The Moto G4 Play is a budget-friendly smartphone that was released in 2016 as part of Motorola’s fourth-generation Moto G series. Despite being an older model, it still attracts attention from those looking for an affordable device with decent features. In this article, we will delve into the details of the Moto G4 Play, exploring its specifications, performance, camera capabilities, and overall value to determine if it is a good phone for potential buyers.
Design and Display
The Moto G4 Play features a sleek and compact design, with a water-repellent nano-coating that provides protection against accidental splashes and spills. The device has a 5-inch HD display with a resolution of 720×1280 pixels, which is suitable for everyday use, including browsing the web, watching videos, and playing games. Although the display may not be as vibrant as some of the newer models, it is still bright and responsive, making it easy to navigate and interact with the device.
Build Quality and Ergonomics
The Moto G4 Play has a plastic body, which is durable and lightweight, making it comfortable to hold and carry around. The device is also ergonomically designed, with a curved back that fits nicely in the palm of your hand. The power button and volume rocker are conveniently located on the right side of the device, while the microUSB port and headphone jack are situated at the top and bottom, respectively.
Color Options and Customization
The Moto G4 Play is available in two color options: black and white. Additionally, the device comes with Moto Maker, a customization tool that allows users to personalize their phone with different colors, materials, and designs. This feature is a great way to add a personal touch to your device and make it stand out from the crowd.
Performance and Hardware
The Moto G4 Play is powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor, which provides smooth and efficient performance for everyday tasks. The device also comes with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 128GB using a microSD card. While the device may not be suitable for demanding games or resource-intensive applications, it is more than capable of handling social media, email, and web browsing with ease.
Battery Life and Charging
The Moto G4 Play has a 2800mAh battery, which provides all-day battery life with moderate use. The device also supports quick charging, allowing you to quickly top up your battery when you’re on the go. Additionally, the power-saving mode helps to extend battery life by limiting background data usage and reducing screen brightness.
Software and Updates
The Moto G4 Play runs on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out of the box, which is a relatively stable and secure operating system. Although the device may not receive the latest software updates, it is still supported by Motorola, which provides regular security patches and bug fixes to ensure a smooth user experience.
Camera and Photography
The Moto G4 Play has an 8-megapixel rear camera with f/2.2 aperture and HDR capabilities, which takes decent photos in well-lit conditions. The device also features a 5-megapixel front camera with f/2.2 aperture, which is suitable for selfies and video calls. While the camera may not be as advanced as some of the newer models, it is still capable of capturing memorable moments with ease.
Camera Features and Modes
The Moto G4 Play comes with a range of camera features and modes, including auto HDR, panorama, and slow-motion video. The device also has a professional mode, which allows you to adjust settings such as exposure, ISO, and white balance to capture more creative and expressive photos.
Low-Light Performance and Image Quality
The Moto G4 Play’s camera performs reasonably well in low-light conditions, although noise and grain may be visible in some photos. The device’s image quality is also good, with vibrant colors and sharp details. However, the camera may struggle with high-contrast scenes, where overexposure or underexposure may occur.
Verdict and Recommendation
The Moto G4 Play is a good phone for those looking for a budget-friendly device with decent features. While it may not be the most advanced smartphone on the market, it is still capable of handling everyday tasks with ease. The device’s water-repellent design, bright display, and long-lasting battery make it a great option for those who want a reliable and affordable phone.
In conclusion, the Moto G4 Play is a solid choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly smartphone. With its smooth performance, decent camera, and long-lasting battery, it is an excellent value for the price. However, if you’re looking for a more advanced device with the latest features and technologies, you may want to consider other options.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 5-inch HD display, 720×1280 pixels |
| Processor | Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor |
| RAM and Storage | 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage (expandable up to 128GB) |
| Battery | 2800mAh battery, quick charging, power-saving mode |
| Camera | 8-megapixel rear camera, 5-megapixel front camera, f/2.2 aperture, HDR, auto HDR, panorama, slow-motion video |
- The Moto G4 Play is a budget-friendly smartphone with decent features and performance.
- The device has a water-repellent design, bright display, and long-lasting battery.
- The Moto G4 Play is suitable for everyday tasks, including social media, email, and web browsing.
- The device’s camera is capable of capturing decent photos, although it may struggle with low-light conditions and high-contrast scenes.
- The Moto G4 Play is an excellent value for the price, making it a solid choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly smartphone.
Is the Moto G4 Play a good budget phone?
The Moto G4 Play is considered a good budget phone due to its affordable price and impressive features. It offers a 5-inch HD display, a quad-core processor, and 2GB of RAM, making it suitable for everyday tasks such as browsing, social media, and messaging. Additionally, the phone has a long-lasting battery life, with a 2800mAh battery that can easily last a day with moderate use. The Moto G4 Play also has an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera, which are decent for a budget phone.
In terms of software, the Moto G4 Play runs on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, which provides a smooth and intuitive user experience. The phone also has a water-repellent coating, making it more durable and resistant to accidental splashes or spills. Overall, the Moto G4 Play is a great option for those looking for a reliable and affordable smartphone. Its combination of decent hardware, long battery life, and affordable price make it an attractive choice for budget-conscious consumers. With its impressive features and capabilities, the Moto G4 Play is definitely a good budget phone that can meet the needs of most users.
How does the Moto G4 Play compare to other budget phones?
The Moto G4 Play compares favorably to other budget phones in its class. It offers a similar set of features and specifications as other budget phones, but at a lower price point. For example, the phone’s quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM provide smooth performance and multitasking capabilities, similar to other budget phones. Additionally, the Moto G4 Play’s camera and battery life are also comparable to other budget phones. However, the phone’s water-repellent coating and Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow operating system set it apart from some of its competitors.
In terms of specific comparisons, the Moto G4 Play is often compared to other budget phones such as the Samsung Galaxy J3 and the LG K10. While these phones offer similar features and specifications, the Moto G4 Play has a lower price point and longer battery life. Additionally, the Moto G4 Play’s software experience is often considered to be more intuitive and user-friendly than some of its competitors. Overall, the Moto G4 Play is a strong contender in the budget phone market, offering a great combination of features, performance, and value.
What are the key features of the Moto G4 Play?
The Moto G4 Play has several key features that make it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers. These include a 5-inch HD display, a quad-core processor, and 2GB of RAM, which provide smooth performance and multitasking capabilities. The phone also has an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera, which are decent for a budget phone. Additionally, the Moto G4 Play has a long-lasting battery life, with a 2800mAh battery that can easily last a day with moderate use. The phone also has a water-repellent coating, making it more durable and resistant to accidental splashes or spills.
In terms of software, the Moto G4 Play runs on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, which provides a smooth and intuitive user experience. The phone also has a range of customization options, including the ability to change the look and feel of the interface and add new features and functionality. Additionally, the Moto G4 Play has a range of storage options, including 16GB of internal storage and a microSD card slot that supports up to 128GB of expandable storage. Overall, the Moto G4 Play has a great set of features that make it a strong contender in the budget phone market.
Is the Moto G4 Play suitable for gaming?
The Moto G4 Play is suitable for casual gaming, but it may not be the best option for more demanding games. The phone’s quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM provide smooth performance and multitasking capabilities, but they may not be enough to handle more graphics-intensive games. However, the phone is capable of handling less demanding games such as puzzle games, strategy games, and casual action games. Additionally, the phone’s 5-inch HD display provides a great gaming experience, with bright and vibrant colors and a responsive touchscreen.
In terms of specific gaming performance, the Moto G4 Play is capable of handling games such as Candy Crush, Clash of Clans, and Angry Birds, but it may struggle with more demanding games such as Fortnite or PUBG. However, the phone’s gaming performance can be improved with some tweaks and optimizations, such as closing unnecessary apps and adjusting the graphics settings. Overall, the Moto G4 Play is a good option for casual gamers who want a budget-friendly phone that can handle less demanding games. However, more serious gamers may want to consider a more powerful phone with a faster processor and more RAM.
How is the camera performance of the Moto G4 Play?
The camera performance of the Moto G4 Play is decent for a budget phone. The phone has an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera, which are capable of taking good-quality photos in bright lighting conditions. The rear camera has a range of features, including autofocus, HDR, and panorama mode, which make it easy to take great photos. Additionally, the front camera is good for selfies and video calls, with a range of features such as beauty mode and HDR.
In terms of image quality, the Moto G4 Play’s camera is capable of taking sharp and detailed photos, with good color accuracy and contrast. However, the camera may struggle in low-light conditions, with noise and grain becoming more noticeable. Additionally, the camera’s autofocus can be slow at times, which can make it difficult to take photos of moving subjects. Overall, the Moto G4 Play’s camera is good for casual photography, but it may not be the best option for more serious photographers who want a phone with a high-quality camera.
Is the Moto G4 Play worth buying in 2024?
The Moto G4 Play may not be the best option for buyers in 2024, as it is an older phone that has been surpassed by newer models. The phone’s hardware and software are no longer as competitive as they were when the phone was first released, and it may not be able to handle more demanding tasks and applications. Additionally, the phone’s camera and battery life, while decent for a budget phone, may not be as good as those found on newer phones.
However, the Moto G4 Play may still be worth considering for buyers who are looking for a very affordable phone and are not concerned about having the latest and greatest features. The phone is still available for purchase from some retailers, and it can be found at a very low price. Additionally, the phone’s software is still supported by Motorola, and it may receive occasional updates and security patches. Overall, the Moto G4 Play is not the best option for most buyers in 2024, but it may still be a good choice for those who are on a very tight budget and want a basic phone for casual use.