The Motorola Moto G45 aims to solidify Motorola’s position in the mid-range smartphone market by offering impressive hardware, a clean Android experience, and a competitive price point. Boasting features like a 6.6-inch FHD+ display, triple-camera setup, and a 5000mAh battery, the Moto G45 appeals to users seeking a dependable and affordable smartphone.
While the Moto G45 has garnered praise for its value proposition, it’s not without its share of issues and bugs. In this article, we’ll explore these problems in detail, analyzing their causes and impact, while also assessing the device’s overall worth compared to alternatives.
1. Build Quality and Design: Stylish Yet Somewhat Fragile
Motorola has infused the G45 with a sleek design, combining a plastic frame with a glossy back finish. While visually appealing, the phone’s build quality has raised concerns among users.
a) Plastic Frame Susceptible to Damage
- Problem: The plastic frame and back are prone to scratches and cracks, especially without a protective case.
- Impact: This affects the device’s durability and aesthetic appeal over time.
- User Experience:
“After just a few weeks, the edges of my phone started showing wear and tear. It’s disappointing for a device that looks so good.” – Review from a user on Amazon.
b) Loose Volume and Power Buttons
- Problem: Some users report loose or wobbly buttons that feel less premium and can become unresponsive over time.
- Impact: This detracts from the overall user experience, especially for those who rely on physical buttons for quick actions.
- User Experience:
“The power button started feeling loose within the first month, and now it doesn’t always register my presses.” – Comment on a tech forum.
2. Display Issues: Vivid Yet Inconsistent
The 6.6-inch LCD display on the Moto G45 delivers vibrant colors and good brightness levels, but users have encountered several screen-related problems.
a) Uneven Backlighting
- Problem: Some users report uneven backlighting, with noticeable light bleed around the edges or corners of the screen.
- Impact: This can be distracting, particularly in dark mode or while watching videos.
- User Experience:
“The edges of the screen look much brighter in low-light conditions, which ruins the immersive experience.” – Feedback on Reddit.
b) Touch Sensitivity Issues
- Problem: Intermittent touch responsiveness problems are a recurring issue, particularly in gaming or while typing.
- Cause: This could stem from software optimization issues or hardware inconsistencies in the touch panel.
- Impact: It can lead to frustration during everyday use, especially for precision-based tasks.
- User Experience:
“Sometimes I have to tap multiple times before it registers. It’s annoying, especially when typing fast.” – User review from a tech blog.
3. Performance: Smooth for Casual Use, But Not Without Hiccups
The Moto G45 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset, paired with up to 6GB of RAM. While this combination handles most tasks well, there are performance-related complaints.
a) Thermal Throttling Under Load
- Problem: Extended gaming or multitasking can lead to thermal throttling, where the phone heats up and reduces performance to prevent overheating.
- Impact: This affects gaming performance and overall responsiveness during prolonged use.
- User Experience:
“After 20 minutes of gaming, the phone gets warm, and the frame rate starts dropping noticeably.” – Comment from a gamer on XDA Developers.
b) Random Lag and Stutters
- Problem: Despite the capable hardware, some users report occasional lag or stutters, especially while switching between apps or navigating the UI.
- Cause: This may be due to insufficient software optimization or background processes consuming resources.
- Impact: It diminishes the otherwise smooth Android experience Motorola is known for.
- User Experience:
“The phone works fine most of the time, but there are random moments where it just slows down for no reason.” – Review on GSM Arena.
4. Battery Life: A Mixed Bag
The 5000mAh battery on the Moto G45 is one of its key selling points, promising all-day usage. However, user experiences with battery performance have been mixed.
a) Rapid Battery Drain
- Problem: Some users report faster-than-expected battery drain, even during moderate usage like browsing and video streaming.
- Cause: Background apps, lack of software optimization, or misbehaving processes may contribute to this issue.
- Impact: Users need to recharge more frequently, which can be inconvenient.
- User Experience:
“I barely get through a full day without needing to top up the battery, even though I don’t use many power-hungry apps.” – Feedback from a user on Trustpilot.
b) Charging Speed Below Expectations
- Problem: Although the phone supports 33W fast charging, users report that the charging speed is slower than advertised.
- Impact: This can be frustrating for users who expect quick top-ups during busy days.
- User Experience:
“It takes nearly 2 hours to fully charge the battery, which is far from what I’d call ‘fast charging.’” – User review on a tech forum.
5. Camera Performance: Impressive on Paper, Inconsistent in Practice
The triple-camera setup on the Moto G45 includes a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro camera. While capable of capturing good shots, there are several camera-related complaints.
a) Inconsistent Low-Light Performance
- Problem: Photos taken in low-light conditions often appear grainy or over-processed, even with Night Mode enabled.
- Impact: This limits the phone’s usability for night photography or indoor shots.
- User Experience:
“Night photos are hit or miss. Sometimes they’re okay, but often they’re too noisy to be usable.” – Comment on a photography forum.
b) Macro Lens Limitations
- Problem: The 2MP macro lens delivers subpar results, with limited detail and poor color accuracy.
- Impact: This makes the macro camera more of a gimmick than a useful feature.
- User Experience:
“The macro mode feels like a waste of space. I get better close-ups by cropping photos from the main camera.” – Review on a tech blog.
6. Software Bugs and Glitches
Motorola’s near-stock Android 13 experience is one of the Moto G45’s highlights. However, users have encountered several software-related bugs.
a) Delayed Notifications
- Problem: Notifications for apps like WhatsApp, Gmail, and social media platforms sometimes arrive late or not at all.
- Impact: This can lead to missed messages and reduced productivity.
- User Experience:
“I often get notifications hours after they were sent. It’s frustrating when I’m waiting for something important.” – Feedback from a user on Reddit.
b) Slow Software Updates
- Problem: Motorola has been criticized for its slow rollout of updates, leaving users with outdated security patches and unresolved bugs.
- Impact: This compromises both security and user experience.
- User Experience:
“It’s been months since the last update. I’m starting to lose hope for any meaningful improvements.” – Comment on a tech forum.
Conclusion: Is the Motorola Moto G45 Worth Buying?
The Moto G45 offers a lot for its price, including a vibrant display, long-lasting battery, and near-stock Android experience. However, the device’s inconsistencies in performance, durability, and software may be deal-breakers for some.
Pros:
- Sleek design and lightweight build.
- Smooth Android experience.
- Long battery life under moderate use.
- Decent main camera for daylight photography.
Cons:
- Fragile build and wobbly buttons.
- Display and touch sensitivity issues.
- Inconsistent performance and thermal throttling.
- Slow updates and delayed notifications.
Better Alternatives:
- Redmi Note 12 Pro: Offers better build quality, faster charging, and superior cameras.
- Samsung Galaxy A34: A more reliable option with better software support and a vibrant AMOLED display.
- Realme Narzo 60: Provides better performance and faster updates at a similar price point.
In conclusion, while the Moto G45 is a solid mid-range option, its flaws in durability, software stability, and performance make it worth considering alternatives for a more reliable experience. If you’re a fan of Motorola’s software approach and can tolerate the drawbacks, the G45 might still be a worthwhile purchase.