Motorola

Motorola Moto G5: Pros and Cons

Android OS v7.0 (Nougat)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 MSM8937
Adreno 505
2 GB / 32 GB
5 inch (1080 x 1920 px)
13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus

Motorola announced the launch of the Moto G5 smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 MSM8937 SoC, and 2 GB of RAM. The smartphone runs on the Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) operating system. The IPS display of this phone has wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction and better contrast and black levels. This phone has only one rear-camera (13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus) on its back for photos and videos. Let's explore what sets this device apart.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Motorola Moto G5 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Motorola Moto G5 / 1

Motorola Moto G5 specifications

BrandMotorola
NameMoto G5
ModelMOTOG5
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.11 oz
Dimensions5.68 x 2.87 x 0.37 inch
Colorsgold, gray
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of the Motorola Moto G5 is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.

Motorola Moto G5 / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v7.0 (Nougat)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 430 MSM8937
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUAdreno 505

The Motorola Moto G5 comes with Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) out of the box. Google regularly releases new versions of Android. They have new features, improvements, and security updates. This CPU makes it ideal for running resource-intensive applications. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.

Motorola Moto G5 / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5 inch
Resolution1080 x 1920 px
Multitouch supportyes

People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. The 5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

Motorola Moto G5 / 3

Memory, storage

RAM2 GB
Internal storage32 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 2 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The Moto G5 has 32 GB. You can expand the internal storage of the Moto G5 (32 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

Cameras, flash

Main camera13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera5 MP

You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The Moto G5 comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.

Connectivity, network, wireless

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

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. This Motorola phone can connect to Wi-Fi networks at home, at work, or in public places. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Moto G5 smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS receiver. The Moto G5 has a built-in NFC chip, which allows it to support various NFC applications and services. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 2800 mAh

The Li-Ion 2800 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. You can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by yourself.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The Moto G5 smartphone has an accelerometer. The fingerprint reader is a biometric security feature found in Moto G5 smartphones. The light sensor is a type of sensor in a smartphone. It lets the phone measure light intensity around the device. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

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
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
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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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