What's good
- Improved photo quality
- Good battery life
- Decent performance during everyday tasks
- Good overall screen sharpness
What's bad
- Internal storage limited to 8GB
- Processor cannot handle graphics-intensive games
- Tinny sounding speakers
The Moto G 2014 is Motorola's follow-up to their highly successful budget smartphone – the Moto G. Despite sharing the same name, the Moto G 2014 comes with some new upgrades, most noticeably a larger screen. The 5-inch display retains the same 720p resolution, which drops the pixel density to 294ppi. Although not up to par with retina displays, reviewers were satisfied with its overall sharpness though they add that they display doesn't have the best viewing angles and contrast. Still, Ars Technica notes, "The screen is great for the price…"
Besides the larger screen, the Moto G 2014's design doesn't differ too much from its predecessor. It retains the same plastic chassis, interchangeable shells and slightly arched back cover. While slightly wider and taller, the Moto G 2014 offers the same 0.4 inch thickness as the original and is a tad heavier at 149 grams. The speakers, however, have moved from the back of the phone to the front. When reviewers compare the speakers to the previous version, they notice a jump in volume but describe the sound quality as "tinny." PC Advisors adds, "They're not great for music, but when playing games and watching videos…you'll appreciate both the stereo separation and decent quality."
The new Moto G sports a fairly basic spec sheet: a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM and a 2070 mAh battery. It isn't going to win any performance awards, but critics found it suitable enough for everyday tasks like browsing the web, playing casual games and checking emails. They do warn that it isn't capable of handling graphics or processor intensive games or apps. Due in part to the lower less powerful processor, reviewers note that the 2070 mAh battery can provide a solid one day's worth of juice during moderate usage. Internal storage is limited to 8GB though the phone does come with a microSD slot.
Besides the screen, the other big upgrade for the Moto G 2014 is the camera. Instead of a 5MP snapper, Motorola has increased the camera's resolution to 8MP. In comparison to the previous version, critics note huge improvements with color reproduction, low and indoor images and details.
Although Motorola doesn't really stray too far from the original formula, critics still recommend it as an excellent budget phone choice. Phone Arena states, "The handset screams value from every face." ZDNet adds, "As far as the new Moto G is concerned…we see no reason why it shouldn't continue the success of its predecessor."
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Alysia Judge, Beta NewsTopping the original Moto G is a big ask -- this was the handset that disrupted a notoriously competitive market and catapulted Motorola back under the global spotlight.However, the 2014 edition isn't so much a "topper" but a rather delicious "topping". The lack of 4G combined with the lack of proce...
- Michael Desjardin, ReviewedYou don’t have to search long to uncover the Moto G’s shortcomings, but if you meet them in the middle, it’s easier to embrace the phone for what it is. It’s not the market-changer like its 2014 predecessor, but that’s only because it’s upholding its predecessor&r...
- Robert Zak, AndroidPITTwo years ago, the Moto G was the best budget handset around, offering a good screen size and a quad-core Snapdragon 410 chipset that were ahead of its time for the price. Six months ago, the Moto G (2014) kept the same internals, while increasing the screen size to still feel like a great budget op...
- Jp_hero, CoolsmartphoneThe Moto G 4G 2015 edition it is a great device, at a decent price, with a great display, a Micro SD and some front facing speakers and a pretty decent rear camera. Yes it would be an amazing device with just a little bit more internal memory, but that would cost more. The spec difference between th...
- Sven Kloevekorn, NotebookcheckThe same verdict applies to Motorola's Moto G 2nd Gen G4 as for the Moto G2 UMTS model. The significant modifications are LTE, the brighter but overall only marginally better screen (production deviation?), and the storage's considerably faster transfer rate that is barely reflected in the overall s...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Motorola Moto G (2nd Gen) user manual here.
Motorola backs up the Moto G (2nd Gen) with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Moto G (2nd Gen) 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.
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