The Motorola G54 5G is positioned as an affordable 5G smartphone in Motorola’s G-series lineup, offering a balance of performance, battery life, and essential features. Competing against devices like the Redmi Note 12 5G, Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, and Realme Narzo 60x 5G, the G54 5G aims to deliver a reliable experience without breaking the bank. This review examines its design, display, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and software experience in detail.
Key Specifications
Display
- 6.5-inch IPS LCD
- Resolution: 1600 x 720 pixels (HD+, ~270 PPI)
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz (adaptive)
- Peak Brightness: 550 nits (typical)
- Protection: No Gorilla Glass (basic scratch-resistant glass)
Processor & Performance
- MediaTek Dimensity 7020 (6nm chipset)
- CPU: Octa-core (2x Cortex-A78 @ 2.2GHz + 6x Cortex-A55 @ 2.0GHz)
- GPU: IMG BXM-8-256
- RAM: 4GB / 8GB (LPDDR4X)
- Storage: 128GB / 256GB (expandable via microSD up to 1TB)
Camera System
- Rear Cameras:
- 50MP main (f/1.8, PDAF)
- 8MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 118° FoV)
- 2MP macro (f/2.4, largely redundant)
- Front Camera: 16MP (f/2.2, fixed focus)
- Video Recording:
- 1080p@30fps (main & ultra-wide)
- No 4K or 60fps support
Battery & Charging
- 5000mAh battery
- 15W wired charging (no fast charger included in box)
- No wireless charging
Design & Build
- Plastic back and frame
- Glass front (basic protection)
- Thickness: 8.0mm, Weight: 192g
- IP52 splash resistance (not waterproof)
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
- Color Options: Midnight Blue, Pearl Blue, Mint Green
Software & Features
- Android 13 (upgradeable to Android 14, limited updates)
- Near-stock Android experience (minimal bloatware)
- Moto Gestures (karate chop for flashlight, twist for camera)
- 5G, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 5, NFC (region-dependent)
Design & Build Quality
The Motorola G54 5G follows a functional yet unremarkable design, with a plastic back and frame that feels sturdy but lacks premium appeal. The IP52 rating provides basic splash resistance, making it suitable for light rain but not submersion. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable, while the 3.5mm headphone jack remains a welcome inclusion. The device is lightweight (192g) and comfortable for one-handed use, though the HD+ display resolution is a noticeable compromise.
Display Quality
The 6.5-inch IPS LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate is a mixed bag.
- Pros:
- Smooth scrolling and animations due to the adaptive 120Hz refresh rate.
- Decent brightness (550 nits) for indoor use.
- Cons:
- Low resolution (HD+) results in pixelation and lack of sharpness compared to Full HD+ rivals.
- Poor outdoor visibility under direct sunlight.
- No Gorilla Glass protection, increasing susceptibility to scratches.
Compared to competitors like the Redmi Note 12 5G (AMOLED, Full HD+) or Samsung Galaxy A14 5G (PLS LCD, Full HD+), the G54’s display feels outdated.
Performance & Software
Chipset & Daily Usage
The MediaTek Dimensity 7020 (6nm) is an entry-level 5G chipset, delivering:
- Adequate performance for casual tasks (social media, browsing, YouTube).
- Struggles with heavy gaming (BGMI, Genshin Impact run at low-medium settings).
- Efficient power consumption, aiding battery life.
The 8GB RAM variant handles multitasking better than the 4GB model, but app reloads are frequent under heavy usage.
Software Experience
- Near-stock Android 13 (upgradable to Android 14).
- Minimal bloatware (unlike Xiaomi or Realme devices).
- Useful Moto gestures (karate chop for flashlight, twist for camera).
- Limited software support (only 1 major OS update, 2 years of security patches).
While the clean Android experience is a plus, the lack of long-term updates is disappointing compared to Samsung’s 4-year support in this segment.
Camera Performance
Daylight Photography
- 50MP Main Camera: Captures decently detailed shots with accurate colors, but dynamic range is limited.
- 8MP Ultra-Wide: Useful for landscapes but suffers from soft edges and distortion.
- 2MP Macro: Largely useless, with poor detail and color reproduction.
Low-Light Photography
- Night Mode improves brightness but introduces noise and loss of detail.
- Without Night Mode, images are grainy and lack sharpness.
Video Recording
- Limited to 1080p@30fps (no 4K or 60fps).
- Stabilization is mediocre, leading to shaky footage.
Selfie Camera
- 16MP front camera is average, with soft details in low light.
- No autofocus, making close-up shots inconsistent.
Compared to the Redmi Note 12 5G (better low-light performance) or Samsung Galaxy A14 5G (more consistent processing), the G54’s cameras are functional but unexceptional.
Battery Life & Charging
- 5000mAh battery provides 1.5 to 2 days of moderate use.
- Heavy users (gaming, 5G, video streaming) will need daily charging.
- 15W charging is slow (0-100% in ~2 hours)—competitors offer 18W-33W fast charging.
- No charger included in the box, adding to the inconvenience.
Connectivity & Extras
- 5G support is reliable, though speeds depend on network coverage.
- Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 5, NFC (region-dependent).
- Dual stereo speakers provide decent audio quality for media consumption.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling.
- Clean, near-stock Android experience.
- Reliable battery life (5000mAh).
- Expandable storage (microSD support).
- Useful Moto gestures (flashlight, quick camera access).
Cons
- Low-resolution HD+ display (not Full HD+).
- Mediocre low-light camera performance.
- Slow 15W charging (no fast charger in box).
- Limited software support (1 OS update).
- Plastic build feels cheap compared to rivals.
Final Verdict
The Motorola G54 5G is a decent budget 5G phone for users who prioritize:
- A clean Android experience.
- Long battery life.
- Basic 5G connectivity.
However, its low-resolution display, slow charging, and limited software support make it hard to recommend over competitors like the Redmi Note 12 5G (better display, faster charging) or Samsung Galaxy A14 5G (longer updates, Full HD+ screen).
Who Should Buy It?
- Casual users who want a bloat-free Android experience.
- Budget buyers needing basic 5G connectivity.
- Those who prioritize battery life over camera and display quality.
Who Should Avoid It?
- Gamers needing strong performance.
- Photography enthusiasts wanting better low-light capabilities.
- Users who prefer sharper Full HD+ displays.
Alternatives to Consider
- Redmi Note 12 5G (AMOLED, 33W fast charging).
- Samsung Galaxy A14 5G (Full HD+, longer updates).
- Realme Narzo 60x 5G (better design, 33W charging).