Motorola Signature Review: A Luxe Smartphone Redefining Flagship Standards
In the ever-evolving world of flagship smartphones, the Motorola Signature emerges as a compelling contender, blending conventional excellence with unconventional luxury elements. Priced at Rs 54,999 onwards, this device aims to challenge established players like the iPhone and Galaxy S series. My review delves into its design, performance, and unique features, offering insights for Indian consumers seeking a premium experience.
Luxury Aesthetics and Design Excellence
To be honest, I was pleasantly surprised by the Motorola Signature's design upon seeing it in person. As someone who typically favors Apple and Nothing's design languages, I found myself enamored by the Signature's aesthetic appeal. It features a thin profile at 6.99mm, making it comfortable to hold and grip, unlike bulkier competitors such as the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. Weighing just 186 grams, it feels almost weightless compared to other flagships that often exceed 200 grams.
The twill-inspired finish, available in colors like Martini Olive, imparts a distinctly luxurious feel, setting it apart from the cold, business-like designs prevalent in the market. With flat edges, a brushed metal camera island, and IP68/IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance, the Signature exudes high-end craftsmanship. It retains Motorola's strong identity while offering a visual break from overexposed phone designs, making it a standout choice for those who appreciate elegance.
Immersive Display and Pro-Level Audio
The Motorola Signature boasts a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1,264 × 2,780 pixels, capable of reaching up to 6,200 nits for supported HDR content. Its adaptive refresh rate tops out at 165Hz, ensuring buttery smooth performance while conserving battery during static content viewing. During my testing, watching Nuovo Olimpo on Netflix brought the characters and 1970s Rome to life with vivid clarity, surpassing my expectations for a Motorola device.
My favorite aspect, however, is the audio hardware. The Bose-tuned stereo speakers deliver impossibly loud and clear sound, free from distortion or tinny hiss even at high volumes. Whether streaming YouTube videos or Netflix shows, external speakers or Bluetooth headphones were unnecessary in most scenarios. This represents some of the best sound quality I've encountered on a smartphone in recent years, enhancing the overall multimedia experience.
Powerful Performance and Long-Lasting Battery
Powered by the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, paired with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage in my review unit, the Motorola Signature delivers impressive performance. Apps open swiftly, and multitasking between WhatsApp, LinkedIn, gaming, and web browsing is seamless without any lag. For heavy users like myself, the 5,200mAh battery lasted a full day from a 7 AM charge to around 11 PM, eliminating the need for a power bank for most people.
The device supports 90-watt wired charging and 50-watt wireless charging, ensuring quick top-ups when needed. Additionally, it ships with Android 16 and promises seven years of OS and security updates, matching industry leaders like Google and Samsung while surpassing competitors such as OnePlus.
Advanced AI and Camera Capabilities
The Motorola Signature features a dedicated hardware AI button that triggers Moto AI, offering access to multiple AI platforms including Perplexity, Google's Gemini, Microsoft's Copilot, and Meta's Llama AI. This integration provides users with a versatile AI experience, though I primarily used features like Circle to Search daily. Others may appreciate tools like Remember This for photo-based queries or Pay Attention for recording and transcription.
On the camera front, the Signature houses a triple-camera system: a 50-megapixel main camera with OIS, a 50-megapixel telephoto camera with 3× zoom and OIS, and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera, all using Sony sensors. From the first shot, it was evident that Motorola has made significant improvements, delivering natural colors and reliable focus in various conditions, including low light. While Google and Apple still lead in image processing, the Signature's camera system is effective and enjoyable for most users.
Verdict: Should You Buy the Motorola Signature?
Frankly, the Motorola Signature masterfully blends craftsmanship and practicality in today's oversaturated smartphone market. It represents what a Motorola flagship should have been all along, offering a refreshing change from commoditized devices. With a starting price of Rs 54,999, it hits a sweet spot of accessibility, making it an attractive option for mainstream users seeking luxury and performance. Motorola has executed the thin concept exceptionally well, sparking excitement for the future of candy-bar phone designs.
