Have you been searching for a phone that looks expensive but does not cost a fortune? Motorola might have the answer for you. The Moto G96 5G launched in India in July 2025, and it has already made a big splash in the mid-range market. It brings a great display, solid performance, and a stylish design all under Rs. 20,000. Let us break it all down for you.
A Design That Turns Heads
The first thing you notice about the Moto G96 5G is how good it looks and feels. It has a curved-edge P-OLED display that gives it a flagship-like appearance without the flagship price tag. The phone measures 161.9 x 73.3 x 7.9mm and weighs just 178 grams, so it slides easily into any pocket. The eco-leather back in Pantone shades like Greener Pastures or Ashleigh Blue adds a premium and grippy feel that is rare at this price.
The phone also carries an IP68 rating, which means it can handle splashes and even a dip in water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. That is a big deal during India’s rainy monsoon season when you never know when the skies will open up. Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the front keeps scratches away, and the SGS Eye Protection certification helps reduce eye strain during long screen sessions. This phone is built like it costs way more than it actually does.
[short-code1]
Display That Pops
The 6.67-inch P-OLED panel on the Moto G96 5G is one of its biggest strengths. It supports 1 billion colors, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 1600 nits, making everything look sharp and vivid. Whether you are gaming, streaming, or just scrolling through reels, the screen feels smooth like butter. The 1080 x 2400 resolution at 395ppi delivers crisp visuals that compete with much pricier phones.
| Display Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Panel Type | P-OLED |
| Screen Size | 6.67 inches |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 (395ppi) |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz |
| Peak Brightness | 1600 nits |
| Screen-to-Body Ratio | 90.5% |
The curved edges and Water Touch 2.0 technology keep the screen responsive even with wet fingers, which is perfect after a workout or a rainy commute. Dolby Atmos stereo speakers deliver loud and clear audio for music and movies. The 90.5% screen-to-body ratio pulls you right into whatever you are watching. It truly feels like an immersive bubble.
Power Under the Hood
The Moto G96 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chip built on a 4nm process. This octa-core processor paired with the Adreno 710 GPU handles heavy apps, photo editing, and multitasking without breaking a sweat. You get 8GB RAM and up to 256GB UFS 2.2 storage, though there is no microSD card slot for expansion. Think of it like a well-tuned engine – it runs clean and fast right when you need it.
The phone runs Android 15 with Hello UI out of the box, which is clean and easy to use. Motorola promises one major OS upgrade and three years of security patches. Smart Connect 2.0 lets you switch smoothly between your phone, tablet, and PC, which is great for creators and professionals. It is a solid software experience with no unnecessary clutter.
[short-code2]
Camera Capabilities That Surprise
The rear camera setup includes a 50MP Sony Lytia 700C main sensor with OIS and PDAF at f/1.9, plus an 8MP ultrawide lens covering 119 degrees. Daytime photos come out vibrant and sharp with natural colors that look great on social media. Motorola’s AI tools like Magic Editor, AI Photo Enhancement, and Magic Eraser make editing quick and fun. Video shoots go up to 4K at 30fps with gyro-EIS and OIS keeping your footage steady.
| Camera Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Camera | 50MP Sony Lytia 700C, f/1.9, OIS |
| Ultrawide | 8MP, 119 degrees, AF |
| Front Camera | 32MP, HDR |
| Video | 4K at 30fps, gyro-EIS + OIS |
| AI Features | Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, AI Enhancement |
The 32MP selfie camera does a great job with HDR portraits and handles good lighting really well. Low-light performance is not the strongest compared to flagship phones, but AI features help pull decent shots from dimly lit situations. For this price range, the camera punches well above its weight. It is more than enough for daily content creation and social media use.
Battery Life and Everyday Performance
The Moto G96 5G packs a 5500mAh battery that easily lasts a full day of heavy use. In real-world testing, you can expect 7 to 8 hours of screen-on time with a mix of streaming, calls, and gaming. The 30W wired charging gets the phone to 50% in under 30 minutes, which is fast enough for most people. There is no wireless charging, but the battery size makes up for it.
Connectivity is strong with 5G support across 13 bands, Wi-Fi 5 dual-band, and Bluetooth 5.2. The under-display optical fingerprint sensor is quick and reliable. There is no 3.5mm headphone jack or NFC, which may disappoint some users. However, Hi-Res 24-bit audio via USB-C keeps audiophiles happy with wired earphones.
[short-code3]
Pricing and Why It Stands Out in India
The Moto G96 5G is available on Flipkart at Rs. 17,990 for the 8GB + 128GB version and Rs. 19,430 for the 8GB + 256GB model. At this price, it beats many rivals from Realme and Vivo while offering IP68 protection and a stunning display. It is not perfect since there is no expandable storage or wireless charging. But for value hunters who want a premium experience without the premium pain, this phone is a very smart buy.
| Variant | Price |
|---|---|
| 8GB + 128GB | Rs. 17,990 |
| 8GB + 256GB | Rs. 19,430 |
If you are upgrading from an older G-series phone or a budget device, the Moto G96 5G is absolutely worth your attention. It handles daily tasks, content creation, and entertainment with ease. Motorola has built something really special here for the Indian market. Do not wait too long – phones like this tend to sell out fast.