The Motorola Moto G85 5G is here, and it’s shaking up the budget smartphone market with features you’d usually find in much pricier phones. With a stunning curved-edge pOLED display, a powerful 50MP Sony LYTIA camera, and a big 5000mAh battery, this phone offers great value at a starting price of ₹15,890. If you’ve been looking for a phone that feels premium without breaking the bank, the Moto G85 5G might just be the one for you.
A Design That Feels Expensive
Motorola has dressed the G85 5G in a slick, flagship-adjacent design, which is something of a rarity when it comes to budget phones. That Super Slim The V20 is super-sleek at 7.6mm and lightweight (171g), so it’s an easy device to hold. The 3D curved display (Moto G first) is gorgeous, while Gorilla Glass 5 keeps your phone free from scratches.
You get three stylish color options:
- Urban Grey – A classic matte finish with a bit of sparkle.
- Cobalt Blue – A premium vegan leather back for better grip.
- Olive Green – Eco-friendly vegan leather with a unique feel.
The phone is not fully waterproof, but it does carry an IP52 rating, which is still better than nothing given it is able to handle light splashes and dust. If a little more water resistance is the priority, then slightly more expensive phones such as the Samsung Galaxy A35 5G may be better.
A Stunning Curved Display – Rare at This Price!
The 6.67-inch pOLED display is the highlight of the phone. It’s Full HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels), super smooth at a 120Hz refresh rate and bright (1600 nits) to compete with the sunlight outdoors. The colors really pop and the contoured edges give it that premium look. The majority of budget phones opt for flat screens, and the use of the curved display at this price point is a big deal. Whether you’re watching movies, scrolling through your photos, or playing a game, everything looks fantastic on this screen.
Camera: 50MP with Sony LYTIA Tech
Motorola has provided a 50MP main camera with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) support, and Sony LYTIA 600 sensor make it to the as for a phone priced below ₹20,000. Here is the camera setup:
- 50MP main camera (OIS + Sony LYTIA sensor) – Great for sharp, detailed photos.
- 8MP ultra-wide camera – Good for landscapes, but not as sharp as the main camera.
- 32MP selfie camera – Takes clear, bright selfies with AI enhancements.
Daylight photo quality from the camera is good with bright colors and decent detail. The OIS does great to minimize blur and low-light shots are fairly solid because of Quad Pixel tech (which combines pixels to pull in more light). The ultra-wide camera is solid, but not as powerful as the main one. You can even capture 4K videos, which is unusual at this price level.
Performance: Smooth for Daily Use, Not for Heavy Gaming
The Moto G85 5G is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 processor, which is sufficient for everyday activities such as social media, browsing and light gaming. It has 8GB or 12GB of RAM and 128GB/256GB storage (expandable via microSD).
What’s good?
- Smooth performance for daily use.
- Motorola’s clean software (near-stock Android) keeps things fast.
- Handles casual games well.
What’s not so good?
- Not for heavy gaming – Demanding games like Genshin Impact will need lower settings.
- Can get warm during long gaming sessions.
If you’re a die-hard gamer, you might be better off with phones like the Poco X6. But for the vast majority of users, the G85 5G should be more than adequate.
Battery Life: All-Day Power with Fast Charging
The 5000mAh battery lasted comfortably an entire day with regular usage. It has 33W fast charging, fully fills its battery in around 80 minutes. There is no wireless charging, but this is to be expected at this price.
Software: Clean Android, But Limited Updates
The phone is powered by Android 14 with Motorola’s My UX skin, which is as close to a stock version of Android without any unwanted extras or bloatware. Motorola includes a few handy Moto Actions, such as:Chop twice to activate the flashlight.Flip the phone to quickly open the camera.The downside? Motorola only offers one major Android update (to Android 15) and three years of security updates. If you care about longevity, Samsung phones are more generous in that respect.
Price & Competition: Great Value for the Features
The Moto G85 5G is priced at ₹15,890 (8GB+128GB) and ₹18,785 (12GB+256GB). It is available on Amazon, Flipkart, offline stores.How does it compare with competitors?Samsung Galaxy A35 5G – Mediocre at providing updates but more expensive.Poco X6 – Smoother processor, but cheaper look.Realme P3 5G – More affordable, but less cool-looking.
Final Verdict
- Buy it if:
- You want a premium-looking phone under ₹20,000.
- You love a great display (curved pOLED is rare at this price!).
- You need a good camera with OIS.
Conclusion: A Budget Phone That Feels Flagship!
The Motorola Moto G85 5G proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a stylish, feature-packed phone. The curved display, premium design, and solid camera make it stand out in the crowded budget segment. It’s not perfect (gaming could be better, and updates are limited), but if you want a phone that looks and feels expensive without the high price, this is a fantastic choice.
