Motorola Moto G Power 5G Midnight Blue 128GB

The Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2024) is a budget smartphone with a big 120Hz display, 8GB RAM, and 5G for around CAD 225 to CAD 250. Performance is below average thanks to the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, and battery life doesn't live up to the Power name. It's fine for basic use, but there are better budget options if you can spend a bit more.

The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 is a budget chip, and it shows. In our database, this phone lands in the 34th percentile for performance, which means it's below average compared to other smartphones we've tested. That's not a disaster for everyday tasks, but it's not great either. Apps open a beat slower than you'd like, and switching between a few heavy apps can cause stutters. The 8GB of RAM helps keep things from getting too bogged down, but the processor is the bottleneck here.

For context, the display sits at the 33rd percentile and the camera at the 25th. The 120Hz refresh rate is nice for smooth scrolling, but the panel itself isn't particularly bright or color-accurate. The 50MP main camera takes decent shots in good light, but low-light performance is rough. Video maxes out at 1080p, which is fine for social media but nothing to write home about. The battery, despite the "Power" name, only ranks in the 20th percentile, which is honestly surprising for this line.

Stacked against the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Google Pixel 10 Pro, or Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max, the Moto G Power 5G isn't even playing the same game. Those phones cost several times more and deliver flagship performance, cameras, and build quality. That's not a fair fight, and nobody shopping for a Moto G Power is cross-shopping an S24 Ultra. The more realistic comparison is against the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro and the OnePlus 13R. The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro offers a more distinctive design and better overall polish, while the OnePlus 13R brings significantly stronger performance and faster charging. Both cost more than the Moto, but the gap in experience is noticeable.

If you're deciding between the Moto G Power 5G and the OnePlus 13R, the OnePlus is the better phone in almost every way except price. The Moto's only real advantages are the lower cost and the headphone jack. For anyone who values smooth performance and a better camera, the extra money for the OnePlus or Nothing Phone is worth it.

At CAD 225 to CAD 250, the Moto G Power 5G is cheap, but it's not the kind of cheap that feels like a steal. The price varies by about CAD 25 across the two Canadian listings we track, so it's worth checking which store has the better deal before you buy. For this money, you're getting a big screen, 5G, and a headphone jack, which is more than some budget phones offer. But the weak battery performance and mediocre camera mean you're making real compromises. If you can stretch your budget a bit, there are better options out there.

The Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2024) sits in that budget-friendly zone where you're not expecting miracles, but you're hoping for a phone that handles the basics without making you want to throw it at a wall. It's got a 6.7-inch 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage with room to expand. On paper, that sounds like a pretty decent package for the price, which sits around CAD 225 to CAD 250 depending on where you look.

But here's the thing. The Moto G Power line has always been about battery life first, and this one runs a Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chip. That's not exactly a powerhouse. If you're asking whether the Moto G Power 5G is good for gaming or heavy multitasking, the short answer is no. It'll handle scrolling, texting, and light apps fine, but push it and you'll feel the lag. The 50MP main camera sounds impressive on a spec sheet, but in practice it's a budget sensor that struggles when the lights get low.

So who's this for? Someone who wants a big screen, 5G connectivity, and a clean Android experience without spending flagship money. It's a phone for people who need a reliable daily driver for calls, messages, and casual browsing. Just don't expect it to punch above its weight class.

Skip this one if battery life is your main priority, which is ironic given the name. The Moto G Power 5G ranks in the 20th percentile for battery, so it won't get you through heavy days the way older G Power models did. Also skip it if you care about camera quality or plan to do any gaming. For better battery and performance in a similar price range, look at the OnePlus 13R or Nothing Phone (4a) Pro if you can stretch your budget. If you need something rugged or water-resistant, this phone's 14th percentile build ranking and lack of any water resistance rating make it a poor fit.

Should you buy the Moto G Power 5G? If your budget is firmly under CAD 250 and you need a big-screen phone with 5G and a headphone jack, it's an okay choice. It'll get you through the day for basic tasks, and the clean Android software is a plus. But the "Power" in the name is misleading. The battery life is mediocre, the performance is below average, and the camera is nothing special.

Honestly, this phone feels like Motorola coasting on the reputation of older G Power models. Those phones were battery champions. This one isn't. If battery life is your top priority, look elsewhere. If you just need a cheap 5G phone and don't care about much else, it'll do the job. Just know what you're getting into.