Mumbai, July 9, 2025 – Motorola has unveiled its latest addition to the G-series lineup, the Moto G96 5G, in India today, setting a new standard for budget smartphones with premium features. Launched at a starting price of ₹17,999, the Moto G96 5G combines a sleek vegan leather design, a 144Hz curved pOLED display, a powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, and advanced AI camera capabilities, making it a compelling option in the sub-₹20,000 segment. With sales commencing on July 16 via Flipkart, Motorola’s official website, and select retail stores, the Moto G96 5G is poised to disrupt the competitive mid-range market.
Premium Design Meets Durability
The Moto G96 5G introduces a refined aesthetic that elevates its budget credentials. Sporting a slim 7.93mm profile and weighing just 178 grams, the device features a vegan leather finish that exudes sophistication while offering a comfortable grip. Available in four Pantone-certified colors—Ashleigh Blue, Dresden Blue, Cattleya Orchid, and Greener Pastures—the phone appeals to style-conscious consumers seeking individuality.
Beyond its premium look, the Moto G96 5G is built to withstand the elements, boasting an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, a rare feature at this price point. This durability, combined with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection on its display, ensures the device can handle everyday challenges, from accidental spills to minor drops. The phone’s design, reminiscent of Motorola’s higher-end Edge series, positions it as a standout in the budget category.
A Class-Leading 144Hz Curved pOLED Display
The Moto G96 5G’s 6.67-inch 3D curved pOLED display is a highlight, offering a Full HD+ resolution (2400 x 1080 pixels) and a buttery-smooth 144Hz refresh rate—the first in its segment. With a peak brightness of 1,600 nits, 10-bit color depth, and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, the screen delivers vibrant visuals and crisp details, ideal for streaming, gaming, and social media browsing. The inclusion of Water Touch 2.0 technology ensures responsive touch input even when the screen is wet, while SGS Eye Protection certification reduces strain during extended use.
The curved-edge design, paired with an in-display fingerprint sensor, adds a premium feel typically reserved for more expensive devices. Whether scrolling through apps or playing fast-paced games, the Moto G96 5G’s display promises an immersive and fluid experience that rivals pricier competitors.
Power and Performance with Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
Under the hood, the Moto G96 5G is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, built on a 4nm process for improved efficiency and performance. With four Cortex-A78 performance cores clocked at 2.4GHz and four Cortex-A55 efficiency cores at 1.9GHz, paired with an Adreno 710 GPU, the processor handles multitasking, gaming, and AI tasks with ease. Motorola claims the device achieves a balanced performance profile, making it suitable for everything from casual use to demanding applications.
The phone comes in two configurations: 8GB LPDDR4X RAM with 128GB UFS 2.2 storage priced at ₹17,999, and 8GB RAM with 256GB storage at ₹19,999. While some rumors suggested a 12GB RAM variant, Motorola has opted for 8GB with up to 24GB of virtual RAM boost for enhanced multitasking. Running on Android 15 with Motorola’s clean Hello UI, the Moto G96 5G offers a bloatware-free experience, promising one year of OS upgrades and three years of security updates.
Advanced Camera System with Moto AI
The Moto G96 5G’s camera setup is designed to impress, featuring a dual rear system led by a 50MP Sony LYT-700C primary sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) and an f/1.8 aperture. Paired with an 8MP ultrawide lens that doubles as a macro shooter (f/2.2), the rear cameras deliver versatile photography options, from expansive landscapes to detailed close-ups. The 32MP front camera with an f/2.2 aperture ensures sharp selfies and supports 4K video recording across all lenses, a rare capability in this price range.
Motorola’s Moto AI imaging suite enhances the photography experience with features like AI Photo Enhancement, Magic Editor, and Magic Eraser, powered by Google’s AI tools. These allow users to refine images, remove unwanted objects, and apply creative effects effortlessly, catering to social media enthusiasts and budding content creators. While real-world camera performance awaits testing, the combination of high-quality sensors and AI-driven features positions the Moto G96 5G as a strong contender in its class.
Long-Lasting Battery and Connectivity
The Moto G96 5G houses a robust 5,500mAh battery, ensuring all-day usage for most users. However, it supports 33W TurboPower fast charging, a slight downgrade from the rumored 68W capability, with a charger included in the box. While the charging speed is modest compared to competitors like the Realme P3, it’s sufficient for quick top-ups, reaching 50% in approximately 30 minutes.
Connectivity options are comprehensive, including dual nano SIM, 5G (supporting 12 bands, including N1/N3/N5/N28), 4G, Bluetooth 5.2, dual-band Wi-Fi, GPS, NFC, and a USB-C port. The device also features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and Moto Spatial Sound, delivering an immersive audio experience for movies and music.
Competing in a Crowded Market
Priced at ₹17,999 for the base variant and ₹19,999 for the 256GB model, the Moto G96 5G goes head-to-head with rivals like the Realme P3, iQOO Z10, and Poco X6 in the sub-₹20,000 segment. Its premium vegan leather design, IP68 rating, and 144Hz curved pOLED display give it an edge in aesthetics and durability, while the clean Android 15 experience appeals to users seeking a bloatware-free interface. However, the modest 33W charging speed and single year of OS updates may deter some buyers compared to competitors offering faster charging or longer software support.
Motorola’s strategic pricing and focus on premium features at a budget price point reflect its intent to strengthen its foothold in India’s competitive smartphone market. The Moto G96 5G’s availability through Flipkart, Motorola’s e-store, and retail outlets like Reliance Digital ensures wide accessibility, with early bird offers likely to sweeten the deal.
A Budget Powerhouse with Premium Aspirations
The Moto G96 5G’s launch underscores Motorola’s commitment to delivering value-packed devices that punch above their price. With its stunning curved display, robust performance, durable build, and AI-enhanced cameras, the phone redefines what budget smartphones can offer. While it faces stiff competition, its unique blend of style, functionality, and affordability makes it a worthy contender for cost-conscious consumers seeking a premium experience.
As sales begin on July 16, the Moto G96 5G is expected to attract tech enthusiasts and casual users alike, cementing Motorola’s reputation for innovation in the mid-range segment. For those in search of a stylish, reliable, and feature-rich smartphone under ₹20,000, the Moto G96 5G is a compelling choice that’s hard to ignore.
