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Motorola

Motorola Moto G4 Play (2016)

Android OS v6.0.1 (Marshmallow)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 MSM8916
Adreno 306
2 GB / 16 GB
5 inch (720 x 1280 px)
8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus

The manufacturer offers this phone with a 5 inch IPS display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 MSM8916 SoC, and 2 GB of RAM.

Keep reading to discover what makes this phone stand out!

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Motorola Moto G4 Play smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device.

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Motorola Moto G4 Play specifications

BrandMotorola
NameMoto G4 Play
ModelXT1609
Release date2016

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight4.83 oz
Dimensions5.69 x 2.83 x 0.39 inch
Colorsblack, white
SIM typeMicro SIM

The weight of Motorola Moto G4 Play is about 4.83 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. A micro SIM is a smaller version of the standard SIM card used in mobile devices.

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v6.0.1 (Marshmallow)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 410 MSM8916
CPUQuad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUAdreno 306

The Motorola Moto G4 Play comes with Android OS v6.0.1 (Marshmallow) out of the box. Android is a mobile operating system. Google built it using a modified version of the Linux kernel. They also used other open-source software. The mid-range CPU can deliver fast, efficient performance for many tasks. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.

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Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5 inch
Resolution720 x 1280 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 5 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Memory, storage

RAM2 GB
Internal storage16 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 2 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. More RAM lets us keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The Moto G4 Play has only 16 GB. We can expand the internal storage (16 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

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Cameras, flash

Main camera8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera5 MP

This single camera can be enough for many smartphone users, it depends on their photography needs and preferences. The main camera of Moto G4 Play smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.1, A2DP
GPSA-GPS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. This phone like all modern smartphones, is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Moto G4 Play smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows us to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 2800 mAh

The Li-Po 2800 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. We can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by ourselves.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, light, proximity

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Motorola phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • microSD slot

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • insufficient internal storage
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • no digital compass
  • no fingerprint reader
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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