Motorola G88 5G: In an increasingly crowded mid-range smartphone market, Motorola continues to carve out its niche with devices that balance performance, features, and affordability.

The latest addition to their popular G-series lineup, the Motorola G88 5G, represents the brand’s ongoing commitment to delivering premium experiences without the premium price tag.

I’ve spent the past two weeks with this device as my daily driver, and it’s clear that Motorola has focused on addressing user pain points while pushing the boundaries of what we expect from a mid-range smartphone in 2025.

Motorola G88 5G: Design That Catches the Eye

The first thing you’ll notice about the G88 5G is its refreshed design language. Motorola has moved away from the somewhat generic aesthetic of previous G-series devices, opting for a more distinctive look that feels both modern and practical.

The device comes in three colorways: Cosmic Black, Glacier Blue, and the eye-catching Sage Green, which features a vegan leather back panel that adds both grip and a premium feel.

At 7.9mm thick and weighing in at just 179g, the G88 feels substantial without being unwieldy. The frame is constructed from recycled aluminum, with the front protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i.

This combination provides excellent durability while maintaining a sleek profile. In the hand, the phone offers a comfortable grip thanks to the slightly curved edges and thoughtful weight distribution.

Unlike many competitors that opt for camera bumps that dominate the entire upper portion of the device, Motorola has implemented a more restrained rectangular module in the upper left corner.

It protrudes only slightly from the back panel, minimizing wobble when the phone is placed on flat surfaces. This design choice may seem minor, but it’s the kind of practical consideration that enhances the everyday experience of using the device.

Display That Impresses

The centerpiece of the G88 5G is undoubtedly its 6.7-inch pOLED display. With a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate, content looks crisp and animations flow smoothly.

The panel supports HDR10+ and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, resulting in vibrant, accurate colors that pop without appearing oversaturated.

What sets this display apart from others in its price range is the subtle 3D curvature along all four edges. This design choice not only enhances the premium feel but also makes edge gestures more comfortable to perform.

Brightness peaks at an impressive 1800 nits in high brightness mode, ensuring excellent outdoor visibility even under direct sunlight.

Motorola has included a feature they call “AdaptColor,” which dynamically adjusts the color temperature and brightness based on ambient conditions and the content being displayed.

This intelligent approach results in a more comfortable viewing experience, particularly during extended usage sessions. In practice, I found that eye strain was noticeably reduced during late-night reading sessions compared to other devices I’ve tested recently.

The display also houses an optical in-screen fingerprint sensor that performs admirably. Recognition is quick and accurate, with very few failed attempts during my testing period. For those who prefer face unlock, that option is available as well, though it’s not quite as secure as the fingerprint method.

Performance That Delivers

Powering the G88 5G is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 processor, built on a 4nm process for improved efficiency. This is paired with either 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage.

The top-end configuration also offers a microSD card slot for further expansion, a feature that’s becoming increasingly rare in the smartphone market.

In day-to-day use, the G88 5G handles everything from social media browsing to video streaming with aplomb. Multitasking is smooth, with apps remaining in memory for extended periods thanks to the generous RAM allocation.

Gaming performance is solid for a mid-range device, with titles like Call of Duty Mobile and Asphalt 9 running at medium to high settings without significant frame drops or thermal throttling.

Motorola’s implementation of what they call “SmartBoost” technology allocates system resources intelligently based on usage patterns, prioritizing the apps and processes you use most frequently.

This approach results in a perceptibly snappier experience compared to some competitors with similar hardware specifications.

The 5G connectivity is comprehensive, supporting both sub-6GHz and mmWave bands in markets where available. Wi-Fi 6E support ensures fast and reliable connections on compatible networks, while Bluetooth 5.3 provides stable connections to wireless accessories.

The inclusion of NFC for contactless payments rounds out a comprehensive connectivity package.

Camera System That Surprises

Camera performance has historically been a weak point for Motorola’s mid-range offerings, but the G88 5G makes significant strides in this department.

The primary camera features a 50MP Sony LYTIA 600 sensor with optical image stabilization, producing detailed, well-exposed images in good lighting conditions.

The sensor’s 1/1.55″ size and pixel-binning technology result in effective 12.5MP shots with excellent dynamic range and low noise levels.

Accompanying the main shooter is a 13MP ultrawide camera with a 120-degree field of view and a 2MP macro lens. The ultrawide delivers respectable results, though there’s a noticeable drop in detail compared to the main sensor.

The macro lens feels somewhat like an afterthought, useful occasionally but limited by its low resolution.

On the front, a 32MP selfie camera produces detailed self-portraits with natural skin tones. Portrait mode edge detection has improved substantially from previous Motorola devices, creating convincing background blur without awkward cutout artifacts around hair and glasses.

Video capabilities include 4K recording at 30fps from the main camera, with electronic stabilization that does a commendable job of smoothing out hand movements. The resulting footage is sharp and well-exposed, though it doesn’t quite match the video quality of flagship devices.

What impressed me most about the camera experience was Motorola’s refreshed camera app. It strikes a good balance between simplicity and advanced features, with intuitive controls and minimal shutter lag.

New AI-enhanced modes like “Night Vision 2.0” produce remarkably bright, detailed images in low-light conditions by intelligently combining multiple exposures.

Battery Life That Endures

Battery anxiety is a thing of the past with the G88 5G, thanks to its substantial 5,500mAh power cell. In my testing, the phone consistently delivered a full day of heavy use, often with 30-40% remaining at bedtime. More moderate users could easily stretch this to two days between charges.

When it is time to recharge, the included 45W TurboPower charger takes the device from empty to 60% in approximately 25 minutes, with a full charge requiring just under an hour.

The G88 5G also supports 15W wireless charging, though you’ll need to purchase a compatible charging pad separately as one isn’t included in the box.

Motorola has implemented a feature called “Battery Shield” that optimizes charging patterns to extend the battery’s lifespan.

The system learns your charging habits over time and adjusts the charging speed accordingly, avoiding prolonged periods at 100% that can degrade battery health.

Software Experience That Enhances

On the software front, the G88 5G ships with Android 15 overlaid with Motorola’s lightweight MyUX interface. This approach preserves most of the stock Android experience while adding thoughtful enhancements that genuinely improve usability.

Motorola’s commitment to software support has strengthened, with the G88 5G promised four years of Android version updates and five years of security patches.

This extended support window addresses one of the common criticisms of mid-range Android devices, providing better longevity and value for consumers.

The MyUX interface maintains Motorola’s signature gesture controls, including the double-chop for flashlight and twist for camera shortcuts that have become fan favorites.

New additions include “Smart Connect,” which seamlessly transfers content between Motorola devices, and enhanced privacy features that provide granular control over app permissions.

Motorola has also made strides in reducing bloatware, with the G88 5G shipping with a relatively clean installation.

The few pre-installed applications are genuinely useful and can be uninstalled if desired, a refreshing approach compared to some competitors that load their devices with unwanted apps and advertisements.

Audio That Impresses

The G88 5G features a stereo speaker setup that delivers surprisingly robust audio for a device in this price range.

The bottom-firing main speaker is complemented by the earpiece, which doubles as a secondary speaker for a balanced stereo effect.

The speakers support Dolby Atmos and have been tuned to provide clear vocals and decent bass response, making them suitable for casual music listening and video watching.

At maximum volume, there’s minimal distortion, though the sound stage remains somewhat compressed compared to dedicated portable speakers.

For those who prefer wired headphones, Motorola has retained the 3.5mm headphone jack, an increasingly rare feature that will be appreciated by audiophiles and casual listeners alike.

Bluetooth audio quality is excellent as well, with support for high-quality codecs like aptX HD and LDAC.

Price and Positioning

Priced at $349 for the 8GB/128GB configuration and $399 for the 12GB/256GB variant, the Motorola G88 5G positions itself competitively in the mid-range segment.

This pricing strategy places it slightly above budget offerings but well below premium mid-range devices from brands like Samsung and Google.

The value proposition is compelling, especially considering the extended software support, premium design elements, and balanced feature set.

Motorola appears to be targeting users who want a device that feels premium in the aspects that matter most for daily use, without paying for excessive specifications or niche features they may never utilize.

Verdict: More Than the Sum of Its Parts

The Motorola G88 5G isn’t revolutionary in any single aspect, but it excels in creating a cohesive, refined experience that punches above its price point.

It addresses many of the pain points typically associated with mid-range smartphones, from software support to camera quality, while maintaining the aspects that have made Motorola’s G-series popular: good battery life, clean software, and solid performance.

What impresses most is how the device feels greater than the sum of its parts. The thoughtful design choices, from the comfortable form factor to the intelligent software enhancements, create an experience that feels premium in the ways that matter to everyday users.

For those seeking a mid-range smartphone that doesn’t constantly remind you of its compromises, the Motorola G88 5G deserves serious consideration.

It represents the continued maturation of Motorola’s smartphone philosophy and sets a new standard for what consumers should expect from devices in this price range.

The mid-range smartphone market has never been more competitive, but with the G88 5G, Motorola has created a compelling contender that deserves your attention.