Highlights

• Stylish vegan leather back with Gorilla Glass 5
• Impressive P-OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 6S Gen 3 processor for solid performance
• 50MP AI dual rear camera for stunning photos

Motorola has once again made waves in the lower mid-range smartphone market with the release of the Moto G85.

This device aims to strike a perfect balance between performance, aesthetics, and value for money.

In this extensive review, we’ll explore every aspect of the Moto G85, from its display and design to its performance and camera capabilities.

Pros & Cons

Key Specs of the Moto G85

1. Display: 6.67 inches, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 120Hz, OLED
2. Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3
3. RAM: 8GB LPDDR4X
4. Storage: 128GB, expandable up to 1TB
5. Rear Cameras: Dual – 50MP (Wide) + 8MP (Ultra-Wide)
6. Front Camera: 16MP
7. Battery: 6000mAh, 33W fast charging
8. Operating System: Android 14

Moto G85: What’s in the Box?

Unboxing the Motorola Moto G85 reveals a thoughtfully curated package that provides everything you need to get started with your new device.

The sleek, neatly organized box contains the Moto G85 smartphone itself.

Alongside the phone, you’ll find a 33W SUPERVOOC fast charger while a USB Type-A to Type-C charging cable is also included.

Motorola has included a protective case, allowing you to safeguard your new phone right out of the box.

For those who need to access the SIM tray, a SIM ejector tool is provided.

Rounding out the package are the usual documentation materials, including a quick start guide and warranty information, helping you set up your device and understand your coverage.

Moto G85: Unboxing Video

Moto G85: Design Highlights

• Vegan leather back
• Gorilla Glass 5 protection
• Slim profile
• Lightweight at 173.7 grams

The Moto G85’s vegan leather back is a distinctive design element that comes in three different hues.

This material not only adds refinement, but it also gives a nice grip and is more resistant to fingerprints than typical glass backs.

Vegan leather is also in line with rising environmental concerns, making it appealing to environmentally aware customers.

The addition of Gorilla Glass 5 on the front ensures durability, providing protection from scratches and moderate drops.

The phone’s small profile adds to its attractive appeal, while its lightweight (173.7 grams) design makes it suitable for extended usage.

Button placement is intuitive, with the power button and volume rocker easily accessible on the right side.

The inclusion of a dedicated Google Assistant button on the left side is a thoughtful addition for those who frequently use voice commands.

Overall, the Moto G85’s design strikes a balance between aesthetics and functionality, resulting in a device that feels premium in hand and stands out in the crowded mid-range market.

Moto G85: Display Metrics

The Moto G85 boasts a stunning 6.67-inch P-OLED display that immediately catches the eye.

This panel offers a Full HD+ resolution, ensuring crisp and clear visuals for all types of content.

One of the standout features is the 120Hz refresh rate, which provides smooth scrolling and fluid animations, enhancing the overall user experience.

Key display specifications

• Size: 6.67 inches
• Type: P-OLED
• Resolution: Full HD+
• Refresh Rate: 120Hz
• Peak Brightness: 1600 nits
• High Brightness: 1200 nits
• Screen-to-Body Ratio: Over 93%

The display’s peak brightness of 1600 nits allows for exceptional visibility even in direct sunlight, making outdoor use a breeze.

The high brightness level of 1200 nits improves reading in low-light circumstances.

The Moto G85’s screen-to-body ratio exceeds 93%, providing an immersive viewing experience with low bezels.

The color reproduction of the P-OLED display is vivid and precise, making it excellent for multimedia consumption.

Whether you’re viewing films, browsing photographs, or playing games, the display uses vibrant colors to bring material to life.

The deep blacks of OLED technology contribute to great contrast ratios, further improving the visual experience.

Multimedia Experience

The Moto G85 delivers an impressive multimedia experience, thanks to its high-quality display and audio capabilities.

• Dolby Atmos stereo speakers
• 3.5mm headphone jack

The 6.67-inch P-OLED display, with its vibrant colors and high refresh rate, makes video consumption a joy.

Whether streaming content or watching locally stored media, the visual experience is immersive and engaging.

Audio quality is enhanced by the inclusion of Dolby Atmos stereo speakers, which provide clear and balanced sound.

The speakers offer good volume levels and minimal distortion, even at higher volumes.

For those who prefer wired audio, the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a welcome feature in an era where many manufacturers are omitting it.

It’s worth noting that while the display is capable of HDR, the Moto G85 does not support HDR playback on Netflix due to limitations of the 6S Gen 3 processor.

This may be a minor drawback for some users who prioritize HDR content.

Moto G85: Camera System

The Motorola Moto G85 comes equipped with a versatile dual-camera setup that aims to cater to a wide range of photography needs.

Camera Specifications

• Primary Camera: 50MP Sony sensor, f/1.8 aperture, OIS (Optical Image Stabilization)
• Secondary Camera: 8MP ultra-wide and macro sensor
• Front Camera: 32MP selfie shooter

Main Camera Performance

The 50MP main sensor is the star of the show, utilizing pixel-binning technology to produce 12.5MP images with enhanced detail and light sensitivity.

In daylight conditions, the camera captures impressive shots with good dynamic range, accurate colors, and plenty of detail.

Low-light performance has seen a notable improvement over previous models.

The night mode does a commendable job of brightening scenes while maintaining a natural look, though it may take a few seconds to process each shot.

Ultra-wide and Macro Capabilities

The 8MP secondary sensor pulls double duty as both an ultra-wide and macro camera.

In its ultra-wide mode, it captures expansive landscapes and group shots with minimal distortion at the edges.

Color consistency between the main and ultra-wide cameras is good, though there’s a noticeable drop in detail compared to the primary sensor.

The macro mode allows for close-up shots as near as 4cm from the subject.

While it’s a fun feature to have, the results can be hit-or-miss, often requiring a steady hand and good lighting for the best outcomes.

Selfie Camera

The 32MP front-facing camera is a highlight for selfie enthusiasts.

It captures detailed self-portraits with natural skin tones and good dynamic range.

The portrait mode is also available for selfies, creating a nice bokeh effect that’s customizable after the shot is taken.

Video Capabilities

The Moto G85 can record videos up to 1080p at 60fps.

While the lack of 4K recording may disappoint some users, the quality of the 1080p footage is solid, with good stabilization thanks to OIS on the main camera.

The ultra-steady mode, which uses EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization), is effective for action shots, though it crops the frame slightly.

Camera Features and Software

Motorola’s camera app is intuitive and feature-rich.

It includes various modes such as:

– Pro mode for manual controls

– Night Vision for low-light photography

– Spot Color for isolating specific colors in a scene

– Dual Capture mode for simultaneous front and rear camera use

– Panorama

– Slow-motion video

The AI scene recognition quickly identifies different scenarios and adjusts settings accordingly, though more experienced users may prefer to fine-tune these manually.

Moto G85: Day Camera Samples

Moto G85: Day Video

Moto G85: Software and User Interface

The Moto G85 runs on Motorola’s new Hello UI, which is built on top of Android 13.

This marks a departure from the previous My UX interface, bringing a fresh look and new features to the table.

Key software features

• Hello UI based on Android 13
• Smart Connect for seamless device integration
• Extensive customization options
• Minimal bloatware
• Two years of major Android updates promised
• Four years of security updates

Hello UI offers a clean, near-stock Android experience with useful additions.

The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, even for those new to Motorola devices.

One of the standout features is Smart Connect, which allows for seamless file transfer and connectivity between the phone, tablet, and PC, enhancing productivity for users who work across multiple devices.

Customization options are plentiful, allowing users to personalize their experience through themes, icon packs, and layout adjustments.

Motorola has also kept bloatware to a minimum, with the option to deselect unwanted apps during the initial setup process.

The commitment to two years of major Android updates and four years of security updates is commendable, ensuring that the Moto G85 will remain current and secure for years to come.

Moto G85: Connectivity

The Moto G85 offers a robust set of connectivity options, ensuring users stay connected in various scenarios.

• 5G support (13 bands)
• Dual-band Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 5.1
• VoNR (Voice over New Radio) support
• Hybrid SIM slot

The inclusion of 13 5G bands provides excellent future-proofing, allowing users to take advantage of next-generation networks as they become more widely available.

Dual-band Wi-Fi ensures stable and fast connections on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks.

Bluetooth 5.1 offers improved range and stability for wireless accessories, while VoNR support enhances call quality on 5G networks.

The hybrid SIM slot allows for either dual SIM usage or the use of a single SIM with a microSD card for expanded storage.

It’s worth noting that the Moto G85 lacks NFC and Wi-Fi 6 support, which may be disappointing for some users who rely on contactless payments or require the latest Wi-Fi standards.

Moto G85: Processing Power

The Moto G85 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6S Gen 3 processor, a slight upgrade from its predecessor.

This octa-core chipset is built on a 6nm process, offering a good balance between performance and power efficiency.

Processor specifications

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 6S Gen 3
• Octa-core CPU (4x Kryo Gold cores @ 2.4 GHz + 4x Kryo Silver cores @ 1.8 GHz)
• 6nm manufacturing process

The 6S Gen 3 processor provides ample power for everyday tasks, ensuring smooth multitasking and app launches.

It handles social media, web browsing, and video streaming with ease.

While it may not compete with flagship processors, it offers solid performance for its price range.

Moto G85: Storage and RAM

The Moto G85 comes with either 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM, depending on the variant.

This amount of RAM is generous for a mid-range device and contributes significantly to the phone’s multitasking capabilities.

RAM features

• 8GB or 12GB LPDDR4X RAM
• Virtual RAM expansion option

The LPDDR4X RAM offers fast data access speeds, ensuring quick app launches and smooth switching between applications.

Motorola has also implemented a virtual RAM expansion feature, allowing users to allocate additional storage as RAM when needed, further enhancing multitasking performance.

Moto G85: Storage – UFS 2.2

Storage options for the Moto G85 include 128GB and 256GB variants, both utilizing UFS 2.2 technology.

Storage features

• 128GB or 256GB UFS 2.2 storage
• Expandable via microSD card (using hybrid SIM slot)

UFS 2.2 storage offers faster read and write speeds compared to older storage technologies, resulting in quicker app installations, faster file transfers, and improved overall system responsiveness.

The option to expand storage via microSD card (up to 1TB) provides flexibility for users who require additional space for media or apps.

Moto G85: Geekbench Scores

We tested the phone on Geekbench scores and we can make some educated assumptions based on the device’s scores:

Benchmark scores

• Geekbench 5 (Single-core): 864
• Geekbench 5 (Multi-core): 2,345

These scores would place the Moto G85 solidly in the mid-range category, offering performance that’s more than adequate for everyday tasks and casual gaming.

However, it’s important to note that benchmark scores don’t always translate directly to real-world performance, and the Moto G85’s optimization may result in better day-to-day performance than these numbers suggest.

Moto G85: Graphical Capabilities

The Moto G85 is equipped with the Adreno 619 GPU, which is part of the 6S Gen 3 chipset.

This GPU offers solid performance for a mid-range device, capable of handling most modern mobile games at medium to high settings.

GPU and touch features:

• Adreno 619 GPU
• 240Hz touch sampling rate

The 240Hz touch sampling rate is a standout feature, offering responsive touch input that’s particularly beneficial for gaming and fast-paced interactions.

This high sampling rate reduces input lag, providing a more fluid and responsive user experience across all applications.

While not the most powerful GPU in its class, the Adreno 619 strikes a good balance between performance and power efficiency.

It’s capable of running popular titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile smoothly, though users may need to adjust graphics settings in more demanding games to maintain stable frame rates.

Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) is a popular game among Indian smartphone users, and the Moto G85’s performance in this title is of particular interest.

Graphic Settings

• Smooth + Extreme: Supported
• HD + High: Supported
• HDR: Not supported
• Ultra HD: Not supported

The Moto G85 can run BGMI comfortably at Smooth graphics with Extreme frame rate, offering a fluid 60 FPS experience.

For those who prefer better visuals, the HD setting with High frame rate is also viable, providing a good balance between graphics quality and performance.

Moto G85: Battery and Charging

The Moto G85 is equipped with a sizeable 5000mAh battery, which provides excellent longevity for a mid-range device.

• 5000mAh capacity
• 33W fast charging
• Moto Unplugged power management

In real-world usage, the Moto G85’s battery easily lasts through a full day of heavy use, including a mix of social media browsing, video streaming, gaming, and camera use.

With more conservative usage, many users could potentially stretch the battery life to two full days between charges.

The inclusion of 33W fast charging is a welcome feature, allowing the device to charge quickly when needed.

While not the fastest charging solution on the market, it strikes a good balance between charging speed and battery longevity.

Motorola’s Moto Unplugged feature offers additional power management options, allowing users to extend battery life further when needed.

What’s New with the Moto G85

The Moto G85 brings several new features and improvements compared to its predecessors:

1. Introduction of Hello UI, replacing the previous My UX interface
2. Upgraded to Snapdragon 6S Gen 3 processor
3. Improved camera system with 50MP main sensor
4. Vegan leather back design
5. Enhanced 120Hz P-OLED display
6. Increased peak brightness (1600 nits)
7. Smart Connect feature for seamless device integration

Upgrade from Last Model

Compared to its predecessor, the Moto G85 offers several notable upgrades:

1. Processor: Upgraded to Snapdragon 6S Gen 3 from Snapdragon 695 5G
2. Display: Improved P-OLED panel with higher peak brightness
3. Design: Introduction of vegan leather back for a more premium feel
4. Camera: Enhanced 50MP main sensor for improved photo quality
5. Software: New Hello UI with additional features and customization options
6. Charging: Faster 33W charging compared to 30W in the previous model

Final Verdict: Worth the Price?

The Moto G85 offers excellent value for its price point, especially considering its premium design, high-quality display, and solid all-around performance.

While it may lack some features found in higher-end devices, it delivers a well-rounded experience that should satisfy most users in the mid-range segment.

The device’s strengths in design and everyday usability, coupled with Motorola’s commitment to software updates, position it as a reliable choice that should remain relevant for years to come.

For most users looking for a mid-range phone that feels premium and performs well across various tasks, the Moto G85 is definitely worth considering.

However, as with any technology purchase, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons against your specific needs and usage patterns.

5 Reasons to Buy

1. Premium design with vegan leather back at a mid-range price
2. Excellent display quality with 120Hz refresh rate
3. Solid performance for everyday tasks and casual gaming
4. Long battery life with fast charging support
5. Clean software experience with promised long-term updates

3 Reasons Not to Buy

1. If NFC for contactless payments is a must-have feature
2. For those who require Wi-Fi 6 support
3. If you need the absolute best gaming performance in this price range

Top 5 Alternatives for the Moto G85

 Realme 11 Pro (Rs. 19,999)

• 6.7″ 120Hz AMOLED display
• MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor
• 108MP main camera
• 8GB RAM + 128GB storage
• 5000mAh battery with 67W fast charging
• Realme UI 4.0 based on Android 13
• 5G support

Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G (Rs. 18,999)

• 6.67″ 120Hz AMOLED display
• MediaTek Dimensity 1080 processor
• 50MP main camera with OIS
• 8GB RAM + 128GB storage
• 5000mAh battery with 67W fast charging
• MIUI 13 based on Android 12
• 5G support

POCO X5 Pro 5G (Rs. 19,999)

• 6.67″ 120Hz AMOLED display
• Snapdragon 778G processor
• 108MP main camera
• 6GB RAM + 128GB storage
• 5000mAh battery with 67W fast charging
• MIUI 14 based on Android 12
• 5G support

Samsung Galaxy M34 5G (Rs. 18,999)

• 6.5″ 120Hz AMOLED display
• Exynos 1280 processor
• 50MP main camera with OIS
• 6GB RAM + 128GB storage
• 6000mAh battery with 25W fast charging
• One UI 5.1 based on Android 13
• 5G support

 iQOO Z7 5G (Rs. 19,999)

• 6.38″ 90Hz AMOLED display
• MediaTek Dimensity 920 processor
• 64MP main camera
• 8GB RAM + 128GB storage
• 4500mAh battery with 44W fast charging
• Funtouch OS 13 based on Android 13
• 5G support

Specs Comparison: Moto G85 vs Moto G64

 

Motorola Moto G85 Key Spec

 Competitive Overview

 

FAQs

What is the standout design feature of the Moto G85?

The Moto G85 features a stylish vegan leather back, providing a premium feel and better grip compared to typical glass backs.

What type of display does the Moto G85 have?

The Moto G85 boasts a 6.67-inch P-OLED display with Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring crisp and smooth visuals.

How does the Moto G85 perform in terms of battery life?

The Moto G85 is equipped with a 6000mAh battery, offering long-lasting power for heavy usage and 33W fast charging for quick recharges.

What are the camera capabilities of the Moto G85?

The device features a dual rear camera setup with a 50MP main sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, capable of capturing high-quality images.

Does the Moto G85 support 5G connectivity?

Yes, the Moto G85 supports 5G networks, ensuring fast and reliable connectivity for future-proofing.

Also Read: Motorola Moto G85 5G Leaks Reveal Design and Specs Ahead of Launch

Also Read: Moto G85 5G Launched in India with Snapdragon 6s Gen 3: Price, Features, Specs