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Moto G 2014 Review: Bigger. Better. But NO LTE!

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Moto G 2014 Review: Bigger. Better. But NO LTE!

Motorola attempts to follow up its biggest selling handset of all time, the Moto G, with a second-gen device that is also called the Moto G

The original Moto G is the best selling handset Motorola has ever produced, and when you factor in just how many RAZR handsets the company sold back in the early-2000s, as well as all of its pre-smartphone phones, that’s a rather impressive stat in itself. Prior to the Google acquisition, the Motorola brand was at an all time low; nobody would touch it, networks and consumers alike, which just goes to show how fast things can turn around. 

In 2013 Motorola delivered two incredibly solid handsets in the form of the Moto X and the Moto G (as well as the Moto G with 4G), re-establishing itself as one of the most interesting and innovative Android manufacturers on the planet. The newer handsets ran Android in a stock setup, left bloatware where it belongs (in the bin), and favoured useful design over superfluous attributes like ultra-massive-high-res displays and biometric sensors. Moto went back to basics, and it worked a treat.

That’s why in 2014 the company, clearly still riding high off the back of its 2013 releases, has proceeded to push the boat out quite a bit further with its 2014 offerings, the second-gen Moto X and Moto G. Here we’ll be looking in detail at the latter handset, but for a primer of what you can expect from the former, do make sure you read our Moto X 2014 First Look (our full review should be landing inside the next couple of weeks). Lets get down to it. 

Moto G 2014 Review: Design

The overall look and feel of the handset hasn’t changed all that much from last year’s handset; the Moto G still retains much of its original design language, including that now iconic, concave Moto dimple on the backpanel. It is A LOT bigger though –– 141.5 x 70.7 x 11mm –– on account of the new 5in IPS LCD display that completely dominates the front of the handset. Everything else (power/unlock key, volume rocker) remains in the same place, however, so existing Moto G 2013 users should feel right at home. 

The original Moto G was a fairly unassuming handset, focused on delivering excellent performance at a seriously affordable price point. The Moto G 2014 does exactly the same thing but, like Nick Cave, it manages to do it in a much cooler fashion than 99.9% of its peers. It does feel a lot better now that it has filled out somewhat, as the weight (now 148g) is nicer, more reassuring in the hand and this in turn makes the whole thing feel more substantial and premium –– and that’s rare on cheaper handsets. 

The battery is still non-removable (despite the fact you can remove the backpanel) and Motorola is sticking with its colourful and swappable backpanel shells this time around too, in the form of its bespoke Shell and Flip Shell variants. So if you fancy swapping out your boring white back plate for something a little jazzier you can for as little as £15. The outer exterior of the handset (even with a jazzy case on) is now splash-resistant too, meaning it can survive certain encounters with water (spills and the like) but nothing too serious (a drop in the toilet). 

Moto G 2014 Review: Specs & Hardware

The Moto G is fully kitted out with decent specs and hardware but there is one thing that Motorola have excluded that is positively STUPID. I’m talking about LTE here… and for the life of me I cannot figure out the logic behind the move. Unless, of course, Motorola is pulling a fast one and plans to release a 4G-ready model later on in the year as it did with the Moto G with 4G. Either way, this move, whatever its motivations, does not sit well with me and will likely be a sour point with many consumers looking at this handset as a potential upgrade. 

Look beyond this hugely glaring error, however, and you’ll see a decently-specced handset with solid, key updates in important areas. The chipset of choice here is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 400 (that’s a quad-core CPU clocked at 1.2GHz) running alongside 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. With mobile data, as noted above, there’s no LTE but you do get HSPA support as well as Wi-Fi 802.11n and Bluetooth 4.0 LE for connecting to things like speakers and Android Wear smartwatches. 

The Moto G runs Android KitKat 4.4.4 out the box and will, Motorola assures us, be updated to Android L as soon as it is made available by Google. This is a big USP of Motorola too, no other OEM –– save for Google –– pumps out Android updates like Moto; the Moto X, Moto G and Moto E got Android KitKat before pretty much every other non-Nexus Android handset on market earlier on this year. If you like Android, want to always have the most up to date version, and don’t fancy a Nexus handset, you could do a lot worse than Motorola.

We won’t go into details about Android KitKat here, but for a full picture of its attributes, features, and functionality do be sure to check out our Android KitKat 4.4.4 Review

Moto G 2014 Review: Camera 

The Moto G’s camera is now an 8MP setup, up from 5MP on 2013’s Moto G, however, the results aren’t exactly great. You have things like auto-focus and HDR mode, as well as the ability to shoot video in 720p, but quite a bit is lacking with regards to image quality, meaning it’s OK for things like Instagram and Facebook – but that’s about it. You need excellent light and a very steady hand to capture anything remotely resembling a mediocre shot. And don’t expect any help from the camera application either; it is about as basic as defecating in a bucket in the woods.

Moto G 2014 Review: Battery 

Battery performance can be a bit of a variable factor, one that depends on who the user is and what their phone use patterns are like. Because the Moto G 2014 uses the same 2070mAh battery as the Moto G 2013, but has to accommodate a much bigger and higher resolution display, the results, depending on how one uses the phone, will vary greatly between different types of user. Motorola says the Moto G has staying power, and can last a full day and then some from a single charge, but as is often the case with manufacturer claims… this isn’t exactly true in all contexts. 

I’m a power user and that means I work my phone hard, using it for email, music, IM, text and as a primary caller throughout the day. My Nexus 5, now a year old, struggles to get past 2pm these days and while the Moto G did perform better across the board, it held its own until around 6pm on most occasions, this won’t always be the case, however, as the handset gets older and battery degradation sets in. This happens to all smartphones, but those with small batteries are often the worst offenders, as they have less available juice to begin with so the results are more pronounced.

Of course, no one smartphone has truly solved the battery dilemma yet and all are relatively rubbish in the grand scheme of things, so we can’t be too harsh on the Moto G in this regard. Having said that, if you’re a stickler for battery performance you might want to think about upgrading to a handset with a larger battery pack inside it. The Moto G can handle power usage, but it won’t make it late into the evening –– say, 11PM –– without a top-up mid-way through the day. In our Django Test, where we run the entire Django Unchained film through once with everything turned on and the screen at full brightness, the Moto G had 58% battery left –– again, not bad but also not really anything to write home about. 

Moto G 2014 Review Conclusion 

I like this handset A LOT. It offers unprecedented design and decent hardware for the ultra-low asking price. You can do a lot with the Moto G too, so much so I hardly missed my allegedly superior Nexus 5 during testing. There are certain issues –– imaging, for instance –– that when experienced do highlight its budget-nature, but beyond these blemishes the handset itself is a fine example of just how far things have come in the mobile space; two years ago a handset with these attributes at this price was a pipe dream. 

The only thing I really do honestly hate about the Moto G is that it doesn’t feature LTE… to me excluding this now common feature ruins everything else about the handset’s very positive USPs. And the fact that turning on its latent LTE capabilities would cost Motorola next to nothing –– it’s effectively a node on the Snapdragon 400 CPU –– makes the situation all the more irksome. 

BUT –– if LTE isn’t important to you and you’re after a super-affordable, but still very, VERY good handset, then the Moto G 2014 could be just what you’re after. 

Typical Price: 
£160.00
Pros: 
Excellent display; Decent build quality; Android KitKat 4.4.4; Stock Android UX; Limited bloatware


Reviews

Richard Goodwin

Cons: 
No LTE; Imaging leaves A LOT to be desired
Verdict: 
A near-perfect budget smartphone hampered only by Moto’s odd decision NOT to include LTE


14:08, 23 Sep 2014

Motorola makes an attempt to comply with up its largest promoting handset of all time, the Moto G, with a second-gen gadget that can also be referred to as the Moto G

The unique Moto G is the most effective promoting handset Motorola has ever produced, and once you think about simply what number of RAZR handsets the corporate bought again within the early-2000s, in addition to all of its pre-smartphone telephones, that’s a moderately spectacular stat in itself. Prior to the Google acquisition, the Motorola model was at an all time low; no one would contact it, networks and shoppers alike, which simply goes to point out how briskly issues can flip round. 

In 2013 Motorola delivered two extremely strong handsets within the type of the Moto X and the Moto G (in addition to the Moto G with 4G), re-establishing itself as probably the most fascinating and revolutionary Android producers on the planet. The newer handsets ran Android in a inventory setup, left bloatware the place it belongs (within the bin), and favoured helpful design over superfluous attributes like extremely-large-excessive-res shows and biometric sensors. Moto went again to fundamentals, and it labored a deal with.

That’s why in 2014 the corporate, clearly nonetheless driving excessive off the again of its 2013 releases, has proceeded to push the boat out fairly a bit additional with its 2014 choices, the second-gen Moto X and Moto G. Here we’ll be wanting intimately on the latter handset, however for a primer of what you'll be able to anticipate from the previous, do be sure to learn our Moto X 2014 First Look (our full evaluation ought to be touchdown inside the subsequent couple of weeks). Lets get right down to it. 

Moto G 2014 Review: Design

The general feel and appear of the handset hasn’t modified all that a lot from final yr’s handset; the Moto G nonetheless retains a lot of its unique design language, together with that now iconic, concave Moto dimple on the backpanel. It is A LOT greater although –– 141.5 x 70.7 x 11mm –– on account of the brand new 5in IPS LCD show that utterly dominates the entrance of the handset. Everything else (energy/unlock key, quantity rocker) stays in the identical place, nevertheless, so present Moto G 2013 customers ought to really feel proper at residence. 

The unique Moto G was a reasonably unassuming handset, targeted on delivering wonderful efficiency at a significantly reasonably priced worth level. The Moto G 2014 does precisely the identical factor however, like Nick Cave, it manages to do it in a a lot cooler style than ninety nine.9% of its friends. It does really feel so much higher now that it has crammed out considerably, as the load (now 148g) is nicer, extra reassuring within the hand and this in flip makes the entire thing really feel extra substantial and premium –– and that’s uncommon on cheaper handsets. 

The battery continues to be non-detachable (regardless of the very fact you possibly can take away the backpanel) and Motorola is sticking with its vibrant and swappable backpanel shells this time round too, within the type of its bespoke Shell and Flip Shell variants. So should you fancy swapping out your boring white again plate for one thing slightly jazzier you'll be able to for as little as £15. The outer exterior of the handset (even with a jazzy case on) is now splash-resistant too, which means it will probably survive sure encounters with water (spills and the like) however nothing too critical (a drop in the bathroom). 

Moto G 2014 Review: Specs & Hardware

The Moto G is absolutely kitted out with respectable specs and hardware however there's one factor that Motorola have excluded that's positively STUPID. I’m speaking about LTE right here… and for the lifetime of me I can't work out the logic behind the transfer. Unless, in fact, Motorola is pulling a quick one and plans to launch a 4G-prepared mannequin afterward within the yr because it did with the Moto G with 4G. Either approach, this transfer, no matter its motivations, doesn't sit nicely with me and can doubtless be a bitter level with many shoppers taking a look at this handset as a possible improve. 

Look past this massively obvious error, nevertheless, and also you’ll see a decently-specced handset with strong, key updates in necessary areas. The chipset of selection right here is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon four hundred (that’s a quad-core CPU clocked at 1.2GHz) operating alongside 1GB of RAM and 8GB of inner storage. With cellular knowledge, as famous above, there’s no LTE however you do get HSPA help in addition to Wi-Fi 802.11n and Bluetooth 4.zero LE for connecting to issues like audio system and Android Wear smartwatches. 

The Moto G runs Android KitKat 4.4.4 out the field and can, Motorola assures us, be up to date to Android L as quickly as it's made obtainable by Google. This is an enormous USP of Motorola too, no different OEM –– save for Google –– pumps out Android updates like Moto; the Moto X, Moto G and Moto W obtained Android KitKat earlier than just about each different non-Nexus Android handset on market earlier on this yr. If you want Android, need to all the time have the hottest model, and don’t fancy a Nexus handset, you may do rather a lot worse than Motorola.

We gained’t go into particulars about Android KitKat right here, however for a full image of its attributes, options, and performance do you'll want to take a look at our Android KitKat 4.4.4 Review

Moto G 2014 Review: Camera 

The Moto G’s digital camera is now an 8MP setup, up from 5MP on 2013’s Moto G, nevertheless, the outcomes aren’t precisely nice. You have issues like auto-focus and HDR mode, in addition to the power to shoot video in 720p, however fairly a bit is missing almost about picture high quality, which means it’s OK for issues like Instagram and Facebook – however that’s about it. You want wonderful mild and a really regular hand to seize something remotely resembling a mediocre shot. And don’t anticipate any assist from the digital camera software both; it's about as primary as defecating in a bucket within the woods.

Moto G 2014 Review: Battery 

Battery efficiency could be a little bit of a variable issue, one which is dependent upon who the consumer is and what their telephone use patterns are like. Because the Moto G 2014 makes use of the identical 2070mAh battery because the Moto G 2013, however has to accommodate a a lot greater and better decision show, the outcomes, relying on how one makes use of the telephone, will range significantly between several types of consumer. Motorola says the Moto G has endurance, and may final a full day after which some from a single cost, however as is usually the case with producer claims… this isn’t precisely true in all contexts. 

I’m an influence consumer and meaning I work my telephone arduous, utilizing it for e mail, music, IM, textual content and as a main caller all through the day. My Nexus 5, now a yr previous, struggles to get previous 2pm nowadays and whereas the Moto G did carry out higher throughout the board, it held its personal till round 6pm on most events, this gained’t all the time be the case, nevertheless, because the handset will get older and battery degradation units in. This occurs to all smartphones, however these with small batteries are sometimes the worst offenders, as they've much less out there juice to start with so the outcomes are extra pronounced.

Of course, nobody smartphone has really solved the battery dilemma but and all are comparatively garbage within the grand scheme of issues, so we will’t be too harsh on the Moto G on this regard. Having stated that, when you’re a stickler for battery efficiency you may need to take into consideration upgrading to a handset with a bigger battery pack inside it. The Moto G can deal with energy utilization, however it gained’t make it late into the night –– say, 11PM –– with no prime-up mid-means by way of the day. In our Django Test, the place we run the complete Django Unchained movie by means of as soon as with the whole lot turned on and the display at full brightness, the Moto G had fifty eight% battery left –– once more, not dangerous but in addition not likely something to write down house about. 

Moto G 2014 Review Conclusion 

I like this handset A LOT. It presents unprecedented design and respectable hardware for the extremely-low asking worth. You can do lots with the Moto G too, a lot so I hardly missed my allegedly superior Nexus 5 throughout testing. There are sure points –– imaging, as an example –– that when skilled do spotlight its price range-nature, however past these blemishes the handset itself is a positive instance of simply how far issues have come within the cellular area; two years in the past a handset with these attributes at this worth was a pipe dream. 

The solely factor I actually do truthfully hate concerning the Moto G is that it doesn’t function LTE… to me excluding this now widespread function ruins every part else concerning the handset’s very constructive USPs. And the truth that turning on its latent LTE capabilities would value Motorola subsequent to nothing –– it’s successfully a node on the Snapdragon four hundred CPU –– makes the state of affairs all of the extra irksome. 

BUT –– if LTE isn’t necessary to you and also you’re after an excellent-reasonably priced, however nonetheless very, VERY good handset, then the Moto G 2014 might be simply what you’re after. 

Typical Price: 
£one hundred sixty.00
Pros: 
Excellent show; Decent construct high quality; Android KitKat 4.4.4; Stock Android UX; Limited bloatware
Reviews Richard Goodwin
Cons: 
No LTE; Imaging leaves A LOT to be desired
Verdict: 
A close to-good finances smartphone hampered solely by Moto's odd choice NOT to incorporate LTE
14:08, 23 Sep 2014
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