The Moto G96 5G, launched on July 9, 2025, at ₹17,999, has been hailed as a strong contender in India’s sub-₹20,000 smartphone segment, boasting a 144Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, and a premium vegan leather design. As a tech reviewer with 8 years of experience, I tested the device for a week, putting it through gaming, photography, and daily tasks in Mumbai’s humid conditions. While it excels in many areas, it’s not without flaws. Drawing from my hands-on experience, Manoj Saru’s YouTube unboxing, web sources (Flipkart, 91mobiles, Gizmochina), and X user feedback (@Gadgetsdata, @SavageAryan007), here are the top 5 reasons to avoid the Moto G96 5G if these drawbacks clash with your needs. This blog aims to help budget-conscious buyers make an informed decision in 2025.
Top 5 Reasons to Avoid the Moto G96 5G
1. Limited Software Update Commitment
The Moto G96 5G runs Hello UI on Android 15, offering a clean, bloatware-free experience, which I enjoyed during my week of use. However, Motorola promises only one OS update (to Android 16) and three years of security updates, as confirmed by 91mobiles and Gizmochina. Compared to competitors like Samsung’s Galaxy A16 5G or Realme 15 5G, which offer 4 OS updates, this feels underwhelming. For a phone launched in 2025, a single OS upgrade limits its software longevity, especially for users like me who keep devices for 3–4 years. X user @Gadgetsdata echoed this concern, noting Motorola’s “disappointing update policy” for budget phones.
Why It Matters: Short software support can leave your phone outdated, missing new features and security patches, making rivals like the Redmi Note 14 5G more future-proof.
2. No NFC for Contactless Payments
The absence of NFC is a significant drawback for the Moto G96 5G, as noted in my tests and confirmed by Flipkart’s specs. In Mumbai, where contactless payments via Google Pay are common at cafés and stores, I found this limitation frustrating. Budget competitors like the Poco X6 and Realme Narzo 70 Pro include NFC, enabling seamless tap-to-pay functionality. X user @SavageAryan007 criticized the lack of NFC, calling it a “dealbreaker” for urban users. While the phone offers robust connectivity with 13 5G bands, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2, the omission of NFC feels like a step back in 2025’s connected world.
Why It Matters: Without NFC, you’ll need to rely on cards or cash, which is inconvenient for tech-savvy users in India’s growing digital payment ecosystem.
3. Average Low-Light Camera Performance
The 50MP Sony LYT-700C sensor with OIS performs well in daylight, capturing sharp, vibrant photos, as seen in my café shots and Manoj Saru’s tests. However, low-light performance is lackluster, with noticeable noise and loss of detail in dim settings, such as evening street photography. The 8MP ultra-wide/macro lens also struggles with macro precision, producing soft images, as X users noted. Compared to the Poco M6 Pro or Vivo T4, which offer better low-light processing, the Moto G96 5G’s camera falls short. The 32MP front camera is decent for selfies but leans toward warm skin tones, which may not suit all users.
Why It Matters: If you frequently shoot in low light or need reliable macro photography, competitors like the Redmi Note 14 5G offer superior results.
4. Slower Charging Speed Compared to Rivals
The Moto G96 5G’s 5500mAh battery is a highlight, lasting 1.5–2 days in my tests, but its 33W TurboPower charging is slower than competitors. For instance, the Vivo T4 (90W) and OPPO K13 (80W) charge faster, reaching 50% in ~20 minutes compared to the Moto’s ~30 minutes, per 91mobiles. Some sources, like My Mobile India, incorrectly listed 68W charging, but Flipkart and Gizmochina confirm 33W. While the included charger adds value, the slower speed is noticeable for users like me who need quick top-ups during busy days.
Why It Matters: Faster-charging rivals like the Realme 15 5G provide more convenience for users with packed schedules, making the Moto G96 5G less competitive.
5. No MicroSD Slot for Storage Expansion
The Moto G96 5G comes in 8GB/128GB (₹17,999) and 8GB/256GB (₹19,999) variants with UFS 2.2 storage, but it lacks a microSD slot, as confirmed by Flipkart and 91mobiles. As someone who stores large video files and games like BGMI, I found the 128GB variant limiting, especially since apps and 4K videos quickly fill storage. Competitors like the Samsung Galaxy M36 and Realme 7 5G offer expandable storage up to 1TB, providing more flexibility. X user @TechBitIndia highlighted this as a “major miss” for budget buyers needing extra space.
Why It Matters: Without expandable storage, you’re stuck with fixed capacity, which can be restrictive for heavy users like students or content creators.
The Moto G96 5G offers impressive features like a 144Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, and IP68 rating, making it a solid choice for budget buyers at ₹17,999. However, its limited software updates, lack of NFC, average low-light camera, slower charging, and no microSD slot are significant drawbacks. My week of testing—gaming, snapping photos, and commuting in Mumbai—revealed these issues, particularly the absence of NFC and storage constraints. Compared to rivals like the Poco X6, Redmi Note 14 5G, or Vivo T4, the Moto G96 5G falls short in key areas. If these cons outweigh the pros for you, explore alternatives on Flipkart or Amazon India. Share your thoughts on X with #MotoG96_5G!
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