Motorola Moto G15 Review: Features, Price, and Performance
Motorola Moto G15:
Network and Connectivity
- Technology: GSM / HSPA / LTE
- SIM: Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
- Waterproof & Dustproof: IP54 (dust and splash resistant)
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
- Bluetooth: 5.0, A2DP, LE
- Positioning: GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
- NFC: Yes (market/region dependent)
- Radio: FM radio
- USB: USB Type-C 2.0
Launch
- Announced: December 17, 2024
- Status: Coming soon, expected release January 2025
Body
- Dimensions: 165.7 x 76 x 8.2 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.32 in)
- Weight: 190 g (6.70 oz)
- Build: Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, silicone polymer back (eco leather)
- SIM: Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
- Waterproof & Dustproof: IP54 (dust and splash resistant)
Display
- Type: IPS LCD
- Size: 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm² (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio)
- Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels (~392 ppi density)
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Platform
- OS: Android 15
- Chipset: Mediatek Helio G81 Extreme (12 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55)
- GPU: Mali-G52 MC2
Memory
- Internal Storage:
- 128GB 4GB RAM
- 256GB 8GB RAM
- 512GB 8GB RAM
- Card Slot: microSDXC
Camera
Main Camera (Dual):
- 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF
- 5 MP, f/2.4 (ultrawide)
- Features: LED flash, HDR, panorama
- Video: 1080p@30fps
Selfie Camera:
- 8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1.12µm
- Video: 1080p@30fps
Sound
- Loudspeakers: Yes, with stereo speakers
- 3.5mm Jack: Yes
Battery
- Type: 5200 mAh
- Charging: 18W wired
Miscellaneous
- Colors: Gravity Grey, Iguana Green, Sunrise Orange, Sea Blue, Glacier Blue
- Price: Expected pricing details coming soon
Design and Display :
The Motorola Moto G15 features a clean, minimalist design that is within your budget. The back of this phone is made of polycarbonate with a matte finish, giving it a lightweight yet sturdy feel. Although the back is prone to fingerprints, it's not too shiny, which is a plus for people who don't like to wipe their phone frequently. The phone comes in a variety of colors, allowing users to choose the style that best suits their taste.
The phone measures 164.9 x 75.8 x 9.1 mm and is relatively easy to handle, despite its large 6.5-inch display. Despite its large size, the Moto G15 feels well-balanced in the hand and not too bulky. It is easy to operate with one hand and is comfortable even for long periods of use.
The 6.5-inch display is an IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels (HD+), slightly lower than mid-range and top-end devices. However, the display quality is acceptable for this price range. The pixel density of 269 PPI ensures that text and images are clear enough for everyday use, but may not be as sharp as screens with Full HD or higher resolution.
The display offers decent color reproduction and brightness, allowing for use indoors and under moderate lighting. However, you may have issues with screen readability in direct sunlight, which is common for budget phones. A 60Hz refresh rate is standard for devices in this price range. So the image is not as smooth as a phone with a higher refresh rate, but it is still good for general use.
Performance and Software :
The Motorola Moto G15 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G37 chipset, which is designed for entry-level smartphones. The Helio G37 is an octa-core processor with four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.3 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.8 GHz. It's not the most powerful chipset on the market, but it handles everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming very well.
The Moto G15 comes with 4GB of RAM, which is good for multitasking, but can slow down if you have too many apps open at once. For users who only need a smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the internet, performance should be adequate. However, more demanding apps, such as high-end games or apps that require a lot of processing power, may run slowly, and some apps may experience occasional lags or stuttering.
In terms of storage, the Motorola Moto G15 offers 64GB of internal storage, which is standard for a budget smartphone. For users who need more storage, there is the option to expand the storage via a microSD card (up to 1TB), giving you the flexibility to store additional media, apps, and files without worrying about running out of storage space. .
The phone runs on Motorola's clean version of Android 12 with minimal bloatware and a mostly unchanged Android experience. The benefit of not having excessive customization or pre-installed apps is that the system remains smooth and easy to navigate. Motorola is known for delivering a nearly original Android experience, which many users find refreshing compared to the highly customized user interfaces of other devices.
The software is simple to navigate, yet clear and user-friendly. There are several Moto-specific features, such as Moto Actions, which provides handy gestures for tasks such as launching the camera or turning on the flashlight with a quick wave of your hand. The phone also has Google Assistant built-in, making it easy to accomplish tasks using voice commands.
Camera system :
The camera system on the Motorola Moto G15 is relatively simple, but adequate for basic photography needs. The phone has a 13MP main camera on the back with an f/2.2 aperture. While it's not a high-end camera, the 13MP sensor allows you to take decent photos in bright lighting conditions. Images are generally clear with good color accuracy, but dynamic range and low-light performance are limited. In low light, photos can be grainy and lose detail, which is common with budget phones. The Moto G15 also has a 2MP depth sensor that helps with portrait photography and provides a background blur effect (bokeh). However, the quality of the portrait photos may not be as good as on higher-end devices. The secondary sensor is more of an add-on than a standout feature, but it does add versatility to the camera system.
On the front, the Moto G15 has an 8MP selfie camera that's good for video calls and the occasional selfie. Selfies taken with the front camera are generally clear and bright in good conditions, but like the rear camera, it doesn't perform well in low light. The front camera also supports portrait mode, a nice feature for selfie fans.
Overall, the camera system on the Moto G15 is good for everyday use, but it won't impress everyone with its low-light performance or advanced features. If you're looking for a phone that excels at photography, you may need to look for a more premium device, but for quick snapshots and occasional social media sharing, the camera system on the Moto G15 is more than adequate.
Battery Life and Charging :
On the front, the Moto G15 has an 8MP selfie camera that's good for video calls and the occasional selfie. Selfies taken with the front camera are generally clear and bright in good conditions, but like the rear camera, it doesn't perform well in low light. The front camera also supports portrait mode, a nice feature for selfie fans.
Overall, the camera system on the Moto G15 is good for everyday use, but it won't impress everyone with its low-light performance or advanced features. If you're looking for a phone that excels at photography, you may need to look for a more premium device, but for quick snapshots and occasional social media sharing, the camera system on the Moto G15 is more than adequate.
Battery Life and Charging :
The Motorola Moto G15 comes with a 5000mAh battery, which is one of its best features. This large battery will easily last the phone for a full day of moderate usage, including web browsing, social media, calls, and media consumption. With light usage, it is possible to extend the battery life to more than a day and a half.
The phone supports 15W fast charging, which is very good for a budget device. Although it doesn't charge as fast as higher-end phones with more advanced charging capabilities, it still offers a decent charging time. Depending on the charger and battery level, it may take around 2 hours to fully charge. With a large capacity battery and a modest display, users can easily get through a day on a single charge.
The phone supports 15W fast charging, which is very good for a budget device. Although it doesn't charge as fast as higher-end phones with more advanced charging capabilities, it still offers a decent charging time. Depending on the charger and battery level, it may take around 2 hours to fully charge. With a large capacity battery and a modest display, users can easily get through a day on a single charge.
Connectivity and Other Features :
The Motorola Moto G15 comes with 4G LTE connectivity, which is standard on most budget smartphones. While it doesn't support 5G, it does provide reliable and fast internet for browsing, streaming, and social media. Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and USB Type-C are also supported, ensuring users with great connectivity options.
Other features include a rear fingerprint scanner for added security and Face Unlock for quick access. The Moto G15 also comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is rare on newer devices but is a nice addition for users who prefer a wired audio connection. Dual SIM support is available, making it ideal for users who need to manage multiple phone numbers on one device.
Conclusion :
The Motorola Moto G15 is a solid budget phone that offers great value for money. It has the basics, including a decent display, satisfactory performance, and an impressive 5000mAh battery that offers good battery life for a budget device. The camera system is nothing groundbreaking, but it's fine for taking occasional photos and video calls. The software experience, with a near-fidelity Android interface, will appeal to users who want a simple, straightforward smartphone experience without unnecessary bloatware.
