) |
| Display | 5,000 mAh | ₹20,000–₹22,000 (Expected) | 6.67″ AMOLED, FHD+, 120 Hz, 2000 nits |
| Processor | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 7050 (6nm) |
| RAM & Storage | 8GB + 128/256GB, RAM Boost to 16GB | 8GB + 128GB/256GB | 8GB + 128GB/256GB |
| Main Camera | 50MP Sony Lytia 700C (OIS) | 200MP Samsung ISOCELL (OIS) | 50MP Sony IMX890 (OIS) |
| Additional Cameras | 8MP ultrawide + macro | 8MP ultrawide + 2MP macro | 2MP depth sensor |
| Front Camera | 32MP | 16MP | 16MP |
| Battery Capacity | 5,500mAh | 5,500 mAh | 5,000mAh |
| Fast Charging | 5,100 mAh | 67W TurboCharge | 67W SUPERVOOC |
| OS & UI | Android 15, Hello UI | Android 13, MIUI 14 | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 |
| 5G Bands Supported | 13 bands | 7 bands | 9 bands |
| Water/Dust Resistance | IP68 (possibly IP69) | IP54 | IP54 |
| Audio | Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos | Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos | Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos |
| Other Features | In-display FP (or side-mounted), FM Radio | In-display FP, IR Blaster | In-display FP, Air Gesture, VC Cooling |
Final Thoughts
The Moto G96 5G delivers serious value with features like a curved pOLED display, Sony camera sensor, and Snapdragon performance—all under ₹22,000. While some details like charging speed and software updates remain to be confirmed, Motorola has clearly created a phone that challenges its price bracket.
The Moto G96 5G is a stylish and powerful mid-range 5G phone that deserves your attention.