Moto G8 Review: Budget Smartphone with Snapdragon 665

Moto G8 (2020) – Budget-Friendly Smartphone with Snapdragon 665, Triple Camera & All-Day Battery

Definition

The Moto G8 (model: XT2045-1) is a budget Android smartphone released by Motorola on March 5, 2020. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chipset, runs Android 10 (upgradable to Android 11), features a 6.4-inch IPS LCD display, a triple rear camera system (16MP main, 2MP macro, 2MP depth), a 4000mAh battery with 10W charging, and a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner. Targeted at cost-sensitive users seeking reliable daily performance, basic photography, and long battery life, it is part of Motorola’s popular G-series, known for delivering essential features at an affordable price point.

Core Identity & Release Context

Launch: March 5, 2020 (global rollout); starting price around USD 199/EUR 230 (4GB+64GB variant).
Key Differentiators: Snapdragon 665 (11nm) for efficient daily performance; triple rear camera with macro/depth capabilities; 4000mAh long-life battery; 3.5mm audio jack and USB-C port; water-splash resistance; rear-mounted fingerprint scanner integrated with the Moto logo.
Market Role: Competed with budget phones like Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 and Realme 6i; positioned as a “reliable budget workhorse” for daily communication, media consumption, and casual photography.
Legacy: Reinforced Motorola’s reputation in the budget segment, offering a clean Android experience, solid hardware, and practical features to mainstream consumers.

Full Technical Specifications

Design & Display

Aspect	Details
Form Factor	Candybar; full-front display with a waterdrop notch; rear-mounted fingerprint scanner (integrated with Moto logo) and rectangular camera module.
Display	6.4-inch IPS LCD; resolution 720×1560 pixels (20:9 aspect ratio, 268 ppi); 10-point multitouch; 400 nits typical brightness.
Build	Plastic frame + plastic back; water-splash resistant (IP52 rating); White Prism, Capri Blue color options.
Dimensions & Weight	161.27×75.8×8.95 mm; 188.3 g.
Controls & Ports	Volume rocker, power button; 3.5mm audio jack, USB-C 2.0 (OTG-compatible), microSD card slot (up to 512GB), hybrid dual Nano-SIM slots (dual-standby).

Performance & Software

Component	Specifications
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (SM6125) (11nm); octa-core (4×2.0GHz Kryo 260 Gold + 4×1.8GHz Kryo 260 Silver); Adreno 610 GPU.
Memory	4GB LPDDR4x RAM; internal storage: 64GB eMMC 5.1; expandable via microSD (up to 512GB).
OS	Android 10 (upgradable to Android 11); near-stock UI with Moto Experiences (one-button nav, Moto Display, Moto Actions).
Sensors	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, ambient light; rear-mounted fingerprint scanner.

Camera System (Triple Camera)

Camera	Specifications
Rear Triple	– 16MP main (f/1.7, 1.22μm, AF); video recording: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps- 2MP macro (f/2.4, FF, 10cm focus distance)- 2MP depth (f/2.4, FF, for portrait mode).
Front	8MP (f/2.0, FF, beauty mode); video recording: 1080p@30fps.
Video Features	EIS, timelapse, slow-motion (720p@120fps).

Connectivity & Network

Feature	Specifications
Network	GSM/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz); HSPA+ (850/900/1900/2100 MHz); 4G LTE (FDD: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/20; TDD: 38/40/41).
Wi-Fi	802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot.
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD.
Positioning	GPS (A-GPS), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO.
Other	3.5mm audio jack, USB-C 2.0 (data/charging); no NFC, no FM radio.

Battery & Charging

Aspect	Details
Battery	4000mAh non-removable Li-Po battery.
Charging	10W wired charging (TurboPower); 0–100% in ~2.5 hours; no fast/wireless charging.
Battery Life	Up to 2 days of mixed usage; standby time up to ~2 weeks (varies by usage).

Key Features & User Experience

Snapdragon 665 Efficiency: Handled smooth web browsing, video playback, and casual gaming; 11nm chipset balanced performance and battery life.
Triple Camera Versatility: 16MP main sensor captured sharp daylight shots; macro lens focused on close-up details; depth sensor enabled portrait mode with bokeh effects.
Practical Connectivity: Hybrid dual-SIM, microSD expansion, 3.5mm jack, and USB-C catered to diverse user needs; water-splash resistance protected against accidental spills.
All-Day Battery: 4000mAh capacity delivered reliable all-day usage, ideal for heavy media consumption and communication.
Stock Android Experience: Near-stock UI with Moto Experiences offered a clean, bloatware-free interface with useful productivity features.

Market Reception & Limitations

Reception

Affordability: Praised for offering Snapdragon 665, triple cameras, and a large battery at a budget price.
User-Friendly Software: Near-stock Android and Moto Experiences were popular for their simplicity and customization options.