Introduction
As a successor to the most successful smartphone in Motorola's history, the second generation Moto G surely has hefty expectations to meet. A year after the XT1032 redefined the budget smartphone category by combining high-res screen, quality hardware, and up to date Android build, the newcomer aims to build on its success.
Moto G (2014) official photos
In line with the trends in the smartphone world, the new Moto G boasts a significantly larger display than the model it replaces, as well as beefed up camera. We also get a microSD card slot for cheap memory expansion and front-facing stereo speakers - their presence is hardly believable considering the unchanged starting price tag of the device.
New features aside, the 2014 Moto G offers similar hardware to the model it replaces. Take a look at it in our traditional list of key features below.
Key features
- Quad-band GSM/EDGE/HSDPA
- Available in dual-SIM variant
- 5" IPS 720p capacitive touchscreen of 294ppi, Gorilla Glass 3
- Android 4.4.4 KitKat and a fast track update program
- 1.2GHz quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU; 1GB of RAM; Adreno 305 GPU; Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset
- 8MP camera, LED flash, 720p video capture, 2MP front-facing camera
- 8GB or 16GB of built-in memory, expandable via microSD card slot
- Active noise cancellation with a dedicated microphone
- FM radio
- 2,070mAh battery
- Optional battery covers in various colors
Main disadvantages
- No LTE connectivity at launch
- Hardware could have used a bump, especially in terms of available RAM
- Battery size has remained unchanged despite the larger display
- Camera doesn't record 1080p video
With stock Android 4.4.4 dressed in Google Now launcher, the 2014 Moto G delivers a true Nexus experience with a few nice extras on top. Timely update to Android L is promised as well.
The chipset surely could have used a refresh in the second generation, though Motorola has decided to focus on improving other areas and it obviously ran out of budget for a beefier SoC. Also, to be fair, despite being a year old, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 silicon is still a popular option in its segment - so maybe Motorola can get away with it for another cycle.
Our main concern about the new Moto G has to do with its battery. The non-removable 2,070mAh unit has been carried over from the first generation, yet it has a larger display to power up now, which may turn an average performance into a disappointing one.
Increased competition is another factor the 2014 Moto G has to face. A year after its predecessor caught the industry by surprise, entry-level and lower mid-range smartphone segments have emerged as the next major battlefield.
Moto G (2014) live photos
Does the new Moto G have what it takes to stay on top of its class? Read on to find out! As always, we will kick off our review with an unboxing, followed by a design and hardware inspection.
Editorial: You may notice that this review is shorter than usual and doesn't include some of our proprietary tests. The reason is it has been prepared and written away from our test labs. Still, we think we've captured the essence of the device in the same precise, informative and detailed way that's become our trademark. Enjoy the good read!
Unboxing
The new Moto G offers a retail package in line with is low price tag. All you get with the device is a wall charger and a couple of booklets.
The retail package of the new Moto G
This year, Motorola has decided to omit a microUSB cable from the retail package and replace it with a wall charger. This shouldn't be a deal breaker for most of you as you probably have a cable from an older device already, but if you don't, you should factor in its price.
Like the first generation Moto G, the second iteration has a number of additional accessories available at launch. They include a flip case that replaces the battery cover, stereo headphones, and external battery packs.
Some of the available accessories
Design and build quality
Moto G (2014) has retained the design of the model it replaces. The only major difference between the first and the second generation are the gray strips above and below the newcomer's display, which house the stereo speakers.
Moto G (2014) in the flesh
The above considered, the Moto G is a decent looking bloke. The interchangeable back panels allow you to change the device's appearance and have it your way - from understated like the unit we tested, all the way to impossible to miss color combinations.
The back covers allow you to change the appearance of your Moto G
Build quality of the Moto G is exceptional, especially considering the price range it inhabits. The device is made of high-quality polycarbonate with matte finish, while its front is entirely covered by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Its body is splash resistant too, though it is not IP certified.
Physical measures of the new Moto G are 141.5 x 70.7 x 11 mm and it tips the scale at 149 grams. As expected, the second generation has grown significantly over its predecessor (129.9 x 65.9 x 11.6 mm).
Moto G (2014) sized up against last year's model
Thickness of the new Moto G is slight letdown, especially considering the unchanged battery size over last year's model. However, the presence of dual stereo speakers does somewhat make up for the substantial waistline.
Handling
Despite the thicker profile, handling of the new Moto G is easy thanks to its curved back. The latter follows the natural shape of the human palm and offsets the noticeable thickness of the phone.
Handling the Moto G (2014)
The soft-touch plastic body of the smartphone enhances grip. You are unlikely to accidentally drop it.
Display
Moto G (2014) packs a 5" IPS display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. The display has grown in size over last year's model, but has retained the same resolution. The result is a lower, but still near-Retina pixel density of 294 ppi.
The display of the Moto G (2014)
The display of the Moto G (2014) is a quality unit, despite the lower sharpness over last year's solution. It impresses with good color reproduction, stellar contrast, and wide viewing angles.
A closer look at the device's display
Sunlight legibility is good, especially considering the price range the smartphone inhabits. It is not as reflective as one would expect.
Overall, despite its lower pixel density when compared to last year's model, the display of the new Moto G is one of the best in its class. You will be hard-pressed to find a better screen on a sub-$200 smartphone.
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