Motorola Moto G72 smartphone review – OLED with best-in-class brightness but no 5G
The smartphone market is highly competitive, with manufacturers constantly striving to offer the latest features and technologies. The Motorola Moto G72 enters this arena as a mid-range device with a focus on its OLED display and impressive brightness capabilities. However, one notable omission is the lack of 5G connectivity.
Design:
Starting with the design, the Moto G72 features a sleek and modern aesthetic. The front is dominated by a large 6.5-inch OLED display with slim bezels, providing an immersive viewing experience. The back panel is made of glossy polycarbonate, which looks premium but is prone to fingerprints. The device feels solid in hand and offers a comfortable grip, thanks to its ergonomic design. While the build quality is commendable, it lacks the premium feel of devices with glass or metal construction.
Display:
The highlight of the Moto G72 is undoubtedly its OLED display. With a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, it delivers crisp and vibrant visuals. The colors are rich and well-saturated, and the black levels are deep, thanks to the OLED technology. The brightness levels on this display are exceptional, making it easily readable even under direct sunlight. Whether you’re watching videos, browsing the web, or playing games, the display offers an enjoyable and immersive experience. However, the absence of a higher refresh rate, such as 90Hz or 120Hz, is disappointing, especially considering the competition in this price range.
Performance:
Under the hood, the Moto G72 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset paired with 6GB of RAM. This combination ensures smooth multitasking and lag-free performance in most day-to-day tasks. Navigating through the user interface, launching apps, and switching between them is snappy and responsive. While the Snapdragon 765G is a capable mid-range processor, it falls short when it comes to demanding tasks like heavy gaming or resource-intensive applications. The absence of 5G connectivity may not be a concern for everyone, but it’s worth noting that other smartphones in this price bracket offer this feature, providing better future-proofing.
Camera:
In terms of photography, the Moto G72 sports a triple camera setup on the rear. The primary camera is a 48-megapixel sensor, accompanied by an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The camera performance is respectable, producing detailed and well-exposed shots in favorable lighting conditions. However, in low-light scenarios, the camera struggles to capture sufficient detail, and the images tend to have noticeable noise. The ultra-wide-angle lens is a welcome addition and offers a wider field of view for capturing landscapes or group shots. The 16-megapixel front-facing camera produces decent selfies, although the software processing could be improved for more natural-looking skin tones.
Battery Life:
The Moto G72 houses a 4,000mAh battery, which provides ample power to get through a full day of moderate usage. With careful optimization, the device can even stretch to a day and a half. However, heavy users may find themselves reaching for the charger before the day ends. Unfortunately, the Moto G72 lacks fast charging capabilities, which means it takes a considerable amount of time to recharge the device fully. This is a missed opportunity, as fast charging has become a standard feature in smartphones across various price ranges.
User Experience:
The Moto G72 runs on near-stock Android 12, offering a clean and intuitive user interface. Motorola’s software additions are minimal, ensuring a smooth and bloatware-free experience. The device comes with a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, which is fast and reliable, providing quick access to the device. However, the absence of face unlock as an alternative biometric authentication method is a notable omission. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a welcome feature for audiophiles who prefer wired headphones.
The Motorola Moto G72 presents a mixed bag of features and compromises. Its standout feature is the OLED display with best-in-class brightness levels, providing an excellent visual experience. The performance is solid for everyday tasks, but heavy gaming and resource-intensive applications may push the device’s limits. The camera performance is decent, although it struggles in low-light conditions. Battery life is satisfactory, but the lack of fast charging is disappointing. Despite its shortcomings, the Moto G72 offers a compelling package for users who prioritize a bright display and solid overall performance without the need for 5G capabilities.
