Motorola Moto G72

Motorola Moto G72 Review: A Few Weeks In and Some Honest Thoughts

I’ve spent the better part of the last few weeks with the Motorola Moto G72 as my daily driver, and it's been an interesting experience, to say the least. At a price point hovering around the mid-range mark, this phone squarely targets users looking for a solid everyday performer without breaking the bank. My testing involved a mix of typical daily tasks, from social media scrolling and web browsing to media consumption and some light gaming. Initial impressions were positive, particularly when it came to the display, but as I dug deeper, some of the nuances – both good and bad – started to surface.

From my perspective, the Moto G72 arrives at a fascinating time in the smartphone market. Brands are fiercely competing in this mid-tier space, and Motorola, with its long history of providing reliable and affordable devices, is aiming to capture a significant share. Their strategy seems to be about offering key features where it matters most – a great screen, solid battery life, and a capable main camera – without necessarily pushing the boundaries in every single area. The price feels competitive, placing it against contenders from Xiaomi, Samsung's A-series, and Realme, making the decision for consumers more about specific feature priorities than outright budget.

Picking up the Moto G72 for the first time, the design is undeniably familiar. It's a lightweight phone, at just 166 grams, which I actually appreciate. It feels comfortable in my hand, even for extended periods. The all-plastic build doesn't scream premium, but it feels sturdy enough for daily use, and honestly, I felt a bit less precious about potentially scratching it than I would with a glass-backed phone. The smooth finish on the back is pleasant to the touch, and the rounded edges contribute to a comfortable grip. Durability-wise, while I haven't put it through any intentional torture tests, it's held up well to the usual bumps and knocks of everyday life.

The star of the show here, without a doubt, is the 6.6-inch P-OLED display. Firing it up, the colours immediately pop with impressive vibrancy. Watching videos and scrolling through photos is a genuinely enjoyable experience thanks to the deep blacks and rich colour reproduction. The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything feel incredibly smooth; scrolling through social media feeds and navigating menus is buttery smooth, a noticeable upgrade from standard 60Hz panels. I found the brightness to be more than adequate for indoor use, and even when I took it outside on a sunny day, visibility was decent, although it could get a little washed out under direct sunlight. For media consumption, whether it's binge-watching shows or catching up on YouTube, this display really shines. Gaming is also enhanced by the smoothness, making for a more immersive experience, even if the underlying power isn’t top-tier.

Under the hood, the MediaTek Helio G99 chipset handles day-to-day tasks with surprising ease. In my testing, navigating through various apps, browsing the web, and juggling between social media platforms was generally smooth and lag-free. When it comes to gaming, it’s certainly not a flagship-level performer, but it handled less demanding titles quite well. I managed to get through some decent gaming sessions without significant stuttering or frame drops on medium settings. Multitasking is also fairly competent; switching between a few open apps didn’t cause noticeable slowdowns. I did observe some slight warming on the back of the phone during extended gaming sessions, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Overall, the performance is well-suited for the target audience – users who prioritize smooth everyday use over hardcore gaming.

The camera system is where things get a little more nuanced. The 108MP main sensor is definitely the highlight. In good lighting conditions, it can capture some impressively detailed and vibrant photos. I took it out for a spin on a bright afternoon, snapping pictures of landscapes and cityscapes, and I was genuinely pleased with the sharpness and colour accuracy. However, as the light dips, the limitations become more apparent. Low-light performance isn't terrible, but there's noticeable noise and a loss of detail compared to higher-end smartphones. The 8MP ultrawide lens is a welcome addition for capturing wider scenes, but the image quality isn't quite on par with the main sensor, with some noticeable distortion around the edges. The 2MP macro lens feels like an afterthought; it's there, but the results are often underwhelming and lack the sharpness needed for truly detailed close-up shots. Video recording is decent enough for casual use, offering up to 1080p at 30fps, and the electronic image stabilization helps to keep things relatively steady. Compared to others in this price range, the main camera holds its own in good light, but the overall versatility of the camera system isn't quite as strong. For real-world usage, it’s perfectly capable for capturing everyday moments, but it’s not going to blow you away with its photographic prowess.

Battery life has been a real strength in my time with the Moto G72. That 5000mAh battery is a workhorse. On a typical day, with a mix of browsing, social media, some video watching, and light gaming, I consistently ended the day with a decent amount of juice left. Even on heavier usage days, I rarely felt the need to reach for a charger before the evening. The included 33W fast charger is a welcome addition, topping up the battery fairly quickly. From empty, I could get a significant charge in just under an hour, which is really convenient when you're in a hurry. Power management seems to be quite efficient, contributing to the impressive endurance.

On the software front, the Moto G72 runs on a near-stock version of Android. This is something I personally appreciate, as it avoids unnecessary bloatware and keeps the interface clean and responsive. While it's not running the absolute latest version of Android (it ships with Android 12), Motorola’s approach to updates is generally reliable, and I'm hopeful for future upgrades. The few Moto-specific features that are included are genuinely useful, like the gestures for quick actions and the personalized display options. Daily usage is smooth and intuitive, and I haven't encountered any major software glitches or issues.

Analyzing the value proposition, the Motorola Moto G72 strikes a reasonable balance between price and features. You get a fantastic display, excellent battery life, and a capable main camera for everyday use, all within a comfortable and lightweight design. For someone who prioritizes these aspects and doesn't necessarily need top-tier performance for demanding tasks or a flagship-level camera system, the G72 is a compelling option. If you’re a serious mobile gamer or a photography enthusiast, you might want to look elsewhere, as there are other devices in this price range or slightly higher that offer more horsepower or a more versatile camera setup. In the competitive landscape, it stands out for its display and battery, but falls slightly behind in terms of overall camera capabilities and processing power for intensive tasks.

In conclusion, my time with the Motorola Moto G72 has left me with a positive overall impression. It's a dependable and well-rounded mid-range smartphone that gets the fundamentals right. The stunning P-OLED display and long-lasting battery are genuine highlights, and the main camera is capable in good lighting. While it's not the most powerful or feature-packed phone on the market, it offers a smooth and enjoyable user experience for everyday tasks at a reasonable price. If you're looking for a solid, no-nonsense smartphone with a great screen and excellent battery life, the Motorola Moto G72 is definitely worth considering.