Motorola is updating its budget-friendly Moto G series with a new model with a 50MP rear camera, similar to what flagship devices like the Galaxy S23 have.
Granted, the Moto G Games 2024 won’t have the same level of hardware or features as the S23, but it’s still a significant upgrade over last year’s model, which has a mediocre 16MP lens. That said, it will have a few software tools to improve image quality. Motorola states that its device supports HDR, which enables clear images and Phase Detection Autofocus, or PDAF for short. The last one gives the phone a way to better “detect where light rays” come from. Android Authority calls it the “best method for autofocus” on smartphones and can even be found on some of the best mirrorless cameras on the market.
Please note that it is only one lens. There won’t be a telephoto option or anything like that next to it. The rear camera has a ton of shooting modes including, but not limited to, night vision and 8x digital zoom.
The selfie lens has also been upgraded as it is now 8MP instead of 5MP. Motorola also gave it the Photobooth feature that lets users “stitch four different poses together” into a group of consecutive photos.
Hardware upgrades (and downgrades)
The 2024 Moto G Play will see improvements in other areas, but some limitations that were present in the older model remain
It still has the 6.5-inch 720p LCD screen, but now has a maximum refresh rate of 90Hz for smooth video viewing. The speed can be reduced to 60 Hz if you want to extend battery life. Moreover, the smartphone will run on a 6nm Snapdragon 680 chipset, although like the 2023 device, it will not have 5G connectivity.
Motorola does this strange back and forth with the Moto G Play, introducing an upgrade and then immediately scaling it back. Presumably this is done to keep the price tag low.
The interesting thing about the Moto G Play is that it has features that make it a good first phone for kids. Motorola specifically states that the screen is made of Corning Gorilla 3 glass and has an IP52 rating to protect against accidental spills. On board, the device will include the Family Space tool, which allows parents to set screen time limits and control which apps on the device are accessible or not.
Availability
Other notable features include Moto Secure anti-malware protection, Dolby Atmos for immersive audio, and a 5,000mAh battery that lasts up to 46 hours on a single charge.
The Moto G Play 2024 will launch in the United States on February 8 for $150. It can be purchased on Motorola’s website or on Amazon, where it will be “universally unlocked” so you can connect to a favorite carrier. If you don’t have one, the device is available through Verizon, Cricket, and AT&T, among others.
Canada will receive the phone a little earlier. It will be “available through select carriers” on January 26. There’s no word on how much it will cost, as it depends on the carrier someone chooses.
Check out Ny Breaking’s list of the best cheap phones for 2024.