Moto G Power (2025) Review: Budget Champion With Premium Features?

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April 24, 2025

Moto G Power (2025)

The Moto G Power 2025 arrives at a crucial time in the budget smartphone market, offering a compelling mix of durability, battery life, and convenient features that make it stand out from typical sub-$300 devices. This latest iteration brings some interesting upgrades like military-grade durability and wireless charging while maintaining Motorola’s traditional strengths. But with a surprising processor downgrade from last year’s model, is this phone still worth your attention? Let’s dive deep into what makes the Motorola G Power 2025 tick and whether it deserves a place in your pocket.

Key Highlights at a Glance

Before we get into the details, here’s a quick overview of what the Moto G Power 2025 offers:

FeatureSpecification
Display6.8-inch LCD, 2388 x 1080p, 120Hz
ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 6300
RAM8GB (with RAM Boost technology)
Storage128GB (expandable up to 1TB)
Main Camera50MP with OIS, f/1.8
Secondary Camera8MP ultrawide with autofocus
Selfie Camera16MP, f/2.4
Battery5,000mAh
Charging30W wired, 15W wireless
OSAndroid 15
DurabilityIP68/IP69, MIL-STD-810H certified
Special Features3.5mm headphone jack, microSD card slot, NFC
Price$299.99

Design & Display – Premium Feel With Budget Compromises

The Moto G Power2025 makes an excellent first impression with its vegan leather back that feels surprisingly premium for a $300 phone. Available in Leaf Green and Slate Gray, this soft-touch material provides a comfortable grip, though several reviews note it tends to attract dust and debris easily. The device has grown slightly from last year’s model, now measuring 6.56 x 3.04 x 0.34 inches and weighing 7.34 ounces.

One of the standout design features is the impressive durability credentials. The Moto G Power 2025 boasts both IP68/IP69 water and dust resistance ratings alongside MIL-STD-810H certification for drop protection—specifications typically reserved for phones twice its price. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, adding to its durable nature.

Also Read: Vivo X200s and X200 Ultra: Complete Specs, Features

Display Quality Breakdown

Display AspectDetails
Size & Resolution6.8-inch, 2388 x 1080 pixels
Panel TypeLCD (not OLED as some retailers incorrectly list)
Refresh Rate120Hz
BrightnessUp to 993 nits (auto mode), 516 nits (manual mode)
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Special FeaturesHigh brightness mode for outdoor visibility

While the display offers impressive brightness for an LCD panel (reaching nearly 1000 nits in auto mode), some issues affect the overall experience. GSMArena’s testing revealed light bleed halos around the display’s edge and weak brightness uniformity. Additionally, the high reflectivity of the screen hampers sunlight legibility despite the decent brightness numbers. It’s a reminder that this is still a budget phone, though the 120Hz refresh rate helps deliver a smoother visual experience for everyday tasks.

Performance – A Curious Downgrade

Moto G Power (2025)

In an unusual move, Motorola actually downgraded the processor in the 2025 model compared to last year’s Moto G Power. The 2025 edition comes with a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, while the 2024 model featured the more powerful Dimensity 7020

Performance Benchmarks

TestDimensity 6300 (Moto G Power 2025)Dimensity 7020 (Moto G Power 2024)
AnTuTu 10 (Total)426,967Higher score
GeekBench 6 (Single-Core)918Higher score
GeekBench 6 (Multi-Core)2,121Higher score
Real-world PerformanceSlight stutters when multitaskingSmoother experience

This performance regression is noticeable in day-to-day use. Multiple reviewers mentioned that the phone feels sluggish compared to its predecessor, with apps taking longer to load and occasional stutters when multitasking. As Wired succinctly put it: “for a phone with ‘Power’ in its name, it doesn’t quite deliver on the promise of performance”.

That said, the performance isn’t terrible for basic tasks. The device comes with 8GB of RAM and features RAM Boost technology, which converts storage into virtual RAM when needed. For everyday activities like web browsing, social media, and video streaming, the phone handles adequately, but don’t expect it to excel at gaming or heavy multitasking.

Camera Performance – Decent for the Price Point

The Moto G Power 2025 features a dual-camera system on the rear: a 50MP main shooter with optical image stabilization (OIS) and an 8MP ultrawide lens with autofocus capability—a rare feature at this price point that enables macro photography9. The front-facing camera is a 16MP unit.

Camera Specifications and Features

CameraSpecificationsFeatures
Main Camera50MP OmniVision OV50D, f/1.8, PDAF, OISHDR, Night mode, Portrait mode
Ultrawide8MP OmniVision OV08D, f/2.2, AF118° field of view, Macro capability
Selfie16MP Samsung ISOCELL S5K3P9, f/2.4HDR, Portrait mode
Video Capability1080p@30fps (main), 1080p@60fps (ultrawide)No 4K recording

The camera performance is a mixed bag. In daylight conditions, the main camera produces decent photos with punchy colors and good contrast, though images can appear soft and lacking fine detail upon closer inspection9. The ultrawide camera delivers surprisingly good dynamic range but tends to oversaturate colors, particularly reds.

Low-light performance is where budget phones typically struggle, and the Moto G Power 2025 is no exception. Night photos from the main camera show significant noise and loss of detail. The ultrawide performs even worse in low light, with notable softening around the edges.

One significant limitation for video enthusiasts is the lack of 4K recording capability, with both cameras maxing out at 1080p resolution916. This is disappointing for a 2025 device, even in the budget category.

Battery Life – Living Up to the “Power” Name

Moto G Power (2025)

Battery life has traditionally been the Moto G Power series’ strongest selling point, and the 2025 model continues this tradition with a 5,000mAh battery. While this capacity is now common across many phones (including other Motorola models), the efficient MediaTek chipset and LCD display help deliver solid battery performance.

Battery Performance

Battery AspectDetails
Capacity5,000mAh
Wired Charging30W TurboPower (hours of power in minutes)
Wireless Charging15W (rare at this price point)
Average Screen-on Time~11 hours 56 minutes (Active Use Score)
Web Browsing EnduranceGood
Video PlaybackAverage
GamingBelow average

The addition of 15W wireless charging is a pleasant surprise for a $300 phone, offering convenience typically reserved for more premium devices. The 30W wired charging isn’t the fastest available but provides reasonable recharge times.

It’s worth noting that GSMArena’s battery testing showed the phone achieving an “underwhelming 11:56h Active Use Score,” with particularly unsatisfactory performance in some testing scenarios despite good web browsing endurance. This suggests the battery life, while still good, may not be as exceptional as previous generations or as the “Power” name might suggest.

Software & User Experience

Moto G Power (2025)

The Moto G Power 2025 ships with Android 15 out of the box, giving users access to the latest Android features. Motorola’s approach to software has always been relatively light, with a near-stock Android experience enhanced by useful additions like Moto gestures.

However, there are two significant downsides to the software experience. First, the phone comes with a fair amount of pre-installed bloatware that users will need to remove manually. Second, and more concerning, is Motorola’s lackluster update promise: the Moto G Power 2025 is slated to receive only one major OS update17. This is disappointing compared to competitors like Samsung, which offers four years of OS updates even on their budget models.

Some of the software features worth highlighting include:

  • Family Space for setting screen time limits and controlling app access
  • Smart Connect for easier file sharing between devices
  • Motorola’s signature gesture controls like chop for flashlight and twist for camera

Also Read: iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Moto G Power (2025) vs Budget Competitors

How does the Moto G Power 2025 stack up against other phones in its price range?

FeatureMoto G Power 2025Samsung Galaxy A25 5GOnePlus Nord N30 5G
Price$299.99$299.99$299.99
Display6.8″ LCD, 120Hz6.5″ AMOLED, 120Hz6.7″ LCD, 120Hz
ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 6300Exynos 1280Snapdragon 695 5G
Main Camera50MP with OIS50MP with OIS108MP
Battery5,000mAh5,000mAh5,000mAh
Fast Charging30W wired, 15W wireless25W wired50W wired
Special FeaturesIP68/69, headphone jack, microSDmicroSD, Knox securitymicroSD, headphone jack
OS Updates1 major update4 major updates2 major updates

The comparison reveals that while the Moto G Power 2025 excels in durability ratings and convenience features like wireless charging, the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G offers superior long-term software support and an AMOLED display at the same price point. Meanwhile, the OnePlus Nord N30 delivers faster charging speeds and a higher-resolution main camera.

Pros and Cons Summary

ProsCons
Premium vegan leather designProcessor downgrade from 2024 model
Exceptional durability (IP68/69, MIL-STD-810H)Only one promised OS update
Wireless charging support (rare at this price)LCD display with uniformity issues
Headphone jack and microSD card slotNo 4K video recording
Good battery life with 30W fast chargingAverage camera performance
Clean Android 15 experienceVegan leather back attracts dust/debris
120Hz refresh rate displayPerformance lags behind competitors
Optical image stabilization for photos

Who Should Buy the Moto G Power (2025)?

The Moto G Power 2025 is best suited for:

  1. Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and durability over cutting-edge performance
  2. People who value convenience features like a headphone jack, expandable storage, and wireless charging
  3. Outdoor enthusiasts who need a phone that can withstand water, dust, and drops
  4. Light to moderate smartphone users who primarily use their device for calls, texts, social media, and web browsing
  5. Previous Motorola fans who appreciate the clean Android experience and Moto gestures

It’s less ideal for:

  1. Mobile gamers who need consistent performance
  2. Photography enthusiasts seeking top-tier camera capabilities
  3. People who keep their phones for 3+ years due to the limited update promise
  4. Heavy multitaskers who frequently juggle demanding apps

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Moto G Power 2025 good for gaming?

The Moto G Power 2025 can handle lightweight games adequately, but the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor struggles with more demanding titles. Users report stuttering even in less intensive games like Monster Survivors16. If gaming is a priority, you may want to consider alternatives with stronger processors.

How long does the Moto G Power 2025 battery last?

With its 5,000mAh battery, the Moto G Power 2025 typically delivers around 12 hours of active use10. Battery performance is good for web browsing but less impressive for video playback and gaming. Most users should expect to get through a full day of moderate use without needing to recharge.

Does the Moto G Power 2025 support 5G?

Yes, the Moto G Power 2025 supports 5G connectivity across a wide range of bands612. This allows for faster download speeds, smoother streaming, and improved video calling when connected to a 5G network.

What makes the Moto G Power 2025 different from the 2024 model?

The 2025 model features a slightly larger display (6.8″ vs 6.7″), enhanced water resistance (IP68/69 vs IP52), and a more premium vegan leather design. However, it actually has a less powerful processor than the 2024 model (Dimensity 6300 vs Dimensity 7020)1618.

How many OS updates will the Moto G Power 2025 receive?

Motorola has only promised one major OS update for the Moto G Power 202517. This means the phone will likely be updated to Android 16, but not beyond that. This is significantly less than competitors like Samsung, which offers four years of OS updates even on budget devices.

Is the camera on the Moto G Power 2025 any good?

The camera performance is adequate for a $300 phone but not exceptional. The 50MP main camera with OIS delivers decent photos in good lighting but struggles in low-light conditions. The 8MP ultrawide with autofocus is a nice touch for macro photography. Video recording is limited to 1080p, with no 4K option9.

Final Verdict – Solid Value With Clear Compromises

The Moto G Power 2025 presents an interesting value proposition at $299.99. It delivers several features rarely found at this price point—wireless charging, exceptional durability ratings, and a premium-feeling design—while maintaining Motorola’s traditional strengths in battery life and clean software experience. The inclusion of a headphone jack and microSD card slot will also appeal to users who value these increasingly rare features.

However, the phone’s performance downgrade compared to its predecessor is puzzling and disappointing. Combined with the limited update promise and average camera capabilities, these shortcomings prevent the Moto G Power 2025 from being an unqualified recommendation.

For users who prioritize longevity and display quality, the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G offers a superior AMOLED screen and four years of OS updates at the same price point. Meanwhile, those focused on raw performance might be better served by waiting for sales on slightly higher-end devices that frequently drop into this price range.

That said, if durability, battery life, and convenience features like wireless charging and a headphone jack top your priority list—and you don’t mind the performance limitations—the Moto G Power 2025 remains a solid choice in the budget segment. Just be sure to keep your expectations in check regarding performance and long-term software support.

Our Rating: 7.5/10

Bottom Line: A durable, feature-rich budget phone with good battery life but underwhelming performance and limited long-term software support. A decent buy at $299, but an excellent value if you can find it on sale for less.

Recently Updated

April 23, 2025: After extensive testing, we’ve updated our battery life impressions and included more real-world performance scenarios. The phone has received its first security patch, improving system stability but not addressing the performance limitations noted in our initial review. We still recommend waiting for a sale before purchasing, as Motorola typically discounts their devices significantly within the first few months of release.

Looking for alternatives? Check out our Best Budget Phones of 2025 guide or see how the Moto G Power 2025 compares to the Pixel 7a.

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