The Moto G34 offers an option with a sophisticated vegan leather finish
Key Features:
- Equipped with a 50-megapixel primary rear camera
- Boasts a substantial 5,000mAh battery
Introduced in India on January 9, the Moto G34 presents itself as an accessible 5G smartphone now available for purchase. The Moto G series has traversed over a decade of evolution. I vividly recall the inaugural Moto G's launch in 2013, boasting stock Android, unique Moto features, a single 5-megapixel rear camera, and prominent bezels. A decade later, significant transformations have unfolded within the G series, yet Motorola has admirably retained its affordable pricing strategy. Remarkably, the new Moto G34 is priced lower than the original Moto G at launch, offering a substantial upgrade to a 50-megapixel camera.
After utilizing the freshly launched Moto G34 for more than a week, here's my comprehensive assessment of this latest addition to the G lineup.
Pricing:
Before delving into the Moto G34's details, it's essential to address its pricing in India. The base model, featuring 4GB RAM and 128GB storage, is available at Rs. 10,999. Our review focuses on the 8GB + 128GB variant, priced at Rs. 11,999. Notably, the original Moto G debuted at Rs. 12,499 in 2013, offering 1GB RAM and 8GB storage. Its predecessor, the Moto G32, was priced at Rs. 11,999 for the base model. This establishes the Moto G34 as an economical 5G smartphone.
The phone comes in Charcoal Black, Ice Blue, and Ocean Green color options. The Ocean Green variant showcases a rear panel with a premium vegan leather finish, the version we are evaluating.
Design Overview:
The vegan leather finish of our review unit imparts a tactile sense of sophistication to the Moto G34. Departing from the conventional glass or plastic rear panels, this variant offers a refreshing change. Positioned at the center of the rear panel, the iconic Moto logo adds a touch of elegance. The vegan leather texture maintains a soft surface free from fingerprints and smudges, enhancing the device's allure. With flat panels featuring rounded corners and a slim profile measuring just 8mm, the Moto G34 weighs a modest 180 grams.
Motorola's consistent design approach includes a well-integrated camera module situated in the top left corner, lending the device a balanced aesthetic. Despite a minimal camera bump, the overall design exudes sophistication without excessive branding. Achieving a commendable IP52 rating, the Moto G34 ensures basic splash resistance.
Specifications and Software:
Delving into specifications, the Moto G34 integrates the dependable Snapdragon 695 chip. Paired with up to 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage, expandable via a hybrid SIM tray, the device offers versatile connectivity options. Featuring a USB Type-C port, 3.5mm headphone jack, Bluetooth 5.1, 5G support, and dual-band Wi-Fi, the Moto G34 ensures comprehensive connectivity coverage across 13 5G bands.
Positioned beneath the Power button, the side-mounted fingerprint scanner offers swift and reliable authentication. Running on Android 14-based MyUX, the user interface retains the essence of stock Android while incorporating several enhancements. Noteworthy software features include a Game mode, Sidebar for convenient app access in Window mode, Split-screen multitasking, and Family Space. Intuitive Moto Gestures streamline everyday tasks such as activating the flashlight, launching the camera app, and silencing calls. Motorola guarantees 1 year of OS updates and 3 years of security updates, aligning with industry standards in this price segment.
Performance Insights:
Motorola positions the Moto G34 as the fastest phone within the 5G segment among its counterparts in the same price range. Powered by the octa-core 6nm Snapdragon 695 SoC, the device delivers commendable mid-range performance. Benchmark results, including a single-core CPU score of 912 and a multi-core score of 2050 on Geekbench 6, underscore its capability. While basic tasks are executed smoothly without discernible lag, gaming performance, albeit limited to HD graphics, is satisfactory. The 120Hz refresh rate enriches the user experience, ensuring smoother transitions and interactions.
Display and Audio:
The Moto G34 sports a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display, offering HD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 240Hz touch sampling rate. Enhanced with Panda glass protection and capable of delivering 580 nits brightness, the display facilitates immersive viewing experiences indoors. Display customization options include Natural or Saturated color modes, alongside variable refresh rate settings. With a dual stereo speaker setup, the device offers clear audio output albeit lacking in bass. The inclusion of Dolby Atmos support enriches the audio experience, while the presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack caters to audiophiles.
Battery and Charging:
Addressing battery longevity, the Moto G34 integrates a substantial 5,000mAh battery, ensuring prolonged usage durations. Offering support for up to 18W fast charging, the device ships with a 20W TurboPower charger. Despite modest charging speeds compared to contemporary standards, the device strikes a balance between battery capacity and charging efficiency.
Camera Performance:
Equipped with a 50-megapixel primary rear camera and a 2-megapixel macro sensor, the Moto G34 delivers satisfactory camera performance within its price segment. Daylight captures exhibit adequate detail, albeit with saturated colors and suboptimal HDR. The macro camera's performance is underwhelming, failing to deliver compelling close-up shots. Nighttime photography encounters challenges, with limited sharpness and notable noise levels, even with Night Vision mode activated. Despite these limitations, the Pro mode offers an avenue for enhanced photography outcomes, albeit requiring user intervention. Selfie photography fares moderately, while video recording capabilities, although functional, exhibit noticeable artifacts and reduced quality in low-light conditions.
Verdict:
Competing with comparably priced offerings from Xiaomi, Realme, and Poco, the Moto G34 stands out as a unique proposition offering 5G connectivity, a 120Hz refresh rate display, and a premium vegan leather rear panel.
For consumers seeking an affordable 5G smartphone prioritizing functionality over camera prowess, the Moto G34 emerges as a compelling choice. Delivering a commendable display, robust performance, extended battery life, and gaming capabilities, the device caters to diverse user preferences. However, individuals emphasizing camera excellence may need to explore alternatives within a higher price bracket.
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