Moto G04 (2024): Affordable Android with 90Hz Display

Moto G04 (2024)

Definition: The Moto G04 (model XT2421-2/XT2421-3) is an entry – level 4G Android smartphone announced by Motorola on January 18, 2024, and released on February 7, 2024. It targets budget – conscious users seeking basic functionality, a smooth display, and long battery life, powered by the Unisoc T606 (12 nm) chipset, featuring a 6.56 – inch HD+ IPS LCD with a 90 Hz refresh rate, a 16 MP rear camera, a 5000 mAh non – removable battery with 15W wired charging, and running near – stock Android 14, with a starting price of approximately $90 – $100 (~¥650 – ¥720).

Core Technical Specifications

Component	Details
Display	6.56 – inch IPS LCD, 1612×720 resolution (~270 PPI), 20:9 aspect ratio, 90 Hz refresh rate, ~84.9% screen – to – body ratio, glass front, plastic back/frame, 450 nits typical brightness, 16.7M colors, multitouch, hole – punch selfie cutout
Processor & Chipset	Unisoc T606 (12 nm), octa – core (2×1.6 GHz ARM Cortex – A75 + 6×1.6 GHz ARM Cortex – A55), Mali – G57 MP1 GPU
Memory & Storage	4/8 GB LPDDR4X RAM; 64/128 GB eMMC 5.1 internal storage; microSDXC up to 1 TB (hybrid dual Nano – SIM slot); dual – SIM (dual standby)
Camera System	Rear Camera: 16 MP, f/2.2, wide, 1.0 μm pixels, PDAF, LED flash, HDR, panorama; 1080p@30 fps videoFront Camera: 5 MP, f/2.2, wide, 1.12 μm pixels; HDR; 1080p@30 fps video
Battery & Charging	5000 mAh non – removable Li – Po battery; 15W wired charging (no fast wireless charging); up to 2 days of typical usage
Connectivity	4G LTE/3G/2G, Wi – Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual – band), Bluetooth 5.0, GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/Beidou, USB – C 2.0, 3.5 mm headphone jack, FM radio (regional), no NFC, no 5Gmotorola.c…
Operating System	Android 14 (near – stock UI); no major OS upgrades planned; 2 years of security patches
Design & Durability	Plastic frame & back, 163.5×74.5×8 mm, 178.8 g; colors: Concord Black, Sea Green, Satin Blue, Sunrise Orange; side – mounted fingerprint sensor; IP52 water/dust resistance; sensors: accelerometer, proximity, compass
Unique Features	Moto Actions (twist for camera, chop for flashlight), Moto Display, single speaker with Dolby Atmos, AI scene recognition, 3.5 mm headphone jackmotorola.c…

Key Selling Points & Advantages

90Hz Refresh Rate at Budget Price: The 90Hz IPS LCD offers smoother scrolling and app navigation than many 60Hz rivals in the sub – $100 segment, enhancing daily usability.
Long – Lasting 5000 mAh Battery: Delivers reliable all – day to 2 – day battery life for light – to – moderate users, reducing charging frequency.
Near – Stock Android 14: Clean UI with minimal bloatware ensures fast boot times, smooth performance, and easy navigation, ideal for first – time smartphone users or those preferring simplicity.
IP52 Water/Dust Resistance: Provides basic protection against spills and dust, a rare feature in entry – level devices.
Affordable & Practical: Competitive pricing with expandable storage, 3.5 mm headphone jack, and dual – SIM support, meeting essential user needs without extra cost.

Limitations & Criticisms

No 5G Connectivity: Lacks 5G support, limiting future – proofing for next – gen networks as 5G becomes more widespread.
Basic Camera Performance: The single 16 MP rear camera struggles in low – light conditions with noise and limited dynamic range, and lacks a macro/ultrawide lens for versatile shooting.
No Major OS Upgrades: Stuck on Android 14 with no path to Android 15 or later, leading to quicker obsolescence in terms of software features.
Mediocre Chipset Performance: The Unisoc T606 chipset handles basic tasks but lags in multitasking and gaming, especially with memory – intensive apps.
Slow Charging Speed: 15W wired charging takes over 2.5 hours to fully charge the 5000 mAh battery, slower than some competitors with 20W+ charging.

Release & Market Performance

Launch Date: Announced on January 18, 2024, released on February 7, 2024 (global).
Pricing: Starting at ~$90 – $100 (~¥650 – ¥720); ~£89.99 in the UK, ~€92 in Europe, ~₹7,999 in India.
Sales & Reception: Gained traction in emerging markets for its 90Hz display, long battery life, and clean software, but criticized for no 5G and limited camera capabilities. It became a popular choice for secondary phones, kids’ devices, and users on a tight budget.
Market Position: Competed with other entry – level phones like the Redmi 12C, Realme C55, and Nokia G42, focusing on software simplicity and battery life to stand out.

Legacy

The Moto G04 reinforced Motorola’s focus on delivering essential features at an ultra – affordable price, emphasizing a smooth 90Hz display and near – stock Android in the entry – level segment. It also highlighted the trade – offs in budget devices, such as the lack of 5G and limited camera performance, while setting a standard for basic durability with IP52 rating and practical extras like a 3.5 mm headphone jack and expandable storage, catering to users who prioritize functionality over high – end specs.