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Motorola G96 5G is the best Smartphone under 20000 in India (Feb 2026). It has emerged as a formidable contender in the mid-range segment, specifically tailored for the Indian market where consumers demand a blend of aesthetics, performance, and durability. Priced competitively under ₹20,000, this smartphone aims to bridge the gap between the budget G-series and the premium Edge-series.
At “Gadget Info”, we have rigorously tested this device to see if it truly lives up to the hype. In this comprehensive Motorola G96 review, we will delve into its technical specifications, real-world performance, and whether it deserves a spot in your pocket.
Pros and Cons of Motorola G96 5G Smartphone
Pros
- Exquisite Design: Vegan leather back and 3D curved display look very premium.
- Durability: IP68 rating is the best-in-class for water protection.
- Display Quality: 144Hz pOLED is bright and incredibly fluid.
- Clean Software: Near-stock Android 15 experience with no bloatware or intrusive ads.
- Battery Life: The 5500mAh battery easily lasts over a day and a half.
Cons
- Charging Speed: 33W charging is slow compared to rivals offering 67W or 80W.
- Software Updates: Only 1 year of major OS upgrades promised.
- Storage: No microSD card slot for expansion.
Motorola G96 5G Smartphone: A Design Marvel with IP68 Protection
The first thing you notice about the Motorola G96 is its premium hand-feel. Eschewing the typical glossy plastic found in this segment, Motorola has opted for a sophisticated Vegan Leather finish. This not only provides a superior grip but also makes the device resistant to unsightly fingerprints.
What truly sets the Motorola G96 apart from its rivals, like the Samsung Galaxy M36, is its IP68 rating. In the Indian context—where dust and sudden monsoon showers are common—having a phone that can survive being submerged in water is a massive advantage. Measuring just 7.93mm in thickness and weighing 178g, it is exceptionally ergonomic for one-handed use.
Display Motorola G96 5G Smartphone: Cinematic 144Hz 3D Curved pOLED
The Motorola G96 features a stunning 6.67-inch 3D Curved pOLED display. The “Endless Edge” design gives it a flagship appearance that is rare at this price point.
- Refresh Rate: A buttery-smooth 144Hz, which is higher than the standard 120Hz found in competitors.
- Brightness: With a peak brightness of 1600 nits, the screen remains perfectly legible even under the harsh Indian afternoon sun.
- Protection: It is shielded by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, offering decent resistance against scratches.
Whether you are binge-watching Netflix or scrolling through Instagram, the 10-bit color depth ensures vibrant and accurate visuals.
Technical Specifications of Motorola G96 5G Smartphone
| Feature | Details |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR4X (Up to 24GB with RAM Boost) |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB UFS 2.2 |
| Display | 6.67″ FHD+ pOLED, 144Hz, 1600 Nits |
| Rear Camera | 50MP Sony LYTIA 700C (OIS) + 8MP (Ultrawide/Macro) |
| Front Camera | 32MP (4K Recording Support) |
| Battery | 5500mAh |
| Charging | 33W TurboPower (Charger in box) |
| OS | Android 15 (Hello UI) |
| Durability | IP68 Water & Dust Resistance |
Performance: The Power of Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
Under the hood, the Motorola G96 is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset. While not a dedicated gaming processor, it handles daily tasks with absolute ease. Multitasking is seamless, thanks to the 8GB of physical RAM, which can be virtually expanded up to 24GB using the RAM Boost feature.
In our AnTuTu benchmark tests, the Motorola G96 scored approximately 6,25,000, placing it comfortably ahead of the Exynos-powered competition. For gamers, titles like BGMI and Call of Duty: Mobile run smoothly at medium-to-high settings without significant thermal throttling.
Camera Excellence of Motorola G96 5G Smartphone: Sony LYTIA 700C Sensor
Motorola has significantly upgraded its camera game. The primary 50MP sensor is the Sony LYTIA 700C, equipped with Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS).
- Daylight Photography: Images are sharp with a high dynamic range. Motorola’s tuning leans towards slightly saturated colours, which look “social media ready.”
- Low Light: The OIS works wonders, reducing noise and blur in night shots.
- Video: A standout feature for Indian content creators is the ability to record 4K video from both the front and rear cameras—a rarity in the sub-₹20k segment.
The secondary 8MP lens is a versatile addition, functioning as both an ultrawide and a macro camera with autofocus.
Our Verdict: Is the Motorola G96 Worth It?
The Motorola G96 is a “People-First” smartphone. It focuses on what Indian users value most: a beautiful screen, a battery that won’t die, and a design that feels expensive. While the 33W charging might be a slight letdown for power users, the overall package—especially the IP68 rating and the Sony LYTIA camera—makes it a top recommendation at “Gadget Info”.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) of Motorola G96 5G Smartphone
- Does the Motorola G96 support 5G in India? Yes, it supports 13+ 5G bands, making it compatible with all Indian carriers including Jio and Airtel.
- Is the Motorola G96 waterproof? Yes, it has an IP68 rating, meaning it can survive submersion in water up to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes.
- Does it have a headphone jack? No, the Motorola G96 does not have a 3.5mm audio jack. You will need to use Type-C earphones or Bluetooth.
- What is the price of Motorola G96 in India? The price starts at approximately ₹17,990 for the 128GB variant.
- Does it come with a charger in the box? Yes, a 33W TurboPower charger is included in the retail box.
- Can I expand the storage of Motorola G96? No, it does not feature a microSD card slot.
- Is the display AMOLED or LCD? It features a high-quality pOLED display.
- Does it support NFC? No, the Indian variant does not support NFC for contactless payments.
- What is the refresh rate of the screen? It supports a maximum refresh rate of 144Hz.
- How is the gaming performance? It is excellent for casual gaming and can handle heavy games at medium settings.
- Which Android version does it run? It ships with Android 15 out of the box.
- Does it have stereo speakers? Yes, it features dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support.
- What are the colour options? Available in Pantone shades: Greener Pastures, Cattleya Orchid, Ashleigh Blue, and Dresden Blue.
- Is there a fingerprint sensor? Yes, it features an in-display optical fingerprint sensor.
- Does the camera have OIS? Yes, the 50MP main camera has Optical Image Stabilisation.
- Is it good for vlogging? Yes, the 32MP front camera supports 4K recording, which is great for vloggers.
- What is the weight of the phone? It weighs approximately 178 grams.
- How many software updates will it get? Motorola has promised 1 year of OS updates and 3 years of security patches.
- Does it support fast charging? It supports 33W TurboPower charging.
- Where can I buy it? It is available on Flipkart, Amazon, and leading retail stores across India.
Kaushik Chatterjee is a dedicated tech enthusiast and the founder of GadgetInfo.net. With 5 years of experience tracking the consumer electronics market, specializes in breaking down complex technical specifications into easy-to-understand insights for everyday users.
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