Motorola has once again made a significant impact in the competitive mid-range smartphone segment with the launch of the **Moto G96 5G** in India on July 9, 2025. Building on its lineage and catering to users seeking a blend of performance, design, and advanced features, the Moto G96 5G introduces several flagship-level capabilities at a remarkably affordable price point. With its official release slated for July 16 through Motorola’s official e-store, Flipkart, and select retail outlets, this smartphone aims to capture the imagination of tech enthusiasts looking for quality without breaking the bank.
The launch of the Moto G96 5G reinforces Motorola’s strategy of delivering strong value in India’s highly contested sub-₹20,000 category. It follows the success of the Moto G85 5G by enhancing key features such as display, camera, processing power, and durability, offering users a well-rounded experience that suits both casual and demanding smartphone needs.
Design and Build: Elegant Vegan Leather with Durable Protection
One of the striking aspects of the Moto G96 5G is its **premium vegan leather finish**, which lends the handset a modern, sophisticated look while also improving grip and reducing fingerprints. Motorola has curated four unique Pantone-certified color options for this model: Ashleigh Blue, Greener Pastures, Cattleya Orchid, and Dresden Blue. These shades give users ample choice to reflect their personal style.
Measuring 161.86 x 73.26 x 7.93 mm and weighing approximately 178 grams, the Moto G96 5G is ultra-slim and lightweight. Beyond aesthetics, it boasts a robust **IP68 rating** that certifies the device to be resistant to dust and capable of surviving submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. This notable feature offers peace of mind against accidental spills and rainy conditions, a rarity in this price segment.
Display: Immersive 6.67-inch 3D Curved pOLED with 144Hz Refresh Rate
A highlight of the Moto G96 5G is its impressive **6.67-inch Full-HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) pOLED display**. The screen employs a curved 3D design, creating an immersive viewing experience, enhanced further by a high **144Hz refresh rate** which ensures smooth scrolling, gaming, and video playback. Offering a peak brightness of **up to 1600 nits**, the display performs reliably even under direct sunlight.
The glass is protected by **Corning Gorilla Glass 5**, providing resistance against scratches and minor drops. The display also supports advanced water touch technology and features an embedded in-display fingerprint sensor that secures the phone conveniently without compromising screen real estate.
Performance: Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 and RAM/Storage Options
Under the hood, the Moto G96 5G is powered by the efficient **Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset**, built on a 4nm process that balances power efficiency and performance. This processor enables seamless multitasking, smooth gaming, and quick app launches. It supports 5G connectivity, ensuring faster downloads and reduced latency on compatible networks.
Motorola offers the Moto G96 5G in two primary variants in India: one with **8GB of LPDDR4x RAM paired with 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage**, and another variant with the same 8GB RAM but doubled internal storage at 256GB. Both variants offer the flexibility to increase RAM virtually up to 24GB for enhanced multitasking capacities through software optimizations. This ample memory and storage combination caters well to users who demand space for apps, games, photos, and videos without worrying about slowdowns.
Moto G96 5G: Camera System: A Dual Rear Setup with Sony LYTIA 700C Sensor and Moto AI
Motorola equips the Moto G96 5G with a compelling camera setup designed for photography enthusiasts. The rear camera system consists of a **50-megapixel Sony LYTIA 700C primary sensor** featuring Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) that reduces blur and improves low-light captures. Accompanying the main sensor is an **8-megapixel ultra-wide lens** that facilitates expansive landscape or group shots.
True to Motorola’s reputation for user-friendly camera software, the Moto G96 incorporates **Moto AI** which enhances image quality with features like AI photo improvement, Magic Editor, and Magic Eraser—Google-powered tools that enable creative photo edits effortlessly. Users can also enjoy 4K video recording capabilities from both front and rear cameras, adding versatility to content creation.
For selfies and video calls, the front-facing camera houses a **32-megapixel sensor** with an f/2.2 aperture, delivering crisp and detailed self-portraits and supporting 4K video capture. This combination makes the Moto G96 5G a solid option for vlogging and social media enthusiasts.
Moto G96 5G: Battery and Software: Long-Lasting Power with Android 15
The Moto G96 5G comes packed with a **5500mAh battery**, promising extended usage that can last up to 42 hours on a single charge depending on usage. For quick power-ups, the phone supports **33W TurboPower fast charging**, reducing downtime and keeping users connected throughout the day.
Running on **Android 15 with Motorola’s Hello UI skin**, the device offers a clean, near-stock Android experience coupled with useful Moto Edge features. The new OS promises improved security, privacy, and productivity enhancements. Motorola has committed to providing **three years of security updates**, ensuring the phone stays protected over time.
Moto G96 5G: Price and Availability: Competitive Pricing Catering to Indian Consumers
The Moto G96 5G targets value-conscious buyers who desire flagship-esque features without paying exorbitant amounts. In India, the smartphone is priced attractively, starting at **₹17,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant** and going up to **₹19,999 for the 8GB RAM + 256GB variant**. Given its robust feature set and competitive pricing, it stands out as a lucrative choice within the ₹15,000-20,000 segment.
Availability begins from July 16, 2025, through leading online retailers like Flipkart and the official Motorola India website, as well as selected offline stores such as Reliance Digital. The comprehensive color palette, combined with strong specifications, makes the Moto G96 5G a compelling option for a wide audience.
