Motorola Moto G87: Loud Speakers but Thin Bass, Plus PWM Flicker Concerns

What’s new?

The Motorola Moto G87 ships with a dual‑speaker setup that reaches 87.8 dB SPL at maximum volume. In practical terms, you can fill a medium‑sized room or watch videos on a busy train without turning the volume knob to the red zone. The device also uses PWM (pulse‑width modulation) backlight dimming at 361.6 Hz to control screen brightness.

How it measures up

Audio performance

Metric	Moto G87	Median mid‑range phone	Samsung Galaxy A57
Max SPL	87.8 dB	85 dB	86 dB
Bass depth (relative)	‑35 %	0 % (baseline)	+5 %
Frequency response (20 Hz‑20 kHz)	20 Hz‑18 kHz (dip at 40‑80 Hz)	20 Hz‑20 kHz	20 Hz‑20 kHz (flat)

The numbers tell the same story that our listening tests confirm: the speakers are loud enough for most casual use, but the low‑frequency response is noticeably weak. Bass‑heavy tracks sound thin, and dialogue in movies can feel a bit recessed. By contrast, the Galaxy A57 delivers a more balanced curve, with a modest boost in the 50‑200 Hz range that makes its sound feel fuller.

Display PWM

Motorola opted for a 361.6 Hz PWM dimming scheme. While this is higher than the sub‑500 Hz range that often triggers flicker sensitivity, it is still below the 500 Hz threshold recommended for the most vulnerable users. In our side‑by‑side test, the flicker was barely perceptible on a calibrated monitor, but sensitive individuals reported eye strain after 30 minutes of continuous scrolling.

Battery and other specs (for context)

• Battery: 5,000 mAh, 30 W fast charge (full charge ~70 min)
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7200‑U (Octa‑core, 2.8 GHz)
• Display: 6.5‑inch LCD, 1080p, 90 Hz refresh, 361.6 Hz PWM
• RAM/Storage: 6 GB / 128 GB (microSD up to 1 TB)
• Price: €279 (EU), $299 (US) at launch

Who should care?

User type	Verdict
Music lovers	The thin bass will be a disappointment. Pair the phone with external speakers or quality headphones.
Video/ gaming casuals	Loudness is sufficient; occasional bass drop is tolerable.
PWM‑sensitive users	Test the screen before buying. If you experience eye strain at 60 Hz, the Moto G87 may not be ideal.
Budget‑conscious buyers	At €279 the phone offers solid performance for the price, but the audio compromise should be weighed against cheaper alternatives with better speaker tuning.

Comparison to the Samsung Galaxy A57

The A57’s speakers sit at 86 dB SPL—slightly quieter—but its bass response sits 5 % above the median, giving a richer soundstage. Its display uses DC dimming, eliminating PWM altogether, which is a plus for flicker‑sensitive users. However, the A57’s battery is 4,500 mAh and its processor is a mid‑range Exynos, resulting in shorter endurance and lower benchmark scores than the Moto G87.

Bottom line

• Loudness: Moto G87 wins; you can hear it in noisy environments.
• Bass: Moto G87 loses; expect a flat sound profile.
• Screen flicker: Acceptable for most, but not for the most sensitive eyes.
• Overall value: Good for users who prioritize price, battery life, and raw volume, but not for audiophiles or PWM‑sensitive individuals.

For a deeper dive into the full test suite—including camera performance, thermals, and real‑world gaming benchmarks—check out our complete Moto G87 review.