Finding a genuinely good phone under ₹15,000 often feels like a compromise hunt. You expect corners cut, performance hiccups, or a camera that struggles. The Moto G85, however, throws that script out the window. Landing right in this fiercely competitive segment, it promises a near-premium experience without the premium price tag. Is it finally the budget champion we’ve been waiting for?
Striking Design & Display That Impresses
Right out of the box, the G85 makes a statement. Forget the plasticky feel common in this range. Our review unit sported a sleek vegan leather back that felt surprisingly luxurious and grippy. It’s thin, light, and looks far more expensive than it is. The star, though, is the 6.67-inch curved pOLED display. Colors pop with vibrancy, blacks are truly deep, and the 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling through apps or social media incredibly smooth. Brightness is ample for most indoor use, and while direct sunlight can challenge it slightly, it holds up better than many rivals. Watching content on this screen is a genuine pleasure.
Performance: Smooth Sailing for Daily Grind
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chip and paired with 8GB of RAM (plus Motorola’s RAM Boost), the G85 handles everyday tasks with impressive ease. Swiping between apps, browsing heavy websites, streaming videos – it all feels fluid and responsive. Casual gaming like COD Mobile or Asphalt runs well on medium settings. You won’t be maxing out demanding AAA mobile games, but for its target audience, the performance is more than sufficient. The clean, near-stock Android 14 experience helps immensely, free from heavy skins that bog down performance. It feels snappy and efficient.
Cameras: Surprising Daylight, Expected Night Limits
Motorola equipped the G85 with a bold 50MP main sensor featuring optical image stabilization (OIS) – a rarity at this price. The results? In good daylight, photos are surprisingly detailed, with pleasant colors and decent dynamic range. OIS helps immensely with stability, leading to sharper shots even if your hand isn’t perfectly steady. The 8MP ultrawide is usable for landscapes, though detail drops noticeably at the edges. The 32MP selfie camera captures decent shots too. Where it stumbles predictably is low light. While Night Mode tries valiantly, images get noisy and lose detail quickly. It’s a capable setup for well-lit scenarios but don’t expect flagship night photography.
Battery Life & Charging: Reliable All-Day Companion
The 5000mAh battery is the workhorse you expect. It comfortably sails through a full day of moderate to heavy use – social media, calls, videos, some gaming. You’ll easily hit bedtime with juice to spare. For lighter users, stretching into a second day isn’t out of the question. The included 30W Turbo Power charger is a welcome bonus. It juices the phone up remarkably quickly, getting you from near-zero to around 50% in roughly 30 minutes. No wireless charging, but that’s an expected omission here.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Moto G85?
Absolutely, if you’re shopping under ₹15,000. The Moto G85 isn’t just good for the price; it’s a genuinely good phone, period. Its standout features – the gorgeous curved pOLED display with 120Hz, the premium vegan leather design, the smooth day-to-day performance, and the surprisingly competent daylight camera with OIS – punch far above its weight class. The excellent battery life and fast charging seal the deal.
Yes, low-light photography is mediocre, and intense gaming pushes its limits. But these compromises are understandable and expected in this segment. What Motorola delivers elsewhere is exceptional value. It feels and performs like a phone costing significantly more. If your budget is capped at ₹15,000 and you prioritize a great screen, reliable performance, decent cameras in daylight, and all-day battery, the Moto G85 is currently the phone to beat. It sets a new benchmark for what a budget smartphone can be.
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Hi, I’m Ricky, the founder of OKSociety.in. I’m a tech enthusiast with a deep passion for smartphones, mobile technology, and everything that makes our digital lives smarter. I started OKSociety to share honest reviews, the latest phone updates, and practical buying guides to help people make better choices in this fast-paced tech world.