Motorola Moto G5, we have tested it

We have reviewed Lenovo's latest mid-range model , the Motorola Moto G5. At first glance, it looks like a terminal very similar to the Motorola Moto G5 Plus, of which we already showed you a complete analysis a long time ago. However, there are differences.

After testing it, we can say that the Moto G5 is destined to gain a foothold in the mid-range terminal market, despite the fact that some may think that there is a certain saturation of offers and competitors within that range. As a whole, this model offers a very reasonable price (less than 200 euros) with very good performance in general. Our experience with it has been quite positive, despite being the smallest of the fifth generation Moto Gs. It has a good camera, a metallic casing, a good updated version of Android and a fingerprint reader, among other virtues.

Let's focus on analyzing its design , the quality of your screen , the performance internal, their autonomy and quality of your photographs.

Motorola Moto G5 data sheet

Design

The first noteworthy aspect in terms of the design of the G5 terminal is that we are facing a mobile with an aluminum casing , yes, maintaining the tonic of the previous Motorola and including a removable casing. It should be noted that the metal part is on the back of the phone while the rest is made of plastic.

For those who know Motorola terminals, one thing that may surprise them is that the small hole that serves as a microphone is visible on the lower front, to the right of the main button that serves as a fingerprint reader. Recall that in the Motorola Moto G5 Plus the microphone was lower, at the bottom of the phone next to the charging slot.

In addition, you can see another important and positive detail if we look at the back of the terminal: the camera does not protrude above its housing. Something important to prevent it from scratching or spoiling more easily.

Measurements

This Lenovo terminal measures 144mm in height and has a width of 73mm. In addition, its thickness is 9.5 mm which can be something striking for some users. It is clear that it is not a terminal that we can call ultra-fine. The weight is 144.5 grams, somewhat less than the Motorola Moto G5 Plus.

Luckily, it can be easily manipulated with just one hand, making it very easy to use and comfortable to hold.

materials

The phone is resistant to splashes of water,  like other models that we already knew such as the Galaxy S8 Plus or the iPhone 7 Plus. Of course, it is important to note that this does not mean that the phone will survive if it is submerged in water or dropped in the toilet, for example. It only protects itself from small blows of water that can fall from a tap or from the rain. It's something.

screen

Recall that while the Motorola G4 and G4 Plus terminals had 5.5 inches of screen, in the case of the G5 and G5 Plus, there are modifications. The measures are reduced. The Moto G5 Plus has 5.2 inches while this G5 terminal stays at 5 inches.

The resolution is again, as in the G5 Plus, Full HD ( 1920 x 1080 pixels ), in this case with an image density of 441 pixels per inch.

performance

As the hardware of the G5 is a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with 8 cores at 2 GB, with 3 GB of RAM, a priori perfect use was guaranteed in all kinds of utilities: videos, games, apps, etc. There have been no problems in handling all kinds of applications or functions in the terminal. Nor have there been any crashes or serious problems in our user experience.

Keep in mind that it allows you to  download many applications  that the user usually uses in a common way (WhatsApp, Telegram ...) or even social networks (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) However, it should be remembered that the storage is 16 GB (not 32 GB as was the case with the G5 Plus). There you have to remember that many applications end up taking up more space and the more that are stored, the more "full" the phone will be and the worse it will be able to work if we do not free up space.

In any case, web browsing is quite acceptable, fast and fluid in general.

Geekbench and AnTuTu

As with the G5 Plus, we have subjected the G5 to the installation of the  Geekbench 4 and AnTuTu benchmark apps  to obtain some complementary data about the terminal itself.

In the case of Geekbench 4, the result that appears to us has been 600 for a single core and 1667 for the set of eight Snapdragon cores. Neither of the two results is excessive.

For its part, we have tested the AnTuTu  benchmark to see its performance and it has given us a score of 44,618 , well below the one we obtained with this app for the Motorola G5 Plus, which was 62,376.

In addition, we have tested the mobile with the  Battery Tester app , which  allows us to see a ranking to be able to compare this terminal with others of a similar range on the battery level. A Moto G5 score is shown below the Lenovo S920 and the Samsung SM-N900 , for example. Specifically, it leaves us with the exact score of 7957 in the ranking.

It is clear that the Moto G5 is a mid-range device and moves within the more or less known limits of other terminals on the market with a similar range. At least the results can be described as correct and quite satisfactory.

Camera

One of the advantages of using the camera on this Motorola model is its ease of use. Besides, the quality and resolution are quite good ( 13 megapixels for the usual rear camera and 5 megapixels if we want to use the selfie mode ). It is true that we have noticed better definition and result when the photos are taken with enough luminosity, being dimmer and less efficient as the light conditions went down.

It is very well explained the option to switch between photo and video . It is also very clear if you want to activate the timer (3 seconds or 10 seconds) or leave it disabled. In the flash, the options are to activate it, deactivate it or leave it on automatic. The HDR option (automatic, on or off) is also given.

As for video, one of the problems is that it does not allow 4K recording, which we could find in the G5 Plus. At least, it does include Full HD resolution and slow motion.

Camera and front camera modes

The camera options are varied. We can choose between professional mode , slow motion, panoramic, video or photo. In the general options you can activate or deactivate the shutter sound, quick capture and even save or not the location from which the snapshot is taken. All very simple to locate and test and that is illustrated in these two images, below.

The front camera, for its part, fully complies with selfie lovers, without major complications. The 5 Mpx. resolution are acceptable and sufficient.

software

It is a guarantee that the mobile has included the version of Android 7 Nougat , which we already gave you a good account of on the web.

Pre-installed apps

Normally Motorola leaves a software with few initial apps so that the user can choose to download from the App Store the ones they consider most useful on their own in the day-to-day use of their terminal. In the Moto G5, very similar to what we saw in the Moto G5 Plus, we find a basic pack of Google apps, the Moto app and tools so that the mobile can begin to use.

If we enter the pack of Google apps we find Gmail, Maps, YouTube, Drive, Play Music, Play Movies and Duo . In that order, from left to right and top to bottom. Also, of course, at the bottom of the screen are Google Photos, the camera, a Chrome icon to navigate, and call and send options.

The Moto App

The phone includes this Motorola application that gives us the ability to perform various actions. We have, for example, one-button navigation (using the fingerprint sensor to navigate). Also the option to turn on the flashlight by shaking the mobile twice in a row. The rapid image capture is performed at the turn wrist twice quickly, opening the camera at any time. In addition, there is an option to slide to reduce the screen (up, left or right to reduce the screen and use the mobile with one hand).

Another option is that if the phone rings, the vibration is activated automatically when lifting it from where it is located. Another very useful action included is to rotate so as not to disturb (we turn the phone face down on a table or surface and notifications and calls are suddenly silenced).

Fingerprint reader

After testing the Moto G5 fingerprint reader option several times, it can be said that the result is positive and effective . The user, with his own fingerprint, can lock the terminal at any time and situation at will. The truth is that it has a high rate of effectiveness.

Conclusions

Motorola has opted for a mid-range product, adjusting the price to the maximum ( less than 200 euros , with the psychological figure of 199 euros in the 2 GB version) and this with a terminal with good general benefits (Full HD screen, a decent camera in rear and front modes, an updated and modern version of Android, very interesting details such as the fingerprint reader and general fluidity in its use).

Against it: The main problem could be comparing it with its older brother, the G5 Plus, double the capacity (you can see the change from 16 GB to 32 GB of storage) and that night images do not come out too sharp due to many attempts or tests performed. Also misses the recording in 4K , which increasingly is becoming more common.

So that? This is a product that offers more than acceptable conditions for a very adjusted price , for lovers of the mid-range who do not want more aspirations than to have a useful and quite effective terminal.