Motorola looks to lord over the low-range market with its latest offering
Hot on the heels of last year’s three Moto G6 phones, Lenovo-owned Motorola has delivered four different models for this year’s G7 range. Running the low-end price gamut, it includes the £149 G7 Play, the £179 G7 Power, the £239 G7, and this issue’s review, the £269 G7 Plus.
The devices all offer different USPs; the Play is for those looking for a more compact device, the Power, with its 5,000mAh battery, offers an impressively long life for those not looking for something quite as rugged as an Energizer phone, the G7 is a sturdy allrounder, and the G7 Plus is the most luxurious version, with the best processor of the lot.
Even this most expensive handset still comes in at a handsome and appealing cost for a no-frills device that still competes for specs.
Battery life is also initially promising; as a device just touching mid-range, the 3,000mAh unit will comfortably last a day of solid use with a bit to spare, and the turbo power USB-C charger will replenish juice at a remarkable rate. Motorola’s personal touch comes in the form of completely optional contextual Moto Actions that carry out different functions. Touch ID and facial ID are also here, as is Google Assistant.
OS: Android 9 Pie
Processor: Snapdragon 636 1.8GHz
Screen: 6.2inches
Resolution: 2270 x 1080 pixels
Memory: 4GB
Internal storage: 64GB
External memory: MicroSD slot
Water resistance: P2i nano-coating
Rear camera: 16MP, 5MP depth sensor
Front camera: 12MP
Video: 4K
Battery: 3,000mAh
Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, 4G,
NFC, GPS, USB-C
Cellular Speed: 1.4Gbps download
Dimensions: 157 x 75.3 x 8.3mm
Weight: 176g
Since Moto G redefined the smartphone market in 2013, more and more consumers are interested in premium phones at affordable prices. Generation after generation, we remain focused on our main consumer commitment: offering phones that have the premium features you deserve, without sacrificing the quality, affordability and dependability you expect.
Because no two consumers are alike, smartphone needs are also very different. The new Moto G7 series includes the features that matter most to a very important three-letter word – Y. O. U. That’s why Motorola is launching four versions of our best-selling smartphone yet – with better cameras, battery life, processing speed and maximized displays.
Designed to take your best pictures ever and keep up with your fast pace of life, the new Moto G7 Plus is all about class leading camera technology and responsive performance. A little movement or poor lighting conditions are no match for the 16 MP dual camera system with optical image stabilization. Plus, new camera software and AI helps you shoot like a pro with amazing features like Smart Composition and Auto-Smile capture. With the G7, you have the fastest Moto G ever.
For the price, the G7 Plus certainly acquits itself well. It unlocks incredibly smoothly via touch or face ID, and runs games well: a round of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds certainly made it heat up a little, even playing on the lowest graphics recommendations, but was otherwise perfectly playable if you’re not a perfectionist.
The various contextual Moto Actions are a great unique touch, even if they take some memorising, and are also completely optional if you don’t want to turn on your torch by accident. Being able to take a scrolling screenshot of an entire webpage is also inspired. Given the marketing behind it, the camera has some qualifications – not surprising given the price, but still to be noted.
Pixelation becomes very apparent after not too much zoom, although the timelapse feature works fantastically well. The typical Android three-button setup at the bottom of the screen can also be changed to a nifty one-button setup that switches between apps and can summon Google Assistant if held down. Overall, the G7 Plus is highly impressive for its price bracket, at a crucial time for Motorola given the competition. It even has a headphone jack!
Available for £269.99
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