Moto G Play (2021) Review: Battery Life, Performance, Camera

motorola moto g play 2021 rating 4

"Motorola makes the best phone under $ 200 – just set your expectations before you buy."

  • Modern design

  • Great battery life

  • Good advertisement

  • Attractively priced

  • Below average camera

  • Limited software support

  • Mediocre performance

The Moto G series is back for 2021 and consists of the Moto G Power, Moto G Stylus and Moto G Play. While most might want to buy the Moto G Power or save up on the Google Pixel 4a for their competitor, the Moto G Play is great value for money and therefore only costs $ 170.

The phone looks great on paper. With a huge 5,000 mAh battery, a relatively modern design, and a lot more, it could be the ideal device for those looking for a decent phone under $ 200. Is it anyway? I've been testing the 2021 Moto G Play for a while to find out.

Design and display

The Moto G Play is an affordable phone. Hence, you shouldn't expect the design to look too expensive. That said, Motorola does a good job of making sure the phone looks modern enough in the age of edge-to-edge displays.

Gone are the holes in the more expensive Moto G models in favor of a small teardrop notch at the top. Honestly, the notch is as intrusive as the hole punch cutout anyway, and you'll soon forget about it after you've used the phone. The device also has a bigger chin than the other Moto G devices, and that might be more noticeable. Neither of these issues are real, but they do contribute to the fact that the device is a little less premium – which it is.

On the back of the device is the camera with two sensors and a back-mounted fingerprint sensor that appeared to be fast and accurate in our tests. In 2021, on phones like the Galaxy S21, the camera shock on this device is quite small and almost flush with the back of the phone, which is a nice touch. It's also centered so it doesn't wobble a lot on a desk.

On the edges of the phone are the standard volume rocker, power button, and USB-C port. You also get a headphone jack, which is especially good to see on phones in this price range.

The Moto G Play's display is a 6.5-inch 720p LCD display and does the job, but that's about it. Colors aren't particularly vivid and obviously don't have a high refresh rate here, but for things like scrolling Twitter and reading email, this is perfectly fine. It also gets quite bright, which is helpful in direct sunlight or brighter environments.

Power and battery

The Moto G Play is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 processor as well as 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage. This is a notable step up from the other Moto G-series devices, which come with 6-series chips and offer at least twice as much storage space. 32GB of storage is a bit weak in 2021, but something is expected from such a cheap phone. Fortunately, there is a microSD card slot so you can expand the storage if you want.

Despite the slightly underloaded processor, the phone works perfectly in daily use. There was little to complain about with basic tasks like emailing, browsing social media, and even multitasking. If you're doing more intense tasks like mobile gaming while playing games like Call of Duty: Mobile, you should expect some serious slowdowns, but despite the slower loading times and jittery menus, the in-game phone has mostly done itself with the occasional skip.

All of the Moto G-Series 2021 devices have good battery life, and the Moto G Play is no exception. The device comes with a powerful 5,000 mAh battery. Thanks to the lower resolution display, it can last two days even with heavy use. If you have a good charging capacity for your device, you won't have to worry about battery life with this phone – and if not, you will have plenty of time to plug it in. You'll have to plug it in but there isn't any wireless charging, though that's no surprise.

Cameras

On the back of the Moto G Play there is a dual camera system with a 13-megapixel main camera with an aperture of 1: 2.0 and a 2MP depth sensor. Despite the fact that great cameras are getting cheaper on smartphones, the Moto G Play doesn't give you the versatility of an ultra-wide or telephoto camera.

Unfortunately, the Moto G Play's camera is mediocre at best. With good lighting, you can take pictures that are … okay. They're not particularly vivid or detailed, but they will get it. However, if you add a bit of complexity to the shot, you don't get much. Low-light photos are either blown, very blurry, or both, and backlit scenes have little to no dynamic range.

If you didn't know you used a $ 170 phone, the Moto G Play's camera will remind you of it – every time.

Software and functions

The 2021 Moto G Play comes with Motorola My UX, which is based on Android 10, and it's a pretty good experience. Motorola is pretty good at providing scaled down software, and you get it on this device. Everything is pretty much where you'd expect it to be, and the user interface is generally easy to navigate.

Motorola has also been pretty good at delivering additional functionality in its software. The phone is equipped with the Moto app, which enables some handy gesture controls – for example, the ability to take a screenshot by touching the screen with three fingers, or turn the phone upside down to “do not disturb”. Other features like Gametime, for example, tweak notification settings while you play. The great thing about these features is that you can enable or disable them depending on which features you actually like. They're all included in the Moto app – instead of being spread across the My UX interface.

Now for the disadvantages (beyond the camera). The phone comes with the dated Android 10. Motorola has stated that it will receive Android 11, but has not yet stated when. Given that Motorola marketing says it will get "at least one software update", Android 11 is likely the end of the line for the 2021 Moto G Play. Fortunately, the device will receive software updates for two years, but it's still very disappointing to see such a lack of software support – which spans all Moto G devices.

Price and availability

Perhaps the best thing about the 2021 Moto G Play is how cheap it is. You can get a whole lot of phone for just $ 170. You can overlook many shortcomings at this price point if you probably won't be holding the phone that long in the first place.

The Moto G Play is available directly from the Motorola website as well as from a few select retailers such as Best Buy. Indeed the device was at the time of this writing Available at Best Buy for just $ 120 When you activate with a carrier, that's an incredible deal.

Our opinion

The Motorola Moto G Play (2021) isn't perfect, and you wouldn't expect it for the price either. The camera is really pretty bad, and while the device's performance is okay for everyday use, it does get slower with heavier multitasking and intense gaming. If you can afford to spend more, this is why you should. You can get it parent Moto G Power for $ 250. And the $ 350 Pixel 4a is more than twice as expensive, but it's also more than twice as good as a phone.

That said, if your budget is no more than $ 200, the 2021 Moto G Play is the way to go. Motorola continues to prove that you can get a solid phone at a super affordable price. As long as your expectations are set correctly.

Is there a better alternative?

No. In this price range, the Moto G Play is the best cell phone under $ 200. However, if you can afford to spend more, you can get the exact same recipe, only better, with this new Moto G Power for $ 250. For a phone that will last longer, perform better, and take better photos along the way, you can access the phone Google Pixel 4a.

How long it will take?

The Moto G Play should be in use for two years given its plastic construction. It's not water-resistant, so you'll need to keep it dry, and you should expect it to get seriously sluggish by the end of those two years.

Should you buy it?

Yes, but only if your budget is no more than $ 200. For $ 250, you get a Moto G Power that performs better in every way.

Editor's recommendations




Google Stadia Review: You Can’t Play Games On Potential

google stadia review rs 3

Google Stadia Premiere Edition

"Google Stadia has immense potential, but a confusing interface and small library sell it briefly."

  • Excellent picture quality

  • Plays excellently on TV and on the phone

  • 1080p animal is free

  • Poor PC performance

  • Latency can be an issue

  • Too few games at the start

  • Subscription is not a good value

This review was updated by Matthew S. Smith on 03/04/2020.

I picked up Death Stranding when it was released. Not a download, but a real, physical CD. I took it home and put it on my PlayStation 4 Pro.

You think that would be the end, but it was not. An installation bar crawled across my screen at an agonizing pace. When it was done, I checked the time on my phone. An hour and a half had passed since I touched the game for the first time; 40 minutes since I put it in the console.

Google wants to fix this with Stadia.

What is Stadia?

Stadia is Google's cloud gaming service. You need an internet connection and a Google account. If you have this, starting a game is easy. No expensive console or gaming rig is required. There is no need to install from a disc or cassette. There is nothing to download. Just buy, play, and off you go.

That is the dream anyway. It is big and that means big obstacles. Errors, a lean library and confusing interface decisions bring Stadia's cloud gaming future to the ground.

Stadia basics

Google relies on the simplicity of Stadia, but it is not easy. Misunderstandings about the service have increased since its announcement. It was called "Netflix for games". It was called a console replacement. It was referred to as a switch competitor.

Here is the summary: Stadia is a cloud service that runs games on Google's servers and then transfers them to your device. You can play on a TV, phone, or PC.

Stadia is not an all-in-one game library like Xbox Game Pass, so the comparison "Netflix for games" falls apart.

Stadia has two levels of service. The basic level offers 1080p quality with stereo sound. Unfortunately it is not yet available. The Stadia Pro tier costs $ 10 a month, offers 4K HDR quality, 5.1 surround sound, and benefits like free games and game discounts.

This isn't an all-in-one game library like Xbox Game Pass, so the Netflix for Games comparison falls apart. Aside from a handful of "free" games included in Stadia Pro, you need to buy the Stadia version of every game you want to play in the Stadia store.

Rich Shibley / Digital Trends

Confusion comes in the small print. You can play on your TV, but you'll need a Google Chromecast Ultra to launch it. You can play on a phone, but you need a supporting Android phone. You can play on your PC, but only in the Chrome browser.

There is more. PC users can play on startup, but they cannot play in 4K with HDR. That will not come until 2020. There is a whole table that lists the different ways in which Stadia devices and game controllers work together (or do not work together). You cannot buy games on TV. This is only possible in the Stadia app on your phone.

Stadia has a limitation for every situation.

Access is also confusing. Stadia was launched, but only if you either ordered the $ 129 Founder's Edition or bought the Premiere Edition for a similar price. This includes a Chromecast Ultra, a controller and three months of Stadia Pro. Don't you want the hardware? Then you won't be able to play for now, even if you're ready to pay for Stadia Pro.

It goes on and on and on. Stadia has a limitation for every situation that undermines the simplicity promised by Google.

No, I don't have to wait for a game to be installed like I did when I brought Death Stranding home. But Stadia still gives me a lot to fear.

The controller is overpriced

The founders edition I received for this review includes the Chromecast Ultra and the Stadia controller. We have tested the Chromecast Ultra in the past and it is a simple streaming puck so I don’t spend time describing it. The Stadia Controller, new and unique in Stadia, is more fascinating.

OK, I lied. It is not. It is a generic controller. The design has a lot in common with the Nintendo Switch Pro controller, while the Thumbstick layout is similar to PlayStation's DualShock4.

The Stadia controller feels good in the hand and works well, but is not comparable to the controllers from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony. The triggers feel a bit loose and the D-Pad is vague compared to the DualShock 4 or Nintendo Switch Pro controller.

Rich Shibley / Digital Trends

The only unique features are two buttons that are located above the "Stadiums" button (which brings up the "Stadiums" menu) and below the "Select" and "Start" buttons. One calls Google Assistant, the other takes screenshots. Technically, these add more features, but I found them confusing. I have pressed the wrong key many times because I am used to having only two keys in this area. However, I assume that I will familiarize myself with the time.

The Stadia Controller can be purchased individually for $ 69. This is the Nintendo Prize and the Stadia Controller doesn't deserve it. An Xbox wireless controller costs $ 60 at MSRP and is often available for far less.

Some good news? The controller works with other games and services. It even works with other cloud gaming services like GeForce Now and Shadow from Nvidia.

You do not have to buy the Stadia controller if you wait until the service is generally available next year. Alternative controllers, including the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One controllers, can be used to play Stadia on a phone or PC. However, they don't work with Chromecast Ultra.

Stadiums fulfill the dream …

It's not looking good for Stadia, is it? The start of Google was half-hearted. Many functions are missing or confusing.

Here's the good news: Stadia works. The dream of seamless, patch-free, download-free and high quality games is true.

I spent most of my time playing Stadia on TV. My home has the luxury of gigabit internet, so I wasn't surprised to see smooth gameplay on my TV. Still, it's an impressive technical feat. The picture quality was excellent. Blur, banding and stuttering were rarely visible, but the image quality was comparable to a console most of the time.

As confirmation, I switched between Destiny 2 in Stadia and Destiny 2 in my PlayStation 4 Pro and found little difference. Details appeared the same on everyone. In dark scenes, the stadiums lacked contrast, but otherwise there were few flaws.

Rich Shibley / Digital Trends

The mobile experience (via WiFi) was even more breathtaking. Destiny 2 looked fantastic on the small, sharp display of the Pixel 3a. Stuttering and delay were rare annoyances that didn't stop me from playing the game.

I am still amazed at how smooth it felt. Stadia sets new standards for graphics quality on mobile devices. This is the full experience running in console quality on a smartphone. The phone doesn't even heat up and the battery life is reasonable as games are run in the cloud. I used less than half of the battery on the Pixel 3a during a two-hour session of Destiny 2.

Google promised to deliver a console-quality gaming experience over the Internet. At this point, Stadia delivers the goods. I couldn't tell the difference between Stadia and my PlayStation 4 Pro. Unlike my PlayStation, Stadia never asked to install, patch or update a game.

As an added bonus, Stadia's loading times are fantastic. Levels are usually loaded in just a few seconds. This is a big leap over the PlayStation 4 Pro, where charging times over 30 seconds are the norm.

… but you have to wake up at some point

At best, Stadia delivers what was promised. This is a technical achievement that deserves recognition. But I think you know what's next. It's time to talk about the shortcomings.

The latency was a companion on all devices that I tried. Google tried to downplay the latency in its marketing, but made no mistake. It is there.

The problem was the worst in Mortal Kombat 11, which like all fighting games requires accurate timing. After less than half an hour, I stopped playing in frustration. I was consistently hit shortly after I pressed the D-pad to dodge while my attacks wielded the space my opponent was just a moment before. I'm the first to admit I'm bad at fighting games, but I've played Mortal Kombat 11 on both the PC and the console. The game felt appealing to both.

Rich Shibley / Digital Trends

In Destiny 2, the latency was bearable thanks to the slow pace of action, but I found that I often missed over-corrected and melee attacks that I should have hit. It didn't make the game more difficult, but it lacked the crisp, snappy feeling I'm used to from playing Destiny 2 on a PC.

The problem was temporary and came and went like the tide. In the worst case, I turned 360 degrees in Destiny 2, as if I had suddenly teleported into a session from Tony Hawk. In other cases, the latency was absent, so even Mortal Kombat 11 felt smooth for a few minutes. Latency often correlated with reduced image quality and stuttering, but not always.

The picture quality can be excellent, but it can be neglected depending on the available bandwidth and the device you are playing with. As you'd expect, you'll have the best experience if you have a great ISP and can connect directly to a router via Ethernet. However, if you cannot do this, you can expect blurriness in the image. The level of softness depends on the resolution you want to play with and the quality of your connection. If you're using Wi-Fi, you can expect the picture quality to vary significantly during your gaming session.

How important that is depends on what you're playing. It didn't affect my experience in Destiny 2 as the game's strong art style shines through even when Stadia's image quality leaps. Shadow of the Tomb Raider, on the other hand, tries a sharp and realistic look. If you are on a PC or TV, you will find that the bandwidth forces the stream to a resolution well below that of the screen.

About this game library

Stadia's technical achievements and shortcomings are worth discussing. It is a revolutionary platform with immense potential and serious problems. However, all of this may not matter since there is not much to play.

The platform offers a slim selection of games. The list includes several popular peculiarities, including Destiny 2, Red Dead Redemption 2, Metro Exodus, NBA 2K20, and the recent Tomb Raider trilogy.

Rich Shibley / Digital Trends

These are good games, nothing will lure players to Stadia from other platforms. Even Apple Arcade started with a strong selection of exclusive games.

I'm also deeply upset with Google's decision to create its own platform. This hurts Destiny 2 deeply, where you can only play with other Stadia players (but your profile is cross-save compatible). Want to show a friend a success in Red Dead Redemption 2? You need to take a photo of it on your phone because your friend may not have used Stadia and may not even have heard of it.

Google's game prices don't look good either. Many games are sold at their original MSRP. Mortal Kombat 11 for PlayStation 4 costs $ 25 on Amazon and $ 59.99 on Stadia. This pattern is repeated throughout the cast. Occasional sales lower the prices of selected titles, but the offers have not yet impressed.

The limited library makes Stadia Pro subscription difficult to bear. Why should you pay $ 60 for Mortal Kombat 11 in Stadia and get a monthly subscription of $ 10? This is only useful if you do not have a current generation console and a playable PC, but want to play modern games with 4K resolution and HDR switched on.

This is the most serious problem for stadiums. It's faster and more convenient than my PlayStation 4 Pro, but I can't play Death Stranding in Stadia. I also can't play Control, Civilization VI, The Witcher 3, Final Fantasy XIV and many other games that I enjoy. Patches and system updates are annoying, but I would rather deal with occasional patches or installations than just play the handful of titles on Stadia.

Use all the data

Streaming can use a lot of data, and Stadia is no exception. In fact, it is one of the data hungry services you can use today.

I tested the data usage when playing Destiny 2 on the Pixel 3a via WiFi. After three test runs, each lasting five minutes, the average data usage was approximately 830 megabytes per test. Do the math and Stadia consumes an incredible 10 gigabytes every hour.

Stadia consumes an incredible 10 gigabytes every hour.

Playing at this speed is not possible on the go, even if you have a data connection that is reliable enough to make it possible. You will quickly use up your data limit. Remember that even unlimited plans are not really unlimited. Heavy players may encounter their data limits when connected to the internet at home, although I assume that this will be rare.

Our opinion

The Stadia from Google is an amazing technical feat. I am honestly impressed with its quality and performance. I was skeptical, but I came out as a convert. Cloud gaming works. Home consoles will last at least another generation, but Stadia proves that the cloud can really replace a console – at least if you have an excellent internet connection.

That makes it a shame that the execution of Google Stadia has turned into a labyrinth with no exit and with many dead ends. The functions do not work the same on all devices. PC performance is a disaster. And the limited game library will not win Stadia fans.

Maybe one day I'll leave my consoles to the cloud, but I'll keep them for now. Stadia is not worth the price of the $ 129 Premium Edition or the $ 10 monthly subscription.

Is there a better alternative?

Alternatives include GeForce Now from Nvidia, Shadow, PlayStation Now and Microsoft’s Project xCloud, which is still being tested. Shadow is arguably the most mature of them, and since it mimics a PC, it can play almost anything a PC can play. The downside is pricing; With an annual commitment, it is at least $ 12.99 per month. Nvidia's GeForce Now is the budget option and even offers a free tier with a session limit of one hour, but limited to a resolution of 1080p.

Should you buy it

Stadia has potential. However, you cannot play potential games.

Editor's recommendations




Golfer Tony Finau on Doing Yoga and His Favorite Courses to Play

Although he has never won one in his PGA tour career, golfer Tony Finau is on the verge of winning a major championship. Finau has a top 10 result on tour with all four majors, including a career-best third place at the Open Championship 2019. With his way of playing in recent years, 2020 could be the time to finally win one of these trophies.

How 7 golfers train to start powerful rides on the PGA tour

One place that Finau focuses on is the first major of the year, the Masters tournament in April, in which he finishes in the top five. The place also happens to be one of his favorite places. (Finau and the tournament have also been connected since he went viral in 2018 after celebrating a hole-in-one hole during the par-3 competition. Finau found it difficult to do the rest of the tournament. )

"It's one of the best designed golf courses in the world," Finau told Men’s Journal. "If you combine that with the story and the games that are played there, it definitely has to be at the top of my list."

MJ5: Russell Wilson on his favorite equipment, travel destination and advice he will never forget

For his MJ5, Finau spoke to Men's Journal about how he's trying to attack his gym workouts, his favorite lifts, the best advice he's got, and more. Further interviews with Chris Evans, Russell Wilson, Michael Strahan, Tony Hawk and P.K. can be found in the complete MJ5 archive. Subban, Ewan McGregor and more.

He focuses most on the areas in his training: “The three areas that I attack during my training are stability, mobility and flexibility in the whole body. I think these three areas are very important in golf swing. I attack all parts of my body, just like when I play golf. I go to the gym pretty hard to get stronger every year. I try to gain an advantage by becoming stronger and more fit than other players. At the end of the season it makes a big difference – the special thing about the PGA Tour is that it is such a long season and we have no off-season. So you have to train and stay in shape all year round. "

On his favorite exercises: "I like to use kettlebells for power clean, Olympic lifts and squats – but that's about all the weights I'm going to use. Apart from that, I do a lot of floor work. I'll mix yoga with Pilates for the core and then get on the bike. I also use a lot of bands. "

MJ5: NHL Star P.K. Subban at 5 a.m. workouts, starting Pilates and his "big" wine cellar

The best advice he has received: The best advice I've ever been given is "Be yourself". I learned that when you can be your most authentic self, things will happen the way they should in your life. I think we all learn things about ourselves, we are all unique and have unique things about ourselves – and that makes everyone great. That is probably the best advice I can give. "

To travel on his favorite courses: “My favorite course is my home course, where I grew up in Salt Lake City, the Jordan River Par Three. Unfortunately it is no longer there, but I just have so many great memories when I started there and played with my father and brother. It is my favorite place and it is the place where I would like to play my last round if I ever had a chance. As for a golf course that every golfer should play before they die, it's Augusta National. It is a pleasure to be there and play, and there is so much history there. "

About his dream golf matchup: "I had my opportunity with Tiger Woods at the Masters in Augusta National last year and I would love this opportunity again this year. Hopefully I can have this chance again this year and achieve a different result. "

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How Sebastian Stan Trains to Play Marvel’s Winter Soldier

Actor Sebastian Stan is ready to put his bionic arm back on. Stan is expected to be Bucky Barnes, a.k.a. The Winter Soldier, in the expected new series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which is scheduled to arrive at Disney Plus in August 2020.

Everything you need to know about the next steps in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Stan has played the character for almost a decade since his debut in Captain America: The First Avenger, and has continued to work with coach Don Saladino over the years as he transformed into a winter soldier. Stan recently appeared in both parts of the Avengers saga in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, and now his story continues on Disney Plus, which turns out to be very important for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Here is the first trailer for the new series:

(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62EB4JniuTc (/ embed)

Men’s Journal caught up with Saladino as he worked with Stan on the Avengers series: "We started with a heavy lift every day," said Saladino. “There is this amazing muscle engagement that you can only feel when you put on a lot of weight. I'm not saying that where your system flips out has to be exhausting for the body. It just has to feel difficult. "

Sebastian Stan's six-pack is your new fitness motivation

Here is a look at some of the work the two have done together:

In the new series Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Stans Wintersoldat and Anthony Mackies Sam Wilson / Falcon will deal with the consequences of Endgame and what the new world looks like with Wilson as the new Captain America. Civil war villain Baron Zemo (Daniel Brühl) returns as the main villain for the series while Wyatt Russell will play John Walker / USA. Agent, a government-sanctioned, militaristic version of Captain America.

How Sebastian Stan was pumped up for "Avengers: Infinity War"

Stan shared a first look at his character from the show:

Training Sebastian Stan has made his winter soldier arm bionically strong

In August 2019, Stan showed the results of his training when he was getting ready to shoot, and these results were pretty great:

As part of his training with Stan, Saladino concentrated on Stan's torso and arms, also because the winter soldier actually has a muscular bionic arm. Saladino developed kettlebell carry training and arm circuit training to give Stan the strength he was looking for: “I think the way to success with biceps and shoulders starts with how you train the rest of your body “Said Saladino.

Falcon and the Winter Soldier is expected to be released on Disney Plus in fall 2020.

Here's a look at some of Stan's best workout posts and how he's training to transform into winter soldiers:

(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7UE_qT_0zs (/ embed)

(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebbCQT09jEs (/ embed)

Build a bigger action hero

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