Price and specifications of Motorola Moto G4 Play advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview

The Motorola Moto G4 Play is a versatile smartphone introduced in May 2016 and released in August of the same year. Despite being discontinued, it remains a favorite among budget-conscious consumers for its balance between performance and affordability. With features like 4G LTE support, a quad-core processor, and the reliability of the Motorola brand, the Moto G4 Play aimed to offer a satisfying user experience for everyday tasks.

Design and Build

The Moto G4 Play boasts a compact design with dimensions of 144.4 x 72 x 9.9 mm, making it comfortable to hold and easy to use with one hand. Weighing just 137 grams, it is lightweight and portable. The phone is available in classic Black and White colors, offering a simple yet elegant appearance. The build is robust for a budget device, sporting a reliable plastic body that ensures durability.

Display

The device features a 5.0-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. This configuration results in a pixel density of approximately 294 pixels per inch, which provides decent clarity for everyday use. The screen size and resolution are particularly suited for users who enjoy browsing, reading, and light gaming on their phone.

Performance

At its core, the Moto G4 Play is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 chipset, featuring a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and an Adreno 306 GPU. These specifications allow the device to handle basic multitasking and app usage efficiently. Although not designed for heavy gaming or graphically intensive tasks, the phone can handle casual games and streaming apps like YouTube smoothly.

Operating System and Software

The smartphone originally launched with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow but can be upgraded to Android 7.1.1 Nougat. Motorola typically offers a near-stock Android experience, which is free from bloatware and provides a clean and responsive user interface. This approach ensures smoother performance and quicker updates compared to heavily customized UIs.

Camera Features

The Moto G4 Play is equipped with an 8 MP rear camera featuring an f/2.2 aperture and autofocus. It includes essential features like LED flash, panorama, and HDR to enhance photo quality. The rear camera can record videos at 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second, which is quite decent for a phone from its price bracket. Additionally, the 5 MP front camera with an f/2.2 aperture is sufficient for selfies and video calls.

Memory and Storage

The device comes in two variants: one with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, and the other with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. Both versions support expandable storage via a microSDXC card slot, allowing users to increase storage capacity according to their needs, which is a significant advantage for media hoarders and app enthusiasts.

Battery Life

One of the notable features of the Moto G4 Play is its removable Li-Po 2800 mAh battery. This battery capacity is sufficient for moderate usage, ensuring that users can get through a typical day on a single charge. The option to remove and replace the battery is increasingly rare in smartphones, offering the convenience of carrying a spare for prolonged usage without charging.

Connectivity Options

The phone supports a variety of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.1, and positioning services like GPS, GLONASS, and BDS. It also has the optional support for NFC, a feature beneficial for contactless payments. The presence of FM radio and a 3.5mm headphone jack add to its media playback capabilities. Additionally, it has a microUSB 2.0 port with OTG support for peripheral connectivity and data transfer.

Network and Communication

The Moto G4 Play is compatible with GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, providing reliable connectivity for calls, messaging, and internet browsing. It supports 4G LTE bands 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, and 40, allowing broad compatibility with various mobile networks around the globe. The device was offered in single SIM and dual SIM configurations, catering to those who require multiple phone lines.

Sensors and Additional Features

It includes essential sensors such as an accelerometer and proximity sensor. While it may lack more advanced sensors like a gyroscope or magnetometer, the inclusion of a basic sensor suite ensures adequate functionality for standard applications and screen rotation. The phone’s software includes basic customization options and settings that enhance usability and performance.

Pricing and Availability

At launch, the Moto G4 Play was priced at approximately 130 EUR, making it an attractive option for budget-focused consumers seeking reliable performance without breaking the bank. Although discontinued, it can often be found on secondary markets or through various online retailers, often at an even more accessible price point depending on the condition.

Conclusion

In summary, the Motorola Moto G4 Play stands out as an economic option for users requiring a smartphone capable of handling everyday tasks with reliability and ease. While it does not boast cutting-edge specifications, its balanced performance, removable battery, expandable storage, and clean Android experience make it a wise choice for those in search of simplicity and functionality at an affordable cost.