Review of Motorola Moto G5s and G5s Plus smartphones

Design

The smartphone has a classic Motorola design: a huge tablet with a camera and flash, huge frames around the display and a small recess for the logo. This recess is similar to a fingerprint scanner - the designers seem to be saying: “Look what would happen if there was a scanner on the back.” Indeed, it would be bad.

The scanner itself is located under the screen. By default, it only locks and unlocks the phone, and the on-screen buttons are responsible for navigation. The huge chin of the phone is empty. In the settings you can transfer navigation to the fingerprint scanner. Then his touch will be the “Home” button, and swiping to the right and left will be the “Back” and “Multitasking” buttons. But this is inconvenient, especially when you use your phone on the go.

Everything is fine with the direct responsibilities of the fingerprint scanner (recognizing fingers). It doesn't work very quickly, but almost always. Mistakes rarely happen, mostly when you place your finger crookedly or it’s just wet.

The smartphone is metal, with polished chamfers and a web of plastic inserts for antennas on the top and bottom. In fact, there’s not even much to talk about - there are no complaints about the design, nor is there anything special about it. Cute from the back, ugly from the front due to the huge frames - that's all. It’s unlikely that state employees buy because of the design, so let’s move on.

Instructions on how to install firmware on Motorola Moto G5s

By using the instructions you agree to this document. Just in case, make a backup of the files that are dear to you!

Charge your phone to at least 40%. It is important.
In order to flash the device, download the TWRP Manager , you can download it yourself or get it in the archive with the firmware you choose below.
Install TWRP Manager on Android (installation is as simple as any application)
Now download the firmware file by placing it on your smartphone’s memory card. The file itself is located at the bottom of the article; first, you can read the instructions.
We launch TWRP recovery mode - turn off the phone, then press the power button and the volume up button at the same time, soon you will see the inscription “ recovery ” on the screen and a menu will appear as in the screenshot below.
The first thing you need to do is reset; to do this, press the Wipe button. The data will be cleared.
After that, press back and select Reboot recovery and confirm your action by swiping across the screen (by dragging the slider to the right)
Next, click on the Install button, select the file with the firmware and confirm the action again.
Attention! The firmware process is not displayed on the display! All you have to do is make coffee and wait for the process to complete.

All! Now you have brand new firmware and new features.

Download firmware

You live with this operating system and you decide what to install, but we recommend installing Android at least seven, because everything lower is already obsolete.

Android 9.0 or just a pie is a new step in the development of mobile operating systems, the height of the genius of overseas programmers! URL: uptruefile.info/android9pie
8.1 Oreo is the former peak of genius of the same overseas programmers. URL: uptruefile.info/android8oreo
Seven Nougat is a good operating system for mid-range or budget hardware. URL: uptruefile.info/android7nougat
Six Marshmallows - you can install it only if you are nostalgic for the sixth Android, otherwise it is not necessary, the same can be said about the fifth version. URL: uptruefile.info/android6
Android 10 Q 2020. URL: uptruefile.info/android10
Android 11 2020. URL: uptruefile.info/android11

Screen

The Moto G5s display is quite robust - the Full HD resolution at 5.2 inches looks very tasty, although it’s too late to be surprised at the pixel density of 424 ppi at the end of 2020. However, not many smartphones in this price category have HD matrices, so the G5s can be praised.

But God is with him, with permission. The display is otherwise very nice. Moderately cool color rendering, normal contrast, fairly high brightness - of course, the screen is not surprising, but it makes a good impression. There is a function that adjusts the screen temperature to the lighting - in the dark (that is, most of the day), the picture is warm and easy to perceive by the eyes.

The glass is slightly curved around the perimeter and covered with an oleophobic coating. True, it is weak - fingerprints are not so easily removed, and the finger sometimes glides across the screen not as gracefully as we would like.

Moto G5s Specifications:

Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor (8 cores at up to 1.4 GHz, Cortex-A53, 28 nanometers)
graph accelerator Adreno 505
3 GB RAM @ 800 MHz (1928 MB available after reboot)
32 GB ROM (23.78 GB available out of the box, can be expanded by another 256 GB with a memory card)
hybrid slot: either two SIM cards, or one plus a memory card
5.2-inch IPS display, 1920 x 1080 resolution, 424 ppi pixel density
13-megapixel main camera with f/2.0 aperture
5-megapixel front camera with f/2.2 aperture
3,000 mAh battery with TurboCharge fast charging
Android 7.1.1 Nougat
sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope, lighting, proximity, electronic compass
Fingerprint's scanner
Connectors: Micro USB, 3.5 mm headphone
dimensions: 150 x 73.5 x 8.2 mm
weight 157 grams

Wireless capabilities:

2G, 3G, LTE (frequencies: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40)
2 x Nano SIM
Wi-Fi (a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.2, NFC
navigation: A-GPS, GLONASS

Interface and operating system

The standard operating system is Android 7.1.1 Nougat with minimal changes.

Therefore, if you are already using this OS on some device, you can skip this section - you already know everything.

For the rest, let's say that this system has several very useful and interesting features.

For example, if you simply pick up a smartphone in a locked state, the time and charge level will be displayed on the screen.

In addition, notifications about SMS, instant messenger messages, and so on will be displayed there.

The fingerprint scanner here works great with gestures, so it can replace touch buttons. This is another feature worth noting.

The interface itself looks nice. The signature dark curtain at the top seems especially impressive in combination with the G5s body.

Of the changes from the manufacturer, we can only remember the proprietary Moto applications.

They help you set up some features and your email client, as well as your calendar.

Rice. 12. Interface

There are no complaints about the operating system.

Performance

The characteristics of the smartphone are weak - the Snapdragon 430 has eight Cortex-A53 cores at a frequency of up to 1.4 GHz, and only 3 GB of RAM. Up to 15,000 rubles you can find a bunch of options that are twice as productive. But the smartphone works great.

I constantly write about responsiveness in reviews. For example, the ZTE Blade A6 would be a normal device if it didn’t process every touch with a barely noticeable but infuriating delay. And at this point it’s easy to track a normal state employee from one that was done on a whim, just to be released. The Moto G5s is fine with this, as well as with performance in general.

I only encountered lag in Google Play Music, but this application lags on smartphones and is much more powerful. And if we take this out of the equation, we get a very decent speed of work, which is not annoying at all. I only had the iPhone SE at hand, I opened applications and sites simultaneously on both - the Moto G5s did not lag behind and even overtook. Here I remember an old video where the first Moto E worked on par with the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Games are not the strong point of a smartphone, but no one expects that from it. Dungeon Hunter 5 and Gangstar 4 regularly slow down, but you can play. Another question is that the phone has no power reserve. Game lovers should look for another device.

It’s very cool that there is an NFC chip, which means Android Pay works. Entering 2020 without contactless payment is somehow not comme il faut.

Cameras

Budget smartphones are not always about the camera. But the Moto G5s has a very decent level of photo capabilities. Of course, it’s not even close to a flagship one, but in general, the device’s cameras were more pleasing than disappointing.

Main camera

The 16-megapixel module with f/2.0 aperture does not have a very wide dynamic range - when shooting landscapes on a sunny day, either the sky will be white or other objects will be too dark. Here you will have to look for a balance and rely on HDR.

But the pictures have the correct white balance and good detail. There is no this nasty over-sharpening, which is visible even without zoom in most budget phones, mid-rangers and even many flagships. Although, of course, it’s better not to zoom photos from the Moto G5s unless absolutely necessary. And in the dark everything is standard - noise and blur.

We take all the originals for detailed study on our computer from here.

Front-camera

The 5-megapixel front camera copes well with its tasks. Plus, it has a flash, so you can take normal selfies in artificial light.

No flash

With flash

On the street

Don't forget that Motorola belongs to the Chinese Lenovo, so you can't go without a face enhancement. Look how she made me look like a pedophile pick-up artist. And she didn’t cover up the black eye:

Video

The video on the main camera is recorded in Full HD, and it is disgusting. There’s nothing to say here, just see for yourself. It's painful to watch on a big computer screen.

The front camera (if you make allowance for the fact that it is a front camera) takes pictures quite tolerably. Also in Full HD.

Moto G5S and Moto G5S Plus - comparison with Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus. What changed?

Speaking globally, there are very few changes and mostly the model with the plus prefix received a more or less serious update. Here's a quick look at how worse the predecessors are compared to the new products.

Moto G5 - where are the changes?

The body of the Moto G5 is metal, but it differs in that it uses a fairly wide plastic insert that encircles the entire smartphone at the back;
The display size with similar characteristics is 5 inches diagonally;
The minimum version of the Moto G5 has only 2 GB of RAM, with no more than 16 GB of storage;
The main camera has a lower resolution, offering no more than 13 MP;
Battery capacity is 200 mAh less;
The minimum price is 10,000 rubles.

Moto G5 Plus - main differences

Similar to the Moto G5, the case comes with a wide encircling plastic insert;
The display diagonal does not exceed 5.2 inches, while other indicators remain unchanged;
Moto G5 Plus offers from 2 to 4 GB of RAM - there is no version with 3 GB;
The main camera is single and 12 MP, but the lens aperture is the same as that of flagships - f/1.7;
The front camera has a resolution of 5 MP and is completely similar to that found in the Moto G5 and Moto G5S;
The minimum price is 17,000 rubles.

Are the new Moto G5S and Moto G5S Plus worth buying, or is it better to buy their predecessors? The question is ambiguous, since given the difference in cost of 4,000 rubles between the Moto G5 and Moto G5S, while not getting anything new (except for an improved body and an additional 3 MP), it is more logical to take the previous model. In the case of the Moto G5 Plus and Moto G5S Plus, it's still worth adding 2,000 rubles and getting a more durable body, a dual camera with increased resolution and a better front camera, as well as more memory.

Software

I like the approach to software in Moto smartphones. This is not to say that there is absolutely bare Android here, but the manufacturer integrates its features as unobtrusively and harmoniously as possible. At first glance, there really are no add-ons - the design of the system is ordinary Google. But there are several functions of varying degrees of usefulness.

The phone understands when you take it in your hand. I don’t understand why all manufacturers don’t add this obviously useful thing to their smartphones. It is found in more or less all flagships, but is rarely found in budget phones. This is very convenient - you take your smartphone and immediately see the notifications, you can go straight to them. It seems like a small thing, but you get used to it instantly.

Motorola provided a few more features, but I never got used to using them. For example, here is an intermediate lock screen with a dark theme, which displays notification icons and themes - why is it? I can see who wrote what to me on a standard lockscreen. And here it’s not even an AMOLED screen to try to save battery using black color.

Various gestures are also not for everyone - all these hand dances to turn on the flashlight or camera, in my humble opinion, do not make life easier. There is a function to activate Do Not Disturb mode when you place the phone face down. But there is a high probability of putting it there without a second thought and missing the call/notification.

Motorola hasn't built anything else in. In total - one very useful additional function, several useless ones and not a single one that would interfere. And most importantly, the optimization is good, it’s really a pleasure to use the phone. I'm happy. Although there were some problems - my Instagram periodically crashes and the recording of voice messages on VKontakte is interrupted.

Appearance

At MWC 17 we already had the opportunity to touch the Moto G5, but today we’ll take a closer look at it.

The first thing the buyer will get acquainted with is the box. Traditionally, the equipment is modest: charger, USB cable and paper documentation. It is worth noting that this time there is a power supply with 5V/2A parameters inside.

The model is available in three colors: gray, gold and blue. We have a blue G5 for review.

The design of the Moto G5 has nothing in common with its predecessors. It feels like the smartphone was created by other people, because almost everything has changed. The screen diagonal is 5 inches, but it’s difficult to call the smartphone compact. All because of the large frames around the display.

Above the screen is the Moto logo, even higher is the speaker, and on either side of it is the front camera and LED for missed events and sensors. Below the screen is a fingerprint scanner and a main microphone. On the right side there are volume and power keys. The latter is rough, which allows you to identify it even with your eyes closed. The microUSB port is on the bottom, and the 3.5 mm audio jack is on the top.

The camera module, combined with a flash, reminds us that this is still a Moto smartphone, since externally similar modules were used in the Z line. A special feature of the G5 is that it does not protrude above the back of the smartphone.

Contrary to the general trend of using a non-separable case, the Moto G5 remained faithful to its ancestors and retained a removable back cover. It is only partially metal, the top and bottom are plastic.

In order to remove it, you need to have skill or available tools, as you can easily end up with a broken nail. By opening the cover we get access to the 2800 mAh battery and only by removing it can you replace the memory card or SIM card. SIM cards are used in two formats: microSIM in the first slot, and nanoSIM in the second. I liked that you can install two SIM cards and a memory card at the same time.

Using the smartphone with one hand will not be a problem - after all, the screen diagonal is five inches, although the size of the phone could be smaller. I liked the location of the fingerprint scanner on the front side and its instant response. At the same time, no matter how sophisticated the manufacturer is with materials, the hero of the review feels like a budget product and is perceived as simpler compared to previous Moto Gs.

Autonomy

I didn't expect anything good from the battery life of the Moto G5s. The battery here is 3,000 mAh - not much for a Full HD display and old hardware. Plus, the phone constantly monitors when I pick it up to turn on the screen.

But in reality, everything is fine with autonomy. I always had Internet access via LTE, I read articles in a browser, used social networks, streamed music and watched videos on YouTube, and did not play games. In this mode, the phone survived until the evening with about 10% charge remaining. The screen's operating time was around 4 hours - the result was not spectacular, but it was functional and strong.

The smartphone also supports charging using the TurboPower standard. Because of it, the phone gets warm, but charges quickly:

from 15 to 30% in 15 minutes
up to 40% in 25 minutes
up to 55% in 40 minutes
up to 75% per hour

It takes approximately 2 hours to charge the phone from 0 to 100%.

Bottom line

Smartphones like the Moto G5s are the hardest to review. It seems to be good, but, as I already wrote, I wouldn’t dare buy it at the official price, which is 16,990 rubles. A gray phone costs 13-14 thousand - it’s better, but still a bit much.

I don’t know how to feel about the price of the Moto G5s, so instead of making a conclusion, I’ll simply list the main points. And you decide for yourself whether it’s worth taking or not.

The smartphone is fast and responsive. You won't notice any lack of performance in everyday use.
But in games, you will notice that the phone is clearly not intended for them.
Normal screen, normal camera - no complaints here.
Autonomy is good, there is fast charging.
There is NFC, Android Pay works.

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