Tracfone Moto G Play 2023 Review
The 2023 Moto G Play offers a very low price, and a handful of great features including the 6.5" touschreen, long battery life and Android 12. It also comes with a triple rear camera setup, 3GB RAM and 32GB internal storage.
There are not many new phones released at the Play's low price point, but we will compare several options, including last year's Moto G Power (2022), which now shares a similar price.
The Moto G Play 2023 is also available as an unlocked version, with a somewhat higher price than the Tracfone version. We are expecting several more new phones coming to Tracfone soon, and keep up with all of them in our List of Latest Tracfone Smartphones.
Let's start with our pros and cons on the 2023 Play.
What we Like:
-Long Battery Life
-Large screen with 90hz refresh rate
-Very Affordable Price
What we Don't Like:
-Performance is lacking
-Mediocre Processor
-720p screen
With some of the classic features of a Motorola - a large screen and long battery life - the Play will attract some users. Motorola skipped offering a version of this phone last year, instead opting to only release the Moto G Power in this price range. The last available model, the Moto G Play 2021, was a popular option for some with a nice balance of features and price.
One feature missing that is becoming more and more noticeable is the lack of 5G network access.
Tracfone Moto G Play 2023 (XT2271DL) Features and Specs
Below are the features followed by the technical specs
- Android 12
- 4G LTE compatible (Verizon)
- Access to the Google Play Store with over 1 Million Apps
- WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
- GPS, GLONASS
- Bluetooth 5
- Alarm Clock
- MP3 Player
- Standard 3.5mm headphone jack
- Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Waiting
- SMS/MMS
- USB Type-C 2.0 connection
- USB Charger (10W Charging)
- Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, proximity, barometer
- Water-repellent coating
- Hearing Aid Compatible
Moto G Play 2023 (XT2271DL) Specs
Size: 6.58 x 3.01 x 0.37 in (7.2 oz)
Camera: Triple Rear Camera - 16MP (wide), 2MP (depth), 2MP (macro), 5MP front camera
Screen: 6.5" HD touchscreen with 720x1600 resolution (270 ppi)
Processor: Octa-core (MediaTek Helio G37) Processor
Memory: 3 GB
Storage: 32 GB and dedicated MicroSDXC card slot
Battery: 5,000 mAh with 46 hrs talk time (non-removable)
Motorola was a longstanding American telecommunications company founded in 1928. In 2011, after several years of significant losses and challenges, the company was split and the mobile phone segment of the company was sold to Google. Two years later, the Motorola mobile phone segment was sold again, this time to Lenovo, a global electronics manufacturer with headquarters in both China and the US.
During the ownership by Google, the popular Moto G line was first released, as an unlocked, budget smartphone that still packed features to keep up with all the daily needs of users. Since transitioning to Lenovo, that has continued, with now a large lineup of Moto G phones released every year.
Many Tracfone BYOP users are very familiar with the Motorola brand as it has released a number of low cost unlocked phones capable of being used with Tracfone going back to the original Moto G. The Moto G Play (2023) is also available unlocked and can be used with any service provider.
In recent years, Motorola's naming practices of new phones each year have been all over the map. So if you are a little confused about some of their phones and where they fall in the lineup, you are not alone. For 2023, Motorola is releasing the Moto G Power (2023) as their top budget device, the Moto G Stylus (2023) as their mid-level offering, and the Moto G Play (2023) as the cheapest option.
While not all the specs are the most impressive on this version of the Play, it is available at a very reasonable price and we will take a closer look in our full review.
Tracfone Moto G Play 2023 (XT2271DL) Review
Touchscreen
The nice, large, 6.5" screen with fast refresh rate of 90hz (compared to the typical 60hz) is a great feature. A resolution of just 720x1600 gives the Moto G Play a pixel density of about 270ppi, which is on the low side compared to many devices in the 400's. Screen ratio follows the current trend at 20:9, allowing a large screen that is taller, for easier use in one hand. And finally, the screen to body ratio is about 79%, which is, again, on the low side, but just means that their are some thicker bezels, but not a big issue.
Screen performance is pretty solid, especially thanks to the faster 90hz refresh rate which can help smooth things out. It is only an HD+ screen, but we can't really expect more at this price. Brightness is fine, but struggles in full sunlight as will most phones under $200.
Performance - Processor, RAM and StorageThe 2023 Play features a MediaTek Helio G37 Octa-core processor with 3GB RAM and 32GB internal memory. There is additional storage thanks to a MicroSDXC card slot.
We had hoped to see some better performances specs out of this phone, maybe more storage, or a better processor, but at this price point, Motorola really had to keep things to the minimum required for usability.
Interestingly, last year's Moto G Power (2022) has the same processor, but 4GB RAM, and 64GB internal storage (and currently with a price lower than the Play). While it is nice to get the processor from a more expensive device in the 2023 Play, the 2021 version of the Moto G Play had a Snapdragon 460 processor which was more powerful than the G37 processor.
With all that said, performance on the Play is okay, with most moderate tasks functioning just fine. Using more resource intensive apps will bog down the device quickly though, and gaming likely won't be a great experience overall.
For the price, the performance specs might be expected, but beyond calling, texting and some web surfing or social media, the 2023 Moto G Play will struggle a little to keep up. For those interested in some gaming or other activities, consider a more powerful device from last year or the year before, which will likely be discounted almost to the same price as the Play.
Camera
On the back of the phone is a triple camera setup with a 16MP main 'wide' sensor, 2MP depth and 2MP Macro sensors. The front has a single 5MP selfie camera.
The front and rear cameras are mediocre in general. They capture reasonably good images in good lighting, but will quickly suffer when the light is lowered. The macro sensor is kind of interesting for super close up things, but at just 2MP, it doesn't have the resolution to be very useable. The depth sensor helps with achieving 'portrait' style photos from the main rear shooter which is a nice feature to have..
To be fair, no one should be expecting too much from this low cost device, and the cameras do the job well enough for casual photos to send to friends and family. But with how far cell phone cameras have come in recent years, the Moto G Play is just nowhere near that. Additionally, the
Moto G Power (2022) features very similar cameras, but with a 50MP main camera for a little more detail and resolution.
Both front and rear sensors can shoot full HD video recording (1080p) at 30 fps and the rear camera can do up to 60 fps. The video quality is good enough for most uses, such as social media and sending to friends.
The Moto G Play 2023 is not the phone to get for those who want to use it to shoot YouTube videos or create influencer images. But for casual snaps to send to friends and family, it will generally get the job done just fine. For those craving more camera power, consider devices such as the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G or the unlocked Google Pixel 6a (with the Pixel achieving the better photos).
Battery
At 5,000 mAh, the Moto G Play 2023 follows most other Motorola devices to deliver long battery life. However, both a slow, 10W charging speed, and somewhat lower actual battery usage time, are making this a little less of an exciting feature.
Some battery torture testing by Android enthusiasts are revealing somewhat lower battery life compared to the previous model. The Play will still last through the day with moderate use, but some of Motorola's previous devices were well known for 2 and even 3 day battery life.
At this price point there is no wireless or fast charging available.
Android OS
One big reason to choose the 2023 Play over older devices is the updated Android OS software which not only brings newer features but also many security fixes and updates.
The Moto G Play 2023 will likely get Android 13 at some point in the future. But we are also a little disappointed because many devices are being released at this time with Android 13, which makes them automatically a little more attractive
Android 12 features a significant design change to 'Material You' and is the largest design update in several years. The most notable design feature is the ability to choose a home screen background, and then select a color from that background that is then used in many of the menus and other UI features.
Beyond design, there are many helpful features added such as scrolling screenshot which allows you to capture more than just what is on the screen - a nice feature.
In the background, the new software offers a host of updates and improvements geared especially at gaming, but also helpful for surfing the web or using social media.
As with any Android update, there are plenty of security fixes and features. There is a new privacy dashboard to help manage all of those things in one place, and there are indicators for when the camera or microphone are in use.
Design
While it is a very cheap phone, the actual design of the 2023 Play gives it a feel of something more expensive. There is nothing visually about it that would distinguish it form a mid range device. The front bezels are a little on the large size, but not to an extreme.
At the back of the phone we get the triple rear camera, and the fingerprint sensor which is very responsive and accurate. At the top of the device is the 3.5mm headphone jack (almost a rarity these days), and the bottom is where the USB-C charging port and speaker are located.
The power button and volume rocker are on the right side, with the SIM and microSD card slot on the left edge of the device.
The design is oddly very similar to the Moto G Power (2022) with an almost identical size and weight, and very similar back panel and other design features.
Overall Conclusion
For the price, this phone isn't bad. It has a handful of lackluster features, including mediocre performance and storage, and the camera is nothing to be excited about.
Yet, with all that said, it still is a solid phone with good looks, a large screen, and a very low retail price which all make it an interesting option as a basic, but capable smartphone.
For those shopping at this price point, the Moto G Play 2023 may be one of the newest smartphones under $100 from Tracfone. And for those who will use the phone for calling, texting, and some modest web surfing or social media, it will keep up with that just fine.
There are a number of phones from Tracfone at this time that are a year or two old, and now available around $100 that offer a lot more performance from the processor, more storage, and some even offer 5G network capability. So if those are important features, maybe keep shopping.
Moto G Play 2023 VS Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
The
Galaxy A14 5G is also available from Tracfone and packs a lot of features in for the price. Compared to the Moto G Play 2023, the A14 5G offers upgrades in just about every category, for only a little more money. It has a larger, higher resolution screen, more RAM and storage, 5G network access, NFC, better cameras, a better software update policy, and comes with Android 13 instead of 12.
Not everyone likes the additional software Samsung includes with their phones, but for those that do like it, or don't mind it, all the other nice upgrades makes the Galaxy A14 5G a better choice for most.
Moto G Play 2023 VS Moto G Power 2022
There are quite a few similarities between the 2022 Power and 2023 Play. First of all, the size, weight, and exterior design of the phones are almost identical, even sharing the same specs on the touchscreen. On the inside, they both run on the MediaTek G37 processor.
Some features are a little different, with the Power opting for a little more RAM, internal storage, and higher MP rear camera. The Moto G Power 2022 also was released with Android 11, but can be upgraded to 12.
There are quite a few places that offer the
Moto G Power 2022 for less than $100, and even closer to $70. And with it offering a little more storage, RAM and camera quality, it might be a cheaper, but better phone to buy.
We are also expecting Tracfone to release the 2023 Moto G Power 5G soon, which will be priced around $200.
Where to Buy the Moto G Play 2023 from Tracfone
The Moto G Power 2022 is available only from the Tracfone website online at the moment, but it is already discounted to under $100. It will likely be released soon from more retailers.
Get a 2-Pack Moto G Play Bundle w/ 1500 talk/text/data and 1 Year service from
HSN or
QVC for under $100
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