Motorola Moto G35 5G Review: Budget 5G That Delivers More Than Expected

The sub-₹10,000 smartphone segment in India is fiercely competitive. Motorola, known for its clean Android experience, is back with the Moto G35 5G—a phone aimed squarely at users who want modern features like 5G, a high refresh rate display, and good battery life without stretching the budget.

So, is Moto G35 5G the right daily driver for you? Let’s break it down.

🧾 Motorola G35 5G – Key Specifications

📱 Design & Display

Motorola has nailed the essentials here. The 6.72-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate is a major highlight in this price range. Scrolling feels snappy, videos look sharp, and even sunlight legibility is decent thanks to 1000 nits peak brightness.

Build-wise, the vegan leather finish adds a premium touch, while the IP52 rating provides basic water resistance—great to have even if it’s just for splashes.

⚙️ Performance: Capable for Daily Use

The Unisoc T760 chipset paired with LPDDR4X RAM may raise eyebrows, but performance is surprisingly fluid for everyday tasks—browsing, multitasking, watching videos, and casual gaming are handled well.

However, for heavy gaming, this isn’t the ideal pick. Titles like BGMI or Genshin Impact run on low settings and may stutter occasionally. Thermals are well-managed thanks to the 6nm fabrication.

📸 Camera: Simple But Versatile

The 50MP main sensor takes decent shots in daylight—sharp, colorful, and with acceptable dynamic range. The 8MP ultrawide camera is a welcome addition, offering more flexibility for landscape or group shots.

Low-light photography is a weak spot. The details often get muddy. The 16MP front shooter is solid in good lighting but soft indoors.

Video recording goes up to 4K@30fps, but stabilization is basic.

🔋 Battery Life: Strong, But Charging Lags

A 5000mAh battery keeps the Moto G35 5G running for well over a day, even with moderate use and 5G turned on. That said, the 18W charging speed feels slow in 2025, taking roughly 2 hours for a full charge but acceptable in this price range.

🔈 Audio & Extras

You get stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos—rare at this price. Sound output is loud and clear. There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack and FM radio.

The side-mounted fingerprint scanner is fast and accurate. Haptics are average but not distracting.

📶 Connectivity & Software

This phone supports 13 5G bands, ensuring wide compatibility. Calls are crisp and data speeds are impressive in 5G areas.

Motorola’s My UX on top of Android 14 is clean, lightweight, and free from bloatware or ads. Motorola promises 1 major Android update (Android 15) and 3 years of security patches.

One known issue: some users have reported minor GPS/Wi-Fi bugs, which Motorola is expected to patch soon.

🧠 ToolPilgrim Verdict

The Moto G35 5G gets a lot right: a buttery-smooth 120Hz display, excellent battery life, a clean Android experience, and reliable 5G performance. At ₹10,199, it’s a smart buy for students, first-time smartphone users, or anyone looking for an affordable secondary device.

It’s not built for gamers or camera enthusiasts, but for general use, it hits the sweet spot.

✅ What We Liked

• Gorgeous 120Hz FHD+ screen
• Stereo speakers + Dolby Atmos
• Solid battery life
• Clean Android 14, no bloat
• Competitive pricing

❌ What Could Be Better

• Slow 18W charging
• Low-light camera performance
• Limited gaming capability

Final Score: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

📌 If you’re looking for a budget 5G phone in India that doesn’t feel like a compromise, the Moto G35 5G is worth shortlisting.