Moto G4 Plus: A Comprehensive Review of Its Major Disadvantages

After the takeover by Lenovo, the Motorola brand has seen a decline in trustworthiness, particularly with the Moto G4 Plus. As a long-term Motorola fan, I have experienced various models in the G series, but the G4 Plus stands out as my worst experience. Issues with the battery life, screen malfunctions, ghost touches, side buttons, and camera quality have left me disillusioned. This device has become my last Motorola phone, and I advise potential buyers to consider other brands.

Initial Experience and Decline

I have been using the Moto G4 Plus since October last year. Initially, the phone offered seamless performance and reliability. However, after a period, I started encountering severe problems. The most significant issue arose with the camera. Due to the glass panel being completely scratched, the camera has started to bulge outside. The quality of the photos taken with the primary camera and the front camera has deteriorated dramatically. The images appear blurry with a lack of vibrant colors, making it impossible to scan QR codes.

Candidly, the camera is so bad that it can barely process modern applications, which adds to the overall frustration.

I visited the service center with this issue, but they informed me that the glass is not covered under warranty. In addition to the camera problems, the device experiences substantial heating issues. Although these were manageable during winter, in the summer, the device overheats significantly, particularly when using 4G. This results in the phone draining the battery at an alarming rate. Post the Nougat update, the apps frequently crash, leading to further usability issues. Motorola has visibly lost the quality that it once maintained; as someone who has been a Motorola user for over five years, I now believe I need to consider alternative options.

Affected Applications

One of the most significant drawbacks of the Moto G4 Plus is its compatibility issues with post-Android 7.0 updates. Various applications, such as Zomato and RedBus, which relied on older versions of the operating system, have become non-functional. In one notable case, Paytm functionality has been severely impaired, to the extent that adding money to the Paytm wallet is no longer possible.

Technical Specifics and Usability

A newer aspect of the Moto G4 Plus, which is apparent only after dealing with the issues described, is the absence of a compass sensor. Many applications, particularly those related to navigation, astronomy, or augmented reality, require the compass for accurate functioning. For apps like Google Sky Map or SkyEye, the compass is vital for pinpointing directions. Similarly, for gaming apps like Pokémon GO, the compass ensures accurate placement and movement within the game world.

Note: While the compass is not a deal-breaker for navigation apps, once movement begins, GPS can take over to provide accurate location data. In static positions, however, the compass becomes indispensable.

Despite these significant shortcomings, the Moto G4 Plus has some redeeming qualities, such as its overall build quality and user interface. However, for a user expecting a reliable and high-quality smartphone, these features become overshadowed by the numerous issues discussed.

Conclusion: The Motorola Moto G4 Plus is best suited for users who require a basic phone with occasional use. For more demanding tasks and a longer-term commitment, users might want to consider other brands and models that offer better performance and reliability.