Compare Motorola's Moto G4 and G4 Play. A detailed side-by-side analysis of specs, camera performance, battery life, and screen quality to help you decide.

Moto G4 vs Moto G4 Play Detailed Specification and Feature Comparison

Choose the standard fourth-generation G model if display quality and camera performance are your main priorities.You get a 5.5-inch Full HD (1920x1080) screen, offering a sharp 401 pixels per inch (PPI) density, which is noticeably crisper than the 5-inch HD (1280x720) display with its 294 PPI on the more compact alternative. The main camera is a 13-megapixel unit with a superior f/2.0 aperture and a dual-LED flash, outperforming the 8-megapixel shooter with an f/2.2 aperture found on its sibling.

Opt for the more affordable "Play" variant if battery longevity and a lower price point are more compelling. While its Snapdragon 410 processor is less powerful than the Snapdragon 617 in the larger device, this hardware configuration, paired with a lower-resolution screen, results in significantly better power efficiency from its 2800 mAh battery. The standard G4, with its more demanding components and a 3000 mAh battery, requires charging more frequently under similar usage patterns. Additionally, the "Play" version consistently retails for a lower price, making it a pragmatic choice for budget-conscious buyers.

For users who prioritize raw processing power and multitasking, the standard fourth-generation G device is the clear winner. It comes equipped with an octa-core Snapdragon 617 chipset and can be configured with up to 2GB of RAM. In contrast, the "Play" edition utilizes a quad-core Snapdragon 410 and is limited to a maximum of 2GB RAM, leading to slower app loading times and less fluid performance in demanding applications and games. The difference is tangible during everyday use, especially when switching between multiple active processes.

Moto G4 vs. Moto G4 Play

For superior performance and media consumption, choose the G Fourth Generation. For basic tasks and extended battery life, the more compact variant is the logical selection.

Performance and Hardware

The standard G4 operates on a Snapdragon 617 chipset, an octa-core processor clocked at 1.5 GHz, paired with an Adreno 405 GPU. It comes with 2GB of RAM. The smaller handset uses a Snapdragon 410, a quad-core CPU at 1.2 GHz with an Adreno 306 GPU and offers configurations with either 1GB or 2GB of RAM. This hardware difference results in noticeably quicker app launches and smoother multitasking on the larger model.

Display and Build

The G Fourth Generation features a 5.5-inch 1080p Full HD display (401 PPI), offering sharp text and vivid colors. Its counterpart has a smaller 5.0-inch 720p HD screen (294 PPI), which is less crisp. The standard model is also slightly thinner at 9.8mm compared to the 9.9mm of the more compact device, though the latter is lighter.

Camera Capabilities

A significant distinction lies in the camera systems. The G4 is equipped with a 13 MP rear sensor with an f/2.0 aperture and a dual-LED flash, producing better low-light images. The more affordable device has an 8 MP rear camera with a single LED flash and a smaller f/2.2 aperture. Both share a 5 MP front-facing camera, but the G Fourth Generation's main shooter captures more detail and handles challenging light more effectively.

Battery and Charging

Both devices contain a removable battery. The standard G4 has a 3000 mAh cell and supports TurboPower charging, providing hours of use from a short charge. The more compact handset is fitted with a 2800 mAh cell and lacks the rapid charging feature, meaning it takes longer to reach full capacity. However, due to its less demanding processor and lower-resolution display, its battery often lasts longer under typical usage.

Verdict

Select the standard G4 for its Full HD screen, faster processor, and superior camera. Opt for the more compact variant if your priorities are a lower price point, slightly longer battery endurance for light use, and a smaller form factor.

Comparing camera capabilities for everyday photography

For superior everyday photography, the G fourth generation is the clear choice. Its 13MP sensor with a ƒ/2.0 aperture captures significantly more light than the alternative model's 8MP sensor with a ƒ/2.2 aperture. This translates directly to brighter, less noisy images in indoor or overcast conditions.

The G fourth iteration benefits from a dual-tone LED flash, which produces more natural-looking skin tones in flash photography. The more compact device uses a standard single LED flash, often resulting in washed-out subjects. Autofocus performance also differs; the G fourth generation utilizes both laser autofocus and Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF). This combination provides faster and more reliable focusing, especially on moving subjects, compared to the simpler contrast-detection autofocus of its smaller sibling.

Video recording on the G fourth generation is capped at 1080p at 30 frames per second and includes a slow-motion video feature. The petite handset also records at 1080p 30fps but lacks the slow-motion capability. For front-facing cameras, both devices feature a 5MP sensor with a ƒ/2.2 aperture, delivering similar quality for selfies and video calls. However, the software features like Professional Mode on the larger smartphone give users manual control over focus, white balance, ISO, and exposure compensation–a feature absent on the smaller version.

In bright daylight, the performance gap narrows, but the G fourth generation's higher resolution sensor resolves more fine detail. For users who frequently crop their photos, this extra detail is a distinct advantage. Its Auto HDR mode is also more effective at balancing high-contrast scenes, preserving details in both the shadows and highlights of a picture.

Which model offers better battery life for heavy users?

The standard G4 offers superior battery longevity for demanding daily use. Its 3000 mAh battery, combined with the more capable Snapdragon 617 chipset, provides better power management under load. This configuration supports extended sessions of high-demand applications, such as 3D gaming or continuous video streaming, lasting noticeably longer than its counterpart.

While the more compact device features a seemingly respectable 2800 mAh battery, its Snapdragon 410 processor is less efficient when handling intensive tasks. Heavy users will observe a quicker power drain during multitasking or when running graphically complex software. The G4's larger power cell simply holds more charge, translating directly to extra hours of screen-on time before needing to recharge.

Furthermore, the G4 benefits from TurboPower fast-charging technology. This feature allows for a significant battery boost in just 15 minutes of charging, a critical advantage for users who cannot afford long downtimes. The alternative model lacks this rapid-charging capability, requiring longer periods connected to a power outlet to achieve a full charge. For anyone whose activities consistently push a device's limits, the standard G4 is the clear choice for its endurance and quicker recovery.

Performance differences in gaming and multitasking

For graphically intensive gaming and heavy multitasking, the G Fourth Generation is the superior choice. Its more powerful chipset and higher clock speeds directly translate to a smoother user experience under load.

The standard G4 model's advantage stems directly from its core hardware specifications:

Chipset: It utilizes a Snapdragon 617 system-on-a-chip.
CPU: Features an octa-core processor architecture (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A53).
GPU: Equipped with an Adreno 405 graphics unit.

The compact G Fourth Generation variant is built for efficiency rather than peak performance:

Chipset: It is based on the Snapdragon 410.
CPU: Contains a quad-core processor (4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A53).
GPU: Integrates a less potent Adreno 306 graphics unit.

These hardware differences produce tangible outcomes:

Gaming Experience: The Adreno 405 GPU in the G4 provides significantly higher frame rates in 3D games like Asphalt 8 or PUBG Mobile (at low settings). https://wazamba-gr.casino in the smaller handset often results in noticeable stutter and requires dropping graphics to their minimum for playability.
Multitasking Behavior: With double the number of CPU cores, the standard G4 handles switching between multiple open applications, such as a browser with several tabs, a messaging app, and a music player, with greater fluidity. The more modest device may need to reload apps from memory more frequently, causing delays.
Heat Management: Under sustained gaming sessions, the octa-core Snapdragon 617 tends to generate more heat, which can lead to thermal throttling and a temporary reduction in performance. The quad-core Snapdragon 410 runs cooler, maintaining its baseline performance for longer, albeit at a much lower level.

For users prioritizing casual games, social media, and light application use, the performance of the smaller device is adequate. For any demanding tasks, the standard G Fourth Generation offers a clear and measurable performance uplift.