Motorola didn’t just launch another G-series phone — it came swinging. The Moto G96 5G looks like it skipped the budget memo altogether. With its curved OLED screen, IP68 rating, Sony Lytia sensor, and Pantone styling, this isn’t a rehashed mid-ranger. It’s Motorola telling the ₹20K segment to sit up and take notes.
The Moto G96 5G’s Display and Design Make It Feel Nothing Like a Budget Phone
You don’t expect a budget phone to greet you with a curved 144Hz pOLED display, but here we are. The Moto G96 5G throws in a 6.67-inch FHD+ screen with HDR10+, 10-bit colours, and up to 1600 nits brightness — all wrapped in Gorilla Glass 5. It’s not just bright and smooth. It actually feels premium, like something you’d find on a ₹30K phone.
It also works when wet, thanks to Water Touch 2.0, which is a small but genuinely useful feature.
Flip it over and you get a back that doesn’t look or feel cheap either. The vegan leather design comes in four Pantone-certified colours: Cattleya Orchid, Greener Pastures, Ashleigh Blue, and Dresden Blue. At just 7.9mm and 178g, this thing feels as slick as it looks. Motorola clearly put effort into making the G96 stand out in the crowded mid-range market.
Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 Delivers Where Most Budget Phones Still Struggle
Performance is where most budget phones start to wobble. But the Moto G96 5G holds its ground with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, a 4nm chipset that doesn’t just sip battery, it handles heat and multitasking like a pro. From casual gaming to 4K video capture, it stays cool, responsive, and lag-free in daily use.
You get 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, paired with either 128GB or 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage, and yes — storage is expandable too. Motorola also adds Smart Connect 2.0, so you can link it with your laptop or tablet without fiddling with third-party apps.
Connectivity is rock solid. With dual 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and dual SIM support, the G96 doesn’t cut corners where it matters.
The Sony Lytia Camera on This Phone Is No Joke. It Might Even Outshoot Phones Twice the Price
Most phones in this segment throw in a 50MP sensor just to tick a box. The Moto G96 5G doesn’t play that game. It’s using a Sony Lytia 700C sensor, the same one found in pricier devices. Add OIS, a wide f/1.88 aperture, and Motorola’s AI enhancements, and you get a camera setup that actually performs, especially in low light.
The 8MP ultrawide lens doubles as a macro shooter, and the 32MP front camera isn’t just a stat on a box. It records in 4K, uses Quad Pixel tech to sharpen detail, and easily pulls ahead in any Moto G96 5G vs Poco X6 Neo comparison.
Whether you’re shooting portraits or filming content, this phone doesn’t feel like a compromise.
Android 15 Feels Right at Home Here, and Hello UX Adds Just Enough
The Moto G96 5G ships with Android 15, and Motorola thankfully keeps things clean. You’re not dealing with bloatware or clunky skins here. Instead, Hello UX brings subtle, smart features that actually help — not annoy.
Things like gesture shortcuts, Family Space, and Moto Secure make day-to-day use smoother. And with Samsung Knox Matrix baked in, your privacy and device protection don’t feel like an afterthought.
Motorola says you’ll get three years of security updates. There’s a bit of confusion about whether the phone will get just one OS update or more. That’s something they should clear up. Still, out of the box, this is one of the better Android 15 phones in India when it comes to UI polish and software stability.
The Battery, Audio, and Durability Are All Solid. No Showboating Here
Motorola didn’t overpromise on the battery, and that’s a good thing. The 5500mAh cell on the Moto G96 5G easily powers through a full day of social, streaming, camera, and casual gaming use. While some reports floated 68W charging, Motorola lists 33W TurboPower officially, so that’s the number you should bank on.
Where this phone really surprises is in the audio department. Dual Dolby Atmos stereo speakers, Hi-Res Audio support, and Moto Spatial Sound make it more than capable for binge sessions and music.
And yes, it’s an IP68 waterproof phone — not water-repellent, not splash-resistant, but actual dust and water resistance, which is almost unheard of in this price range. You also get an in-display fingerprint sensor, face unlock, USB Type-C audio, and dual SIM slots to round things out.
Moto G96 5G Price in India, Sale Date, and Where to Buy
The Moto G96 5G starts at ₹17,999 for the 8GB + 128GB variant. If you want extra storage, the 256GB version will cost you ₹19,999. It goes on sale from July 16 on Flipkart, Motorola.in, and at offline stores like Reliance Digital.
Honestly, for the price, you’re getting a lot — a curved OLED screen, Sony Lytia camera, Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, and even IP68 protection. Right now, I don’t think there’s a better Motorola pOLED phone under ₹20000 in the Indian market.
Final Thoughts: Motorola Didn’t Just Show Up. It Came to Win
The Moto G96 5G doesn’t try to be loud. It doesn’t chase gimmicks or lean on hype. What it does instead is offer serious value in places where most budget phones quietly cut corners — display quality, camera hardware, and durability.
This isn’t just another G-series phone. It’s a real shot at making budget phones exciting again.
If you’re the kind of buyer who notices the difference between an LCD and a 144Hz curved pOLED, or between a generic 50MP sensor and a real Sony Lytia lens, the G96 will feel like money well spent.
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