Motorola has launched the Moto G96 5G in India on July 9, 2025, bringing a stylish and feature-packed mid-range smartphone to the budget segment. Priced starting at ₹17,999, it features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, a 6.67-inch 3D curved pOLED display, and a 5,500mAh battery, positioning it as a strong competitor against the iQOO Z10 5G, OPPO K13 5G, and Vivo T4x 5G. Here’s a detailed look at its specifications, features, and why it’s a top choice in the 2025 sub-₹20,000 market.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.67″ FHD+ pOLED, 144Hz, 1,600 nits (curved) |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 |
| Camera | 50MP + 8MP ultra-wide rear, 32MP front |
| Battery | 5,500mAh, 68W TurboPower fast charging |
| Storage | Up to 8GB RAM / 256GB UFS 2.2 |
| Price | From ₹17,999 (₹16,999 with bank offers) |
Display
The Moto G96 5G sports a 6.67-inch Full HD+ 3D curved pOLED display with a 2400×1080 resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, and 1,600 nits peak brightness, delivering smooth visuals and vibrant colors ideal for gaming and streaming. With a 10-bit panel, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, and 300Hz touch sampling rate, it offers a cinematic experience, enhanced by SGS Eye Protection and Water Touch 2.0 for wet-finger usability. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, the display is durable but may cause accidental touches due to its curved edges, unlike the flat AMOLED on the OPPO K13 5G.
Performance
Powered by the 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset (2.4GHz octa-core with Adreno 710 GPU), the Moto G96 5G achieves an AnTuTu score of around 760,000, handling daily tasks and casual gaming like Free Fire with ease. Available in 8GB/128GB and 8GB/256GB variants with LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 2.2 storage, it supports up to 24GB RAM boost for multitasking.
While it performs well, it lags slightly behind the iQOO Neo 10 5G’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 in high-end gaming. The cooling system ensures thermal stability, though heavy usage may cause mild heating.
Also Read: iQOO Neo 10 5G : Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 Powerhouse with 7,000mAh Battery
Camera
The Moto G96 5G features a dual rear camera setup with a 50MP Sony LYT-700C primary sensor (f/1.8, OIS) and an 8MP ultra-wide lens (f/2.2) that doubles as a macro shooter, supporting 4K video recording. The 32MP front camera (f/2.2) with Quad Pixel technology excels for selfies and video calls. Moto AI features like AI Photo Enhancement, Horizon Lock, and Google’s Magic Editor deliver sharp daylight shots and creative editing, but low-light ultra-wide performance is average compared to the Vivo X200 FE’s ZEISS cameras.
Battery
Equipped with a 5,500mAh battery, the Moto G96 5G offers up to two days of mixed usage or a full day of heavy use, such as streaming and gaming. It supports 68W TurboPower fast charging, reaching 50% in about 20 minutes, though it lacks wireless charging. The battery outperforms the OnePlus 13s’s 5,850mAh but is smaller than the iQOO Z10 5G’s 7,300mAh. Motorola claims consistent performance for daily tasks, making it ideal for students and professionals.
Design and Durability
Weighing 178g and measuring 161.86 x 73.26 x 7.93mm, the Moto G96 5G features a premium vegan leather finish in Pantone-validated colors: Ashleigh Blue, Greener Pastures, Cattleya Orchid, and Dresden Blue. Its IP68 rating ensures dust and water resistance, capable of withstanding submersion in 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. Dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos and Moto Spatial Sound deliver immersive audio, though bass depth is moderate. The in-display fingerprint sensor and face unlock are fast, but the lack of NFC and a headphone jack may disappoint some users.
Also Read: OnePlus 13s 5G : Compact Flagship with Snapdragon 8 Elite Under ₹60,000
Android 15 with Hello UI
Running Android 15 with Hello UI, the Moto G96 5G offers a near-stock experience with Moto AI features like photo enhancement and gesture-based controls. Motorola promises one major OS upgrade and three years of security patches, shorter than the iQOO Neo 10 5G’s four-year security support. The interface is smooth, but some users report limited software support compared to competitors like the OnePlus 13s. Connectivity includes 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, and USB-C, with no microSD slot.
Pricing and Availability
The Moto G96 5G is priced at ₹17,999 (8GB/128GB) and ₹19,999 (8GB/256GB), with an effective starting price of ₹16,999 after bank offers. Sales began on July 16, 2025, via Flipkart, Motorola’s e-store, and retail outlets like Reliance Digital. Launch offers include up to ₹1,000 off on select bank cards and no-cost EMI options. It’s competitively priced against the iQOO Z10 5G (₹19,999) and OPPO K13 5G (₹15,999), offering a premium display and design at a budget-friendly cost.
Why the Moto G96 5G Stands Out
The Moto G96 5G impresses with its segment-first 144Hz curved pOLED display, robust battery life, and stylish vegan leather design, making it ideal for budget-conscious users seeking a premium experience. Its IP68 rating and AI-enhanced cameras add value, though limited software updates and the absence of NFC are drawbacks compared to the iQOO Neo 10 5G’s superior performance or the OPPO K13 5G’s larger battery. For those prioritizing display quality and durability under ₹20,000, the Moto G96 5G is a compelling choice in India’s 2025 mid-range market.
