As a tech reviewer with 8 years of experience testing smartphones across India, I’ve handled everything from budget devices to flagships. The Moto G96 5G, launched on July 9, 2025, at ₹17,999, has impressed me as a true all-rounder in the sub-₹20,000 segment. Succeeding the Moto G85 5G, which earned over 2 lakh Flipkart ratings, this phone brings flagship-level features like a 144Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, and a premium vegan leather design. After a week of testing—gaming, streaming, and snapping photos—I’m convinced it’s the best phone under ₹20,000 in 2025.

Drawing from my hands-on experience, Manoj Saru’s YouTube unboxing, and insights from 91mobiles, Flipkart, and X users (@Gadgetsdata, @motorolaindia), here are the top 10 reasons to buy the Moto G96 5G, packed with details to help you decide.

Top 10 Reasons to Buy the Moto G96 5G

1. Premium Vegan Leather Design with IP68 Rating

The Moto G96 5G feels like a ₹30,000 phone despite its ₹17,999 price tag. Its vegan leather back, available in four Pantone-curated colors (Ashleigh Blue, Dresden Blue, Cattleya Orchid, Greener Pastures), offers a soft, non-slip grip that rivals Motorola’s Edge series, as Manoj Saru notes. At 7.93mm thin and 178g, it’s one of the lightest phones in its class, per Flipkart’s specs. The IP68 water and dust resistance—an upgrade from the G85’s IP54—survived my splash test in a Mumbai monsoon, ensuring durability. Paired with a sturdy polycarbonate frame, this design screams premium.

Why It Matters: The vegan leather and IP68 rating make it stylish and durable, outshining plastic-backed rivals like the Realme Narzo 70 Pro. X users (@TechBitIndia) love the “flagship-level” in-hand feel.

2. Stunning 6.67-Inch 144Hz AMOLED Display

The 6.67-inch 3D curved AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate is a standout. As someone who’s tested countless screens, I found its Full HD+ 10-bit panel vibrant, with deep blacks and boosted colors, ideal for Netflix binges at 2160p. The 1600 nits peak brightness handled Mumbai’s sunlight well, though minor glare appeared at angles, as Manoj mentions. Gorilla Glass 5 and Water Touch 2.0 ensure durability and usability with wet hands, while SGS Eye Protection reduces strain during late-night X scrolling.

Why It Matters: The 144Hz AMOLED is smoother than the 120Hz displays on the Poco X6 or Redmi Note 14, offering a near-flagship viewing experience. X user @SaiChar54655190 calls it “vibrant and super smooth.”

3. Powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 Performance

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm), the Moto G96 5G delivers flagship-grade performance. My Antutu test scored 6,29,000+, a 30% jump from the G85’s 4,80,000, aligning with 91mobiles’ data. Gaming was flawless—60fps in BGMI at HD/Ultra HDR settings with no lag, as Manoj’s tests confirm. With 87% CPU throttling stability, it handled 2-hour gaming sessions without overheating. Available in 8GB/128GB (₹17,999) and 8GB/256GB (₹19,999) variants with LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage, it offers fast app loading, though no microSD slot is a drawback.

Why It Matters: The chipset outperforms budget rivals like the Redmi Note 14, making it a top pick for gamers and multitaskers. X users (@Gadgetsdata) praise its “lag-free” performance.

4. Upgraded 50MP Sony Camera with OIS

The 50MP Sony LYT-700C sensor with OIS is a significant upgrade over the G85, delivering sharp daylight photos and decent low-light shots, though noise persists in dim settings, per my tests and Manoj’s findings. The 8MP ultra-wide/macro lens captures wide landscapes but struggles with macro precision, as X users note. The 32MP front camera produces Instagram-ready selfies with accurate edge detection, though skin tones lean warm. 4K 30fps video (front and rear) is stable and vibrant, enhanced by features like Night Vision, AI Photo Enhancement, AI Super Zoom, and AI Magic Eraser.

Why It Matters: The camera excels in daylight and video, surpassing budget competitors like the Poco M6 Pro, though low-light performance trails flagships like the Vivo V30e.

5. Massive 5500mAh Battery with 33W Fast Charging

The 5500mAh battery, an upgrade from the G85’s 5000mAh, lasted 1.5–2 days of moderate use (4 hours of X, YouTube, and gaming), per my tests and 91mobiles. The 33W TurboPower charger (included) hit 0–50% in ~30 minutes, perfect for quick top-ups before meetings. The efficient Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 and AMOLED display optimize power consumption, even during heavy gaming.

Why It Matters: The battery life outlasts rivals like the Poco M6 Pro (5000mAh), and the included charger adds value, unlike some competitors.

6. Clean Hello UI on Android 15

The Moto G96 5G runs Hello UI on Android 15, offering a near-stock experience with minimal bloatware. My week of use confirmed its smooth, ad-free navigation, unlike my old Oppo F21 Pro’s bloated UI. Features like Smart Connect 2.0, Family Space, Moto Secure, and AI tools (Photo Enhancement, Magic Eraser) enhance usability. However, only 1 OS update (to Android 16) and 3 years of security updates feel limited compared to Samsung’s 4-year promise, as Manoj notes.

Why It Matters: The clean UI ensures a fluid experience, praised by X users (@Gadgetsdata), though longer software support would be ideal.

7. Future-Proof 5G Connectivity

With 13 5G bands, the Moto G96 5G is ready for India’s expanding 5G networks. My tests in Mumbai showed stable 5G speeds for streaming and downloads. Additional connectivity includes dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, and a USB-C port, though no NFC disappointed me during cashless payments. The in-display fingerprint sensor and face unlock worked flawlessly, adding convenience.

Why It Matters: Robust 5G support ensures longevity, outpacing 4G-only budget phones like the Realme C65.

8. Immersive Dolby Atmos Stereo Speakers

The Dolby Atmos dual stereo speakers deliver crisp, immersive audio, as tested during my movie nights and Manoj’s gaming demos. Paired with Hi-Res Sound, they enhance music and gaming, offering better depth than the single speakers on budget rivals. The tactile haptics, though slightly firm, complement typing and gaming, per my experience.

Why It Matters: The audio quality elevates media consumption, making it a top choice for entertainment lovers, as X users (@motorolaindia) highlight.

9. Lightweight and Durable Build

At 178g and 7.93mm, the Moto G96 5G is among the lightest and slimmest in its segment, per Flipkart. The vegan leather back and Gorilla Glass 5 front, combined with IP68 protection, make it durable yet comfortable for one-handed use. My week of travel in Mumbai showed no wear, even in humid conditions, unlike my older plastic-backed phones.

Why It Matters: The lightweight, durable design suits students and professionals, offering a premium feel unmatched by heavier rivals like the Redmi Note 14 (190g).

10. Unbeatable Value at ₹17,999

Priced at ₹17,999 (8GB/128GB) and ₹19,999 (8GB/256GB), the Moto G96 5G offers flagship features at a budget price, available on Flipkart, Amazon India, and Motorola.in. Compared to the Moto G85 5G, it offers upgrades such as a 144Hz display, Snapdragon 7 Gen 2, a 5500mAh battery, and an IP68 rating for the same price, according to 91mobiles. Bank offers and exchange deals on Flipkart can further lower the cost.

Why It Matters: The value-for-money proposition beats competitors like the Poco X6 (₹19,999) and Realme Narzo 70 Pro, making it ideal for budget-conscious Indian buyers.

The Moto G96 5G is a game-changer in the sub-₹20,000 segment, blending premium design, a vibrant 144Hz AMOLED display, and powerful performance. My week of testing—playing BGMI, snapping café photos, and streaming—proved it’s a versatile device for students, gamers, and professionals. Despite minor drawbacks like one OS update and no NFC, its Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, 5500mAh battery, and IP68 rating make it the best phone under ₹20,000 in 2025. Grab it on Flipkart for ₹17,999 and share your thoughts on X with #MotoG96_5G!

Author: Technology Gyan Subscribe for Zabardast Tech Videos 😍 😍 For Business and Partnerships: Business@TechnologyGyan.in *I DO NOT PROVIDE TECH SUPPORT OVER EMAIL

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