Whenever we plan to buy a smartphone, the first thought is always the same – can we get a phone under ₹20,000 that doesn’t overheat, doesn’t click blurry photos, and doesn’t die quickly? But somehow, every phone ends up having at least one drawback.
When Motorola launched the G85 5G, it felt like this might finally be the phone that brings the feel and features of expensive devices – but at a budget-friendly price.
This Motorola budget phone aims to combine premium design with practicality.
Here, you’ll get a complete look at the Moto G85 5G’s processor, camera, battery, display, design, and real-life usage – no marketing fluff, just an honest review.
Also, read this: OnePlus Nord 5 Review
Performance
The Moto G85 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 processor, built on a 6nm process, and comes with the Adreno 619 GPU. For basic apps and multitasking, the phone runs quite smoothly – tasks like scrolling, chatting, and watching YouTube are handled with ease.
However, if you’re into graphic-heavy gaming or use very demanding apps, you might occasionally notice some throttling or lag. So yes, this phone is great for basic to moderate use, but not ideal for power users.
This is consistent with most Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 reviews that suggest moderate-level gaming only.
Also, read this: Nothing Phone 3 Review
Camera Quality
The phone features a 50MP Sony LYTIA 600 sensor with OIS, which delivers decent low-light and portrait shots. It also includes an 8MP ultra-wide lens that’s handy for capturing landscapes.
On the front, there’s a 32MP selfie camera that produces clear, social-media-ready images. While it may not be world-class, the camera performs impressively at this price point – especially in terms of clarity and color tones.
Battery Life
The Moto G85 5G comes with a 5000mAh battery and 33W TurboPower fast charging. According to Motorola, it can last up to 34 hours on a single charge.
In real-life usage with normal browsing, YouTube, and camera use, it easily lasts a full day. And it takes about an hour to fully charge. Considering it’s a 5G smartphone under ₹20000, the battery performance is solid.
Design & Feel
The Moto G85 5G has a sleek, slim, and lightweight design. Weighing just 172g with a thickness of 7.59mm, it feels premium the moment you hold it.
There are also different back panel options – vegan leather finish (Olive Green, Cobalt Blue) or acrylic-glass (Urban Grey). Plus, the IP52 water-repellent coating means it can handle light splashes. Overall, the phone definitely looks and feels classy.
Among Motorola budget phones, this one stands out for its build quality.
Display Quality
The phone offers a 6.67-inch Full HD+ pOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. With 10-bit colors and 1600 nits of peak brightness, visuals appear sharp, vibrant, and buttery smooth.
Whether you’re gaming or scrolling through Instagram Reels, the 240Hz touch sampling ensures everything feels responsive. And yes, the display is protected by Gorilla Glass 5 – so you won’t have to worry much about scratches.
It might just be the best display phone under 20000 in this segment.
Software Experience
The Moto G85 5G runs on Android 14 with Motorola’s Hello UI. The company has promised 2 years of OS updates and 4 years of security patches.
While the update speed can be a bit slow (Android 15 rollout was delayed), the updates that do arrive bring noticeable improvements to the camera and security. Overall, the UI feels clean, bloat-free, and fast.
Some of the notable Motorola Hello UI features include Peek Display, gesture support, and minimal bloatware.
Connectivity & Features
The phone supports all major 5G bands in India (from n1 to n78), meaning it’s compatible with most Indian 5G providers.
You also get Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, and USB Type-C. NFC may be available in some markets but not all. The IP52 rating protects it against light splashes – so it can handle a bit of rain without a problem.
Price & Variants
The Moto G85 5G was launched in two variants:
Moto G85 5G Variants Comparison
| Variant | RAM | Storage | Price (Launch) | Offer Price (June 2025) |
| 8GB + 128GB | 8GB | 128GB | ₹17,999 | ₹15,999 |
| 12GB + 256GB | 12GB | 256GB | ₹19,999 | ₹17,999 |
However, with offers and exchange deals, the price dropped to as low as ₹15,999 (as of June 2025). Flipkart and offline stores often run various discounts, so you might be able to get it even cheaper.
It is clearly among the best 5G smartphones under ₹20000 currently available.
For more information, visit the official website Moto G85
Final Verdict
The Moto G85 5G is a phone that delivers a premium display, solid battery life, and a decent camera – all within a ₹16–17K budget.
Yes, the processor is average, and there are occasional reports of lag or network drops. But if you’re a casual user who doesn’t do heavy gaming and wants a stylish all-rounder budget phone, then this one is definitely worth trying.
FAQ: Moto G85
Is the Moto G85 5G good for gaming?
It can handle casual and light gaming well, but it’s not ideal for high-end gaming due to occasional performance drops.
Does Moto G85 5G support carrier aggregation and all Indian 5G bands?
Yes, it supports major Indian 5G bands including n1 to n78, ensuring wide 5G coverage.
How is the camera of Moto G85 5G in low light?
Thanks to the Sony LYTIA 600 sensor and OIS, the Moto G85 5G performs well in low-light conditions compared to other phones in its price segment.
