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Moto G Play (2023) Review: Low Price, Lots of Compromises

The essentials-only Motorola phone cuts to the bone in order to hit its $170 price.

The Moto G Play for 2023 costs $170 (or even less at Amazon), making it one of the cheapest new phones you can get right now, and without the bloatware or wireless carrier restrictions we sometimes see on lower-priced devices. With a decent set of specs for the price — including a triple camera system with a 16-megapixel main camera, a 6.5-inch display with a 90Hz refresh rate and a 5,000-mAh battery that provides nearly three days of battery life — this should have been an attractive option for anyone looking for a decent, no-frills phone.

However, this phone has a number of performance issues that make it frustrating to use. And on top of that, Motorola chose to drop one of its best Moto gestures: twisting the phone to quickly open its camera. While some might consider these gestures a gimmick, they have been a signature element of Motorola’s phones for nearly a decade. Other gestures like «chop to turn on flashlight» are still here, making the absence of the camera gesture even more glaring.

Despite these important drawbacks, the 2023 Moto G Play does have some positive attributes. The battery life is great, the software is a fairly clean version of Android 12 and you’ll find rare ports like a headphone jack and microSD card slot for storage expansion. But the phone will only get one major software update to Android 13, which is less than I’d like to see but typical for this price range, as well as three years of security updates. 

Yet every perk I list comes with another problem, which is important to consider if you’re tempted by the Moto G Play because of its low price. 

5.0

Moto G Play (2023)

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Like

  • Long battery life
  • Clean version of Android 12
  • Three years of security updates

Don’t Like

  • Frequent lag, issues loading software
  • Questionable refresh rate
  • No «twist to open camera» gesture

Moto G Play design and performance

The Moto G Play looks nice for a phone that costs just $170. The Navy Blue color of its plastic body provides a hint of personality, while the phone’s low-resolution 720p display includes a screen cutout for the 5-megapixel front-facing camera. The fingerprint sensor is located in my favorite spot on an Android phone — the back. 

But the problems begin once you start using the phone. The phone’s MediaTek Helio G37 processor and 3GB of RAM weren’t powerful enough to juggle multiple apps easily. In some cases, it wouldn’t even load certain apps. This was particularly bizarre considering it loaded a 3D game like Crazy Taxi (admittedly an oldie but still a goodie), but couldn’t run other modern 2D games like Exploding Kittens. With the phone’s tiny 32GB of storage, I’m lucky to even fit a couple games onto the Moto G Play, although there is a microSD card slot for storage expansion.

Geekbench V.5.0 single-core

Moto G Play

155

Galaxy A03S

159

TCL Stylus 5G

550

Note:

Longer bars indicate better performance

Geekbench V.5.0 multicore

Moto G Play

572

Galaxy A03S

889

TCL Stylus 5G

1,739

Note:

Longer bars indicate better performance

Email, news and video-streaming apps fared better in terms of performance, but not by much. Even though the Moto G Play touts a 90Hz refresh rate, which should smooth out animations, there is a lot of noticeable lag. I couldn’t even tell when the refresh rate reached 90Hz. The Settings menu lets you choose between «Auto» and «60 Hz,» with the former dynamically changing the refresh rate based on what you are doing. Having an auto setting does make sense, but a lot of the cheaper Android phones I’ve used also include the option to set the phone to a consistent 90Hz, alongside a 60Hz option for preserving battery life.

This brings me back to the phone’s 5,000-mAh battery — a bright spot considering it easily lasted two days on a full charge during my testing. I think it’s possible for the battery to make it to a third day, mostly because of how underpowered this device is. I typically got around three hours of screen time per day on the device during my testing, which included streaming, shooting photos and trying to play games for this review.

During a more active session on the phone, in which I streamed 22 minutes of a TV show at 100% brightness and then took a 24-minute video call, the battery dropped from 59% to 46%. On less active days, in which the phone was used primarily for listening to music while commuting, reading news articles and light texting, I could end the day with just over 50% remaining.

Charging times for the phone are generally less impressive than battery life. With the included 10-watt charger, it typically took just over an hour to charge from zero to 50%. Getting to 100% would take just over 2 hours, 30 minutes. When I tested charging speeds with my 18-watt charger, the results were slightly faster. The phone would get from zero to 66% after an hour and finish charging just past the two-hour mark.

Moto G Play camerasMoto G Play cameras

The Moto G Play has three cameras, anchored by a 16-megapixel main camera.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

Moto G Play cameras

The Moto G Play has a triple-camera system anchored by a main 16-megapixel camera, which is accompanied by a 2-megapixel macro camera and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. But photos are consistently fuzzy, whether I took them indoors, outdoors, in bright environments or in the dark.

Foggy day, outdoor photo taken on Moto G PlayFoggy day, outdoor photo taken on Moto G Play

A foggy day in New York, taken on the Moto G Play.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

While it was nice to see Portrait mode on a phone at this price, I can barely see much of a bokeh effect in my photos. This is especially true when using the 5-megapixel front-facing camera, in which my photos looked consistently muddy.

Portrait mode photo of Mike Sorrentino holding beer in a Taco BellPortrait mode photo of Mike Sorrentino holding beer in a Taco Bell

My friend took a photo of me at the Taco Bell in Times Square using Portrait Mode, but it’s challenging to see if it made a difference.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

Selfie photo with beer taken on the Moto G PlaySelfie photo with beer taken on the Moto G Play

The Moto G Play’s front-facing camera had a tough time keeping me in focus, even in a restaurant with decent lighting.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

I took the Moto G Play with me to Taco Bell — because yes, I’m going to go eat cheap food while reviewing a cheap phone. I had my friend take photos of me using the phone’s Portrait setting. You can sort of see a light blurring effect in the background, but it’s hard to perceive. 

In another selfie taken at a restaurant with better lighting than the Taco Bell, I found the selfie camera to have a tough time keeping me in focus.

And when taking photos of my friend’s dog Daisy, the rear cameras struggled to capture much detail of her fur, even when she sat still. In the best of conditions, the phone’s cameras struggle to take sharp photos.

Daisy the dog in a winter sweater, photo taken on Moto G PlayDaisy the dog in a winter sweater, photo taken on Moto G Play

Daisy the dog sat relatively still for this photo, but the Moto G Play’s camera captures minimal detail.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

I compared the photos taken on the Moto G Play against the same images taken on the $160 Samsung Galaxy A03S, and found the picture quality to be roughly comparable for simple static shots. When shooting a bookshelf at CNET’s office, the Moto G Play got slightly more detail of the book covers than the Galaxy A03S, with the latter phone’s image appearing a bit darker. 

However, when it comes to a photo with lots of detail and color, such as with this plant wall, the Moto G Play struggles to discern between the different shades of green. Meanwhile the Galaxy A03S performs much better with discerning the darker green shades from the lighter ones, making for a dramatically different photo.

Neither phone’s camera performs especially well, which is a common theme among phones that cost under $200. For me, this places the Moto G Play’s camera photos squarely into the category of being acceptable for group chats, but not much else. It’s going to take a lot of really good lighting and steady hands in order to make the most of these cameras, and that’s more effort than most people are going to want to make.

There are better options, even when you want to save money

Even when you’re looking for the cheapest possible phone, your device still needs to run most apps without issue and take decent-looking photos. I wouldn’t expect a phone that costs less than $200 to run Fortnite at the highest graphics settings, but I am expecting to use apps with minimal lag. While phones at this price are also typically lighter on features, the perks that are available should bring noticeable value to the experience. The Moto G Play’s Portrait mode and high refresh rate don’t succeed in this regard.  

Instead of buying the Moto G Play at $170, you’re probably better off saving $10 and getting the $160 Samsung Galaxy A03S. While that phone also has unimpressive cameras, it was at least able to multitask more easily.

Although I haven’t reviewed it yet, you might also consider the $199 Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, since it has 64GB of storage and 5G connectivity. Later this year, a number of TCL 40 phones will arrive in the US, which will include 5G and 128GB of storage for under $200. Those devices might be worth waiting for if you aren’t in dire need of a cheap phone right now.

Moto G Play (2023) vs. Samsung Galaxy A03S, TCL Stylus 5G, OnePlus Nord N300 5G

Moto G Play (2023) Samsung Galaxy A03S TCL Stylus 5G OnePlus Nord N300 5G
Display size, type resolution, refresh rate 6.5-inch IPS TFT LCD; 1,600×720 pixels; 90Hz refresh rate 6.5-inch LCD; 1,600×720 pixels 6.81-inch; 2,400×1,080 pixels 6.56-inch IPS LCD display; 720p resolution; 90Hz refresh rate
Pixel density 269ppi 269ppi 395ppi 269ppi
Dimensions (inches) 6.58 x 2.95 x 0.36 in 6.5 x 2.9 x 0.3 in 6.67 x 3.01 x 0.35 in 6.4 x 2.9 x 0.3 in
Dimensions (millimeters) 167 x 77 x 9.4 mm 165.8 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm 169.6 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm 163.8 x 75.1 x 7.99 mm
Weight (ounces, grams) 203 g (7.16 oz) 202g (7.13 oz) 213g (7.51 oz) 190g (6.7 oz)
Mobile software Android 12 Android 11 Android 12 Android 12
Camera 16-megapixel (main), 2-megapixel (macro), 2-megapixel (depth sensor) 13-megapixel (main), 2-megapixel (depth), 2-megapixel (macro) 50-megapixel (main), 5-megapixel (wide), 2-megapixel (macro), 2-megapixel (depth sensor) 48-megapixel (main), 2-megapixel (depth lens)
Front-facing camera 5-megapixel 5-megapixel 13-megapixel 16-megapixel
Video capture 720p at 30 fps 1080p at 30fps 1080p at 30fps 1080p at 30fps
Processor MediaTek Helio G37 Octa-core processor MediaTek Dimensity 700 5G MediaTek Dimensity 810
RAM, storage 3GB + 32GB 3GB/32GB 4GB/128GB 4GB/64GB
Expandable storage Up to 512GB Up to 1TB Up to 2TB Up to 1TB
Battery, charger 5,000 mAh; 10W charging 5,000mAh; charger not included, does not support wireless charging 4,000mAh; 18W charging 5,000mAh; 33W charging
Fingerprint sensor Rear Side Side Side
Connector USB-C USB-C USB-C USB-C
Headphone jack Yes Yes Yes Yes
Special features 3-day battery life, Moto Gestures, Auto Smile Capture, Portait Mode Stylus with built-in storage, producitivity software, NxtVision HDR mode Dual speakers, NFC, Face Unlock, HDR, Portrait, Face retouching
Price off-contract (USD) $170 $160 $258 $228

Technologies

Ted Lasso Kicks Off Filming for Season 4 in Kansas City. Here’s What We Know So Far

Jason Sudeikis and the AFC Richmond gang are back with a new pitch and new faces now that filming is underway in the US and London.

Cue the biscuits and believe signs: Ted Lasso is back on the pitch as Apple TV Plus confirmed Monday that production on the Emmy-winning comedy’s fourth season has begun. Filming has started in Kansas City, Missouri — Jason Sudeikis’s hometown — with additional scenes planned for London.

Season 4 of the streaming series will find Ted tackling an entirely new challenge as he takes on coaching a second division women’s football team. According to Apple’s logline, you can expect plenty of leaps of faith and signature pep talks as Ted and his players navigate unfamiliar turf.

Most of the beloved cast returns for the next chapter, including Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt and Jeremy Swift. A handful of newcomers are joining the squad, too: Tanya Reynolds, Jude Mack, Faye Marsay, Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey, Abbie Hern and Grant Feely, who steps in as Ted’s son, Henry.

Read also: 16 Funniest Ted Lasso Quotes: Tea Is ‘Garbage Water,’ and God Hates Tie Scores

Behind the scenes, Ted Lasso brings on Emmy-winner Jack Burditt (Modern Family, 30 Rock) as executive producer under a new overall deal with Apple. Sudeikis, Brendan Hunt, Brett Goldstein and Bill Lawrence return as executive producers, alongside series vets Joe Kelly and Jane Becker.

The feel-good comedy has been a cultural juggernaut for Apple TV Plus since it premiered in 2020, racking up back-to-back Outstanding Comedy Series Emmys for its first two seasons and helping boost Apple’s original streaming slate alongside titles like CODA.

There is no release date set for Season 4 yet.

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Technologies

Microsoft Will Erase Your Passwords on Aug.1: Do This ASAP

If Microsoft Authenticator is your password manager, you’re running out of time to move your passwords.

As of Aug. 1, Microsoft will be deleting passwords from its Authenticator app. This means that passwords stored there will no longer be accessible, which could be a problem for a lot of users. 

Microsoft Authenticator has been one of the best password managers for years, offering options for saved passwords, two-factor authentication and auto-fill. However in just a few short days, all of that is going away as Microsoft moves to passkeys instead. This means that logins will move from remembering specific passwords, to using PINs, fingerprint scans, facial recognition or pattern using a device’s lock screen. 

Using a passkey can make your account safer, and it’s a move I’m excited about. I recently uncovered that 49% of US adults have risky password habits that can open the door to scammers getting access to your sensitive data.

If you’re a fan of Authenticator and not sure where to start before the switch, here are other password managers CNET recommends and steps you should take before August.

When will Microsoft Authenticator stop supporting passwords?

Microsoft Authenticator houses your passwords and lets you sign into all your Microsoft accounts using a PIN, facial recognition like Windows Hello, or other biometric data like a fingerprint. Authenticator can be used in other ways, such as verifying you’re logging in if you forgot your password, or using two-factor authentication as an extra layer of security for your accounts. In June, the company stopped letting users add passwords to Authenticator.

Starting this month, you won’t be able to use the autofill password function. And next month, you’ll no longer be able to use saved passwords.

If you still want to use passwords instead of passkeys, you can store them in Microsoft Edge. However, CNET experts recommend adopting passkeys during this transition. «Passkeys use public key cryptography to authenticate users, rather than relying on users themselves creating their own (often weak or reused) passwords to access their online accounts,» Tomaschek said.

Why are passkeys a better alternative to passwords?

So what exactly is a passkey? It’s a credential created by the Fast Identity Online Alliance that uses biometric data or a PIN to verify your identity and access your account. Think about using your fingerprint or Face ID to log into your account. That’s generally safer than using a password that is easy to guess or susceptible to a phishing attack.

«Passwords can be cracked, whereas passkeys need both the public and the locally stored private key to authenticate users, which can help mitigate risks like falling victim to phishing and brute-force or credential-stuffing attacks,» said Attila Tomaschek, CNET’s software senior writer and digital security expert.

Passkeys aren’t stored on servers like passwords. Instead, they’re stored only on your personal device. More conveniently, this takes the guesswork out of remembering your passwords and the need for a password manager.

How to set up a passkey in Microsoft Authenticator

Microsoft said in a May 1 blog post that it will automatically detect the best passkey to set up and make that your default sign-in option. «If you have a password and ‘one-time code’ set up on your account, we’ll prompt you to sign in with your one-time code instead of your password. After you’re signed in, you’ll be prompted to enroll a passkey. Then the next time you sign in, you’ll be prompted to sign in with your passkey,» according to the blog post.

To set up a new passkey, open your Authenticator app on your phone. Tap on your account and select «Set up a passkey.» You’ll be prompted to log in with your existing credentials. After you’re logged in, you can set up the passkey.

Other password manager alternatives 

Since Microsoft will get rid of all of your passwords in two weeks, you’ll need a new place to store your passwords safely. Tomaschek has a few of the best password manager recommendations after testing and reviewing several. 

The top recommendation is Bitwarden for its transparency. It’s open-source and audited annually. From a price perspective, the free plan lets you store infinite passwords across unlimited devices. The free plan also includes features most password managers would charge for, including password sharing and a username and password generator. 

Bitwarden’s upgraded plans have other upgraded features that could be worth the cost, too. 

Personally, Tomaschek has been using 1Password for a while, and he likes the interface and family plan. Even though it’s second on the list, Tomaschek says it’s just as good as Bitwarden. 

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Technologies

Don’t Miss Your Second Chance to Grab the 30th Anniversary DualSense Controller

A new wave of preorders just went live at Sony, so PS Plus members can grab one of these sweet retro PS5 controllers for $80 right now.

Looking to relive the glory days of gaming? Then you won’t want to miss out on this surprise restock at Sony. The special edition 30th Anniversary DualSense controller was released last year to celebrate the release of the original PlayStation, and it’s been tough to get your hands on one since it originally sold out in December. But a second wave of preorders just went live at Sony, which means you’ve got another chance to pick one up for just $80 right now. Just note that preorders are only available to PlayStation Plus members, and it sold out in no time during the last round, so we’d act fast if you don’t want to miss this rare opportunity to snag one.

The 30th Anniversary DualSense controller features a throwback design that mimics the controllers of the original PlayStation that first hit shelves all the way back in 1994. That includes a grayscale color scheme along with the classic green, blue, red and pink buttons and PlayStation logo. It’s also relatively versatile, and is compatible with the PlayStation 5 console, PC, Mac and mobile devices. Preorders will start shipping on September 9, and are limited to one controller per order.

Sony also released a special 30th Anniversary console last year. There hasn’t been any news about a new wave of availability in the US yet, but there was a recent restock for UK shoppers, so we’re tentatively hopeful that you’ll have another chance to grab one of these retro consoles as well. The CNET team will be keeping a close eye on Sony’s shopping page for any updates.

Why this restock matters

There are plenty of cool color variants for the DualSense controller, but this 30th Anniversary edition certainly stands out from the crowd with a retro design that takes you back to the PS1 days. Plus, it sold out fast during the original release, and it’s unclear if or when we’ll see another round of restocks, so we’d take advantage of this rare opportunity to grab one while you can.

If you’re looking for more ways to expand your Sony gaming setup, you can check out our full roundup of all the best PlayStation 5 deals for bargains on games and accessories.

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