The Return of Stock Android
Motorola, a brand that once stood at the forefront of the stock Android experience with its popular Moto G series, has finally made its grand entrance into the Android One program in India. The Motorola One Power represents a significant shift for the company, seamlessly blending familiar Moto features with the promise of timely updates through the Android One initiative. This move marks a return to form for Motorola, addressing concerns about software update delays that have plagued some of their recent devices.
Design and Build: Prioritizing Function Over Form
The Motorola One Power embraces a design philosophy that prioritizes durability and practicality over sleek aesthetics. Sporting a metal unibody construction, the device measures 156 mm in height and weighs a substantial 198 grams. This heft is a clear indication of the powerhouse battery housed within, appealing to users who value longevity over a slim profile.
The device features a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor cleverly integrated into the Motorola logo, a design choice that has become somewhat of a signature for the brand. The visible antenna bands on the upper and lower back serve as a reminder of the metal construction, a material choice that enhances durability but may not win awards for cutting-edge design.
The One Power sports a 6.2-inch display with a notch, following the current trend in smartphone design. The sides of the device are gently curved, improving ergonomics and making it more comfortable to hold despite its size. The button layout is conventional, with the volume rocker and power button on the right side, while the left side houses a dual SIM tray and a dedicated microSD card slot – a feature that will be appreciated by users who require expandable storage without sacrificing dual SIM functionality.
At the bottom, you'll find a USB-C port and a speaker, while the top retains the increasingly rare 3.5mm headphone jack, a decision that will please audio enthusiasts who prefer wired headphones.
Display: Embracing the Notch
The Motorola One Power features a 6.2-inch Full HD+ display with a notch design, housing the selfie camera, earpiece, and flash. The decision to incorporate a notch allows for a larger screen-to-body ratio, with relatively small bezels surrounding the display. The chin of the device still features the Motorola logo, a design element that has been a staple of Motorola phones for years.
The display technology used is IPS LCD, which, while not as vibrant or energy-efficient as OLED, still offers good color reproduction and viewing angles. The resolution of 2246 x 1080 pixels results in a pixel density of approximately 403 PPI, ensuring crisp text and sharp images.
Performance: Mid-Range Muscle
Under the hood, the Motorola One Power is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor. This octa-core chipset, built on a 14nm process, features eight Kryo 260 cores clocked at up to 1.8 GHz. The Adreno 509 GPU handles graphics duties, providing enough power for moderate gaming and smooth UI animations.
The device comes equipped with 4GB of RAM, which should be sufficient for multitasking and keeping several apps in memory. The 64GB of internal storage is expandable via microSD, allowing users to add up to 256GB of additional space.
This hardware configuration has proven its reliability in other devices in the same price bracket, such as the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro and the Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1. Users can expect smooth performance for everyday tasks, social media browsing, and even some light gaming. However, it may struggle with the most demanding 3D games at high settings.
Camera Setup: Dual Vision
The camera system on the Motorola One Power consists of a dual-lens setup on the rear and a single selfie camera on the front. The primary rear camera boasts a 16MP sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, promising good low-light performance and the ability to capture plenty of detail in well-lit conditions. This is accompanied by a 5MP depth sensor, which aids in creating bokeh effects for portrait mode shots.
On the front, a 12MP camera with an f/2.0 aperture handles selfie duties. This relatively high-resolution front-facing camera should provide detailed self-portraits and be more than adequate for video calls.
While the camera specifications are promising, real-world performance will need to be evaluated through thorough testing. Motorola has historically offered a clean camera interface with useful features like Active Photos and spot color, and we can expect similar software enhancements on the One Power.
Battery: The Power Player
Perhaps the most standout feature of the Motorola One Power is its massive 5000 mAh battery. This capacity is significantly larger than what's typically found in this price range and even exceeds many flagship devices. Motorola claims this battery can last up to two days on a single charge, which, if true, would be a major selling point for power users and those who frequently find themselves away from chargers.
The device also supports Motorola's Turbo Charging technology, with a 15W charger included in the box. This fast-charging capability is crucial given the large battery capacity, ensuring that users can quickly top up their device when needed.
Software: The Android One Advantage
As part of the Android One program, the Motorola One Power ships with a clean, near-stock version of Android 8.1 Oreo. Motorola has promised an update to Android 9 Pie by the end of the year, showcasing one of the key benefits of the Android One program – timely software updates.
Android One devices are guaranteed to receive at least two years of OS upgrades and three years of security patches. This commitment to software support addresses one of the main criticisms leveled at Motorola in recent years – their slowness in rolling out updates to their non-flagship devices.
While the software experience is largely stock Android, Motorola has included some of its popular gesture features, such as chop-chop to activate the flashlight and twist to launch the camera. These additions enhance the user experience without bloating the software.
Connectivity and Additional Features
The Motorola One Power comes well-equipped in terms of connectivity options. It supports 4G VoLTE, essential for high-quality voice calls and fast data speeds on modern networks. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS are all present, as expected in a device of this class.
Notably, the device also includes NFC (Near Field Communication) support, enabling contactless payments through services like Google Pay. This feature is not always present in mid-range devices and adds significant functionality for users in regions where contactless payments are common.
The inclusion of a dedicated microSD slot alongside dual SIM support is another user-friendly feature, allowing users to expand their storage without sacrificing the dual SIM functionality.
Market Positioning and Competition
Priced at Rs 15,999 in India, the Motorola One Power enters a highly competitive segment of the smartphone market. It goes up against popular devices like the Nokia 6.1 Plus, Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro, Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1, and Xiaomi Mi A2.
Each of these competitors has its strengths: the Nokia 6.1 Plus offers a more premium design with a glass back, the Redmi Note 5 Pro is known for its camera performance, the Zenfone Max Pro M1 matches the One Power's large battery, and the Mi A2 is also an Android One device with a focus on camera quality.
The Motorola One Power differentiates itself through its combination of a large battery, clean software experience, and the Motorola brand value. For users who prioritize battery life and timely software updates, the One Power presents a compelling option.
Conclusion: A Promising Return to Form
The Motorola One Power represents a strategic move by the company to recapture the essence of what made their earlier devices so popular – a clean Android experience, solid performance, and good value for money. While it may not break new ground in terms of design or cutting-edge features, it focuses on fundamentals that many users prioritize – battery life, performance, and software.
The device's massive battery, coupled with the efficient Snapdragon 636 processor, promises excellent endurance. The Android One program ensures a bloatware-free experience and the assurance of timely updates, addressing a pain point for many Android users.
However, the smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the One Power will need to prove itself in real-world usage. Camera performance, in particular, will be a key factor in determining its success against rivals known for their imaging capabilities.
For Motorola fans and those who have been missing the "pure" Android experience of years past, the One Power could be a compelling option. It combines the stock Android promise of the original Moto G with modern hardware capabilities and the assurance of timely updates through the Android One program.
As we await full reviews and detailed comparisons, the Motorola One Power shows promise in a crowded market. It may not be revolutionary, but it could be exactly what many users have been waiting for – a return to Motorola's strengths in the mid-range segment, offering a balanced combination of performance, battery life, and a clean software experience.
