Motorola Moto G52

Motorola Moto G52 Review

Key Features

The Motorola Moto G52, launched on April 20, 2022, is a mid-range smartphone featuring a 6.6-inch 90Hz AMOLED display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G chipset, and a substantial 5000mAh battery. It boasts a triple rear camera setup, headlined by a 50MP main sensor, and runs on Android 12. NFC capability is included, and the device supports 30W fast charging. The phone also provides stereo speakers tuned with Dolby Atmos, and has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Vibrant AMOLED Display: The 6.6-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate offers excellent color reproduction and smooth scrolling.
• Large Battery: The 5000mAh battery provides ample power for a full day's use, and 30W fast charging minimizes downtime.
• Decent Performance: The Snapdragon 680 chipset handles daily tasks and moderate gaming well.
• Stereo Speakers with Dolby Atmos: Enhanced audio experience for media consumption and gaming.
• NFC Support: Enables contactless payments and easy device pairing.
• Clean Android Experience: Runs on Android 12, potentially with minimal bloatware and close to stock Android feel.
• Good Build Quality: Slim profile and lightweight design, with a reported thickness of 8mm.

Cons:

• No 5G Connectivity: The Snapdragon 680 is a 4G chipset, limiting users to 4G networks.
• Average Camera Performance: While the 50MP main sensor is capable, the auxiliary lenses lack detail, especially the 8MP ultrawide and 2MP macro.
• Lack of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Results in video footage and photos being susceptible to blur.
• No SD Card Slot: Storage is limited to the onboard capacity, with no option to expand it via microSD.
• USB 2.0: The USB Type-C port is limited to USB 2.0 speeds, resulting in slower data transfer.
• No Wireless Charging: The phone only supports wired charging.

User Experience

The Motorola Moto G52 offers a generally smooth user experience thanks to its 90Hz AMOLED display and efficient Snapdragon 680 processor. Navigating through menus and using apps feels responsive. The near-stock Android 12 provides a clean, uncluttered interface, although the absence of future Android updates could be a concern for some users. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner is fast and reliable. The stereo speakers, enhanced with Dolby Atmos, offer a pleasing audio experience for media and gaming. Battery life is excellent, easily lasting through a full day with moderate to heavy usage. However, the phone's camera performance is a mixed bag. The main 50MP camera can produce decent shots in good lighting conditions, but the ultrawide and macro lenses often lack sharpness and detail. The lack of 4K video recording capabilities is also a downside. The limited RAM options in lower-tier models could lead to some slow-downs when running resource-intensive applications.

Hardware & Design

The Moto G52 measures 160.1mm in height, 74.5mm in width, and 8mm in depth, weighing 169 grams. It has a plastic build, with color options including Charcoal Gray and Porcelain White. The device houses a 6.6-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 402 PPI. The display supports a 90Hz refresh rate for smoother visuals, and is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The Snapdragon 680 processor is paired with either 4GB or 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage. There is no MicroSD card slot for storage expansion. The device has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, a USB Type-C 2.0 port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The camera system includes a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide sensor, and a 2MP macro sensor on the rear, while the front features a 16MP selfie camera. The phone's connectivity options feature Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 LE, GPS, and NFC. The 5000mAh battery supports 30W fast charging.

Conclusion

The Motorola Moto G52 is a competent mid-range smartphone that excels in display quality and battery life, with a smooth overall experience. Its strengths lie in its vibrant AMOLED screen, long battery life, and good build quality. The inclusion of stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos is a welcomed addition for audio lovers. However, potential buyers should be aware of its limitations, such as the lack of 5G connectivity, average camera performance, the USB 2.0 port, lack of expandable storage, and the absence of OIS on the cameras, and the lack of 4k video recording. If these aren't significant concerns for you, then the Moto G52 presents a good balance of features for a medium-price point. The device’s affordability and features make it a compelling option for those not needing top-tier performance but desiring a smooth, enjoyable experience.