Motorola Moto G8

The Motorola Moto G8 was a part of Motorola’s popular G-series lineup, which has historically been known for offering good value for money. Introduced in 2020, the Moto G8 was positioned in the mid-range segment. Here’s an in-depth review of the Motorola Moto G8:

Overview:

Launched in 2020, the Moto G8 was Motorola’s attempt to provide a balanced smartphone experience with decent specifications at an affordable price point. It continued the legacy of the G-series, which has been known for its near-stock Android experience and reliable performance.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Shipped with Android 10, with a near-stock Android experience.
  2. Display: 6.4-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 720 x 1560 pixels.
  3. Processor: Qualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm).
  4. Memory: 4 GB RAM with 64 GB internal storage, expandable via microSDXC.
  5. Camera: Triple camera setup with a 16 MP primary sensor, 8 MP ultrawide sensor, and 2 MP macro sensor. The front camera is an 8 MP shooter.
  6. Battery: 4000 mAh non-removable battery with 10W charging.
  7. Other Features: Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, 3.5mm headphone jack, and Bluetooth 5.0.

Pros:

  1. Near-stock Android Experience: The Moto G8 provided a clean and bloat-free Android experience, which many users appreciated for its simplicity and smoothness.
  2. Versatile Camera Setup: The triple camera setup offered versatility for different shooting scenarios, including ultrawide and macro shots.
  3. Reliable Performance: The Snapdragon 665, combined with 4 GB of RAM, ensured smooth performance for everyday tasks.
  4. Expandable Storage: The option to expand storage with a microSD card was beneficial for users needing more space.

Cons:

  1. Display Resolution: The HD+ resolution was not the sharpest available in its segment, and some competitors offered Full HD+ displays at similar price points.
  2. Slow Charging: While the 4000 mAh battery provided decent battery life, the 10W charging was relatively slow compared to fast charging options available in the market.
  3. Build Quality: The device had a plastic build, which, although expected at this price point, didn’t feel as premium as some competitors.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its price bracket, the Moto G8 faced competition from:

  • Redmi Note 8: Offering a 6.3-inch IPS LCD display, Snapdragon 665, and a quad-camera setup with a 48 MP primary sensor.
  • Samsung Galaxy A21s: With its 6.5-inch PLS TFT display, Exynos 850, and a quad-camera system.
  • Realme 6: Featuring a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, MediaTek Helio G90T, and a quad-camera setup.

Launch Date:

The Motorola Moto G8 was announced in March 2020 and became available in the subsequent months.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Camera Software: Some users reported occasional hiccups with the camera software, especially in terms of focus and color accuracy.
  2. Low-light Camera Performance: The camera system, while decent in well-lit conditions, struggled in low-light scenarios.
  3. Software Updates: Motorola’s track record with updates was inconsistent, leading to potential delays in receiving the latest Android versions.

Conclusion:

The Motorola Moto G8 was a balanced offering in the mid-range segment, providing a reliable smartphone experience with the added benefit of a near-stock Android experience. While it had its set of drawbacks, especially in terms of display resolution and charging speed, it served as a dependable option for those looking for a no-nonsense smartphone experience. For users who prioritize a clean Android interface, camera versatility, and reliable performance in the mid-range segment, the Moto G8 was a strong choice.

Motorola Moto G8 Power

Overview:

The Moto G8 Power aimed to cater to users who prioritize battery life without compromising on other essential features. With its massive battery and stereo speakers, it targeted users who consume a lot of media on their devices.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Shipped with Android 10.
  2. Display: 6.4-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 1080 x 2300 pixels.
  3. Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 665.
  4. Memory: 4 GB RAM with 64 GB internal storage, expandable via microSDXC.
  5. Camera: Quad-camera setup with a 16 MP primary sensor, 8 MP telephoto sensor, 8 MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 2 MP macro sensor. The front camera is a 16 MP shooter.
  6. Battery: 5000 mAh non-removable battery with 18W fast charging.
  7. Other Features: Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB Type-C port for charging. Stereo speakers tuned by Dolby.

Pros:

  1. Outstanding Battery Life: The 5000 mAh battery ensured that the device could easily last more than a day, even with heavy usage.
  2. Stereo Speakers: The stereo speakers provided an enhanced media consumption experience.
  3. Clean Android Experience: Motorola is known for offering a near-stock Android experience, which many users appreciate for its simplicity and smoothness.
  4. Versatile Camera Setup: The quad-camera setup allowed for a variety of shooting scenarios, from wide-angle shots to telephoto zoom.

Cons:

  1. Performance Limitations: While the Snapdragon 665 is competent for daily tasks, it might not be the best for heavy gaming or intensive multitasking.
  2. Build Quality: The device is made predominantly of plastic, which might not feel as premium as some metal or glass counterparts.
  3. Camera Performance in Low Light: The camera, while versatile, might struggle in low-light conditions.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its price bracket, the Moto G8 Power faced competition from:

  • Realme 6: Offering a 6.5-inch IPS LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate, MediaTek Helio G90T, and a quad-camera setup.
  • Samsung Galaxy A31: Featuring a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display, MediaTek Helio P65, and a quad-camera setup.
  • Redmi Note 8 Pro: With its 6.53-inch IPS LCD display, MediaTek Helio G90T, and a quad-camera system.

Launch Date:

The Motorola Moto G8 Power was announced in February 2020 and became available in various markets shortly after.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Camera Software: Some users reported occasional hiccups with the camera software, especially when switching between different modes.
  2. Weight: Due to its large battery, the device is a bit on the heavier side, which might be a concern for some users.
  3. Bloatware: While Motorola offers a near-stock experience, there were still some pre-installed apps that not everyone found useful.

Conclusion:

The Motorola Moto G8 Power was a solid offering in the mid-range segment, especially for those who prioritize battery life. Its stereo speakers and clean Android experience added to its appeal. While it had its limitations, especially in terms of build quality and camera performance in challenging conditions, its overall package was quite compelling for its price segment. For users looking for a device that can last through long days and provide a decent multimedia experience, the Moto G8 Power was a worthy consideration. However, those looking for a bit more power or a more premium build might have considered other options available in the market at the time.

Motorola Moto G8 Plus

The Motorola Moto G8 Plus was part of Motorola’s G-series lineup, which has been known for offering solid specifications at an affordable price point. Released in 2019, the Moto G8 Plus aimed to provide a balanced smartphone experience with a focus on camera and multimedia capabilities. Here’s an in-depth review of the Motorola Moto G8 Plus:

Overview:

Launched in late 2019, the Moto G8 Plus was designed to cater to users looking for a mid-range smartphone with a particular emphasis on camera performance and multimedia consumption. It built upon the legacy of the G-series, which has been known for its near-stock Android experience and value for money.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Shipped with Android 9.0 Pie, upgradable to later versions.
  2. Display: 6.3-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 1080 x 2280 pixels.
  3. Processor: Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665.
  4. Memory: 4 GB RAM with 64 GB internal storage, expandable via microSDXC.
  5. Camera: Triple camera setup with a 48 MP primary sensor, 16 MP ultrawide “Action Cam”, and a 5 MP depth sensor. The front camera is a 25 MP shooter.
  6. Battery: 4000 mAh non-removable battery with 15W TurboPower fast charging.
  7. Other Features: Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, 3.5mm headphone jack, stereo speakers, and Bluetooth 5.0.

Pros:

  1. Camera Versatility: The inclusion of the “Action Cam” allowed users to record wide-angle videos while holding the phone vertically, which was unique and useful for certain scenarios.
  2. Battery Life: The 4000 mAh battery combined with the power-efficient Snapdragon 665 ensured impressive battery life.
  3. Stereo Speakers: The stereo speakers provided a better multimedia experience, which was a nice addition at this price point.
  4. Near-stock Android Experience: The Moto G8 Plus provided a clean and bloat-free Android experience, which many users appreciated for its simplicity and smoothness.

Cons:

  1. Build Quality: The device had a plastic build, which, although expected at this price point, didn’t feel as premium as some competitors.
  2. Delayed Software Updates: Motorola’s track record with updates was inconsistent, leading to potential delays in receiving the latest Android versions.
  3. No NFC (in some regions): The absence of NFC in certain regions was a limitation for users who rely on contactless payments.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its price bracket, the Moto G8 Plus faced competition from:

  • Redmi Note 8 Pro: Offering a 6.53-inch IPS LCD display, MediaTek Helio G90T, and a quad-camera setup with a 64 MP primary sensor.
  • Samsung Galaxy A50: With its 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display, Exynos 9610, and a triple-camera system.
  • Realme 5 Pro: Featuring a 6.3-inch IPS LCD display, Snapdragon 712, and a quad-camera setup.

Launch Date:

The Motorola Moto G8 Plus was announced in October 2019 and became available shortly after.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Camera Software: Some users reported occasional hiccups with the camera software, especially in terms of focus and color accuracy.
  2. Screen Bleeding: A few users noted minor screen bleeding issues at the edges of the display.
  3. Bulky Design: The phone was a bit on the thicker and heavier side, which might not be comfortable for all users.

Conclusion:

The Motorola Moto G8 Plus was a solid offering in the mid-range segment, providing essential smartphone features with the added benefits of camera versatility and a good multimedia experience. While it had its set of drawbacks, especially in terms of build quality and software updates, it served as a reliable option for those looking for a no-nonsense smartphone experience. For users who prioritize camera versatility, battery life, and a clean Android interface in the mid-range segment, the Moto G8 Plus was a strong choice.