The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
With ample performance, all-day battery life, and a great display, the G100 covers most of what someone with a budget might want in a phone. Unless you're looking for an excellent camera or fast-charging abilities, there's a good chance the phone will work for you.What's good
- Great battery life
- Smooth performance
- Better camera
What's bad
- Bulky
- Screen brightness is less than ideal
- Slow charging speed
As the premium option in Motorola’s 2021 budget-friendly lineup, is the Moto G100 worth buying? What are reviewers saying about Motorola’s latest addition to their popular G-series of phones?
Design
While the Motorola Moto G100 looks about the same as any other smartphone from the front, reviewers loved the bold coloring on the phone’s back. Many noted that the colors were pretty but also hid the myriad fingerprints on the back.
Display
The phone’s 6.7-inch ‘Cinema Vision’ IPS LCD screen means changing the angle you view the phone from won't distort the picture. Reviewers said the screen was colorful and especially good for watching content with friends. However, they were not happy with the lack of brightness, noting the phone can be hard to use outdoors.
Performance
Performance reviews were top-notch. The 90Hz refresh rate display enhances the phone’s snappy response time. However, that option is disabled by default. Make sure you turn it on if you buy a G100. Reviewers also called the phone an excellent discount gaming phone with no worries about overheating after hours of playing.
Software & Storage
The phone runs near-stock Android 11 with very little bloatware. The storage is a very generous 128GB onboard and an expansion slot for MicroSD.
Cameras
Reviewers found the phone’s cameras okay for the most part. Yet, some felt like the quad-camera was hardly a quad-camera in anything but name. Just like the G30, the wide-angle lens disappointed reviewers. Reviewers often complained that the phone seems not to know what to focus on. As a result, things not in the immediate foreground of snapshots looked blocky and pixelated when viewing the image at full resolution.
Battery Life
The 5,000mAh battery does the Motorola Moto G100 well. Reviewers said it lost an average of 30% battery every 8 hours, which isn’t bad for how intensive gaming can be. However, they also stated that there wasn’t a fast-charging option. When the battery eventually dwindles, it’s slow to charge.
Audio
The Motorola Moto G100 faces the same difficulty as many phones, with a tinny sound and apparent lack of bass from its one mono speaker. Thankfully, there’s a headphone jack.
Specs at a Glance
- Plastic chassis
- 6.7-inch cinema vision IPS LCD
- Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G processor
- 8GB of RAM
- Android 11
- 128GB of storage and MicroSD expansion slot
- 64MP lens with a 16MP selfie camera
- 5,000mAh battery
Bottom Line
Motorola knows how to make a budget phone more appealing, and the Moto G100 is one of those that stands out for its price. If you want excellent gaming and have good battery life, this phone could make you very happy. If you’re more about photography and all the filters and different options, then this phone is not.
Phone Arena comments, “During the past few years, Motorola has earned my genuine appreciation and respect for its efforts in the mid-range and entry-level smartphone segments. The Moto G-series is Motorola’s best-known smartphone lineup to date and for a good reason.”
PocketLint says, “If you're willing to forego the usual camera hype and pizzazz that top-end flagships tend to promise - as there's really very little of that here - and having a high-end processor and performance potential is high up your roster, then the Moto G100 is a strong sell. It's got the software right - which, in our opinion, can't be said of the Xiaomi MIUI and Oppo ColorOS competition - the visuals tight, and performance is at peak height.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Rubens Eishima, NextPitThe Moto G100 is a mix of strengths and weaknesses, with impeccable performance thanks to the Snapdragon 870 processor and 5G compatibility, a screen that on paper lags behind the competition but in practice is perfectly adequate, and excellent battery life. On the other hand, the camera not very ve...
- Richard Priday, Tom's GuideWith the Moto g100, Motorola successfully delivers a powerful set of features in a mid-range package. Any flaws in the premium-like experience are made up for by more unique features like the ReadyFor mode or the secondary ultrawide selfie camera.
- Sandra Vogel, ZDNetThe Moto G100 is a mid-range handset that sits atop Motorola's affordable G range. It supports 5G, has a large screen that's easy on the eye, the two front cameras add more selfie flexibility than usual, and general use is, as usual with Moto phones, pleasantly free of bloatware. The bundled Ready F...
- Florian Schmitt, NotebookcheckThe Moto G100 is something special due to its desktop mode. It's also very fast as a smartphone, but you will notice certain cost-saving measures.
- Tom Morgan, StuffBreaks new ground for the Moto G line-up, but only to limited effect. Unless you have specific plans for the productivity-focused accessory bundle, there are plenty of mid-range rivals that are more well-rounded.
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
Motorola Moto G100 prices will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. Motorola's suggested retail price is $499.99. You can compare Moto G100 prices from around the web here on The Informr.
Motorola backs up the Moto G100 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Moto G100 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Motorola support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Motorola's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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