Let me start by saying this: the Motorola Moto G54 punches way above its weight class. As someone who's used everything from flagship Samsungs to budget burner phones, I was genuinely shocked by what this $170 device delivers.

The first thing you'll notice is that buttery smooth 120Hz display. Scrolling through TikTok or playing casual games feels premium - no jitters or lag. That 6.5" LCD panel isn't OLED, but at 405ppi, text looks crisp and colors pop nicely.

Performance? The Dimensity 7020 chip handles my daily multitasking (Spotify, Google Maps, 10 Chrome tabs) without breaking a sweat. I've thrown PUBG Mobile at it just to test, and while it's not flagship-level gaming performance, it held up surprisingly well on medium settings.

The cameras are where budget phones usually fail, but not here. That 50MP main shooter captures impressive detail in daylight. Low-light performance is... well, it's a $170 phone - manage your expectations. But for Instagram stories and casual snaps? More than adequate.

Battery life is stellar - the 5000mAh cell easily gets me through a heavy usage day with 20% to spare. And when I do need to charge, the included charger (yes, they actually include one!) juices it up quickly.

Now for some real talk: The dual SIM functionality saved my bacon during international travel last month. Being able to keep my US number active while using a local SIM was incredibly convenient. Though fair warning - eSIM support seems hit or miss based on other reviews.

The included clear case is a nice touch (my unit came with one), but feels cheap. I'd recommend investing in something sturdier if you're clumsy like me.

Biggest complaint? The color isn't as vibrant as product images suggest - it's more midnight navy than bright blue. And while reception has been fine for me in urban areas, some rural users report weaker signals compared to pricier phones.

At this price point though? These are nitpicks. For anyone tired of $1,000+ smartphones but still wants solid performance and features, the Moto G54 is hands-down one of the best values I've tested this year.