Motorola Motorola Moto G51 Moto G51 5G 6.8" Indigo Blue 128GB Review

The Moto G51 delivers a stunning 120Hz display for under $300, but it's held back by old software and average cameras. Its 95th-percentile screen is the main reason to buy. Worth it only if the screen is your absolute top priority.

The Motorola Moto G51 is a budget phone with one killer feature: its 6.8-inch, 120Hz IPS LCD screen. That display is genuinely great for the price, landing in the 95th percentile in our database. It's a big, smooth canvas for scrolling and watching videos.

Beyond the screen, you're getting a solid 5G connection, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. It runs on a Snapdragon 480+ processor and Android 11. It's a basic package that gets the fundamentals right, but don't expect any flagship-level surprises.

Performance is decent for the price. The Snapdragon 480+ and 8GB of RAM handle everyday tasks just fine. Our benchmarks put it in the 69th percentile for performance, which means it's faster than a lot of other budget phones. The 120Hz screen makes everything feel smoother, too. But it's not a gaming powerhouse—our gaming score is just 35.5 out of 100. Demanding games will struggle, and the camera (37th percentile) is just okay in low light.

At around $298, the value proposition is clear: you're paying for that excellent 120Hz screen and 5G. The rest of the package is pretty standard budget fare. If a smooth, large display is your top priority and you can live with an older OS and average cameras, it's a fair deal. If you care more about software updates or camera quality, your money might be better spent elsewhere.

Compared to other budget phones, the G51's screen is its main advantage. A standard Moto G or a Samsung Galaxy A-series phone might have better software support, but they often lack a high refresh rate at this price. The OnePlus Nord N series usually offers faster performance and newer software for a bit more cash. Against the Google Pixel 'a' series, you lose the incredible camera and clean software but gain that smoother display. It's a trade-off.

Skip this phone if you need a good camera or timely software updates. The camera scores are low, and Android 11 is ancient. Also, if you're a mobile gamer, look for something with a more powerful processor. This chip isn't built for that.

Buy the Moto G51 if you want the biggest, smoothest screen possible on a tight budget and 5G is a must. It's for the person who watches a lot of videos and scrolls social media but doesn't need a top-tier camera or the latest Android version. Think of it as a great display with a phone attached.