In recent times, the Motorola brand, under the ownership of Lenovo, has established itself as a symbol of value, offering mid-range and budget-friendly phones that may not boast the highest aesthetics or raw power in the market, but deliver exceptional quality for their price.
Building upon the success of the Moto G6 series, Motorola has now unveiled the impressive Moto G7 lineup. Consisting of four distinct models, the Moto G7 Plus stands as the pinnacle of this range, offering advanced features while sharing a similar physical size with two of its sibling handsets.
| Dimensions | 157 x 75.3 x 8.3 mm |
| Weight | 176 g |
| Screen | 6.2-inch, 19:9 |
| Resolution | 1,080 x 2,270 pixels |
| Pixel Density | 398 ppi |
| CPU | Snapdragon 636 |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Battery | 3,000 mAh |
| Rear Cameras | 16MP + 5MP |
| Front Camera | 12MP |
| Operating System (OS) | Android 9.0 Pie |
Design and display
The Moto G7 Plus boasts a 6.2-inch display with a resolution of 1,080 x 2,270 pixels, matching the standard G7 in size and resolution. While the screen is bright and easy to read, it may appear slightly washed out at maximum brightness.
Unlike premium Samsung flagships, Motorola opted for an LCD panel instead of OLED, likely due to cost considerations. As a result, the depth and richness of colors are not on par with high-end devices. Nevertheless, the screen is perfectly adequate for various tasks such as watching movies, browsing the web, and messaging.
Text and shapes are sharp and well-defined, and colors are accurately reproduced. The 19:9 aspect ratio, popular among many smartphones today, provides ample scrolling space for social media feeds and websites.
In terms of feel, the Moto G7 Plus is lightweight and has a slightly plasticky sensation (despite being constructed from aluminum and glass). Holding the phone, you can discern that it is not a £1,000 flagship, but it doesn’t feel cheap or poorly assembled. Additionally, the phone comes with a simple plastic case as a free accessory, although we didn’t use it extensively, it’s a nice inclusion.
Motorola has done an excellent job of minimizing bezels, featuring a slim bottom chin and a small teardrop notch at the top. The design and aesthetics of the Moto G7 Plus are quite appealing, and if you were to view it lying flat on a table, you could easily mistake it for a more expensive device. The bottom chin discreetly incorporates the Motorola branding, which may not appeal to everyone, but it’s not distracting or obtrusive when using the G7 Plus.
The device includes volume and power buttons on the right side, a SIM card slot on the top, and a single speaker grille and a 3.5mm headphone jack at the bottom. Power and connectivity are facilitated by a USB-C port. On the back, you’ll find the fingerprint sensor (featuring the Motorola logo) and the dual-lens camera, which we’ll discuss in more detail later on.
Camera
Motorola places significant emphasis on photography as a standout feature of the Moto G7 Plus, and we must admit that we were impressed with its camera capabilities. While it may not match the quality of the latest Apple, Google, or Pixel flagship cameras, it still delivers very usable shots overall.
In well-lit conditions, the Moto G7 Plus excels, capturing images with ample detail and vibrant colors. We tested it on a dull and cloudy day, yet the resulting photos were surprisingly decent—good enough for sharing on social media or even displaying on the wall.
However, in low-light environments, the camera performance suffers, with increased noise and blur. Despite this, the Moto G7 Plus manages to capture something in most dark scenes. In semi-darkness, where there are at least a few light sources available, it can produce reasonable shots.
The inclusion of optical image stabilization (OIS) is a welcome addition, helping to minimize camera shake and image blur. Although we didn’t notice its impact significantly during testing, it’s a valuable feature to have. The Moto G7 Plus also offers various shooting modes and filters, including a creative spot color mode that produces impressive results.
On the front, the 12MP selfie camera delivers adequate results without being particularly exceptional. Additionally, the Moto G7 Plus has a useful feature that illuminates the entire front screen, effectively acting as a flash when needed.
When it comes to video recording, the Moto G7 Plus excels, supporting 4K recording and benefiting from the integrated OIS. The device is capable of capturing images and clips that defy its sub-£300 price range, which is certainly commendable.
Connectivity
While the Moto G7 Plus offers a larger display, its memory capacity remains unchanged. Similar to its predecessor, this model features 64 GB of internal storage and 4 GB of RAM. However, this stagnation should not be seen as a drawback. This combination continues to be the standard for mid-range smartphones. Moreover, the G7 Plus now supports microSD cards with up to 512 GB capacity, surpassing the officially supported capacity of its predecessors. It is important to note that the option to save apps and data to external storage is available, albeit hidden within the Developer options.
Motorola maintains its commitment to providing dual SIM card slots along with a dedicated microSD card slot. In contrast, many smartphones offering dual-SIM functionality and microSD card expansion utilize a hybrid slot, forcing users to choose between a second SIM or additional storage.
It is worth mentioning that the G7 Plus is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC, distinguishing it from the rest of the G7 family, which utilizes the slightly weaker Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 SoC. Both SoCs deliver excellent CPU performance; however, the GPU performance may leave something to be desired.
Software and features
Motorola keeps the stock Android experience relatively untouched. Simple gestures, such as a single swipe up, grant access to the app drawer. Additionally, preinstalled apps are limited to a few utility tools for tech support and providing guidance on using the phone effectively.
The Moto G7 Plus includes bundled features like Moto Actions, which enable gesture-based control of apps, and Moto Voice, which reads out your texts while driving. While these features may not be life-changing, they offer a fun and interactive experience for users seeking additional functionality from their device. One notable aspect of Motorola’s approach is their commitment to preserving the essence of Android, allowing users to have access to all the essential Google apps right out of the box.
Moreover, the Moto G7 Plus features its own customized time and date widget, which serves as a battery meter as well. This widget also appears on the lock screen when the phone is lifted, making it convenient to check the time. Overall, Motorola strikes a balance by adding subtle yet practical touches without overpowering the stock Android experience.
While the Moto G7 Plus doesn’t come with waterproofing, it does feature a thin water-repellent layer that offers a level of protection suitable for its price range. It may not survive being fully submerged, but it should withstand light rain without any issues.
The inclusion of Dolby Audio enhances the audio experience, particularly for apps that support it. Overall, the phone delivers impressive audio performance. Dialogue and background music are loud and clear when watching videos, and in a pinch, the Moto G7 Plus can even serve as a makeshift boombox, filling a small room with music.
The device also supports 27W fast charging, allowing you to rapidly recharge your phone. Motorola claims that just 15 minutes of charging can provide 12 hours of power, which aligns with our own tests. During our T3 testing, we watched Netflix for an hour at maximum brightness and a reasonable volume level, and the 3,000mAh battery dropped from 100 percent to 83 percent. While slightly below average, this battery performance still translates to a full day of use.
Communication & GPS
The Moto G7 Plus offers several advantages over the G7, particularly in terms of communication and GPS capabilities. Its LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity are notably faster. The G7 Plus supports IEEE 802.11 ac Wi-Fi, enabling it to connect to 5 GHz networks, whereas the G7 is limited to 802.11 n Wi-Fi and 2.4 GHz networks. Additionally, the G7 Plus supports LTE Cat.13, allowing for download speeds of up to 390 Mbit/s and upload speeds of up to 150 Mbit/s. In comparison, the G7 only supports the slower LTE Cat. 4. The G7 Plus is also compatible with a wide range of LTE bands, ensuring connectivity to most LTE networks worldwide.
The G7 Plus demonstrated commendable Wi-Fi speeds when paired with our reference Linksys EA8500 router. It performed exceptionally well in our iperf3 Client comparison tables, ranking first in the “receive” comparison test and third in the transmission test, surpassed only by its predecessor and the Galaxy A7 (2018). Consequently, the G7 Plus delivers above-average Wi-Fi performance considering its price range.
The Moto G7 Plus features a highly precise GPS module that demonstrated impressive performance during our testing. Indoors, our review unit was able to obtain a satellite fix with an accuracy of up to 10 meters (~33 ft). When positioned near a window, the GPS accuracy improved to 5 meters (~16 ft), and when used outdoors, it reached an accuracy of 3 meters (~10 ft).
To further assess its location accuracy, we compared the G7 Plus against the Garmin Edge 520 during a bike ride. While the G7 Plus occasionally took minor shortcuts to keep up with us, overall, it exhibited accuracy comparable to the Garmin device. In summary, the G7 Plus is more than capable of providing accurate location information for general navigation purposes.
Call Quality
The Moto G7 Plus comes pre-installed with the Google suite of telephony apps, now enhanced with a convenient dark mode feature that proves useful for nighttime usage. These apps function seamlessly, providing a user experience similar to other devices we have tested.
In terms of call quality, the G7 Plus performs well. The microphones effectively capture our voice, although slightly improved clarity would have been desirable. Throughout our tests, our call partner remained intelligible, and the earpiece delivers loud sound without distortion. The hands-free functionality is particularly impressive, surpassing the call quality experienced with the earpiece alone. Even when standing at a distance, our review unit effectively picks up our voices. However, we recommend avoiding crowded areas when using the loudspeaker, as it can become exceptionally loud.
Additionally, the Moto G7 Plus supports VoLTE (Voice over LTE) technology. However, it’s important to note that VoLTE functionality is dependent on carrier support and provisioning for the Moto G7 Plus on their network.
Accessories & Warranty
In addition to its impressive features, the Moto G7 Plus comes bundled with a 27W fast charger, providing the convenience of quick charging. Motorola claims that just 15 minutes of charging can provide up to eight hours of battery life. We will thoroughly test this claim in our Battery Life section to validate its accuracy and assess the device’s charging capabilities.
To enhance the overall user experience, the Moto G7 Plus is complemented by essential accessories. Along with the device itself, you will find a silicone case that offers protection and adds a touch of style. A USB cable is included for seamless connectivity and data transfer, ensuring you can easily connect your device to other devices or charge it from various power sources. Additionally, a SIM tool is provided, allowing for hassle-free installation or removal of SIM cards.
Motorola stands behind the quality and reliability of the Moto G7 Plus by offering a 24-month manufacturer’s warranty. This warranty ensures that you have peace of mind and protection against any potential manufacturing defects. For specific details about guarantees, return policies, and warranties applicable to your country, we recommend referring to our comprehensive Guarantees, Return Policies, and Warranties FAQ section, where you can find country-specific information.
Input Devices & Operation
The Moto G7 Plus showcases a 10-point multitouch touchscreen that delivers accurate responsiveness to our inputs during extensive testing. However, it is worth noting that the display may present a somewhat hollow feel when tapped, which might be unsettling for certain users. Additionally, we observed faint clicking sounds while typing, although it is important to consider that this issue could be isolated to our specific review unit and may not be representative of all devices.
Motorola pre-installs the Google GBoard as the default keyboard app, providing a reliable and user-friendly typing experience. However, if you prefer a different keyboard, the flexibility to replace it with an alternative of your choice is available.
On the hardware front, the device boasts well-functioning buttons that offer a satisfying tactile response. Each button operates flawlessly, enhancing the overall usability of the Moto G7 Plus. Additionally, the fingerprint sensor, although slightly slower compared to flagship smartphones, consistently unlocked our review unit, ensuring reliable security.
Overall, while the Moto G7 Plus excels in touchscreen accuracy and reliable hardware buttons, it is important to consider the potential hollow feel during tapping and the faint clicking sounds while typing that we observed in our specific review unit. Nevertheless, these aspects should not overshadow the device’s overall performance and functionality, providing users with a satisfactory experience.
Alternatives to Moto G7 Plus
The Moto G7 Plus is a popular mid-range smartphone with a range of impressive features. However, if you’re looking for alternatives to consider before making a purchase, there are several other options available in the market that offer similar specifications and performance. Let’s explore some of the noteworthy alternatives to the Moto G7 Plus.
One of the top alternatives is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro. This device boasts a large 6.67-inch display with Full HD+ resolution, providing a stunning visual experience. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G processor and paired with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, the Redmi Note 9 Pro delivers excellent performance for multitasking and gaming. It also offers a quad-camera setup with a 64MP main sensor, allowing you to capture detailed and vibrant photos. With a massive 5,020mAh battery and support for 30W fast charging, this device ensures long-lasting usage.
Another compelling option is the Samsung Galaxy A51. With its sleek design and Infinity-O Super AMOLED display, the Galaxy A51 offers immersive visuals and vibrant colors. Equipped with an Exynos 9611 processor and 4GB or 6GB of RAM, this device handles everyday tasks with ease. The quad-camera system includes a 48MP primary sensor, providing excellent photo quality. The Galaxy A51 also features a generous 4,000mAh battery, enabling all-day usage, and supports 15W fast charging for quick power top-ups.
For those who prefer stock Android experience, the Nokia 7.2 is a great alternative. It features a 6.3-inch Full HD+ display and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor coupled with 4GB or 6GB of RAM. The device offers a triple-camera setup with a 48MP primary sensor, delivering impressive photography capabilities. The Nokia 7.2 stands out with its durable build quality and the promise of regular software updates as part of the Android One program. It also has a 3,500mAh battery that supports 10W fast charging.
Moving to the realm of budget alternatives, the Realme 6 is worth considering. It sports a 6.5-inch Full HD+ display with a high refresh rate of 90Hz, ensuring smooth scrolling and gameplay. Powered by a MediaTek Helio G90T processor and coupled with up to 8GB of RAM, the Realme 6 offers excellent performance for gaming enthusiasts. It features a quad-camera setup with a 64MP primary sensor, allowing for stunning photography. The device is equipped with a 4,300mAh battery and supports 30W fast charging, ensuring quick and efficient power replenishment.
Lastly, the Google Pixel 4a is a compelling alternative for those seeking a compact device with exceptional camera capabilities. With its 5.8-inch OLED display, the Pixel 4a offers a compact form factor that is easy to handle. It features a Snapdragon 730G processor and 6GB of RAM, providing smooth performance for daily tasks. The highlight of this device is its camera system, which includes a 12.2MP rear sensor that excels in low-light photography. The Pixel 4a also offers a clean and pure Android experience and is backed by Google’s commitment to regular software updates.
When considering alternatives to the Moto G7 Plus, it’s essential to assess your specific needs and preferences. Each of these devices offers its own strengths in terms of display quality, performance, camera capabilities, and battery life. By comparing these alternatives, you can find the perfect smartphone that suits your requirements and budget.
Conclusion
The Moto G7 Plus offers an exceptional package in terms of design, performance, and camera capabilities, all at a price of £270 or potentially even lower. Despite not being a flagship device, it impresses with its features and functionality.
While the Moto G7 Plus holds its ground admirably, it faces increasing competition in the market. The Pixel 3a, for example, comes at a slightly higher price but boasts a fantastic camera. Additionally, Honor and Nokia are also intensifying the competition at the budget end of the smartphone market, putting pressure on Motorola.
However, considering its price point, it is challenging to find a phone that offers such impressive qualities. While it may lack certain premium features like IP68 waterproofing or wireless charging, the Moto G7 Plus excels at fulfilling your needs exceptionally well. It may not have all the bells and whistles, but it certainly delivers a remarkable overall experience.