Motorola Moto G8 5G Review: Is It Still Good In 2024?

So, you're thinking about the Motorola Moto G8 5G, huh? Maybe you've stumbled across one online, or perhaps you're just curious about how it holds up in today's fast-paced tech world. Well, buckle up, guys, because we're diving deep into a comprehensive review to see if this old-timer still has what it takes in 2024. We'll explore everything from its performance and display to its camera capabilities and overall value. Is it a hidden gem, or should you leave it in the digital dust? Let's find out!

Design and Build Quality

Let's kick things off with the design and build quality of the Motorola Moto G8 5G. When it first hit the scene, the Moto G8 5G offered a practical and functional design. The phone features a plastic build, which, while not as premium-feeling as glass or metal, does make it more durable and less prone to shattering upon impact. The matte finish on the back helps to repel fingerprints, keeping the phone looking cleaner for longer, which is always a plus. The design is simple and understated, focusing on ergonomics and ease of use.

The button placement is intuitive, with the power button and volume rocker located on the right side of the device, making them easily accessible with one hand. The fingerprint sensor is located on the rear, embedded within the Motorola logo, which is a convenient and familiar placement for many users. While the phone isn't particularly flashy or eye-catching, its design is practical and functional, prioritizing usability over aesthetics. The overall build quality feels solid, and the phone is comfortable to hold, even for extended periods. While it may not turn heads with its looks, the Moto G8 5G's design is all about practicality and durability, making it a reliable option for everyday use. Considering its age, the build quality still holds up reasonably well, although you might find some wear and tear on used models. However, if you're looking for a phone that can withstand the rigors of daily life without sacrificing usability, the Moto G8 5G's design and build quality are definitely worth considering.

Display Quality

Now, let's talk about the display quality of the Motorola Moto G8 5G. The phone features a 6.6-inch Max Vision display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. While the resolution isn't the sharpest on the market, it still provides a decent viewing experience for everyday tasks. The IPS LCD panel delivers accurate colors and decent brightness levels, making it suitable for browsing the web, watching videos, and playing games. Viewing angles are also reasonably good, ensuring that the display remains visible even when viewed from off-center angles. The display's size is generous, providing plenty of screen real estate for multitasking and enjoying multimedia content. While it may not have the vibrant colors or high refresh rates of more modern displays, the Moto G8 5G's screen is still perfectly adequate for most users.

The lower resolution might be noticeable if you're used to higher-resolution displays, but for many, it won't be a deal-breaker. The display is protected by a layer of glass, which helps to prevent scratches and scuffs. The bezels surrounding the display are relatively slim, contributing to a more immersive viewing experience. While the display technology may not be cutting-edge, it's still functional and provides a satisfactory viewing experience for the price. The colors are vibrant, and the contrast is decent, making it suitable for watching videos and playing games. However, the display might struggle in direct sunlight, requiring you to increase the brightness to maximum levels. Overall, the display quality of the Motorola Moto G8 5G is decent for its age and price point. While it may not compete with the latest and greatest smartphones, it still offers a usable and enjoyable viewing experience for everyday tasks and multimedia consumption. If you're not too demanding when it comes to display quality, the Moto G8 5G's screen should suffice for your needs.

Performance and Software

When it comes to performance, the Motorola Moto G8 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765 processor. This chipset provides a smooth and responsive experience for everyday tasks such as browsing the web, checking emails, and using social media apps. The phone handles multitasking reasonably well, allowing you to switch between apps without significant lag. The Snapdragon 765 is also capable of handling more demanding tasks such as gaming, although you may need to lower the graphics settings for optimal performance. The phone comes with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM, which contributes to its overall performance. The software experience on the Moto G8 5G is clean and uncluttered, with Motorola's My UX providing a near-stock Android experience. This means you get a bloatware-free interface with minimal pre-installed apps. Motorola also provides timely software updates, ensuring that the phone stays up-to-date with the latest security patches and features.

The software is user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it suitable for both novice and experienced users. The phone also includes several useful features such as Moto Actions, which allows you to perform certain actions with gestures. For example, you can chop the phone twice to turn on the flashlight or twist your wrist twice to launch the camera. These gestures are convenient and can save you time and effort. The phone also supports 5G connectivity, allowing you to enjoy faster download and upload speeds when connected to a 5G network. Overall, the performance and software experience on the Motorola Moto G8 5G are solid. The Snapdragon 765 processor provides ample power for everyday tasks, and the clean software interface makes the phone a joy to use. If you're looking for a phone that offers a smooth and responsive experience without unnecessary bloatware, the Moto G8 5G is definitely worth considering. Keep in mind that, being an older device, it might not receive the latest Android updates, but the core experience should still be reliable.

Camera Capabilities

Okay, let's get into the camera capabilities of the Motorola Moto G8 5G. The phone features a triple-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 48-megapixel main sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2-megapixel macro lens. The main camera captures detailed and vibrant photos in good lighting conditions. The ultra-wide-angle lens allows you to capture wider scenes, which is great for landscape photography and group shots. The macro lens lets you get up close and personal with your subjects, capturing intricate details that would otherwise be missed. The camera app is easy to use and offers a variety of shooting modes, including portrait mode, panorama mode, and night mode. The phone also supports video recording at up to 4K resolution.

In terms of image quality, the Moto G8 5G delivers decent results for its price range. Photos taken in good lighting conditions are sharp and detailed, with accurate colors and good dynamic range. However, the image quality can suffer in low-light conditions, with increased noise and reduced detail. The ultra-wide-angle lens also produces decent results, although the image quality is not as good as the main camera. The macro lens is a nice addition, but it requires steady hands and good lighting to capture usable shots. The front-facing camera is an 8-megapixel sensor that captures decent selfies in good lighting conditions. Overall, the camera capabilities of the Motorola Moto G8 5G are adequate for everyday use. While it may not compete with the flagship smartphones on the market, it still delivers decent image quality for its price range. If you're not a professional photographer and just want a phone that can capture decent photos and videos, the Moto G8 5G should suffice for your needs. But remember, technology has moved on, so don't expect miracles compared to newer devices.

Battery Life

Now, let's talk about battery life, a crucial aspect of any smartphone. The Motorola Moto G8 5G packs a 5,000mAh battery, which provides excellent battery life. You can easily get through a full day of use on a single charge, even with moderate to heavy usage. The phone also supports fast charging, allowing you to quickly top up the battery when needed. In terms of battery performance, the Moto G8 5G excels. The large battery capacity ensures that you won't have to worry about running out of juice during the day. Whether you're browsing the web, watching videos, playing games, or using social media apps, the Moto G8 5G can handle it all without draining the battery too quickly.

The phone also features a battery saver mode, which can further extend the battery life by limiting background activity and reducing screen brightness. This mode is useful when you're running low on battery and need to squeeze out every last drop of power. The phone also supports USB-C charging, which is convenient and allows you to use the same charger for other devices. Overall, the battery life of the Motorola Moto G8 5G is excellent. The large battery capacity and fast charging support make it a reliable option for users who need a phone that can last all day. If you're tired of constantly charging your phone, the Moto G8 5G is definitely worth considering. The long-lasting battery is one of its strongest selling points, making it a great choice for those who are always on the go. Just remember that battery health degrades over time, so a used model might not perform as well as a new one.

Is It Still Good in 2024? The Verdict

So, the big question: is the Motorola Moto G8 5G still a good buy in 2024? Well, it depends on your needs and expectations. If you're looking for a budget-friendly phone with 5G connectivity, decent performance, and long battery life, the Moto G8 5G is still a viable option. However, keep in mind that it's an older device, and there are newer phones on the market that offer better features and performance for a similar price. The Moto G8 5G's camera capabilities are adequate for everyday use, but they don't compare to the flagship smartphones on the market.

The display quality is decent, but it's not as sharp or vibrant as the displays on newer phones. The software experience is clean and user-friendly, but it may not receive the latest Android updates. Overall, the Motorola Moto G8 5G is a decent phone that offers good value for its price. However, if you're willing to spend a bit more, you can get a newer phone with better features and performance. Consider your priorities and budget before making a decision. If you value battery life and 5G connectivity above all else, the Moto G8 5G is still a solid choice. But if you want the best possible camera, display, and performance, you may want to look elsewhere. Ultimately, the decision is yours, mate!