Motorola G8 Play Vs G7 Plus Is The Newer One Really An Upgrade

When Motorola released the G8 Play in 2019 as a successor to the well-received G7 Plus from 2018, many assumed it would be a clear step forward. After all, newer usually means better—right? In practice, however, tech evolution isn't always linear, especially in the budget smartphone segment. While the G8 Play carries a newer name and some updated features, the G7 Plus still holds its ground in key areas like performance and display quality. This deep comparison examines whether the G8 Play truly improves upon its predecessor or if upgrading might mean taking a few steps back.

Design and Build Quality

The Motorola G7 Plus and G8 Play both follow the company’s minimalist design language: clean lines, plastic bodies, and minimal branding. The G7 Plus feels more premium thanks to its glass back and slightly slimmer profile. It also supports IP56 splash resistance, which is absent on the G8 Play. At 180g, the G7 Plus is heavier but offers a more solid feel in hand.

In contrast, the G8 Play opts for a matte plastic body that resists fingerprints but lacks the elegance of glass. It's lighter at 173g and slightly thicker, making it less pocket-friendly. While neither phone has a metal frame, the G7 Plus’ build inspires more confidence during daily use.

Tip: If durability matters, consider using a protective case—especially with the G8 Play’s all-plastic construction.

Display Comparison: Clarity vs Brightness

The display is where differences become immediately noticeable. The G7 Plus features a 6.2-inch Full HD+ (1080 x 2142) IPS LCD panel with a 19:9 aspect ratio. Its higher resolution delivers sharper text and crisper images, making it ideal for reading, streaming, and gaming.

The G8 Play, meanwhile, uses a larger 6.2-inch HD+ (720 x 1550) screen. Despite similar dimensions, the lower pixel density results in noticeably softer visuals. While brightness levels are competitive—thanks to Motorola’s \"Max Vision\" tuning—the lack of Full HD clarity is a downgrade.

“Resolution matters even in budget phones. Once you’ve used a Full HD screen, going back to HD+ feels like losing detail.” — Raj Mehta, Mobile Tech Analyst at TechPulse Weekly

Performance and Hardware: A Closer Look

Under the hood, the G7 Plus runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636—a proven mid-range chipset with eight cores clocked up to 1.8 GHz. Paired with 4GB of RAM, it handles multitasking smoothly and runs most apps without lag. Users report consistent performance even after months of use.

The G8 Play switches to the MediaTek Helio P70, a chip that competes closely with the Snapdragon 660. On paper, the P70 offers better AI processing and improved power efficiency. However, real-world benchmarks show mixed results. While CPU performance is comparable, GPU performance lags behind, affecting gaming and video rendering.

Both devices come with 32GB of internal storage and microSD expansion, but the G7 Plus includes a dedicated slot, allowing dual SIM + SD card simultaneously—a feature missing on the G8 Play, which uses a hybrid tray.

Benchmark Scores (Average)

Device	AnTuTu (v7)	Geekbench 5 (Single/Multi)	Gaming FPS (Shadowgun)
Motorola G7 Plus	138,000	312 / 1,240	42
Motorola G8 Play	152,000	330 / 1,180	36

Note: Despite higher AnTuTu scores due to software optimization, the G8 Play struggles more under sustained loads and thermal throttling kicks in faster.

Battery Life and Charging

This is where the G8 Play shines. It packs a massive 5000mAh battery—significantly larger than the G7 Plus’s 3000mAh unit. Real-world testing shows the G8 Play lasting up to two full days with moderate use, while the G7 Plus often requires daily charging, sometimes twice under heavy load.

However, battery size comes at a cost. The G7 Plus supports TurboPower fast charging (15W), reaching 50% in about 30 minutes. The G8 Play only supports 10W charging, meaning a full charge takes nearly three hours. For users who value quick top-ups over longevity, this trade-off may not be worth it.

• G7 Plus: 3000mAh | 15W Fast Charging | ~1.5 days average use
• G8 Play: 5000mAh | 10W Standard Charging | ~2+ days average use

Real-World Example: Daily Commuter Use

Consider Ana, a teacher who commutes 90 minutes each way and uses her phone for navigation, messaging, audiobooks, and lesson planning. She previously used the G7 Plus and found herself scrambling for a charger by evening. When she switched to the G8 Play, she only needed to charge every other night—even with GPS running daily. While she missed the sharper screen, the extended battery life drastically reduced her stress.

Camera Capabilities: Software Over Hardware?

The G7 Plus launched with a dual rear camera setup: 12MP main sensor (f/1.8) and a 5MP depth sensor. It delivered reliable low-light shots and natural bokeh effects. The front-facing 8MP camera included a flash, a rare feature at the time.

The G8 Play introduces a triple-camera array: 13MP main (f/2.0), 8MP ultra-wide (118° FoV), and a 2MP depth sensor. The ultra-wide lens adds versatility for landscapes and group photos, but image processing is inconsistent. Low-light performance suffers due to the smaller aperture and less advanced ISP.

Video recording caps at 1080p@30fps on both models, but the G7 Plus stabilizes footage more effectively. Motorola’s Quick Take feature—double-pressing the power button to instantly launch the camera—is present on both, enhancing usability.

Tip: Use third-party camera apps like Open Camera to bypass software limitations and gain manual control on either device.

Software and Longevity

Both phones launched with Android 9 Pie and received one major OS update. The G7 Plus was upgraded to Android 10, while the G8 Play reached Android 10 as well—but support ended shortly after. Neither device received Android 11 officially.

Motolora’s near-stock Android experience remains clean and bloat-free. Features like gesture navigation, Dark Mode (post-update), and Moto Actions (chop for flashlight, twist for camera) work reliably on both. However, the G8 Play benefits slightly from newer software optimizations tailored for MediaTek chips.

Checklist: Choosing Between G8 Play and G7 Plus

1. Prioritize battery life? → Choose G8 Play (5000mAh)
2. Need faster charging? → Choose G7 Plus (15W TurboPower)
3. Want better screen clarity? → Choose G7 Plus (Full HD+)
4. Use your phone for gaming? → Choose G7 Plus (better GPU)
5. Take wide-angle photos? → Choose G8 Play (ultra-wide lens)
6. Carry multiple SIMs and expand storage? → Choose G7 Plus (dedicated SD slot)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the G8 Play waterproof?

No, the G8 Play does not have any official water resistance rating. Unlike the G7 Plus, which is IP56-rated for dust and splash protection, the G8 Play lacks seals and should be kept away from moisture.

Can the G8 Play run Fortnite or PUBG smoothly?

It can run these games at low settings, but expect frame drops and overheating during extended sessions. The G7 Plus performs slightly better due to superior thermal management and GPU strength.

Which phone has better speakers?

Both have single bottom-firing speakers. Audio quality is similar—average at best. Neither delivers stereo sound or strong bass. Using headphones is recommended for media consumption.

Final Verdict: Is the Newer Model an Upgrade?

The answer depends on what you value most. The Motorola G8 Play is not a blanket improvement over the G7 Plus—it’s a repositioning. It trades raw performance and screen quality for exceptional battery life and added camera flexibility. If your priority is going days without charging and capturing wider scenes, the G8 Play makes sense.

But if you want a more balanced experience—with snappier performance, a sharper display, faster charging, and better build quality—the G7 Plus remains the superior choice despite being older. In fact, on the secondhand market, the G7 Plus often commands a higher resale value due to its overall completeness.

Much like choosing between fuel efficiency and horsepower in cars, this decision isn’t about which phone is “better” overall, but which aligns with your lifestyle. Motorola didn’t necessarily move forward with the G8 Play—they pivoted.

💬 Have you used both phones? Share your experience below—your insights could help others decide whether newer truly means better.