Motorola Moto G04s review
This is a phone for users in emerging markets who prioritize battery life, screen size, and low cost over performance or display sharpness. If you need something for social media, calls, and maps that lasts all day and costs next to nothing, the G04s delivers. If you play games, edit video, or want crisp text, you should spend more.
This review is based on Motorola’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Motorola Moto G04s, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Moto G04s is a straightforward budget phone that delivers all-day battery life and a roomy 6.56-inch screen for basic daily use—calls, messages, social media, and casual video—without pretense. For €90 it hits the essential marks for emerging-market users, but the display is soft, performance is thin for anything demanding, and you're getting last year's camera tech.
Design & build
At 178.8 grams and 8 mm thick, the G04s feels solid in hand without being light. The glass front (Gorilla Glass 3) is scratch-resistant and the plastic back is water-repellent, not waterproof, so it handles splashes but not submersion. The 20:9 aspect ratio stretches the 6.56-inch footprint without making it unwieldy for most adults. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is practical and responsive. This is a phone that prioritizes function over materials; the plastic construction is honest for the price and weight, not a weakness.
Display
The 6.56-inch IPS LCD panel runs at 90 Hz and 720 by 1612 pixels, delivering about 269 pixels per inch. That density is noticeably soft—text and icons lack sharpness at arm's length—and this is where the budget cuts deepest. The 90 Hz refresh does make scrolling smoother than a 60 Hz rival, though the difference is incremental rather than transformative. Color and viewing angles are adequate for everyday viewing, but direct sunlight dims the picture considerably. For video playback and reading, the large real estate compensates for the soft detail; for productivity or detail work, you'll notice the weakness.
Performance
The Unisoc T606 with Mali-G57 MP1 is entry-level silicon that handles light daily work—messaging, social apps, browsing, email, and mild multitasking—without lag. Heavier tasks like video editing, sustained gaming, or running multiple demanding apps at once will expose its limits. The 4GB base RAM is tight; stepping to 8GB helps but does not transform the device. Gaming is possible but stutters on titles that demand more, and app loading is slower than mid-range rivals. For a user who sticks to the essentials, performance is sufficient; anyone expecting fluid editing or modern gaming should look elsewhere.
Software
The phone ships with Android 14 and Motorola's near-stock skin, which is refreshingly lean compared to bloat-heavy competitors. However, Motorola has flagged no major Android upgrades planned, meaning this device will age faster than a mid-range counterpart that promises years of updates. For a €90 phone bought to serve a couple of years, this is less of a shock than it might be for pricier models, but it is worth knowing. The bloat is minimal and the experience clean, so software is not a pain point out of the box.
Camera
The 50 MP main sensor with f/1.8 aperture and 0.64 micrometer pixels captures daylight photos with decent detail and HDR processing keeps exposure balanced. The PDAF aids focus lock, but small pixels struggle in low light, producing noisy or soft shots when light drops. Video tops out at 1080p at 30 fps, which is standard for this tier. The 5 MP selfie is adequate for video calls and casual selfies but weak for group shots. Do not expect computational photography tricks; this is straightforward capture. For a budget phone, the main camera is usable; for anything beyond sunny conditions or casual social media, you will notice its limits.
Battery & charging
The 5000 mAh battery is the G04s's strongest asset. On light to moderate use—calls, messaging, social apps, some video—it comfortably runs a full day, and heavy users on moderate consumption will stretch into the second day. That endurance is a real advantage for users in areas with spotty charging access. Charging at 15 W is slow by 2024 standards; from empty to full takes roughly two hours, so overnight charging or a midday top-up is necessary for a full day out. This is where budget cuts bite hardest in terms of daily rhythm, but the battery itself is genuinely good.
Value & verdict
At €90, the Moto G04s punches clearly above its price in battery endurance and screen size, and the dedicated microSD slot lets you expand storage without trade-offs. The Unisoc T606 and soft display are real constraints, but for social media, messaging, maps, and video calls in emerging markets where charging infrastructure is inconsistent, the value is solid. This is not a phone that does everything, and it does not pretend to be; it does the basics reliably and lasts long enough to matter.
Verdict
This is a phone for users in emerging markets who prioritize battery life, screen size, and low cost over performance or display sharpness. If you need something for social media, calls, and maps that lasts all day and costs next to nothing, the G04s delivers. If you play games, edit video, or want crisp text, you should spend more.
- 5000 mAh battery runs a full day on moderate use, a genuine advantage in areas with inconsistent charging access
- Dedicated microSD slot lets you expand storage without sacrificing a SIM slot, practical for users who need local media
- Large 6.56-inch screen and light weight make it comfortable for video and reading despite the soft 720p resolution
- 720p display at 6.56 inches is noticeably soft; text and icons lack sharpness at normal viewing distance
- Entry-level Unisoc T606 chip struggles with demanding apps, gaming, or heavy multitasking
- 15W charging is slow by 2024 standards; full charge takes roughly two hours
Motorola Moto G04s Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, April 09 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF |
| Selfie camera | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 15W wired |
| Software | Android 14, no major Android upgrades planned |
| Dimensions | 163.5 x 74.5 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight | 178.8 g (6.31 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Durability | Water-repellent design |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 |
Motorola Moto G04s FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Moto G04s support 5G?
No. The Moto G04s tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the Moto G04s use?
The Moto G04s runs on the Unisoc T606 (12 nm).
What display does the Moto G04s have?
A 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 90Hz, 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density).
How big is the Moto G04s battery?
The Moto G04s has a 5000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 15W wired.
Does the Moto G04s have NFC?
Yes, the Moto G04s has NFC.
Is the Moto G04s water resistant?
The Moto G04s carries a Water-repellent design rating.
Does the Moto G04s support a microSD card?
Yes, the Moto G04s supports expandable storage (microSDXC (dedicated slot)).
Does the Moto G04s have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Moto G04s has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Moto G04s isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Moto G04
Moto G 5G 2024
Moto G45 5G
Moto G53s 5G
Galaxy M06 5G
