What's good
- Good screen resolution
- Decent battery life
- Fast processor for price range
What's bad
- No 4G LTE support
- Limited on-board storage
- Mediocre camera
Although priced in the budget range, the Motorola Moto G smartphone has wowed reviewers with its impressive screen and specs. This moderately priced phone boasts a 4.5” IPS screen with a resolution of 720p. In a side-by-side comparison with the Nexus 5, Laptop Mag found that the Nexus 5 offered more detail, but the Moto G rendered brighter and bolder colors. Critics also found the screen to be bright and easily readable in outdoor and indoor light settings.
In terms of specs, the G offers a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM and up to 16GB of onboard storage. Although slightly slower when compared to more high-end smartphones, Digital Trends states that it is “a little rocket.”
Various benchmark tests done by critics put general performance well under phones like the Nexus 5, however it is able to perform on par during more simple tasks such as browsing the web and using simple apps.
Reviewers note that the efficient processor and display deliver great battery life than standard smartphones. After a 24-hour run test, PCPro found that the G retains 70% of its capacity after 24 hours of mixed usage.
Despite its impressive performance in benchmark tests, the phone does have several drawbacks. One major issue for many reviewers is its lack of storage. There is no expandable storage available, though there is connectivity to Google cloud. Aside from lack of storage, experts also criticized the lack of 4G LTE support and mediocre 5MP rear-facing camera.
Overall, however, most critics find the Moto G to be an excellent phone for the price. GSMArena states that “it’s near impossible to match the Moto G’s bang for the buck.”
Techcrunch hails the Moto G as a “remarkable device” and The Verge states that it “truly redefines what a low-end smartphone can be.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Sofian Nouira, Digital VersusThe Moto G 4G doesn't offer the same exceptional value-for-money as its predecessor. There are now several good-quality 4G Android phones on the market for less than £160, including the Huawei Ascend G740 and the Samsung Galaxy Ace 3. That's not to take anything away from the G 4G; it's still...
- GSMArena team, GSMArenaMotorola Moto G 4G is definitely a phone many are looking forward to. It is the upgrade people wanted and Motorola delivered. The very popular Moto G was criticized about its lack of memory expansion slot and not so about the missing LTE connectivity. Well, here it is - the Moto G 4G with a microSD...
- Chris Martin, Tech AdvisorMotorola's Moto G is the best budget smartphone around. At £135 it's got great build quality, an excellent screen, decent cameras and Android 4.3 Jelly Bean soon to be upgrade to 4.4 KitKat. It's only limited in the storage department and a lack of 4G support.
- James Pearce, CoolsmartphoneOverall the Motorola Moto G with 4G is a nifty little device. It basically has most things you’d want in a budget device and it has a user experience that feels like something costing twice the price. Once again hats off to Motorola for creating the Moto G. This new 4G version of the Moto G ke...
- Andrew Hoyle, CnetWith its decent specs and rock-bottom price, the Motorola Moto G was already a fantastic bargain, not only outpacing its low-end rivals, but offering much more than most mid-range mobiles. The addition of 4G LTE and expandable storage addresses our two original quibbles with the Moto G.There's been...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
Motorola Moto G prices will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. Motorola's suggested retail price is $179.00. You can compare Moto G prices from around the web here on The Informr.
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Motorola Moto G user manual here.
Motorola backs up the Moto G with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Moto G has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Motorola support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Motorola's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- Motorola Moto G Manual (PDF)
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