Content
- Positioning
- TECH SPECS
- Equipment
- Appearance
- Display
- Battery
- Camera
- Performance and some features
- Communication capabilities
- Competitors
- Impressions
Positioning
The Motorola Moto G8 is the entry-level smartphone that Motorola wants to demonstrate that even inexpensive phones can be of high quality and fun. The company identifies the following as the features that should interest the buyer.
- The Qualcomm® Snapdragon ™ 665 octa-core processor and 4GB of RAM provide powerful performance to keep your favorite games, apps, movies and more running flawlessly.
- A versatile 3-camera system with artificial intelligence. Tagline: Shoot ultra-wide-angle panoramas and incredible close-up portraits with good clarity, even in low light, thanks to a powerful AI camera system.
- Long-lasting power with a 4000mAh battery designed to last 40 hours on a single charge.
- Water-repellent design: Spills, splashes and sweat will no longer interfere with your phone use.
| TECH SPECS | |
| Processor: | Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm), Octa-core (4 × 2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4 × 1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver), Adreno 610 graphics |
| Operating system: | Android 10 |
| Memory: | 4 GB / 64 GB, combo microSD slot |
| Screen: | 6.4 inches, IPS LCD, 720 x 1560 pixels, aspect ratio 19.5: 9, dot density 269 ppi |
| Battery: | Li-Po 4000 mAh, charging 10 W |
| Main camera: | 16 MP, f / 1.7, (wide angle), 1 / 2.8 ″, 1.12µm, PDAF, laser autofocus 8 MP, f / 2.2, 13mm (ultra wide angle), 1 / 4.0 ″, 1.12µm 2 MP, f / 2.2, (macro) 4K @ 30fps video recording, 1080p @ 30fps |
| Front camera: | 8 MP, f / 2.0, 1.12μm |
| SIM card: | 2 Nano-SIM |
| Network and data transmission: | GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n, Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, USB 2.0, Type-C 1.0 |
| Sensors: | fingerprint scanner (back), accelerometer, proximity, gyroscope |
| Other: | there is an FM radio, there is a 3.5 mm jack, no NFC, splash proof |
| Materials: | front glass, plastic |
| Dimensions: | 161.3 x 75.8 x 9 mm, weight 188 g |
| Price: | 11 990 rubles |
Equipment
A neat box in which the smartphone is already in a case. Apart from documentation, only adapter and charger.
- Smartphone
- Silicone transparent case
- USB Type-C cable
- 10 W adapter
- Documentation
- Clip for removing the SIM card tray
Appearance
- Upper butt: microphone, 3.5 mm jack
- Bottom end: microphone, USB Type-C, speaker
- Right side: power button (ribbed), volume rocker
- Left-hand side: SIM card tray
- Back panel: fingerprint scanner, 3 cameras, laser autofocus, LED flash, flashlight
- Front panel: speaker, 6.4-inch screen, front camera
The front panel of the smartphone is covered with protective glass, the specifications of which are not disclosed by the manufacturer. The body and frame of the smartphone are made of plastic. There are two colors to choose from: pearl white and neon blue. They sent me blue. Interestingly, the color is not uniform. On the panel there is a striped pattern, like on suits. The pattern is only noticeable upon closer inspection.
The 3.5 mm jack was placed on the top end. Once a fellow journalist said that it is bad when smartphones have a connector at the top, because rain can get there. But Motorola specifically says that there is no need to be afraid of such incidents. The smartphone has a water-repellent treatment. It will not survive the voyages, but it will survive the rain. The so-called “water-repellent impregnation” means that the smartphone is perfectly assembled, all seams and joints are carefully glued, so there can be no complaints about the assembly.
The smartphone is lightweight, only 188 grams. The size is comfortable both in the case and without it. The finger falls naturally on the fingerprint scanner, you won’t be able to smudge the cameras.
Display
The Moto G8 has a 6.4-inch IPS LCD screen. The resolution is 1560 by 720 pixels, the aspect ratio is 19.5: 9, and the pixel density is 268 ppi. The measured maximum brightness is 465 nits, the minimum brightness is 2.93 nits. The screen does not flicker when the brightness is lowered, and the minimum brightness is at a good level, which will make it comfortable to use the device in the dark.
The case has a Motorola inscription
In turn, 465 nits of maximum brightness is enough to work with the device outdoors. The screen will be readable. In general, the maximum brightness is typical for this price segment. Recently, the test was Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 (16 rubles for 990/3 GB). There is the same screen brightness.
The screen has a neat cutout for the camera. There is no option in the menu to hide the cutout.
When you turn on the dark theme, the interface elements change color to black
The rest of the screen settings are standard. There is a dark theme, night mode, when the blue light “turns off”, you can change the size of menus and fonts. We should also add that Motorola options are bolted to the smartphone. So, for example, you can turn on the setting so that the screen does not go out while you are looking at it.
Battery
Battery life is probably one of the factors why you choose the G8. The device has a 4 mAh battery and an 000 nm chipset. This allows the smartphone to last two days on a single charge. Of course, it all depends on the operation.
Results:
- Video in a circle, airplane mode, maximum brightness and volume – 765 minutes
- Battery test by PCMark Work 2.0 battery life – 8 hours 33 minutes
- Call of Duty Mobile game, Wi-Fi, maximum brightness, Bluetooth audio – 300 minutes
A full charge from 0 to 100% of the included 10W charge takes just under 1.5 hours.
Camera
The Moto G8 has a 3-camera system:
- 16 MP, f / 1.7, (wide angle), 1 / 2.8 ″, 1.12µm, PDAF, laser autofocus
- 8 MP, f / 2.2, 13mm (ultra wide angle), 1 / 4.0 ″, 1.12µm
- 2 MP, f / 2.2, (macro)
The camera interface is standard for Motorola devices with options such as “cinemagraph” and “selective color”.
The smartphone has a regular camera and a wide-angle one. The latter is good when you need to photograph something large.
Daytime shots with the smartphone are quite good.
Motorola also added a macromodule, which turned out to be surprisingly good. There is autofocus, it suppresses noise well. The photos are interesting.
The smartphone copes well with portraits.
I suggest you evaluate the night photography yourself. Well, at least we can say that it is definitely better than the Nokia 5.3, which was recently reviewed.
At Motorola, I love that they always add a “selective color” option. Nice little things.
On the one hand, the Moto G8’s cameras are fun to do. On the other hand, the example of realme 5 pro hints that with the proper desire the manufacturer can do more.
Performance and some features
Snapdragon 665 chipset with 11 nm technology, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB storage, there is a microSD slot, but you have to choose whether to use a memory card or a second SIM card.
Synthetic tests do not amaze the imagination with numbers and results. But it is clear that in a budget smartphone Motorola focuses not on “bare” performance, but on comfortable work with the device.
For example, the Call of Duty Mobile game works well on a smartphone. Plus Motorola has added a Moto Games option to it, which lets you customize notifications so no one distracts. For example, block all phone calls except certain contacts. There is also an option to show the call if the subscriber calls a second time within 15 minutes. Apparently, it is implied that something important if the person calls so often. You can turn off auto brightness only for games. There is an option to take a screenshot.
The smartphone works fine. He does not blunt or lag. The perception of a smartphone depends entirely on which device you used before. If it was something up to 15 thousand rubles, then you will definitely not be disappointed with the speed of work. If you, like me, are simultaneously reviewing the Mi 10 from Xiaomi with a 90 Hz screen for 80 thousand rubles, then you will feel a striking contrast.
Communication capabilities
The smartphone usually copes with its direct duties. I used it both as a phone and for Skype video calling.
But from the point of view of communications, everything is not as good as we would like. The Moto G8 uses Wi-Fi b / g / n only 2.4 Hz, but Bluetooth 5.0. The latter, of course, is not bad. However, the smartphone lacks NFC. In theory, everything is in accordance with the price, but you always want to believe in a miracle, right? I also can’t approve of the lack of a sensor called a magnetometer. This means that on maps, the smartphone displays the position with a dot, without indicating which direction you are looking.
The smartphone has an FM radio. This is always a plus, but immediately followed by a minus. For the radio to work, the smartphone requires connecting wired headphones, which will simultaneously play the role of an antenna. Accordingly, a strange situation turns out. Headphones are not included, so you need to have your own. But the smartphone has Bluetooth 5.0, which invites you to use a wireless headset. But with such a headset, you will not listen to the radio. The correct solution would be to build the antenna into the case. Recently we tested a Nokia push-button dialer, as well as an antenna in the body. But here no.
Competitors
A budget smartphone is always full of competitors. In my opinion, the main competitor is realme 5 Pro. It is 1 rubles more expensive, and it also does not have NFC. However, in other respects (chipset, memory, cameras, screen, sensors) it surpasses the Moto G000. I recommend paying attention to it.
But when Motorola created the Moto G8, they certainly did not consider realme as their competitor. The fact is that these devices practically do not overlap. Motorola is fighting Samsung, whose A-series has become a versatile competitor in all price segments. For example, you can take the Galaxy A21s. With an official price of 13, this device offers 490/3 GB of memory, a TFT screen and an unnamed 32 GHz chipset. In Russia, Samsung will only have NFC. But also the question is, who will overpay 2% of the price for NFC.
Impressions
In general, the smartphone leaves a good impression. If decomposed into components, then a large screen with good brightness, fairly good cameras and battery life play a role. Plus a nice design and corporate identity. By the latter, I mean, for example, the design of the desktop and the weather widget. You look and see what is beautiful and pleasant. The same can be said about the lock screen. Another point in the same piggy bank is Moto’s proprietary gestures. Motorola makes them versatile for both low-cost smartphones and flagships. For this reason, the Moto G8, for example, has received such an unexpected option for its price as a screen that does not go out while the user is looking at it. Or “Moto Games” with their notification settings, or the ability to turn on the flashlight by waving your hand, or start the camera by twisting your wrist. All these little chips are made for more expensive devices. But, apparently, Motorola was too lazy to bother with customization and landed them in full and on a budget smartphone. Users are only a plus.
Moto G8 is another step towards a bright future when even budget devices will be comfortable and pleasant to work with. Motorola is moving in the right direction, but the company should push forward, because the Chinese of the “new wave” have spoiled the modern buyer so much that already for 12 thousand rubles he can demand more than he should.
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