Motorola Moto G55 Review: A Budget Phone That Punches Above Its Weight

At £200, the Motorola Moto G55 offers incredible value for money. Despite its budget focus, it boasts an attractive design, solid performance, and a battery that can last all day. While it won’t blow you away with cutting-edge features, it’s a reliable device that gets the job done without breaking the bank.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Astounding value: Offers great features for its price.
• Good quality screen: 120Hz FHD+ display for smooth visuals.
• Solid performance: Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 chipset.
• Long-lasting battery: 5000mAh battery that can last all day.

Cons:

• Slightly below-average rear cameras: Not the best for photography enthusiasts.
• Occasional jitter: Minor performance stutters when multitasking.

Key Features

• 2.5GHz Octa-core processor and 8GB memory: The MediaTek Dimensity 7025 chip can outperform more expensive models and maintain 120fps in competitive games.
• 120Hz FHD+ display: Enjoy smooth scrolling and gaming with a high refresh rate and great viewing angles.
• 5000mAh battery: All-day battery life with fast charging capability (up to 30% in 15 minutes with an after-market charger).

Design

The Moto G55 comes with a sleek design and a variety of color options, including Forest Grey, Smoky Green, and Twilight Purple. One of the standout features is the eco-friendly vegan leather finish, which feels great in the hand and adds a premium touch to the device. Additionally, the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a pleasant surprise in a world where many manufacturers are moving away from this feature.

The phone’s rounded corners and slightly thicker build make it comfortable to hold, and it doesn’t feel too heavy despite its size. The USB-C port and three-piece speaker grill are located at the bottom, next to the headphone jack.

Screen

The Moto G55 features a 6.49-inch IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Full HD+ resolution (2400 x 1080). While it’s not an OLED panel like the one found on the more expensive Moto G85, it still offers great viewing angles and decent brightness. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, making it durable enough for everyday use.

Buy the Motorola Moto G55

Camera

The Moto G55 comes equipped with a 50MP main camera and an 8MP ultrawide sensor on the rear. While these cameras perform well in good lighting conditions, they struggle in low-light environments. The 16MP front camera is great for selfies and offers HDR support for improved image quality.

For casual photography, the Moto G55 will suffice, but don’t expect it to compete with higher-end smartphones when it comes to action shots or night photography.

Performance

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 chipset and 8GB of RAM, the Moto G55 offers surprisingly solid performance for its price. It handles day-to-day tasks like web browsing, social media, and video streaming with ease. Even competitive games like League of Legends: Wild Rift run smoothly at 120fps, making this an excellent choice for budget-conscious gamers.

However, more resource-intensive games like Genshin Impact may struggle on this device. Additionally, there are occasional stutters when multitasking or running heavier apps, but these are minor and don’t detract significantly from the overall experience.

Battery Life

With a 5000mAh battery, the Moto G55 easily lasts a full day on a single charge, even with moderate to heavy use. The phone supports 30W TurboCharge, allowing it to reach 30% charge in just 15 minutes. However, keep in mind that the phone does not come with a charger in the box, so you’ll need to use your own fast charger.

Buy a compatible 30W TurboCharger

Software

The Moto G55 runs a near-stock version of Android 14, with minimal bloatware. Some pre-installed apps like Monopoly Go may not be to everyone’s taste, but they can be easily removed. Motorola promises two OS upgrades and an additional year of security updates, ensuring that the device stays up to date for a reasonable period.

Final Thoughts

At £200, the Motorola Moto G55 is a fantastic budget smartphone that offers great value for money. It excels in areas like battery life, performance, and display quality, making it one of the best options in its price range. While the camera could be better, and there are occasional performance stutters, these are minor issues in the grand scheme of things.

If you’re looking for a reliable, affordable smartphone that can handle everyday tasks and even some gaming, the Moto G55 is a great choice.

Buy the Motorola Moto G55

FAQs

Does the Moto G55 have a headphone jack?

Yes, the Moto G55 includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature that is becoming rare in modern smartphones.

Does the Moto G55 have a curved-edge display?

No, the Moto G55 uses a flat IPS LCD panel rather than a curved-edge OLED display.

Is the Moto G55 water-resistant?

Motorola has not disclosed an IP rating for the Moto G55, so it’s best to avoid exposing it to water.