The Motorola Moto G6, released in April 2018, is a budget-friendly smartphone that continues the legacy of Motorola’s G-series, known for delivering solid performance at an affordable price. Priced at approximately $250-$300, it competes with mid-range devices like the Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1, Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro, and Nokia 6.1. The Moto G6 stands out with its sleek design, vibrant display, and near-stock Android experience, but it falls short in battery life and processing power compared to some rivals. This review provides a detailed analysis of its hardware, software, performance, and a comparison with contemporaries in its price range.
Hardware SpecificationsDesign and Build
- Dimensions: 153.8 x 72.3 x 8.3 mm
- Weight: 167 grams
- Build: Glass front and back (Corning Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
- Durability: Water-repellent nano-coating (not IP-rated, splash-resistant only)
- Colors: Deep Indigo, Indigo Black, Silver, Blush
The Moto G6 adopts a premium design for its price, featuring a 3D glass back with curved edges and a polished aluminum frame, reminiscent of higher-end devices like the Samsung Galaxy S9. Its compact size and rounded edges make it comfortable for one-handed use, though the glass back is a fingerprint magnet. The water-repellent nano-coating protects against splashes but doesn’t match the IP68 rating of flagships like the LG G7 ThinQ. The front-mounted fingerprint sensor is snappy and ergonomic, and the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack and USB-C port adds versatility.
Display
- Type: 5.7-inch IPS LCD, 18:9 aspect ratio
- Resolution: 1080 x 2160 (Full HD+), 424 ppi
- Brightness: ~413 nits
- Features: Max Vision display, customizable color profiles (Standard, Vibrant), Gorilla Glass 3
The Moto G6’s 5.7-inch Max Vision display is sharp and colorful, covering 113% of the sRGB gamut, which is respectable for an LCD in this price range. Its 18:9 aspect ratio minimizes bezels, aligning with 2018 trends. However, the display’s brightness (413 nits) is below the smartphone average (433 nits) and significantly dimmer than the Moto G5 Plus (591 nits), making outdoor visibility challenging. Color accuracy is solid, with options to tweak saturation, but it doesn’t compete with OLED panels like the Sony Xperia XZ3.
Processor and Performance
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 (14 nm, Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
- GPU: Adreno 506
- RAM: 3 GB or 4 GB
- Storage: 32 GB or 64 GB, expandable via microSD (up to 256 GB, tested; officially up to 128 GB)
The Snapdragon 450 delivers adequate performance for daily tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming, but it’s a step down from the Snapdragon 625 in the Moto G5 Plus, leading to occasional lag in intensive apps or multitasking. The 4 GB RAM variant handles multitasking better, but competitors like the Redmi Note 5 Pro with Snapdragon 636 offer superior performance. The microSD slot adds storage flexibility, a feature not all rivals provide.
Camera
- Rear Camera: Dual setup
- 12 MP (f/1.8, PDAF, 1.4µm)
- 5 MP (f/2.2, depth sensor)
- Features: LED flash, HDR, panorama, portrait mode, Spot Color, text scanner, 1080p@60fps
- Front Camera: 8 MP (f/2.2) or 16 MP (select markets), LED flash
- Video: 1080p@30/60fps (rear), 1080p@30fps (front)
The dual-camera system, inspired by the Moto X4, performs well in bright light, capturing balanced colors and good dynamic range. The 5 MP depth sensor enables portrait mode with adjustable bokeh, though edge detection is inconsistent, and the effect lacks the polish of higher-end phones like the Pixel 2. Low-light shots are noisy, and the Spot Color feature, which isolates one color in a monochrome image, is buggy. The front camera, especially the 16 MP variant, takes decent selfies in daylight, aided by a selfie flash, but struggles in low light. The text scanner, similar to Google Lens, is a useful addition for document scanning.
attery
- Capacity: 3,000 mAh
- Charging: 15W TurboPower fast charging (USB-C)
- Battery Life: ~8 hours 40 minutes (HD video loop test), ~1 day with moderate use
The 3,000 mAh battery is a weak point, offering below-average endurance compared to the Moto G6 Play’s 4,000 mAh or the Redmi Note 5 Pro’s 4,000 mAh. It lasts a day with light use but requires charging by evening with heavier usage. Fast charging (0-100% in ~1.5 hours) mitigates this, but the phone heats up during charging, which can be uncomfortable.
Audio
- Speakers: Single speaker with Dolby Audio
- Headphone Jack: 3.5mm with support for wired headphones
- Features: Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic
The single speaker delivers clear sound with Dolby Audio enhancements, suitable for casual media consumption, but it lacks the depth of stereo speakers found on the Sony Xperia XZ3. The 3.5mm jack is a welcome feature, supporting high-quality audio output, though it doesn’t match the LG G7 ThinQ’s Hi-Fi Quad DAC.
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz)
- Bluetooth: 4.2, A2DP, LE
- Cellular: LTE Cat. 7 (300 Mb/s download, 100 Mb/s upload), supports all major US carriers (bands 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/17/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/41/66)
- Other: USB-C 2.0, 3.5mm jack, FM radio, GPS (A-GPS, GLONASS)
The Moto G6 offers strong carrier compatibility, performing well on T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint in tests. However, the lack of NFC means no Google Pay support, a common omission in budget phones but a drawback compared to the UK version of the Moto G6 Plus, which includes NFC. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth performance are reliable, with dual-band Wi-Fi ensuring stable connections.
Software Specifications
- Operating System: Android 8.0 Oreo (upgradable to Android 9.0 Pie, select custom ROMs support Android 12.1)
- User Interface: Near-stock Android with Moto Actions
- Features:
- Moto Display (ambient display for notifications)
- Moto Actions (gestures like chop for flashlight, twist for camera)
- Moto Voice (limited voice commands)
- Face unlock (slow and light-dependent)
- Fingerprint sensor, customizable lock screen
The Moto G6’s near-stock Android experience is a major strength, offering a clean, bloat-free interface with minimal pre-installed apps. Moto Actions, such as double-chop to toggle the flashlight, are intuitive, though features like one-handed mode are less practical. Moto Display shows notifications on a minimalist lock screen, but some users find it confusing compared to a standard lock screen. Face unlock is inconsistent, especially in low light. The Android 9 Pie update improved UI fluidity and animations, but Motorola’s update policy is lackluster, with only one major OS upgrade guaranteed. Some users have reported audio quality issues post-Pie update. Custom ROMs like LineageOS 19.1 extend support to Android 12.1 for enthusiasts.
Performance and User ExperienceThe Moto G6 delivers a polished experience for its price, with a premium design and vibrant display that make it feel more expensive than it is. Everyday tasks like browsing and streaming are smooth, but the Snapdragon 450 struggles with intensive apps or multitasking, especially on the 3 GB RAM variant. The camera performs well in daylight but falters in low light, and battery life is a notable weakness, requiring careful management for all-day use. The near-stock Android and Moto Actions enhance usability, but the lack of NFC and limited software updates are drawbacks. The phone’s carrier compatibility and inclusion of a headphone jack add value for budget-conscious buyers.
Comparison with Other Smartphones in the Same Range
Priced at $249-$300, the Moto G6 competes with the Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1, Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro, and Nokia 6.1. Below is a comparison table:
| Feature | Motorola Moto G6 | Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro | Nokia 6.1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (USD, 2018) | $249-$300 | $210-$250 | $200-$250 | $229-$270 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 450 (1.8 GHz) | Snapdragon 636 (1.8 GHz) | Snapdragon 636 (1.8 GHz) | Snapdragon 630 (2.2 GHz) |
| RAM/Storage | 3GB/32GB, 4GB/64GB, microSD (256GB) | 3GB/32GB, 4GB/64GB, microSD (2TB) | 4GB/64GB, 6GB/64GB, microSD (128GB) | 3GB/32GB, 4GB/64GB, microSD (128GB) |
| Display | 5.7” IPS LCD, 1080×2160, 413 nits | 6.0” IPS LCD, 1080×2160, ~404 nits | 5.99” IPS LCD, 1080×2160, ~450 nits | 5.5” IPS LCD, 1080×1920, ~450 nits |
| Rear Camera | 12MP (f/1.8) + 5MP (depth) | 13MP (f/2.2) + 5MP (depth) | 12MP (f/2.2) + 5MP (depth) | 16MP (f/2.0, Zeiss optics) |
| Front Camera | 8MP/16MP (f/2.2) | 8MP (f/2.2) | 20MP (f/2.2) | 8MP (f/2.0) |
| Battery | 3,000 mAh, 15W fast charging | 5,000 mAh, 10W charging | 4,000 mAh, 10W charging | 3,000 mAh, 18W fast charging |
| Audio | Single speaker, 3.5mm jack, Dolby Audio | Single speaker, 3.5mm jack | Single speaker, 3.5mm jack | Single speaker, 3.5mm jack, Nokia OZO |
| Durability | Water-repellent nano-coating, Gorilla Glass 3 | None, Gorilla Glass unspecified | None, Gorilla Glass unspecified | None, Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Software | Android 8.0, up to Android 9.0 Pie | Android 8.1, up to Android 9.0 Pie | Android 7.1.2, up to Android 9.0 Pie | Android 8.1, up to Android 10 (Android One) |
| Unique Features | Moto Actions, Max Vision display, text scanner | Massive battery, stock Android | High-res front camera, MIUI features | Zeiss optics, Android One, durable build |
| Drawbacks | Average battery, no NFC (US model) | Average camera, slower charging | MIUI bloatware, no fast charging | Smaller display, average battery |
Analysis
- Performance: The Snapdragon 450 in the Moto G6 is outclassed by the Snapdragon 636 in the ZenFone Max Pro M1 and Redmi Note 5 Pro, and the Snapdragon 630 in the Nokia 6.1, which offer better multitasking and gaming performance.
- Display: All four phones use IPS LCDs, but the Moto G6’s 18:9 display is modern, though its brightness lags behind the Redmi Note 5 Pro and Nokia 6.1. The Nokia 6.1’s 16:9 aspect ratio feels dated.
- Camera: The Moto G6’s dual camera is versatile but struggles in low light. The Redmi Note 5 Pro’s 20 MP front camera excels for selfies, while the Nokia 6.1’s Zeiss optics deliver sharper images. The ZenFone’s camera is the weakest.
- Battery: The ZenFone Max Pro M1’s 5,000 mAh battery leads, followed by the Redmi Note 5 Pro’s 4,000 mAh. The Moto G6 and Nokia 6.1’s 3,000 mAh batteries are underwhelming.
- Audio: All four retain a 3.5mm jack, but the Moto G6’s Dolby Audio gives it a slight edge in sound quality. The Nokia 6.1’s OZO audio is competitive for recordings.
- Value: The ZenFone Max Pro M1 and Redmi Note 5 Pro offer better performance and battery life for less, while the Nokia 6.1’s Android One program ensures longer updates. The Moto G6’s design and software are its strongest selling points.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Premium glass-metal design with Gorilla Glass 3
- Vibrant 5.7-inch 18:9 Max Vision display
- Near-stock Android with useful Moto Actions
- Decent camera performance in daylight with portrait mode
- 3.5mm headphone jack and USB-C port
Cons
- Below-average battery life (3,000 mAh)
- Snapdragon 450 struggles with intensive tasks
- No NFC (US model) for mobile payments
- Mediocre low-light camera performance
- Limited software updates (one major OS upgrade)
Verdict
The Motorola Moto G6 is a compelling budget smartphone that punches above its $249-$300 price with a sleek design, vibrant display, and clean Android experience. Its dual-camera system and Moto Actions add value, but the Snapdragon 450 and 3,000 mAh battery hold it back against competitors like the Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro, which offer better performance and battery life for similar or lower prices. The lack of NFC and limited software updates further weaken its appeal. It’s a great choice for users who prioritize design and a bloat-free interface, but those needing robust performance or all-day battery life may find better options elsewhere.
Recommendation: Opt for the Moto G6 if you value a premium look, near-stock Android, and a headphone jack. For superior performance and battery life, consider the Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 or Redmi Note 5 Pro. The Nokia 6.1 is ideal for those seeking longer software support via Android One.