Motorola has just unveiled the Moto G05, a budget-friendly smartphone priced at just $120, making it one of the most affordable smartphones you can buy in 2025. But does the ultra-low price mean it’s a total write-off, or does this budget blower actually deliver? Let’s take a closer look at the design, performance, battery life, and cameras to see if it’s worth your cash.
Unboxing & First Impressions
Inside the box, Motorola keeps things simple. You get the Moto G05, a basic protective case, a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, and a SIM ejector tool—but no charger. That’s standard for budget devices nowadays, so you’ll need to provide your own power adapter.
At 6.67 inches, the Moto G05 is a big phone, made even bulkier by its thick bezels and noticeable chin. However, Motorola has opted for a matte soft-touch finish on the back, which feels more premium than the usual glossy plastic found on most budget phones. It’s also IP54-rated, meaning it’s resistant to dust and light splashes—not waterproof, but decent for everyday durability.
Colors? You can grab the Moto G05 in Forest Green or Plum Red, both of which look surprisingly stylish for a phone at this price point.
Display & Audio: Not Winning Any Awards
The 6.67-inch IPS LCD screen is HD+ (720p), not Full HD (1080p), which is expected at this price but still a little underwhelming. Blacks appear more dark gray, contrast is weak, and outdoor visibility is a struggle, even with the brightness booster turned on.
The 90Hz refresh rate does help with smoother scrolling, but don’t expect the same fluid experience you’d get on a higher-end device.
On the audio front, you get stereo speakers—a nice touch for a budget phone. Volume is decent, but clarity suffers at higher levels, with distortion and a lack of depth. Thankfully, Motorola has kept the headphone jack, meaning you can plug in your wired headphones without needing an adapter.
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Performance: Good Luck with That
Powering the Moto G05 is the MediaTek Helio G81 Extreme processor—despite the “Extreme” name, there’s nothing extreme about its performance.
- Only 4GB of RAM means slow app loading times and stuttering when multitasking.
- Simple tasks like browsing, messaging, and video streaming are fine, but anything beyond that—like gaming—feels sluggish.
- Call of Duty Mobile? It runs, but frame drops and lag make it frustrating.
On top of that, there’s no 5G support—so if you’re looking for a future-proof device, this isn’t it.
Software: Stock Android with a Catch
The Moto G05 ships with Android 15, which is great. Motorola has also included handy features like Moto Secure (for extra privacy) and gesture controls (like the double karate chop to turn on the flashlight).
The downside?
- Only two years of security updates and zero promised OS upgrades.
- Bloatware galore—pre-installed apps include Candy Crush, Booking.com, Facebook, Monopoly, and even a weird cat game.
Basically, if you want the latest Android features in the future, this phone won’t get them.
Battery Life: The Saving Grace
One area where the Moto G05 shines is battery life. It packs a massive 5,200mAh battery, which, thanks to its low-powered processor and HD+ screen, lasts forever.
- Casual users can easily get two days on a single charge.
- Light users might even stretch it to a full weekend.
However, charging speed is a pain point. The Moto G05 maxes out at 18W charging, meaning a full charge takes hours.
Camera: Basic But Usable
The 50MP rear camera is serviceable in good lighting but struggles with:
- Low-light photography (expect blurry or grainy shots).
- Fast-moving subjects (motion blur galore).
- Lack of extra lenses (no ultrawide or telephoto options).
The 8MP front-facing camera is just as basic, but it works fine for selfies in well-lit conditions. Video recording maxes out at 1080p, with no stabilization, so expect shaky footage.
Verdict: Who Should Buy the Moto G05?
The Moto G05 is not for power users, but at $100, it’s hard to complain too much. It excels in battery life, build quality, and stock Android, but falls short in performance, display quality, and long-term software support.
- Buy it if:
- You need a cheap secondary phone.
- You want a kid-friendly or backup device.
- You’re on a tight budget and just need the basics.
- Avoid it if:
- You need good gaming performance.
- You want a great camera.
- You care about software updates and long-term support.
Would you buy the Moto G05, or is there a better budget phone out there? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
