Moto G20 Review: Affordable Smartphone with Impressive Features

Moto G20 (2021) – Budget-Friendly Mid-Range Smartphone with 90Hz Display, Quad Camera & 5000mAh Battery

Definition

The Moto G20 (model: XT2128-1/XT2128-2) is a budget Android smartphone released by Motorola on June 9, 2021, following its announcement on April 26, 2021. It is powered by the Unisoc T700 chipset, runs Android 11 (upgradable to Android 12), features a 6.5-inch 90Hz IPS LCD display, a quad rear camera system (48MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro, 2MP depth), a 5000mAh battery with 10W charging, and a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner. Targeted at cost-conscious users seeking smooth display performance, versatile 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: Announced on April 26, 2021, released on June 9, 2021 (global rollout); starting price around USD 190/EUR 160 (4GB+64GB variant).
Key Differentiators: Unisoc T700 chipset; 6.5-inch 90Hz HD+ IPS LCD display; quad rear camera system with 48MP main and 8MP ultrawide sensors; 5000mAh large battery; water-repellent design; NFC, 3.5mm audio jack, and USB-C port.
Market Role: Competed with budget phones like Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 and Realme 8i; positioned as a “value-packed budget option” for daily communication, media consumption, and casual photography.
Legacy: Reinforced Motorola’s reputation in the budget segment, offering a smooth display experience, versatile cameras, and a long-lasting battery at an affordable price, catering to mainstream consumers’ needs.

Full Technical Specifications

Design & Display

Aspect	Details
Form Factor	Candybar; full-front display with a waterdrop notch; rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and rectangular camera module; water-repellent design.
Display	6.5-inch IPS LCD; resolution 720×1600 pixels (20:9 aspect ratio, 270 ppi); 90Hz refresh rate; 10-point multitouch; 400 nits typical brightness.
Build	Plastic frame + plastic back; water-repellent design; Breeze Blue, Flamingo Pink color options.
Dimensions & Weight	165.2×75.7×9.1 mm; 200 g.
Controls & Ports	Volume rocker, power button; 3.5mm audio jack, USB-C 2.0 port, microSD card slot (up to 1TB), hybrid dual Nano-SIM slots (dual-standby).

Performance & Software

Component	Specifications
Processor	Unisoc T700 (UniSoC UMS9230) (12nm); octa-core (2×2.0GHz Cortex-A75 + 6×1.8GHz Cortex-A55); Mali-G52 MP2 GPU.
Memory	4GB LPDDR4x RAM; internal storage: 64GB/128GB eMMC 5.1; expandable via microSD (up to 1TB).
OS	Android 11 (upgradable to Android 12); 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 (Quad Camera)

Camera	Specifications
Rear Quad	– 48MP main (f/1.7, 1.6μm, AF); 8MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 118° field of view); 2MP macro (f/2.4, FF, 10cm focus distance); 2MP depth (f/2.4, FF, for portrait mode); LED flash; video recording: 1080p@30fps.
Front	13MP (f/2.2, FF, beauty mode); video recording: 1080p@30fps; HDR.
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: 1/2/3/5/7/8/18/19/20/26/28; 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); NFC, FM radio.

Battery & Charging

Aspect	Details
Battery	5000mAh non-removable Li-Po battery.
Charging	10W wired charging (TurboPower); 0–100% in ~3 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

90Hz Display Smoothness: 90Hz refresh rate delivered smooth scrolling and video playback, enhancing the user experience for daily tasks.
Quad Camera Versatility: 48MP main sensor captured sharp daylight shots; 8MP ultrawide lens enabled landscape and group photos; macro lens focused on close-up details; depth sensor created portrait mode with bokeh effects.
Practical Connectivity: Hybrid dual-SIM, microSD expansion, 3.5mm jack, and USB-C catered to diverse user needs; water-repellent design protected against accidental spills.
All-Day Battery: 5000mAh 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 a 90Hz display, quad 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.