This phone is a surprise for under US$ 200

With the Moto G47, Motorola is introducing a budget phone that suffers from limitations due to the memory crisis: For the manufacturer’s price, you would have gotten significantly more features last year. 

However, since online prices have already dropped significantly (around US$ 200 at amazon.com), let’s take a look at how this affordable phone performs.

Generous RAM and reasonably fast storage

8 GB of RAM is at least on par with last year’s models. And the 128 GB of storage isn’t a step backward either; plus, it features UFS 2.1 storage, which can deliver data at a reasonably fast pace.

Display brightness disappoints in daylight

Lab measurements confirm that the panel has a maximum brightness of 1,002 cd/m² for small areas and 784 cd/m² when the entire screen is lit. Similar models with AMOLED screens from Xiaomi or Samsung offer significantly higher brightness, which improves readability in very bright environments.

In normal indoor settings, the brightness is more than sufficient for comfortable browsing and watching videos.

A pixel density of 264 PPI is acceptable for text on a display of this size, though there are screens with significantly higher resolutions available in the price segment.

Processor performance in a rigorous benchmark comparison

The device is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 6300, a rather weak SoC that lags significantly behind the Samsung Galaxy A37, for example. 

In everyday use, occasional stuttering can be felt even when navigating through the menu. Users of demanding apps and games will quickly notice the device’s technical limitations.

Is the Moto G47 worth buying?

Overall, the Moto G47 is a double-edged sword for buyers: At the recommended retail price, it’s hardly competitive with other current models. 

However, as a heavily discounted special offer under US$ 200, it becomes much more attractive. For casual users with a clear focus on budget, the device offers solid basic features.

You can find detailed lab test data and graphs for the Motorola Moto G47 in our in-depth review.