Motorola Moto G84: Built for Budgets, Not for Power Users (384 User Reviews Analyzed)

We analyzed 384 verified user reviews of the Motorola Moto G84 to understand how it performs for real people. Our method is built on breaking down what users say about the phone’s most important features.

We identified every mention of key aspects like the camera, screen, performance, and battery. Then, we classified each comment as positive, negative, or neutral. This process gives us a clear percentage score for each feature, showing exactly where the phone shines and where it falls short.

💰 Value For Money: Great Value, Bad Upgrade

For the Motorola Moto G84, the perception of Value for Money is a story of delight and disappointment.

The phone’s core appeal lies in its exceptional relationship between cost and overall satisfaction, where it scores a strong 88% positive sentiment, a full four points above the category average.

This isn’t just a number; it’s a feeling of financial savvy that resonates deeply with buyers. Many users express a sense of discovery, feeling they’ve uncovered a hidden gem in a market of overpriced flagships.

What this phone has taught me is that spending 1.5k+ on a premium phone is a total waste of money. How Motorola can make such a great phone so cheap is amazing.

There is no other smartphone for 199 euros which can offer: P-oled screen, 12 giga ram memory, 256 giga internal memory, 33w fast charging, camera with OIS.

This feeling of getting more than you paid for is further bolstered by what comes in the box. With a 55% positive score for Included Items—crushing the category average of 21%—users feel valued from the moment they unbox it.

I can’t imagine spending a ton of money on a phone and not even getting a charger.

The Upgrade Dilemma

However, the narrative sours for users evaluating the G84 as an upgrade. Here, sentiment for Upgrade Justification plummets to just 48% positive, a significant 11 points below the category average of 59%.

This deficit highlights a critical friction point: while the phone is a great value in a vacuum, it doesn’t always feel like a compelling step up from previous devices.

The disappointment is palpable in user reviews. One loyalist noted a drop in quality from the predecessor G73, stating:

before I use G73, its quality better than G84.

Another user, forced to switch from a different brand, stated that moving to the G84 felt like a step down.

The need for Google services forced me to buy the Motorola G84… The phone is weaker, slower, and can freeze.

This suggests that seasoned users with higher expectations often feel the compromises made to achieve the low price point.

Head-to-Head with the Competition

This tension is sharpened when the Moto G84 is compared to its direct competitor, the Samsung Galaxy A54.

Both phones tie with an 88% positive score for overall satisfaction versus cost, proving the Moto G84 can hold its own against the market leader. From there, however, the story diverges.

The G84’s weakness in upgrade justification is thrown into sharp relief, as it trails the Galaxy A54’s score of 58% by a full 10 points.

This reaffirms that while first-time budget buyers may be equally happy with either, those looking for a clear reason to upgrade are more likely to find it with Samsung.

Yet, Motorola delivers a clear knockout blow on the practical matter of what’s included. Its 55% positive score on included items dwarfs the A54’s meager 20%.

For buyers tired of the trend of removing accessories, Motorola’s decision to include a charger and case is a tangible, wallet-friendly advantage that Samsung fails to offer.

Trade-Off: The Motorola Moto G84 offers outstanding initial value that rivals top competitors, but this comes at the cost of a less-than-compelling upgrade experience for more demanding users.

📸 Camera: Basic Snaps, Broken Dreams

The story of the Motorola Moto G84‘s camera is one of sharply divided expectations. While it satisfies users looking for a basic point-and-shoot, deeper data reveals significant flaws that frustrate those with a keener eye for photography.

Some praise its basic competence, with image and video quality earning a 58% positive rating. These users feel it’s perfectly adequate for its price point, with one stating:

for a normal user they are excellent.

Others appreciate its readiness for spontaneous moments, noting:

this phone is as good for snatched pictures that I would normally miss.

For this group, the camera is a tool that simply gets the job done without fuss.

Features, Modes, and Frustrations

However, a far more critical narrative emerges from users who push the camera beyond simple snapshots. The most glaring issue lies with its features and modes, which received a stunningly low 33% positive score—a massive 28 points below the category average. This isn’t about missing niche filters; it’s about fundamental frustrations, with one user explaining:

The videos are tragic – only 1080-30p because 1080-60p doesn’t allow for zoom… and image stabilization doesn’t work in 60p!!! It’s very, very bad!

This unreliability creates a sense of distrust, as another user warned:

If you are going to film something important… you have to double and triple check every time to see if it actually starts filming.

Even basic image quality is a point of contention, with some complaining of:

noisy photos, with strange ‘dead colors’.

The Competitor Gap

This performance becomes a critical purchasing consideration when placed next to its direct competitor, the Samsung Galaxy A54. The A54 boasts an 86% positive score for image and video quality, a full 28 points higher than the Moto G84. The gap in features is even more of a chasm, with the A54 scoring 82% positive to the G84’s 33%.

For a potential buyer, this isn’t a small difference; it’s the gap between a reliable creative tool and a compromised one. As one user bluntly summarized the experience:

unfortunately the camera shows why the price is relatively low.

Trade-Off: While the camera is serviceable for casual daily snaps, its significant shortcomings in quality and features compared to rivals make it a notable compromise for anyone with higher photographic expectations.

📱 Screen: Brightness vs. Lag

The screen on the Motorola Moto G84 is a story of stark contrasts, a display that dazzles in some areas while deeply frustrating in others. The experience is anchored by a truly outstanding performance in brightness and outdoor visibility, which achieved a perfect 100% positive sentiment score—a massive leap over the 74% category average.

For users, this isn’t a trivial spec; it translates into real-world usability that competitors struggle to match. As one owner reported, this is a practical triumph:

Screen is bright enough as a map even in bright conditions.

Another user reinforced this, stating the display is “well visible in full sun,” making the G84 a reliable companion when users need it most. This is complemented by strong general display quality, which scored 90% positive sentiment, leading one person to declare it:

the best quality screen on any phone under 500 bucks.

Touchscreen Responsiveness

However, this brilliance is severely undermined by a critical flaw: touchscreen responsiveness. This factor received a dismal 45% positive score, barely inching past the category average of 43%. This isn’t just a minor lag; for some, it’s a source of constant irritation that interrupts the fundamental flow of using the device.

One user described the experience as infuriating, detailing how the flawed screen requires a specific workaround:

The display is just maddening. It just reacts poorly and has a kind of ‘stickiness’… when you want to swipe normally, the swiping motion is either interrupted, or the screen kind of gets stuck and then scrolls back, I always have to swipe with two fingers alternately, or swipe very slowly and carefully.

The Competitor Showdown

This creates a fascinating dilemma when placing the Moto G84 against its direct competitor, the Samsung Galaxy A54. While the A54 boasts a much higher score for touch responsiveness (54% vs. the G84’s 45%) and screen smoothness (97% vs. 84%), it falls behind in outdoor viewing with a brightness score of just 87%.

This numerical difference represents a clear choice for potential buyers: prioritize the A54’s fluid, reliable scrolling or the G84’s superior legibility in bright sunlight. For at least one user who owned both, the choice was clear:

Better screen than my galaxy A54

This suggests that for some, exceptional brightness is the feature that matters most in day-to-day satisfaction.

Trade-Off: Users must weigh the G84’s exceptionally bright and usable outdoor display against a frustratingly unresponsive touch experience that can mar daily interaction.

✨ Design: Elegant But Compromised

Regarding its physical Design, the Motorola Moto G84 is a story of surprising elegance and deliberate compromise.

While its strong overall score signals user satisfaction, the hidden data reveals a phone that delights with its premium look and feel, even as it makes calculated sacrifices in materials and features.

Aesthetics and Feel

The most significant driver of positive sentiment is the phone’s visual and tactile appeal, where its 93% positive score in aesthetics and look surpasses the category average of 88%.

Users don’t just see a budget device; they feel they’ve gotten something more. They repeatedly praise the “simple but beautiful design,” with one owner noting the “vegan leather back is a nice solution.” This feeling is often tied to the color choices, which evoke a sense of personality, as one user states they are “in love with my Viva Magenta.”

Crucially, this is amplified by the phone’s exceptional handling, which scores 85% positive versus a 71% category average. Users are consistently surprised by its weight, or lack thereof, with one commenting:

Despite the huge battery of 5000 mAh, the phone is extremely light.

Another, tired of oversized devices, celebrates finding a phone that is:

compact and light, a miracle!

Calculated Compromises

However, this impressive feel comes with notable trade-offs that temper the experience. While design features score 60% positive—a full 20 points above the category average—this is the phone’s weakest internal metric, revealing specific user frustrations.

The most cited issue relates to the build quality. Some users associate the praised lightness with a less-than-sturdy feel, with one review mentioning an “impression of low-quality workmanship due to its low weight.”

A more concrete concern is the lack of robust screen protection, as one user laments the “absence of Gorilla Glass or something similar.” These material choices are compounded by small ergonomic annoyances, such as button placement, which one reviewer describes:

the only minus for me is the side keys are placed too high.

Versus the Competition

These choices become particularly stark when placed next to its direct competitor, the Samsung Galaxy A54. While the Samsung may feel marginally more robust to some, with an 86% positive score for build materials versus the Moto’s 81%, the G84 dominates in everyday usability.

Its score for size and handling (85%) is a staggering 22 points higher than the A54’s 63%. For users frustrated with increasingly bulky phones, this difference is transformative. One user’s relief is palpable:

it’s 15g lighter than the previous one which is significant to me with achy hands!

Furthermore, Motorola makes a conscious decision to include features that competitors have abandoned, such as the headphone jack, which a user highlights as a key benefit because there is “no risk that an adapter will destroy the USB socket.”

Trade-Off: The Moto G84 delivers a surprisingly premium look and an exceptionally lightweight, comfortable feel that owners love, but it achieves this by trading off tougher materials like Gorilla Glass and finessing minor ergonomic details.

📊 Performance: Daily Driver, Gaming Flop

The performance of the Motorola Moto G84 tells a story of two very different user experiences. While its overall score suggests it keeps pace with the competition, a deeper look reveals a device that excels at daily routines but stumbles when pushed to its limits, particularly with gaming.

Everyday Performance

For everyday use, the Moto G84 is a fluid and responsive companion. Its capability for multitasking scores an impressive 87%, and its general processing power and speed are rated positively by 86% of users, both figures surpassing the category averages. This excellence is not just a number; it translates into a tangible, frustration-free experience.

Users feel the benefit of the generous memory and storage, with one owner noting:

256GB storage space, 12GB RAM, so we don’t have issues with either space or lag.

Another user was thrilled with the practical impact of the hardware, stating:

12 gigabytes of RAM is treating me very well to put it lightly!

This combination ensures that switching between apps, browsing, and social media is a smooth affair, making the phone feel dependable for day-to-day life.

Gaming Performance

However, the narrative shifts dramatically when it comes to Gaming. The G84’s gaming performance score of 53% is a significant letdown, falling a massive 21 points below the 74% category average. This isn’t a minor flaw; it’s a critical weakness for anyone who enjoys graphically intensive games.

Users hoping for a powerful all-around device are left disappointed. As one reviewer candidly put it:

For a ‘gaming phone’, it’s probably not it.

Another user gave a clear warning:

For a use with games that demand processor and graphics, you better look for something else.

The phone’s inability to handle demanding titles like Call of Duty was a specific point of frustration for some, who confirmed:

it can’t play call of duty mobile.

Competitor Comparison

This clear division is thrown into sharp relief when compared to its direct competitor, the Samsung Galaxy A54. While the Moto G84 holds its own in daily speed, the A54 boasts a gaming performance score of 81%—a full 28 points higher than the G84.

For potential buyers, this single statistic is a crucial differentiator. If your phone usage involves any serious gaming, the Samsung is unequivocally the better choice, offering a vastly superior and more reliable experience where the Motorola falters.

The G84 is built for productivity and daily tasks, not for the digital playground.

Trade-Off: The Motorola Moto G84 delivers a wonderfully smooth and capable performance for everyday tasks and multitasking but is a significant disappointment for anyone with serious gaming ambitions.

⚙️ Software & OS: Clean UI, Buggy Core

For the Motorola Moto G84, the story of its Software & Operating System is one of stark contrasts. Users are largely drawn to what they perceive as a clean, intuitive interface, a key factor that earns a 71% positive sentiment score for user experience and UI smoothness.

This appeal stems from Motorola’s light touch, which makes day-to-day use feel effortless and familiar. As one user gratefully noted, the “android experience is very clean,” while another praised it as a system with “no ads and bloatware.” For many, this simplicity is a deliberate and welcome choice, making the phone “so simple to use” and easy to set up.

Software Stability

However, this clean facade is undermined by significant stability issues that frustrate owners. With a positive sentiment score of just 28% for software stability—on par with the sluggish category average of 27%—the user experience is frequently marred by disruptive bugs.

These aren’t minor annoyances; they are practical, day-to-day problems. One user described a common frustration:

when I send/receive WhatsApp messages they either hang or have 1 tick.

Another reported a more severe issue with Bluetooth audio:

the volume becomes extremely low and you can not reset it unless you wipe the whole phone to factory reset only to find out that it all happens again.

These glitches create a sense of unreliability that tarnishes the otherwise straightforward software.

Comparison with Competitors

This weakness becomes even more apparent when compared to its direct competitor, the Samsung Galaxy A54. While some users prefer the Moto’s less cluttered feel to Samsung’s interface, the data shows the Galaxy A54 provides a more dependable experience.

It scores a healthier 33% for stability and a significantly higher 79% for UI smoothness, a full 8 points ahead of the Moto G84. This gap suggests that Samsung’s software, while perhaps more feature-heavy, is better optimized, leading to a more fluid and less problematic experience for its users—a crucial advantage for those who prioritize reliability over a “pure” Android aesthetic.

Trade-Off: Users receive a refreshingly clean, stock-like Android interface but must accept a higher risk of frustrating bugs and stability issues that are less prevalent on key competitors.

🔋 Battery: Speedy Charges, Long Life

When it comes to battery, the Motorola Moto G84 delivers a story of both impressive speed and surprising endurance, though it’s not without its compromises.

While many users are won over by its longevity, the standout feature hidden in the data is its charging speed, which earns an 89% positive sentiment—a full 20 points above the category average. This isn’t just a number on a spec sheet; it’s a tangible benefit that minimizes downtime. As one user noted, it “charges to full in about 40 minutes,” a speed that ensures “the phone is full again very quickly,” freeing them from being tethered to an outlet.

This is complemented by a strong battery life score of 81%, with users frequently celebrating the freedom it provides. One owner was thrilled, stating:

In battery saving mode, the battery lasts for, wait for it, 3! yes, 3 days. My opinion is that this is a very good result.

Wireless Charging and Consistency

However, the experience isn’t universally flawless. The primary frustration is not with performance but with features. The phone’s charging methods earn a positive rating of only 47%, dragged down by one specific omission: the absence of wireless charging.

For users accustomed to more premium features, this is a noticeable step down. As one owner put it succinctly:

I do miss the wireless charging.

Beyond this, some users report frustrating inconsistencies in battery drain. One user observed a significant overnight power drop compared to their previous device:

With the Motorola, it drops by 7-8% [overnight]. It’s not good, believe me.

Another user, initially pleased, saw performance degrade over time, stating:

Instead of lasting 3-4 days like before, I can now barely make it 30h.

Head-to-Head Comparison

In a direct comparison, the Moto G84’s strengths become even clearer against its rival, the Samsung Galaxy A54. The Motorola’s charging speed (89% positive) dramatically outpaces the Samsung’s (62% positive), a 27-point difference that translates to a much faster return to a full battery for Moto users. This practical advantage is a key differentiator for buyers who prioritize quick top-ups.

Furthermore, while the G84’s battery life (81%) only slightly edges out the A54’s (77%), Motorola sweetens the deal by including a fast charger in the box—a small but significant value-add that a user celebrated:

A power supply that delivers the corresponding charging power is included.

Trade-Off: Users gain exceptional charging speeds and marathon-like endurance at the cost of modern wireless charging and the risk of inconsistent battery drain over time.

Bottom Line

• ✅ Exceptional value proposition: Delights buyers with an 88% positive score for cost vs. satisfaction, bolstered by a 55% rating for included items that demolishes the 21% category average.
• ⚠️ Critical performance and stability failures: A clean UI is undermined by a laggy screen (45% positive score), major software bugs (28% stability), and poor gaming performance (53% positive).
• 🔻 A disappointing upgrade: Fails to feel like a step up, earning just 48% for Upgrade Justification—11 points below the 59% category average.
• 🏁 Crushed by the competition on camera: Its 33% score for camera features is dwarfed by the Samsung A54’s 82%, a massive 49-point deficit.
• 🏁 Wins on design and charging speed: It beats the A54 on handling by 22 points and on charging speed by 27 points, offering superior comfort and less downtime.
• 💡 The final verdict: An outstanding value for first-time buyers who prize comfort and fast-charging, but a frustrating experience for gamers, photographers, or those expecting a seamless upgrade.