Motorola’s Moto G96 5G enters the sub-₹15,000 segment with a compelling package: a smooth 144 Hz curved pOLED display, IP68 durability, and clean Android 15 experience.
With festive offers slashing prices, it stands out as one of the best-balanced mid-range smartphones in India right now.
Price and Availability in India
Motorola’s Moto G96 5G now starts at ₹14,999 in India during ongoing festive promotions, bringing it well under the fifteen-thousand mark for the 8 GB RAM, 128 GB storage option. A higher 8 GB + 256 GB variant is also on sale.
The phone first went on sale in India on July 16, 2025 at 12:00 PM IST, and is available on Flipkart, Motorola India’s website, and leading retail stores.
The regular launch prices were ₹17,999 for 8 GB + 128 GB and ₹19,999 for 8 GB + 256 GB. Colours include Ashleigh Blue, Greener Pastures, Cattleya Orchid, and Dresden Blue.
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Design and Display
The G96 looks and feels a class above its bracket thanks to a curved 6.67-inch pOLED display with Full HD+ resolution. It supports a 144 Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and crisp animations, with a 300 Hz touch sampling rate for gaming responsiveness.
Peak brightness hits 1600 nits with a 1200 nits high brightness mode for outdoor visibility. The 10-bit display covers 100% DCI-P3, enhancing HDR video and photo playback.
Despite the curved front, the phone is IP68 rated for dust and water resistance, a rarity in this segment. Dimensions stand at 161.86 x 73.26 x 7.93 mm and the weight is 178 g.
Cameras
On the rear, a 50 MP primary camera with optical image stabilization ensures sharper photos and stable videos, especially in low light.
It’s paired with an 8 MP ultrawide lens ideal for group shots and landscapes. A 32 MP front camera is present for selfies and video calls.
The clean camera UI makes it easy to switch between modes, and the ultrawide lens is great for room interiors or narrow city scenes.
Performance and Storage
Powering the phone is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 built on a 4 nm process, featuring four Cortex-A78 cores (up to 2.4 GHz) and four Cortex-A55 cores. This setup ensures smooth daily usage, fluid app performance, and capable casual gaming.
The phone includes 8 GB LPDDR4X RAM with RAM Boost, allowing up to 24 GB virtual memory.
Storage options are 128 GB and 256 GB using UFS 2.2—fast enough for app installs, media loads, and burst photography.
There’s no microSD slot, so buyers who shoot a lot of 4K video should consider the 256 GB variant.
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Battery and Charging
A 5500 mAh battery powers the device. Motorola’s 33 W TurboPower charging is included in the box and provides efficient top-ups while preserving battery health over time.
Combined with the power-efficient SoC, the battery comfortably lasts a full day under regular use.
Connectivity and Audio
The Moto G96 5G supports multiple 5G bands, with fallback for 4G, 3G, and 2G networks. It includes dual-band Wi-Fi ac and Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless accessories.
Location tracking uses GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and LTEPP, enhancing reliability in urban areas. The USB-C port is USB 2.0. Audio is delivered through stereo speakers.
The 3.5 mm headphone jack is absent—USB-C or wireless earphones are required.
Security and Sensors
An in-display fingerprint sensor provides secure access, supplemented by face unlock. Motorola Secure and ThinkShield offer built-in software protections.
The sensor suite includes proximity, ambient light, accelerometer, gyroscope, SAR sensor, sensor hub, and e-compass.
Software Experience
The Moto G96 5G runs Android 15 in a near-stock configuration. Motorola’s minimal additions include gesture controls and attentive display features.
The lean software helps maintain performance longevity and reduces clutter from duplicate apps.
What the Specs Mean in Daily Use
The 144 Hz pOLED panel enables smooth gameplay and UI interaction. DCI-P3 support and high brightness improve HDR streaming experiences.
UFS 2.2 and LPDDR4X memory ensure snappy performance even with heavy multitasking. The IP68 rating guards against water and dust, and stereo speakers boost audio quality without needing headphones.
The 5500 mAh battery comfortably handles all-day usage, while 33 W charging beats older slow-charging phones.
Also Read: iPhone 17 Hits Stores with New Colours and a Smoother Screen for the Best Base iPhone Yet
India Variants, Sale Timings, and Availability
- Variants: 8 GB + 128 GB, 8 GB + 256 GB
- First sale: July 16, 2025, 12:00 PM IST
- Where to buy: Flipkart, motorola.in, and leading retail stores
- Current effective starting price: ₹14,999 with festive offers
- Launch MRP: ₹17,999 (128 GB), ₹19,999 (256 GB)
- Colours: Ashleigh Blue, Greener Pastures, Cattleya Orchid, Dresden Blue
Full Key Specs
- Display: 6.67-inch pOLED, FHD+ 2400 x 1080, 144 Hz, 10-bit, 100% DCI-P3, 1600 nits peak, 300 Hz touch sampling
- SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, 4×2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 + 4×1.95 GHz Cortex-A55, Adreno GPU
- RAM and Storage: 8 GB LPDDR4X with RAM Boost, 128 GB or 256 GB UFS 2.2, no microSD
- Cameras: 50 MP main (OIS), 8 MP ultrawide, 32 MP front
- Battery and Charging: 5500 mAh, 33 W TurboPower
- Build: 161.86 x 73.26 x 7.93 mm, 178 g, IP68
- Audio: Stereo speakers, no 3.5 mm jack
- Connectivity: Dual SIM 5G, Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS + GLONASS + Galileo + QZSS + LTEPP, USB-C 2.0
- Security and Sensors: In-display fingerprint, face unlock, full sensor suite
- Software: Android 15 with Motorola features
Early Verdict for Indian Buyers
At ₹14,999 in current sales, the Moto G96 5G lands as a value pick for anyone who cares about clean software, a fast 144 Hz pOLED screen, IP68 durability, and all-day battery.
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is not a benchmark chaser but it is steady, and the 50 MP OIS camera holds up for low light and social use.
If you want a bright, curved display and minimal bloat in this budget, this is one of the easiest phones to recommend right now.
Also Read: Lava Blaze 3 5G Gives a Glass Back, Clean Android, and Solid Cameras Under ₹14,999
Competing Models and One-Line Compare
- Redmi Note 13 5G: 120 Hz AMOLED with a lighter UI and slim body, but lacks IP68 and has a smaller battery.
- Samsung Galaxy M17 5G: Large battery and One UI perks with longer update track, but only 120 Hz panel and a different chipset tier.
Moto G96 5G focuses on a bright 144 Hz curved pOLED, IP68, and clean Android at a price India buyers can justify.
