Moto G85 5G : There’s something refreshing about a smartphone that doesn’t try to hide its budget roots but still manages to surprise you. The Moto G85 5G represents exactly this philosophy – a device that acknowledges its price point while delivering experiences typically reserved for much more expensive phones. After spending considerable time with this device, it’s clear that Motorola has crafted something genuinely special in the sub-₹20,000 segment.

Display Excellence That Defies Its Price Tag

The star of the show is undoubtedly the 6.67-inch curved pOLED display. This isn’t your typical budget phone screen – it’s a genuinely premium panel that wouldn’t look out of place on devices costing twice as much. The edge-to-edge design, borrowed from Motorola’s flagship Edge series, creates an immersive viewing experience that’s rare at this price point.

With 1600 nits peak brightness and 120Hz refresh rate, the display handles everything from bright outdoor visibility to smooth scrolling with impressive competence. The Full HD+ resolution ensures text remains crisp and images maintain their detail, avoiding the fuzzy 720p displays that plague many budget alternatives. Colors pop with vibrant saturation while maintaining natural skin tones, striking a balance that’s genuinely pleasing to the eye.

The curved edges add to the premium feel, though they do take some adjustment for users accustomed to flat displays. Accidental touches remain minimal thanks to decent palm rejection, making the design choice more than just aesthetic flair.

Camera Performance That Captures Life’s Moments

Photography duties are handled by a dual camera setup featuring a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization and an 8MP ultrawide lens. The primary camera delivers surprisingly good results in favorable lighting conditions, producing social media-ready images with vibrant colors and decent detail retention.

The inclusion of OIS at this price point deserves special mention – it genuinely helps with both low-light photography and video stabilization. Night mode performance, while not class-leading, produces usable results that surpass many competitors in this segment. The ultrawide camera handles group shots and landscape photography adequately, though it clearly represents the weaker link in the camera chain.

The 32MP front camera handles selfies and video calls competently, producing clear images with natural color reproduction. Portrait mode works reasonably well, creating decent background blur effects for social media sharing.

Performance That Meets Everyday Demands

Under the hood, the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 processor paired with 8GB or 12GB of RAM handles daily tasks with smooth efficiency. Social media scrolling, web browsing, and light multitasking happen without noticeable lag. The phone maintains its composure during moderate gaming sessions, though intensive 3D games require reduced settings for optimal performance.

The clean, near-stock Android 14 experience contributes significantly to the smooth performance. Motorola’s light touch with customization means fewer background processes and a more responsive interface overall. The inclusion of classic Moto Actions – like twisting for the camera or chopping for the flashlight – adds practical functionality without bloating the experience.

However, Motorola’s software update policy remains disappointing, offering only one major Android update and three years of security patches. This falls short of competitors providing longer support periods.

Battery Life That Goes the Distance

The 5000mAh battery consistently delivers all-day endurance, easily lasting through heavy usage scenarios. Light users can expect the device to stretch into a second day without requiring a charge. The 33W fast charging, while not the fastest available, completes a full charge in approximately 80 minutes – adequate for most users’ needs.

Battery optimization works well in practice, with the phone intelligently managing background apps and display brightness to maximize endurance without sacrificing usability.

Build Quality That Feels Substantial

Despite its budget positioning, the G85 feels remarkably solid in hand. The glass and plastic construction maintains structural integrity while keeping weight to a manageable 171 grams. The IP54 rating provides basic protection against splashes and dust, though it falls short of full water resistance.

Moto G85 5G Value Proposition That Makes Sense

Currently priced around ₹15,890, the Moto G85 5G delivers exceptional value for users prioritizing display quality and overall user experience. While it may not lead in raw performance benchmarks, it succeeds brilliantly at creating a premium smartphone experience at a decidedly non-premium price.

The G85 proves that budget phones don’t have to feel like compromises – sometimes they can feel like revelations.