Motorola continues to refine its mid-range game with the launch of the Motorola G96, announced on July 9, 2025, and released a week later on July 16. Positioned at the budget-premium threshold, the G96 combines top-notch display tech, solid performance, and a stylish build at a price starting from ₹19,999 in India. But does it deliver on all fronts? Let’s break it down.
Motorola G96 Features
The Motorola G96 flaunts a 6.67-inch P-OLED display with a whopping 144Hz refresh rate, 1 billion colors, and an impressive 1600 nits peak brightness—ideal for both binge-watchers and gamers. It boasts a 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution (~395 ppi) wrapped in Corning Gorilla Glass 5, offering both clarity and durability.
On the design front, the G96 features a glass front, a soft eco leather silicone polymer back, and a plastic frame. Despite its large screen, it’s relatively slim at 7.9mm thick and weighs 178g, offering a comfortable in-hand feel. Moreover, it comes with IP68 dust and water resistance, which is rare at this price point.
Under the hood, the G96 is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) chipset—an efficient and capable SoC paired with 8GB RAM and UFS 2.2 storage in 128GB or 256GB variants. The Octa-core CPU (4x Cortex-A78 + 4x Cortex-A55) ensures smooth multitasking, and the Adreno 710 GPU handles gaming without hiccups.
It runs on Android 15 and promises 1 major OS update, offering a clean and near-stock Android experience.
The dual-camera system on the back features a 50MP primary sensor with OIS and a wide f/1.9 aperture, ensuring sharp shots even in low light. The secondary 8MP ultrawide camera expands your field of view to 119˚, great for landscapes and group shots.
On the front, there’s a 32MP selfie shooter, which captures detailed images and supports 4K video recording—a notable addition in this segment.
Both front and rear cameras support gyro-EIS for stabilization and can record in 4K@30fps or 1080p up to 120fps, making the G96 a handy tool for content creators.
Equipped with a large 5500mAh battery, the G96 ensures all-day use with ease. It supports 30W fast charging via USB Type-C 2.0—not the fastest out there, but reasonable for its class.
Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res 24-bit/192kHz audio make for an immersive audio experience. There’s no 3.5mm jack, which might disappoint wired headphone users.
For connectivity, it includes 5G, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS with multiple systems, and USB OTG support. However, it lacks NFC and FM radio.
The Motorola G96 comes in two variants—₹19,999 for the base model with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, and ₹21,999 for the higher-end version with 256GB storage, available on Amazon. If you tend to store a lot of apps, photos, or videos, the extra space is definitely worth the small price bump.
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In real-world use, the Motorola G96 delivers a consistently smooth experience. The 144Hz display truly shines during scrolling, gaming, and watching high-frame-rate videos. Color reproduction is vibrant, and sunlight legibility is excellent thanks to the peak 1600 nits brightness.
Performance-wise, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 performs well under pressure. Whether it's multitasking, casual gaming, or streaming content, the phone handles it without noticeable lag or throttling. RAM management is efficient, and UFS 2.2 storage helps with app loading speeds.
The camera system is commendable for its price. Daylight shots are crisp, and night photography is enhanced by OIS and multi-directional PDAF. Selfies are detailed, though low-light selfies may suffer slightly. The video capabilities, including 4K with EIS, are a pleasant surprise.
Battery life is excellent. Moderate to heavy users can expect over a day of usage, and 30W charging gets you from 0 to 100% in just over an hour. The absence of NFC may be a downer for some, and the lack of a headphone jack is worth noting.
If you are looking for a phone under ₹20,000 that balances performance, display quality, camera features, and battery life—Motorola G96 is a strong contender. While it misses a few extras like NFC and faster charging, it makes up for them with a stunning display, premium feel, and reliable internals.
The Motorola G96 stands out in the competitive mid-range segment with its top-tier display, dependable performance, and polished design. For casual users, content consumers, and even light gamers, it’s a feature-rich 5G phone that won’t burn a hole in your wallet. Despite a few trade-offs, it’s one of the best all-rounders under ₹20,000 in 2025.
Q1: What is the price of the Motorola G96 in India?
A: The Motorola G96 starts at ₹19,999 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant.
Q2: Does the Motorola G96 support 5G connectivity?
A: Yes, the Motorola G96 supports 5G along with GSM, HSPA, and LTE network technologies.
Q3: How good is the Motorola G96's display?
A: The phone features a 6.67" P-OLED display with 144Hz refresh rate and 1600 nits brightness, offering excellent visuals and smooth scrolling.
Q4: What chipset powers the Motorola G96?
A: It is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, paired with 8GB RAM and Adreno 710 GPU for solid performance.
Q5: Is Motorola G96 waterproof?
A: The device has an IP68 rating, meaning it is dust-tight and water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
Images Credits: Motorola, Amazon
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