I’m excited to share my unboxing experience and first thoughts on the Moto G96 5G. This phone is the newest member of Motorola’s well-loved G-series. It follows last year’s Moto G85 and brings notable upgrades. These include of a strong 5500 mAh battery, an IP68 rating, and a 144Hz pOLED display. At just ₹17,999, the base model is reasonably priced. I can’t wait to share what makes this phone unique for less than ₹20,000 after testing and unpacking. Let’s get started.
Unboxing the Moto G96 5G
The experience of opening the Moto G96 5G’s package was both familiar and novel. Motorola upholds its commitment to environmental responsibility. It uses a plastic-free brown box with clean black lettering. The packaging has an earthy feel, but I noticed the usual Motorola scent was missing this time. Here’s what I found inside:
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The Phone: Right on top, the Moto G96 5G greets you with its sleek, lightweight design. It comes in four Pantone colors. I admired three: a muted pink (Orchid), a light sky blue, and a deeper blue. A fourth vibrant blue is also available.
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Accessories:
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A 33W fast charger paired with a USB Type-A to Type-C cable (not Type-C to Type-C, which might disappoint some).
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A SIM ejector tool.
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Standard documentation.
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A note about UV screen protectors for the phone’s curved display.
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What’s Missing: Unlike past Motorola phones, this one lacks a protective case. This is surprising since Motorola is known for including this useful extra. The weak box scent stood out, especially next to Motorola’s S-series unboxings.
The highlights a phone that feels both premium and light. It weighs about 174–178 grams, though sources vary slightly. This is impressive given its larger battery. The vegan leather back and slim design grabbed my attention. This pocket-friendly device rivals the premium look of Motorola’s Edge series.
First Impressions: Design and Build
Holding the Moto G96 5G for the first time, I was struck by its premium in-hand feel. Motorola has found the perfect mix of style and comfort. This phone is one of the most comfortable I’ve tried for under ₹20,000. Here’s what stood out:
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Materials: The vegan leather back feels soft and luxurious. It pairs well with a polycarbonate frame. This combination mimics the premium vibe of Motorola’s Edge series.
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Weight and Thickness: It weighs between 174 and 178 grams and is barely 7.93 mm thick. Because of this, it feels incredibly light for a phone with a 5500 mAh battery. The real weight is even more astounding than my initial estimate of 180 grams.
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IP Rating: A major upgrade is the IP68 water and dust resistance, a significant leap from the G85’s IP52 rating. I didn’t dunk it in water myself, but Motorola’s testing confirms it can handle submersion.
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Colors: The four color options are vibrant and Pantone-validated. I’d call them Light Sky Blue, Dark Blue, Purplish-Pink (Orchid), and a brighter blue. The vegan leather feels nice to touch. I think Motorola should update the design. It looks a lot like the G85 and some other recent models.
The layout is intuitive:
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Bottom: USB Type-C port, SIM tray, primary microphone and speaker grille.
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Right: Power button and volume rocker, well-placed for easy access.
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Top: Noise-canceling microphone and Dolby Atmos branding.
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Left: Clean, with no buttons or ports.
The dual nano-SIM tray doesn’t have an SD card slot. This is a small downgrade from the G85’s hybrid slot. Users who want extra storage may be disappointed.
Display: A Vibrant 144Hz pOLED
The Moto G96 5G’s display is a highlight, and I was blown away by its smoothness and vibrancy. Here’s the breakdown:
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Specs: A 6.67-inch Full HD+ 3D curved pOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, up from the G85’s 120Hz. It’s a 10-bit panel with 1600 nits peak brightness (1200 nits in high brightness mode).
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Performance: The 144Hz refresh rate is smooth in the UI. It also shines in apps like Instagram, Chrome, and Twitter. Some phones drop it in certain apps, but this one does not. Scrolling feels buttery smooth, and the curved edges make side bezels nearly invisible.
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Multimedia: The pOLED panel delivers vibrant colors, enhanced by Display Color Boost. It plays 4K videos on YouTube, which is better than the G85’s 1080p limit. However, it doesn’t have HDR certification. The display is bright for outdoor use. SGS Eye Protection ensures a flicker-free view. This helps lower eye strain, especially in low light.
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Protection: Gorilla Glass 5 protects the curved screen. I also suggest using a UV screen protector for extra durability. During my mock drop test on wood, the phone held up fine, but I’ve seen Motorola screens crack in rare cases over the years.
The display shines for multimedia fans. It provides an immersive experience for videos and casual gaming. I wish Motorola allowed the Always-On Display to stay active all the time. Right now, it only turns on when you tap or lift the phone.
Performance: Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 Power
I tested the Moto G96 5G’s performance, and it’s a solid step up from its predecessor. Here’s what I found:
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Processor: Powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm), it’s an upgrade over the G85’s Snapdragon 6s Gen 3. The AnTuTu score ranges from 6,29,000 to 6,50,000, compared to the G85’s ~4,80,000–5,00,000.
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RAM and Storage: Available in 8GB LPDDR4X RAM with UFS 2.2 storage (8GB/128GB at ₹17,999 and 8GB/256GB at ₹19,999). The read/write speeds are decent, clocking over 62,000 in tests.
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Gaming: I played BGMI at 60fps with HDR and Ultra HDR settings. The experience was smooth. There was no lag or frame drops. The game mode includes an FPS meter and blocks calls and notifications. Also, gyro support boosts gameplay. Heavy gamers may find better performance options within this price range.
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Multitasking: Switching apps and navigating the UI is smooth. This is thanks to the 144Hz display and optimized software. The CPU GA throttle test showed 87% stability. This indicates reliable performance even under load.
The Moto G96 5G isn’t a gaming powerhouse, but it manages casual gaming and daily tasks well. This makes it a solid choice for most users.
Battery and Charging
The battery life on the Moto G96 5G impressed me:
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Capacity: A 5500 mAh battery, up from the G85’s 5000 mAh, paired with 33W fast charging.
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Endurance: It lasts all day with moderate use. The lightweight design keeps it feeling sleek, even with the larger capacity.
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Charging: The 33W charger is great to have. I wish it came with a Type-C to Type-C cable for better compatibility.
Camera: A Step Up
The camera system is a notable upgrade, and I was pleasantly surprised by its performance:
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Rear Cameras:
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50MP Sony LYT-700C sensor with OIS. It provides sharp details, warm skin tones, and a good dynamic range.
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8MP ultrawide/macro lens, decent in daylight but softer in low light. It also supports macro shots and depth for portraits.
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Front Camera: A 32MP selfie camera with solid edge detection and natural skin tones.
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Photography: Portrait modes (24mm, 35mm, 50mm) provide strong edge detection. However, the watermark wrongly identifies them all as 50mm. Colors lean saturated but can be edited for a natural look. The Sony sensor outperforms the G85, especially in low light.
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Videography: Supports 4K 30fps and 1080p 60fps on all sensors—a rare feature in this price range. Videos show decent stabilization and dynamic range, even in selfies.
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Features:
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Night Vision
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Panorama
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Dual Capture
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Slow Motion
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Google Photos’ AI tools: Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur
The AI Photo Enhancement engine boosts details.
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For a phone under ₹20,000, the camera is a big draw. This matters a lot for people who care about photography and videography.
Software: Clean and Feature-Rich
The Moto G96 5G runs Hello UI based on Android 15, and I found it clean and seamless:
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Updates: One major OS update (to Android 16) and 3 years of security updates. I agree with others that two OS updates would’ve been ideal.
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Bloatware: Minimal, with skippable Glance and a few uninstallable apps (mostly games). The Google Dialer and Google Photos ensure a stock-like experience.
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AI Features: Offers Circle to Search, AI Photo Enhancement, AI Super Zoom, and AI Magic Editor. However, it’s not as extensive as the more expensive Motorola Edge series.
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Extras: Moto Secure, Family Space, Smart Connect 2.0, and ThinkShield add great value.
The UI is smooth, though I noticed occasional frame drops due to the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2’s limitations.
Connectivity and Sensors
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Connectivity: Supports 13 5G bands, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, and 4×4 MIMO. No NFC, which is a minor letdown.
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Sensors: In-display fingerprint scanner, face unlock, and all standard sensors perform reliably.
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Audio: Dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos provide good surround sound. However, the haptics feel a bit stiff.
Comparison to Moto G85
The Moto G96 5G builds on the G85 with key upgrades:
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Display: 144Hz vs. 120Hz.
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Processor: Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 vs. 6s Gen 3.
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Battery: 5500 mAh vs. 5000 mAh.
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IP Rating: IP68 vs. IP52.
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Camera: New Sony sensor with 4K video vs. older sensor with 1080p limit.
However, the lack of an SD card slot and only one OS update are slight drawbacks. The design remains similar, and I’d love to see Motorola innovate here in future models.
Final Thoughts
The Moto G96 5G, which costs ₹17,999 (8GB/128GB) and ₹19,999 (8GB/256GB), is an excellent all-around value. It stands out for its vivid 144Hz pOLED display and high-end feel. The upgraded camera and strong battery life also make it a great choice. While not a gaming beast, it excels in multimedia and casual use. Testing this phone was fun. Anyone looking for a fantastic premium experience for less than ₹20,000 should check it out, in my opinion. Tell me what you think.
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