Moto G85 Neo Review: Smooth 5G Experience on a Budget

The Moto G85 Neo aims to provide a compelling 5G experience without the hefty price tag. After using it for a while, here’s what I think:

Design & Build:

The Moto G85 Neo sports a sleek and modern design, with a plastic back and frame that feels surprisingly sturdy. It’s available in a few attractive colors, and the textured back helps with grip and resists fingerprints. While it doesn’t feel as premium as phones with glass backs, it’s certainly well-built for its price.

Display:

The 6.55-inch pOLED display is the highlight of the G85 Neo. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations buttery smooth, a feature usually reserved for more expensive phones. The colors are vibrant, and the display gets bright enough for outdoor use. While it doesn’t reach the brightness levels of some flagships, it’s more than adequate for most situations.

Performance:

Powered by the Snapdragon 695 5G chipset and 8GB of RAM, the Moto G85 Neo handles day-to-day tasks with ease. Apps open quickly, and multitasking is generally smooth. However, it’s not a gaming powerhouse. Demanding games might experience occasional frame drops or stutters.

Camera:

The 50MP main camera captures decent photos with good detail and dynamic range in well-lit conditions. However, low-light performance is lacking, with noticeable noise and softness. The 8MP ultrawide lens offers a wider perspective but suffers from lower image quality. The 16MP front-facing camera is good enough for selfies and video calls.

Battery Life:

The 5000mAh battery is impressive, easily lasting a full day with heavy usage. You can comfortably browse, stream videos, and use social media without worrying about running out of power. The 33W wired charging isn’t the fastest, but it gets the job done within a reasonable time frame.

Software & User Experience:

The Moto G85 Neo runs Android 13 with Motorola’s My UX interface. It’s a clean and near-stock Android experience with a few useful additions like Moto Actions (gesture controls) and Peek Display (always-on notifications). The software is well-optimized and runs smoothly.

Connectivity & Additional Features:

The phone offers 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, and NFC. It also has a handy headphone jack, which is becoming less common in modern smartphones. There’s no water resistance or expandable storage, which are trade-offs at this price.

Buying Recommendation:

Who’s it for? The Moto G85 Neo is ideal for budget-minded consumers who want a phone with a smooth display, 5G connectivity, and long-lasting battery. It’s perfect for everyday use, social media, and casual gaming.

Pros:

• Smooth 120Hz pOLED display
• Affordable 5G connectivity
• Impressive battery life
• Clean and user-friendly software
• Headphone jack

Cons:

• Average camera performance
• Middling processor for demanding tasks
• No water resistance or expandable storage
• Relatively slow charging

Overall:

The Moto G85 Neo offers excellent value for its price. The standout features are its smooth 120Hz pOLED display and long-lasting battery. While it compromises on camera performance and processing power, it’s a solid choice for budget-conscious consumers looking for a 5G phone with a great screen.