The Motorola Moto G5 may not be the newest kid on the block, but it remains a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers who want a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank. Launched in early 2017, this device was part of Motorola’s successful G-series lineup, known for delivering solid performance and clean software at an affordable price point. While it may lack some of the flashy features of modern flagships, the Moto G5 holds its own in day-to-day usability, making it a worthy consideration even years after its release.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Moto G5 doesn’t scream premium, but it doesn’t feel cheap either. The phone features a metal unibody design, a step up from the plastic builds of its predecessors. The back panel has a subtle brushed finish that provides a decent grip, though it’s prone to fingerprints. Measuring 144.3 x 73 x 9.5 mm and weighing 145 grams, the G5 is compact by today’s standards, making it easy to handle with one hand. The front is dominated by a 5-inch display with noticeable bezels, a reminder of its era before the bezel-less trend took over.

The placement of buttons and ports is practical. The power button and volume rocker sit on the right side, offering good tactile feedback. A fingerprint sensor is embedded into the home button below the display, and while it’s not the fastest by modern standards, it gets the job done. The micro-USB port at the bottom feels outdated now, but it was still the norm when this phone launched. A 3.5mm headphone jack is present, which is always a welcome feature for audio enthusiasts.

Display

The Moto G5 sports a 5-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of about 441 PPI. For its price range, the display is sharp and vibrant, with decent color accuracy and viewing angles. Brightness levels are adequate for indoor use, though it can struggle under direct sunlight. The Full HD resolution is more than sufficient for a screen of this size, making text and images appear crisp. While it won’t compete with AMOLED panels in terms of contrast, it’s a solid performer for everyday tasks like browsing, watching videos, or scrolling through social media.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Moto G5 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 chipset paired with 2GB or 3GB of RAM, depending on the variant. This setup was modest even at launch, but it handles basic tasks smoothly. Apps open without significant lag, and multitasking is manageable as long as you don’t push it too hard. The Adreno 505 GPU handles casual gaming well, but graphically intensive titles like PUBG or Genshin Impact will require lowered settings to run acceptably.

Storage options include 16GB or 32GB of internal storage, expandable via a microSD card slot (up to 256GB). The inclusion of expandable storage is a big plus, especially for users who like to keep a lot of media on their devices. The phone runs near-stock Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box, with minimal bloatware and a clean user interface. Motorola’s light software tweaks, such as Moto Actions and Moto Display, add useful functionality without cluttering the experience.

Camera Performance

The Moto G5 features a 13MP rear camera with an f/2.0 aperture, phase detection autofocus (PDAF), and a single LED flash. Daylight shots are decent, with good detail and accurate colors, though dynamic range could be better. Low-light performance is predictably mediocre, with noise creeping in and details getting muddy. The 5MP front-facing camera is serviceable for selfies and video calls but won’t impress anyone looking for high-quality self-portraits.

Video recording maxes out at 1080p at 30fps, and the lack of stabilization means footage can be shaky. The camera app is straightforward, with a few shooting modes like HDR and panorama, but don’t expect pro-level controls. For casual photography, the G5’s camera is adequate, but it’s clearly a compromise to hit the budget price point.

Battery Life and Charging

A 2800mAh battery powers the Moto G5, which is on the smaller side by today’s standards. However, thanks to the efficient Snapdragon 430 and modest display resolution, the phone manages to deliver a full day of moderate use. Heavy users might need to top up before bedtime, but standby time is respectable. The lack of fast charging is a downside—filling up the battery from empty takes over two hours with the included 10W charger.

Software and Updates

The Moto G5 launched with Android 7.0 Nougat and received an update to Android 8.0 Oreo, which is likely its final major OS upgrade. Motorola’s commitment to software updates has never been stellar, and this phone is no exception. That said, the near-stock Android experience ensures smooth performance even on older software. Security updates are sparse at this point, so users concerned about privacy might want to consider a more recent device.

Final Verdict

The Motorola Moto G5 is a testament to how well a budget phone can age when designed with practicality in mind. Its metal build, clean software, and reliable performance make it a good choice for those who need a no-frills smartphone for basic tasks. While it’s clearly outclassed by newer budget phones in terms of hardware and software support, it remains a viable option for secondary devices or users with minimal demands. If you can find it at a steep discount, it’s still worth considering—just don’t expect it to compete with modern mid-range or flagship devices.

Motorola Moto G5 Full Specifications:

General:
- Release Date: March 2017
- Dimensions: 144.3 x 73 x 9.5 mm
- Weight: 145 grams
- Build: Metal unibody
- Colors: Lunar Gray, Fine Gold

Display:
- Type: IPS LCD
- Size: 5.0 inches
- Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels (441 PPI)
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3

Hardware:
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 (28nm)
- CPU: Octa-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53
- GPU: Adreno 505
- RAM: 2GB/3GB
- Storage: 16GB/32GB (expandable via microSD up to 256GB)

Camera:
- Rear: 13MP, f/2.0, PDAF, LED flash
- Front: 5MP, f/2.2
- Video: 1080p@30fps

Battery:
- Capacity: 2800mAh (non-removable)
- Charging: 10W wired

Software:
- OS: Android 7.0 Nougat (upgradable to Android 8.0 Oreo)
- UI: Near-stock Android with Moto additions

Connectivity:
- USB: microUSB 2.0
- 3.5mm Jack: Yes
- Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n
- Bluetooth: 4.2
- NFC: Yes (market dependent)

Other Features:
- Fingerprint sensor (front-mounted)
- Water-repellent coating (not waterproof)
- FM Radio