The mid-range smartphone arena is a battlefield, and Motorola’s G-series consistently delivers crowd-pleasers. The newer Moto G56 and its predecessor Moto G55 are prime contenders, but which one deserves your cash? Let’s dissect every difference—from specs to real-world quirks—to help you decide.
Design & Build: Subtle Tweaks, Familiar Feel
Both phones flaunt Motorola’s signature curved-back design for comfy grip. The G55 (193g) feels slightly denser than the G56 (172g), thanks to the latter’s plastic frame replacing aluminum. The G56 also shrinks the camera bump and adds IP52 dust/water resistance—a win for clumsy hands. Color-wise, the G55’s "Moonless Black" and "Polar Blue" get upgraded to the G56’s pearlescent "Marshmallow Blue" and "Butter Cream."
Display: AMOLED vs. LCD Showdown
Here’s the big split:
- Moto G56: 6.5-inch FHD+ AMOLED (90Hz, 269 PPI)
- Moto G55: 6.6-inch FHD+ LCD (120Hz, 399 PPI)
The G56’s AMOLED serves punchier blacks and vibrant colors, ideal for Netflix binges. But the G55’s LCD counters with a smoother 120Hz refresh rate—better for gamers. Outdoor visibility? AMOLED takes it, though both hit 700 nits peak.
Dive Deeper:
For a granular breakdown of the G56’s battery life and camera tests, read Notebookcheck’s review here. Prefer the G55? Their earlier analysis here covers its surprises.
Performance: Sideways Step?
- Chipset: G56 uses the MediaTek Dimensity 700, while the G55 rocks a Dimensity 7020 (rebranded Dimensity 930). Benchmark nerds note: the G55’s GPU is ~10% faster in gaming.
- RAM/Storage: Both start at 8GB RAM (virtual expansion to 16GB), but the G56 offers 256GB storage vs. G55’s 128GB.
Real-world take: Daily apps run identically smooth. Heavy games like Genshin Impact demand medium settings on both—don’t expect flagship thrills.
Cameras: Megapixel Madness
- G56: 50MP main (f/1.8) + 8MP ultrawide + 2MP macro
- G55: 50MP main (f/1.8) + 8MP ultrawide
Motorola axed the G55’s useless 2MP depth sensor for the G56’s equally underwhelming macro lens. Daylight photos? Near-identical. Low-light shots favor the G56’s slightly refined processing, but noise plagues both. Selfie cams stick at 8MP. Verdict: Skip if photography’s your priority.
Battery & Charging: Draw
Identical 5,000mAh batteries with 30W charging. The G56 lasts 11 hours in mixed usage (AMOLED efficiency helps), while the G55 manages 10.5 hours. Both recharge 0-50% in 30 minutes.
Software & Extras
- OS: G56 ships with Android 14, G55 launched with Android 13 (upgradable to 14).
- Updates: Both promise 1 OS update + 3 security patches.
- Audio: Dual speakers on both, but the G56 supports Bluetooth 5.2 (vs. 5.1).
Price & Verdict
- Moto G55: ~$180 (discounted)
- Moto G56: ~$220
Who’s it for?
- Choose G56 if: You crave AMOLED visuals, lighter build, extra storage, or Android 14 out-of-box.
- Stick with G55 if: Budget is king, 120Hz gaming matters, or discounts drop it below $150.
Neither reinvents the wheel, but both nail core reliability. As Motorola iterates, the G56 feels like a refinement—not a revolution—proving "affordable" doesn’t mean "boring."
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