The under-₹20,000 smartphone market is full of choices. From the Vivo T4 to the iQOO Z10R, many options stand out. However, one phone grabs my attention: the Motorola Moto G96 5G. This model builds on the popular Moto G85. It offers upgrades in the camera, display, battery, and more. After testing it, I’m eager to explain why the Moto G96 5G feels like a great deal. In this blog, I’ll cover its features, compare it to the Oppo K13, and see how it performs against its predecessor. Ready to discover what makes this phone unique? Let’s unbox it together.
Moto G96 5G: What’s Inside?
Opening the Moto G96 5G box feels like unwrapping a gift. Motorola uses eco-friendly, plastic-free packaging that gives a nice, earthy vibe. Here’s what I found inside:
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The Phone: Right on top, wrapped in a sleek design that screams premium.
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33W Charger: A USB Type-A to Type-C charger, perfect for quick top-ups.
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Charging Cable: Standard USB-A to Type-C, sturdy and reliable.
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SIM Ejector Tool: Essential for popping in your dual nano-SIMs (no SD card slot, though).
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Documentation: User manuals and a note about UV screen protectors—read it, it’s useful!
One thing I noticed? No case included, unlike older Motorola phones. It’s a small miss, but the phone’s premium build makes up for it. What do you think about cases being excluded—dealbreaker or no biggie?
Design: Lightweight Luxury with a Premium Touch
Holding the Moto G96 5G is a pleasure. Weighing only 174 grams, it’s lighter than expected. At 7.93mm, it’s one of the slimmest phones in its class. The vegan leather back feels soft and luxurious. It’s like Motorola’s higher-end Edge series. It comes in four Pantone-curated colors: a muted tone, pinkish Orchid, and vibrant blue. There’s a color for everyone.
Here’s why the design stands out:
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Premium Feel: The vegan leather back and polycarbonate frame feel high-end. This is different from the Oppo K13’s plastic build.
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IP68 Rating: This phone is water and dust resistant. It’s a rare find for under ₹20,000. It’s tested and confirmed to survive splashes.
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Gorilla Glass 5 protects the curved front display. Still, I suggest using a screen protector for extra peace of mind.
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Lightweight Build: At 174 grams, it’s pocket-friendly and comfortable for long use.
Display: A Smooth and Vibrant Experience
The Moto G96 5G’s 6.67-inch 3D curved pOLED display is a showstopper. With a 144Hz refresh rate and 1600 nits peak brightness, it’s smoother and brighter than most in its segment. Watching YouTube videos at 2160p is immersive. The 10-bit display and Motorola’s Display Color Boost enhance the experience.
Key display highlights:
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144Hz Refresh Rate: Scrolls buttery smooth, outpacing the Oppo K13’s 120Hz AMOLED.
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Curved Design: The side bezels are nearly invisible, giving it a sleek look. However, the top and bottom bezels stand out.
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SGS Eye Protection: Flicker-free for less eye strain during late-night Netflix binges.
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1600 Nits Brightness: Bright enough for outdoor use, though the Oppo K13’s 1200 nits is no slouch.
Camera: A Photography Powerhouse
The Moto G96 5G has a standout camera setup in the under-₹20,000 range. It has a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-700C sensor with OIS. There’s also an 8-megapixel ultrawide/macro lens and a 32-megapixel selfie camera. This combination produces impressive photos. The Oppo K13 features a 50-megapixel sensor but lacks OIS. It also includes a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The Moto clearly outperforms the Oppo.
Here’s what I loved about the camera:
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Primary Sensor: The Sony LYT-700C takes sharp, colorful photos. It works well in both daylight and low light due to OIS.
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Ultrawide and Macro: The 8-megapixel lens works as both a macro and depth sensor. This gives it versatility that the Oppo K13 does not have.
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Selfie Camera: The 32-megapixel front camera takes sharp, detailed selfies. It beats the Oppo’s 16-megapixel camera.
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Video Capabilities: The front and rear cameras offer 4K 30fps, which is rare for under ₹20,000. In contrast, the Oppo K13 restricts front video to 1080p.
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Features Galore:
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Night Vision
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Panorama
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Pro Mode
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Slow Motion
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AI tools like Magic Eraser
These features boost your creativity.
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After testing both phones side-by-side, the Moto G96 took better photos. Its portraits had improved edge detection and more vibrant colors. The Oppo K13’s bokeh video mode is a nice touch, but the Moto’s overall camera quality wins. What kind of photography matters most to you—portraits, low-light shots, or videos?
Performance: Smooth for Everyday Use
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm), the Moto G96 5G handles daily tasks and gaming with ease. It’s an upgrade over the Moto G85’s Snapdragon 6s Gen 3, with an AnTuTu score of 6,29,000 (compared to 4,80,000 for the G85). The Oppo K13’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 does well in benchmarks. However, real-world performance shows a different picture.
Performance highlights:
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Gaming: Smooth 60fps gameplay in BGMI, with gyro support and no lag, even on Ultra HDR settings.
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Multitasking: The 8GB LPDDR4X RAM lets you switch apps quickly. You can expand it to 24GB with RAM Boost.
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Storage: UFS 2.2 (128GB or 256GB variants), though the Oppo K13’s UFS 3.1 is faster.
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Clean UI: Motorola’s Hello UI runs on Android 14 and is free of bloatware. In contrast, the Oppo K13 has a cluttered interface.
For casual users, the Moto G96 feels snappier due to its clean UI. Heavy gamers may see Oppo’s slight advantage in benchmarks. However, I prefer the Moto for its smooth experience. What’s your priority—raw power or a smooth, ad-free interface?
Battery: All-Day Power with a Catch
The Moto G96 5G packs a 5500mAh battery, an upgrade from the G85’s 5000mAh, paired with 33W fast charging. In my tests, it delivered 7 hours 43 minutes of Screen-On-Time (SOT), impressive for its capacity. The Oppo K13 has a huge 7000mAh battery. It supports 80W charging and offers 8 hours and 48 minutes of screen-on time (SOT).
Battery breakdown:
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Moto G96 5G: 5500mAh, 33W charger, solid for a day of moderate use.
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Oppo K13: 7000mAh, 80W charger, ideal for heavy users needing extra juice.
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Charging Speed: The Oppo charges faster, but the Moto’s charger is adequate for its battery size.
If battery life is your top priority, the Oppo K13 wins. But for most users, the Moto’s battery is more than sufficient. What’s your ideal battery size for a smartphone?
Software: Clean and Feature-Rich
The Moto G96 5G runs Hello UI on Android 14, offering a clean, bloatware-free experience. You get one OS update to Android 15 and three years of security patches. That’s good, but it doesn’t match the Oppo K13. The K13 gives you two OS updates and three years of security patches.
Software highlights:
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Clean Interface: No ads or bloatware, unlike the Oppo K13’s cluttered UI.
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Moto Features: Smart Connect 2.0, Family Space, and Moto Secure enhance usability.
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AI Tools: AI Photo Enhancement, Super Zoom, and Magic Eraser add creative flair.
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Google Integration: Google Dialer, Gallery, and Gemini AI assistant by default.
I love the Moto’s clean UI, but the limited OS updates are a drawback. Do you value a clean interface or longer software support more?
Comparing with the Oppo K13 and Moto G85
How does the Moto G96 5G stack up against the Oppo K13 and its predecessor, the Moto G85? Here’s a quick breakdown:
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Camera: The Moto G96’s OIS and ultrawide lens outperform the Oppo K13’s basic setup and improve on the G85’s camera.
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Display: The 144Hz pOLED edges out the Oppo’s 120Hz AMOLED and the G85’s 120Hz display.
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Design: The Moto G96 has a premium feel with its vegan leather and IP68 rating. In contrast, the Oppo uses plastic, and the G85 shares a similar design.
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Performance: The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is a step up from the G85, though the Oppo K13 may lead in benchmarks.
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Battery: The Oppo K13 has a strong 7000mAh battery. In comparison, the Moto G96 features a 5500mAh battery, upgraded from the G85’s 5000mAh.
The Moto G96 5G is a polished upgrade from the G85. It improves in every area. It also beats the Oppo K13 in most features. The only exceptions are battery life and charging speed.
Pricing and Availability
The Moto G96 5G is priced competitively:
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8GB/128GB: ₹17,999
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8GB/256GB: ₹19,999
With discounts (often ₹1,000-1,500 via bank offers), it’s a steal. Available on Flipkart, it’s accessible to most buyers. The Oppo K13’s similar pricing makes it a tough choice—what’s your budget and priority?
Who Should Buy the Moto G96 5G?
This phone is ideal for:
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Photography Enthusiasts: The 50-megapixel OIS camera and 4K video support are top-notch.
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Casual Users: The clean UI and smooth 144Hz display make daily use a breeze.
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Value Seekers: Premium design and IP68 rating at this price are hard to beat.
Consider the Oppo K13 if you value battery life or longer software updates. What’s your must-have feature in a phone?
Final Thoughts:
After testing the Moto G96 5G, I’m impressed. Its vegan leather design, 144Hz display, great camera, and clean UI give it a premium feel. The Oppo K13 has a bigger battery and faster charging, but the Moto G96’s overall package is tough to beat. Compared to the Moto G85, it’s a solid upgrade with a better camera, display, and battery.
If I had to choose, I’d pick the Moto G96 5G as the best all-rounder under ₹20,000. Your needs might be different. Maybe you want longer battery life or prefer a flat display. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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