Tracfone Moto G Play 2024 (XT2413V) Smartphone Review
The Moto G Play 2024 brings a 6.5" screen, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and a Snapdragon 680 processor. It also includes a variety of nice upgrades, including Corning Gorilla Glass protection and expandable storage, while maintaining a very affordable price from Tracfone.
The Play is the first new smartphone from Motorola in 2024, and the updated version to the 2023 Play which had modest features, but a low price. Tracfone is expected to offer the Moto G Power 2024 sometime in the near future. Keep up with all the new devices in the Latest List of Tracfone Smartphones (2024)
Tracfone offers the 2024 Play at a subsidized price, but it is also available unlocked at a higher price.
Let's get to the pros and cons for the Moto G Play 2024
Moto G Play 2024 Pros and Cons
What we Like:
-Snapdragon processor and increased RAM/Storage
-Lighter and smaller design
-Gorilla Glass and IP52 protection
-Very affordable price from Tracfone
What we Don't Like:
-No 5G network compatibility
-Single rear camera sensor
-No NFC
-Only one software update to Android 14
The Play line of phones from Motorola are well known for their long battery life and affordable pricing which the 2024 Play offers. The phones were also sometimes plagued by underpowered processors, but the 2024 Play appears to fix that with significantly improved performance over the previous models,
But it lacks a few things, such as 5G network compatibility, NFC, and wireless charging, which we see more and more budget phones including. There is also just a single rear camera sensor, down from a triple rear camera setup on the 2023 version.
Motorola is walking a fine line between features and pricing every year with these low cost phones. And the question is always, did they get it right?
Time for the full list of features and specs.
Tracfone Moto G Play 2024 (XT2413V) Features and Specs
Below are the features followed by the technical specs
- Android 13
- 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 5.1
- Alarm Clock
- MP3 Player
- Standard 3.5mm headphone jack
- Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Waiting
- SMS/MMS
- USB Type-C 2.0 connection
- 15W Charging speed (full charge about 2hrs)
- Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, proximity, barometer
- Water-repellent coating
- Hearing Aid Compatible
Moto G Play 2023 (XT2413V) Specs
Size: 6.45 x 2.95 x 0.33 in (6.53 oz)
Camera: 50MP (wide) rear camera, 8MP front camera
Screen: 6.5" HD touchscreen with 720x1600 resolution (270 ppi)
Processor: Octa-core (Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 4G) Processor
Memory: 4 GB
Storage: 64 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 (2024) is also available unlocked and can be used with any service provider.
In past years, Motorola has offered quite a few different phones, with some variants including 5G network compatibility and other features. For 2024, it looks like Tracfone will offer just the Play, and the Moto G Power 5G 2024
The 2024 Play, on paper, looks like one of the better versions in several years. Let's get into the details with the full review below.
Tracfone Moto G Play 2024 (XT2413V) Review
Touchscreen
A large, 6.5" IPS LCD touchscreen comes with the 2024 Play which includes 90Hz fast refresh rate and 720x1600 resolution. It is basically the same touchscreen as last year's model, but it does improve in a few areas, such as Gorilla Glass 3 protection and increased brightness.
The screen to body ratio of 83% is also an improvement over the previous model, and the pixel density is about 270.
The Moto G Play's screen is adequate, and works very well in indoor lighting situations but will struggle outdoors in direct sunlight. For a significantly better screen experience, consider the
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G which has a full HD Super AMOLED screen but a higher price point.
Performance (RAM, Storage and Processor)
The biggest improvement for the 2024 Play is the phone's performance in all areas. It has 4GB RAM, 64GB internal storage and the Snapdragon 480 4G processor.
The octa-core processor in the new Moto G Play outperforms the MediaTek G37 processor from the 2023 Play in many ways and even provides better battery performance. While this processor is a big step up, it isn't intended for more resource intensive games or apps. Everyday tasks like checking email, texting and basic games, can be completed with snappy performance.
Storage should not be a problem for the Play, thanks to a dedicated MicroSD card slot with up to 1TB additional space for music, photos, apps and more. This is a great feature for any phone, and one we are happy to see at this price point.
This phone improves on the performance and storage making it a much more usable device compared to past models. Yet it is still a budget phone meant for low to moderate usage. For those looking to play games or other power-hungry apps, look to the Moto G Power 2024 with a Dimensity 7020 processor.
Camera
A single, 50MP rear sensor is all Motorola included for the rear camera setup but according to the manufacturer it is supposed to have improved details and low light performance. The previous model had a triple camera setup, although the macro and depth sensors were not all that useful so maybe it isn't a big loss on the new model.
The camera performance is just okay, with photos in good lighting turning out fine, but anything with shadows or lower lighting coming out less than great. The camera outputs 12.5MP images by default, making use of pixel-binning technology, but this setting can be change to get the full 50MP images.
Without a depth sensor the software sometimes struggles in portrait mode to select the correct parts of the image to blur.
The selfie cam is an 8MP shooter, a small step up from last year, and does capture decent images in good lighting. Both the front and rear cameras shoot 1080p video at 30fps and it is useable for sharing on social media or with friends.
The reality is, don't expect much from the cameras on the Moto G Play 2024. They work well enough for capturing moments to share with friends, but the quality difference compared to more expensive devices is noticeable.
Battery
Motorola phones are well known for good battery life, and the 2024 Play is no exception. It comes with a 5,000 mAh battery and 15W fast charging using a USB Type-C 2.0 connection. No charging adapter is included with the phone.
No wireless charging is available, and the phone takes about 2 hours to fully recharge. Battery life is quite good, with a reported talk time of about 46hrs. Users can expect to easily get through a full day with moderate usage and may even make it through two days.
Android OS
The Moto G Play comes with Android 13 which includes a handful of design changes like auto-theming icons and more Material You theming options. There are also many software changes and improvements, like a better QR code scanner, and security and bug fixes.
Motorola does plan to update the phone to Android 14, but no date is set, and after that update, no further updates are planned. This is very disappointing, not only because many phones already have Android 14 (like the Galaxy A15 5G) but also because companies like Samsung are including several years of Android updates versus Motorola's single OS update.
Motorola only includes one major OS update, and 3 years of security fixes. This is causing many die-hard Motorola fans to look elsewhere because it is simply not a great update policy.
If users plan to get a new phone every year or so, it will be fine, but many users keep their phone for 3 or more years.
Design
The size and weight of the Moto G Play 2024 is decreased compared to the last model, dropping over half an ounce, and reducing the bezels on the front of the phone.
The back of the phone is plastic, but has a metallic finish giving it a more expensive look and feel. There is a raised bump for the rear camera and flash.
The button layout is consistent with past devices, with a side-mounted fingerprint reader, power button and volume rockers. At the top is the standard 3.5mm headphone jack, and the bottom has the speaker and charging port.
Overall the design is a nice update and gives the appearance of a more expensive phone. Plus the 2024 Play includes IP52 dust and water rating, a handy feature for small accidents.
While wireless charging would be a nice feature to have on the play, it is not expected at this price point. However, the lack of NFC, which is used for secure payments with your phone, is a drawback, as many users just expect these kinds of features on a smartphone, and may be surprised when it is missing. For those that don't need to make payments with a phone, the lack of NFC won't be noticed.
Conclusion
Motorola brings significant performance improvements for the 2024 Moto G Play that help it accomplish most daily tasks with ease. It isn't meant for gaming, but handles many other tasks well and offers enough storage and RAM.
The Play lacks some major features, including NFC (for mobile payments), 5G, and Android OS updates beyond 14. NFC and 5G network compatibility are both features we rarely see excluded from new phones this year.
Camera performance is also not very exciting, with just a single 50MP shooter that gets decent images in good light, but struggles in other situations. This isn't a surprise, but it could have been a major selling feature that Motorola missed out on.
The Moto G Play does offer a smaller design compared to last year, and protection for the screen as well as dust and water resistance which other budget devices like the Galaxy A15 do not include.
And for a retail price of just $49 from Tracfone, it is a hard bargain not to consider for users looking for a basic Android smartphone, and one of our top picks for phones under $100 from Tracfone.
The Bottom Line: A big improvement over the previous model at a great price from Tracfone but if you can spend more, the Galaxy A15 5G offers a lot more. Plus, the Moto G Power 2024 is expected soon.
Where to Buy the Moto G Play 2024
We expect the Play to be available with an airtime bundle soon and will update when that becomes available.
Moto G Play 2024 available from
Amazon
Moto G Play 2024 User Manual and Device Tutorials
Get the most from your phone with the Moto G Play 2024 User Manual, About your Phone and Device Tutorials from Tracfone.
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