We have reached the eighth generation of the successful G series of Motorola. Moto G8 Plus tries to get the title of Best Buy at the end of the year, will he succeed in this phantom enterprise?
Read also - Motorola One Zoom review: goodbye to Android One
Motorola Moto G8 Plus review: the technical data sheet
Let's start immediately with the usual hardware card, not particularly rich for the lite model, on which a great absence stands out: the unlock sensor with fingerprints.
dimensions: 158.4 x 75.8 x 9.1 mm
Weight: 188 g
Display: 6.3 ”1080 x 2280 FHD + IPS LCD with 400 ppi density
CPU: Snapdragon 665
GPU: Adreno 610
RAM: 4 GB
Memory: 64 GB expandable with Micro SD Up to 512 GB
Network: 4G LTE – Dual Stand by
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 con A2DP/LE, USB Type-C 2.0, A-GPS/Glonass/Galileo, jack 3.5mm
Battery: 4000 mAh
Rear camera: 48 MP f 1.7 + 16 MP f 2.2 + 5 MP f 2.2
Front Camera: 25 MP f 2
Videos: posteriore 4K (30fps), anteriore Full HD
Operating system: Android 9.0 Pie
Packaging and design
The packaging of this Moto G8 Plus it does not offer much, in fact we find inside a USB / USBCC cable and the 18W TurboPower rapid power supply.
Frontally the device shows a panel IPS LCD with a small teardrop notch, surmounted by a large ear capsule. The upper and lateral edges are quite symmetrical, in the lower we find instead a Chin evident. The back is in polycarbonate, with a 3D gradient coloring in two variants: ours is called Cosmic Blue, really interesting, the other Crystal Pink. We find the three cameras placed at semaphore on the left side and in the center the fingerprint reader for unlocking the device, with the classic Motorola symbol.
On the right side we find the classic volume rocker and the on / off button, while on the left the trolley to insert the sim and the micro SD. Below the loudspeaker and the door USB C, on top of our beloved 3.5mm inlet jack.
The strong points
Motorola G8 Plus seems equipped with everything you need: we find a audio stereo quite crystal clear, both when calling, with hands-free, and when playing multimedia files. It features NFC, which has now become almost indispensable thanks to the expansion of Google Pay in many banking circuits and the presence of many conti fintech. La battery it is capacious, da 4000 mAh, and guarantees you a whole day and maybe a few more hours. The Snapdragon 665 it is optimized quite well, responsive enough even in gaming sessions. Nostalgics or audio purists find the jack from 3.5mm for their wired headphones. It holds up well in the hand, it is not slippery, with its 190 grams it gives a feeling of solidity.
The weak points
However, there are also several elements that have failed to convince us.
Let's start fromdevice audio that is mono only. It also tends to croak a little at high volumes, even during a hands-free call. If you have your hands full but need to answer a phone call, I recommend earphones.
Lacking then the unlocking with fingerprint, supplanted by the facial one in 2D, and the NFC, vital now for all those who use Google Pay.
To this then add some small obstacles some software here and there. A pity since on board we have the excellent Android 9.0 in an almost stock version.
[amazon_link asins=’B07QDRWXDH,B07QJ1VKJZ’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’gamspri02-21′ marketplace=’IT’ link_id=’529172b3-5c20-4c5c-ac10-ad6597d42931′]
The weirdness of cameras
Compared to last year's model, there is a noticeable upgrade to the main sensor it is now from 48 MP, aligning itself with the competition that now offers it in all sauces. It is, however, lacking, unlike the G7, optical stabilization. For a step forward, we have taken a (important) step back.
But now let's talk about the wide-angle sensor from 16 MP. This goal can be activated in video mode only, e only with the phone vertically. The video will still be recorded horizontally, and holding the phone from the narrower side and with one hand, we will have greater stability. By turning the smartphone horizontally, it will automatically switch to the main 48MP sensor, losing the wide angle. The wide videos are in Full HD format, not 4K, stabilized quite well, they convince.
The third 5MP sensor is a depth sensor that should come in handy with the bokeh effect, but in all honesty, it's even inferior in quality to some smartphones that only apply it digitally.
Unlike the videos, photographically it did not surprise us, we notice very few differences with the previous model despite the different megapixels gained by the main sensor. Even at night we notice mixed colors and few details, despite the appropriate mode present. Here are some test shots:
Motorola Moto G8 Plus review: buy it or not?
This device can be purchased at a price of approx € 269,90. Given the stiff competition due to the range in which it is located, I still cannot consider it a Best Buy. If between offers or natural lowering of prices should soon be found on 230, here is the Moto G8 Plus becomes a potential Christmas gift, thanks to the completeness of the equipment. It is a balanced device that will satisfy more or less everyone, especially if used as a second phone.
Motorola G8 Plus
For 
- Good Autonomy
- Well optimized
- Balanced
- Audio compartment
Cons 
- Photo Quality
- Lacks wide angle for photos
- LCD screen
