Moto G53 Review: Affordable 5G Smartphone with 120Hz Display

Moto G53 (2022)

Definition: The Moto G53 (model XT2335-2) is an entry – level 5G Android smartphone announced and released by Motorola on December 15, 2022, targeting cost – effective 5G users who prioritize display smoothness and long battery life. It is powered by the 8 – nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G chipset, features a 6.5 – inch HD+ IPS LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 5000 mAh non – removable battery, and runs near – stock Android 13 with a promised upgrade to Android 14. Its key highlights include 5G connectivity, a 50 MP dual – rear camera system, and a budget – friendly starting price of ~$129 (~¥899).

Core Technical Specifications

Component	Details
Display	6.5 – inch HD+ IPS LCD, 1600×720 resolution (~270 PPI), 20:9 aspect ratio, 120 Hz refresh rate (60/90/120 Hz switchable), ~83.9% screen – to – body ratio, glass front, 599 nits max brightness, 16.7M colors, multitouch
Processor & Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm LPP), octa – core (2×2.2 GHz Kryo 460 Gold + 6×1.9 GHz Kryo 460 Silver), Adreno 619 GPU
Memory & Storage	4/6/8 GB LPDDR4X RAM; 64/128 GB eMMC 5.1 internal storage; microSDXC up to 1 TB (hybrid Nano – SIM slot); dual – SIM (dual standby)
Camera System	Rear Dual Cameras: 50 MP main (f/1.8, 1/2.76” sensor, 0.64 μm pixels, PDAF)+2 MP macro (f/2.4); LED flash, HDR, panorama; 1080p@30 fps videoFront Camera: 8 MP (f/2.0, 1/4.0” sensor, 1.12 μm pixels) or 16 MP (f/2.2) regional variant; HDR; 1080p@30 fps video
Battery & Charging	5000 mAh non – removable Li – Po battery; 10W wired charging (no fast wireless charging); reverse wired charging (regional); up to 2 days of typical usage
Connectivity	5G NR/LTE/4G/3G, Wi – Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual – band), Bluetooth 5.1 (A2DP, LE), GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/Beidou, USB – C 2.0 (OTG), 3.5 mm headphone jack, NFC (regional), FM radio (regional), dual Nano – SIM
Operating System	Android 13 (near – stock UI); upgrade to Android 14; 2 years of security patches
Design & Durability	Glass front, plastic frame/back, 162.7×74.7×8.2 mm, 183 g; colors: Ink Blue, Arctic Silver, Pale Pink; side – mounted fingerprint sensor; water – repellent coating (no IP rating); sensors: accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Unique Features	Moto Actions (twist for camera, chop for flashlight), Moto Display, stereo speakers, AI scene recognition, macro mode, virtual proximity sensing

Key Selling Points & Advantages

5G Connectivity at Entry – Level Price: The Snapdragon 480+ 5G chipset brings 5G access to budget users, future – proofing the device for next – gen networks at an affordable cost.
120Hz Refresh Rate Display: The switchable 120Hz IPS LCD offers smoother scrolling and gaming than many 60Hz budget rivals, enhancing daily usability.
Large 5000 mAh Battery: Delivers reliable multi – day battery life, reducing charging frequency for light – to – moderate users.
Near – Stock Android Experience: Runs clean Android 13 with minimal bloatware, ensuring smooth performance and a straightforward user interface.
Practical Extras: Includes a 3.5 mm headphone jack, stereo speakers, and expandable storage, meeting the needs of users who value traditional connectivity features.

Limitations & Criticisms

Slow 10W Charging: Charging the 5000 mAh battery takes over 3 hours to full, lagging behind budget peers with 18W+ fast charging.
HD+ Display Resolution: The 720p resolution is less sharp than FHD+ panels on competing devices, affecting media clarity.
Basic Macro Camera: The 2 MP macro lens has limited utility for high – quality close – up shots, lacking detail and dynamic range.
Regional Feature Variations: NFC, FM radio, and front – camera specs vary by region, leading to inconsistent user experiences.
No IP Rating: Only water – repellent coating instead of formal IP dust/water resistance, making it less durable in harsh environments.

Release & Market Performance

Launch Date: December 15, 2022 (China first, then global).
Pricing: 4+128 GB ~¥899 (~$129); 8+128 GB ~¥1099 (~$168); ~€173 in Europe.
Sales & Reception: Gained traction in emerging markets for its 5G access and 120Hz display at a budget price. Praised for battery life and clean software but criticized for slow charging and low – res display.
Discontinuation: Phased out in 2023, replaced by the Moto G63 with a better chipset and faster charging.

Legacy

The Moto G53 continued Motorola’s tradition of offering affordable 5G – enabled devices with core user – friendly features. Its 120Hz display and near – stock Android set a standard for entry – level 5G phones, emphasizing display smoothness and software simplicity. It also reflected the budget segment’s transition to 5G, encouraging other manufacturers to include 5G connectivity in low – cost devices.