Should you buy a Moto G5 Plus in 2022?
Best answer: No. There are other options that are priced similarly, but offer updated specs and an updated design. One of these devices comes from Motorola with the Moto X4. Once priced at $400, the X4 is now just $200 and is a great buy in 2019.
The G5 Plus is no longer Motorola's budget king
The Moto G5 Plus is coming up on the 2-year anniversary of its release, and it has already been surpassed by a few options. On the spec side of things, the G5 Plus sports the Snapdragon 625 chipset, and is limited up to 3GB of RAM. There is only a single rear-mounted 12MP camera, along with a respectable battery and only 32GB of storage (although, it's worth pointing out that the storage is expandable via the microSD card slot).
When looking outside of the Motorola lineup, the G5 Plus design is quite dated, as the device does not even include a 16:9 display. Instead, you get the "old", standard, aspect ratio, with a resolution of 1920x1080.
Nonetheless, the G5 Plus held the budget throne for quite some time, but it's now 2018 and things have changed.
What should you get instead?
Without jumping to conclusions, one would think that the Moto G6 or G6 Plus would be the logical choices here. However, we're going to take a different route and take a look at the Moto X4. Considering you're looking at older phones that are now discounted, it might be worth a look.
The X4 was released in November of 2017 but includes a few different improvements when compared to either the Moto G6 or Moto G5 Plus. Additionally, the X4 keeps the standard 16:9 aspect ratio for those who aren't looking for more screen real-estate in a smaller package. It also has a slightly updated processor compared to the G5 Plus along with more storage and a stronger front-facing camera. You can take a look at the specs below.
| Category | Moto G5 Plus | Moto X4 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.2" IPS LCD | 5.2" IPS LCD |
| Processor | Snapdragon 625 | Snapdragon 630 |
| RAM | 2GB/3GB | 4GB/6GB |
| Storage | 32GB | 64GB |
| Front Camera | 5MP | 16MP |
| Rear Camera(s) | 12MP | 12MP/8MP |
| Battery | 3,000mAh | 3,000mAh |
Plus, now that the device is one-year-old, the Moto X4 has been heavily discounted and can be found for around $200 if you are okay with the Prime Exclusive version. Keep in mind, this version includes some Amazon apps, but the dreaded lock-screen ads are a thing of the past.
Our pick
Moto X4
This one steals the show
The Moto X4 is a great option for those looking for a solid budget device, and it comes with some extra features compared to the G5 Plus.
Tried and true
Moto G5 Plus
Stick with the G5 Plus
If you're okay with subpar specs and a dated design, then the Moto G5 Plus will still get the job done.
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