Review: Lenovo Moto G4 Play
In the past, I've recommended Motorola's G series handsets above most phones others in their price range. They typically represented a strong value-for-the-dollar that was unmatched by competing phones. The G4 Play doesn't live up to previous G series' heritage.
In general, the G4 Play is a decent handset. It may be boring, but at least it's well-made. The screen is decent, call quality is fine, and battery life is where it needs to be. I wish data speeds were better, but I can't complain too much. Surely some people will like that the G4 Play supports memory cards and has a removable battery. Moreover, the G4 Play is smaller than other Motorola handsets and that makes it easier to use on a day-to-day basis.
I'm glad to see the stock Android experience on the G4 play, and always appreciate Motorola's Active Display feature. The Snapdragon 410 processor doesn't seem to be up to speed, however, rendering some apps too slow. The camera app has almost zero features, but at least it takes decent photos.
Pricing is the G4 Play's biggest problem. Motorola sells the phone for $150. If you look at the $150 phones available from Cricket Wireless and MetroPCS, you see some much better options, such as the Alcatel Idol 4 (with VR headset!) and LG Stylo 2.
With these considerations in mind, I'd recommend the G4 Play only to Motorola fans who prefer smaller handsets. I might also suggest the G4 Play as an entry point for novice users, such as young teens. The Moto G4 Play is a fine phone, but not the most fun or functional phone.