Launched recently, the Moto G22 boasts an attractive specifications list, including a 50MP quad-camera system, a robust 5000 mAh battery, and a smooth 90Hz display. Priced at Rs 10,999, it competes with other budget-friendly offerings such as the Realme C31 and Redmi 10 Prime. While the Moto G22 promises a rich feature set for budget-conscious consumers, the key question remains: does its performance align with its impressive specifications? Let’s explore further.
Moto G22 Price and Variants
The Moto G22 is available in a single variant in India, featuring 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. While officially priced at Rs 10,999, the model can often be found for as low as Rs 9,999 on platforms like Flipkart and Motorola’s official online store.
Design of Moto G22
The design philosophy in the budget smartphone segment has evolved significantly, with more premium looks becoming common. The Moto G22 exemplifies this change with its aesthetically pleasing plastic back panel. The Cosmic Blue option, which I tested, is particularly appealing, though the device is also available in Iceberg Blue and Mint Green.
Unlike Motorola’s traditional curved designs, the Moto G22 opts for a flat back reminiscent of the iPhone 12. While the phone is resistant to fingerprints, smudges become visible when viewed from certain angles. It feels comfortable in hand, with rounded edges that add to the overall user experience.
Ergonomics and Build Quality
The rear quad-camera setup has a distinctive metallic texture, harmonious with the phone’s overall aesthetic, although it slightly protrudes from the back panel, affecting stability on flat surfaces. The device features a tall display with a hole-punch cutout for the front camera. The bezels are slim on the sides, although a slightly thicker chin remains at the bottom.
Weighing only 185 grams, the Moto G22 achieves an excellent balance for one-handed use. The power button and volume rocker are conveniently positioned on the right side, while a 3.5mm headphone jack can be found on the top. The bottom houses a USB Type-C port, a speaker grill, and the primary microphone, with the SIM tray located on the left side, accommodating two nano SIM cards and a microSD card of up to 1TB. The package also includes a protective case and a TurboPower 20W charger.
Moto G22 Specifications and Software
Powered by the MediaTek Helio G37 SoC, the Moto G22 operates on a 12nm process with an octa-core processor clocked at 2.3GHz. It is supported by the IMG PowerVR GE8320 GPU, capable of a maximum frequency of 680MHz. The display is a bright 6.5-inch HD Plus IPS LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate, providing a great visual experience for users.
For connectivity, the Moto G22 supports dual-band Wi-Fi ac, 4G LTE, GPS/A-GPS, and Bluetooth 5. Although it lacks an official IP rating, Motorola claims it has a water-resistant coating, offering protection against light splashes. With a substantial 5,000mAh battery, the device provides reliable power management and supports a 20W fast charging feature.
Keeping with its tradition, Motorola delivers a near-stock Android experience with the Moto G22, launching with Android 12. The user interface is clean and intuitive, featuring essential customization options and smooth navigation. Users can enjoy three years of promised security updates from Motorola, enhancing the device’s longevity.
While some pre-installed bloatware like Josh and Dailyhunt can be avoided during installation, features like the Glance wallpaper, inspired by Xiaomi and Realme, add a customizable touch. Users can expect a pleasant experience with classic gestures for quick actions – be it activating the flashlight with a karate chop motion or taking a screenshot with a simple three-finger swipe.
Moto G22 Performance and Battery Life
Security options include both a fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button and facial recognition. Although the fingerprint sensor boasts reliable performance, unlocking can sometimes be sluggish. The MediaTek Helio G37 is energy efficient, yet the Moto G22 experiences noticeable performance lags with basic applications, and multitasking can feel somewhat cumbersome.
Benchmark scores were underwhelming, with the Moto G22 scoring only 114,222 points on AnTuTu, 170 and 955 in Geekbench’s single and multi-core tests, respectively. Game performance revealed limitations, with demanding titles like Legends Mobile struggling to run effectively. Nevertheless, light games such as Temple Run and Subway Surfers functioned smoothly, showcasing its capabilities for casual gaming.
On the display front, the Moto G22 presents a resolution of 720×1600 pixels, which is typical for this price range, though it can reveal pixelation around app icons and text. Nevertheless, colors appear vibrant, and streaming content offers an enjoyable experience. The display supports Widevine L1 certification, enabling 1080p playback on platforms like Amazon Prime Video.
Battery performance remains a strong point, exceeding a full day of usage under moderate conditions. It lasted 20 hours and 10 minutes in our HD video loop test, charging up to 36% in 30 minutes and reaching 100% in just 2 hours with the provided TurboPower charger.
Moto G22 Cameras
The quad-camera system features a 50-megapixel primary lens paired with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 2-megapixel depth sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro lens. A 16-megapixel front camera completes the setup. The camera interface is straightforward, offering essential modes and functionalities at your fingertips, with additional features like dual capture for photos and videos.
While the primary camera delivers decent results in good lighting, zooming in reveals some lack of detail. The ultra-wide camera tends to soften images, though it effectively minimizes edge distortion. In low light, performance dips, with noticeable noise in photos and a considerable compromise on image quality. Night Vision mode does improve brightness, albeit with increased noise levels.
Regarding video capabilities, the Moto G22 records at 1080p and 720p with a frame rate of 30fps. Videos captured in good light struggle for detail and stability, while low-light videos show considerable grain. Users can leverage the ultra-wide camera for recording, but switching between lenses while filming isn’t allowed.
Conclusion
In summary, the Moto G22 garners attention with its stylish design and robust camera system, along with the clean near-stock Android experience and the enticing promise of three years of security updates. Its formidable 5,000mAh battery and 20W fast charger add to its appeal. However, the overall performance does not quite meet expectations, displaying lag during everyday use and a less-than-fluid experience with applications.
For consumers looking for alternatives in a similar price range, consider the Realme C31 and Redmi 10 Prime, both offering commendable performance. If a clean software experience is a priority, the Nokia G21 could be an excellent choice.