Moto G off-contract/unlocked: $179 for 8GB; $199 for 16GB

[kevinof]

Doesn't it scare you that the Moto G is considered "the bottom end of the market". Ah I remember my Nokia 6110.... That was considered high end.

Back to the Moto G. Got two for my kids for Christmas - Think they are going to love them. Even if they cost more they would still be great value.

Welcome back Motorola.

Best budget phones of each platform without a doubt.

Both Nokia with the 520 (and soon 525) and the Moto G. Never been this good a choice at the bottom end of the market!

 

[ChazUK]

Doesn't it scare you that the Moto G is considered "the bottom end of the market". Ah I remember my Nokia 6110.... That was considered high end.

Back to the Moto G. Got two for my kids for Christmas - Think they are going to love them. Even if they cost more they would still be great value.

Welcome back Motorola.

Definitely. Even before with the RAZRi I wouldn't even consider Motorola but this new release is just what they needed.

I'd definitely consider the Moto X too if it was out outside of the USA. pity they have been so short sighted worldwide.

Still, the G is an awesome start.

 

[SeanR1]

Ordered a 16GB Moto G today. I have had enough of the Lumia 521. At least I can just switch the Sim out from the 521. Got the Wife a Nexus 5, it came 2 days ago, it is awesome. She couldn't stand her 521 either.

 

[ChazUK]

Another thing I'm pleased with is how loud mine is. Sound quality seems fine with decent headphones and the loudspeaker can pump out some volume too.

Anyone else noticed this?

 

[Ffosse]

Had mine for 16 days now and it's my best phone purchase by far. Far better than the disappointments of the Xperia Z and SP.

 

[weckart]

No problem is it will get updates and you will run out of memory so be sure to get the 16gb.

Doubt this. It has 1GB of RAM, which it doesn't seem to struggle with from what I have experienced and the next update, Kitkat, specifically targets lower end phones. It should operate with fewer resources required than 4.3.

 

[EbookReader]

for sales on Amazon

but only for the GLOBAL GSM version

the US GSM version (which support T-Mobile 1700mhz) can be bought at Motorala.com

 

[sammy-boy]

I've got a Moto G, got it a couple of weeks ago and am a big fan of it. For the price it is amazing, though of course compared to the likes of the Nexus 5 will be slightly slow. For me though it does everything I want it to quite quickly though there is a bit of a slight lag at times. Still find my iPhone 4S a bit smoother but the battery on the G does last very well, can get through a full day at work (the signal there is very poor) and still have 40-50% left while the iPhone often needs a bit of a top up or the use of a Mophie case.

 

[PDFierro]

for sales on Amazon

but only for the GLOBAL GSM version

the US GSM version (which support T-Mobile 1700mhz) can be bought at Motorala.com

Is there a difference with the international GSM bands on the US version?

 

[Stooby Mcdoobie]

Is there a difference with the international GSM bands on the US version?

Per Motorola's website:

Global GSM Model: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+ up to 21 Mbps (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz)
US GSM Model: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+ up to 21 Mbps (850, 1700 (AWS), 1900 MHz)

So 2G/3G will work all over the world with either, but you should get the US model if you're in the US and vice versa for the international model in order to get the most out of HSPA.

 

[PDFierro]

Per Motorola's website:

Global GSM Model: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+ up to 21 Mbps (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz)
US GSM Model: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+ up to 21 Mbps (850, 1700 (AWS), 1900 MHz)

So 2G/3G will work all over the world with either, but you should get the US model if you're in the US and vice versa for the international model in order to get the most out of HSPA.

I'm in the US right now, but starting in the summer I permanently won't be. So maybe the global GSM model is best for me?

 

[EbookReader]

Is there a difference with the international GSM bands on the US version?

If you are using AT&T or AT&T MVNO, it won't matter.
If you are using T-Mobile or T-Mobile MVNO, it does matter if your area has not been refarmed to the 1900mhz.

Global GSM Model: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+ up to 21 Mbps (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz)
US GSM Model: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+ up to 21 Mbps (850, 1700 (AWS), 1900 MHz)

T-Mobile HSPA+ is on 1700AWS and 1900Mhz PCS but 1900Mhz PCS isn't as wildly available. Areas where 1900Mhz have been refarmed are here:

http://www.airportal.de/





p.s. Amazon is now selling all 4 models now, including the US GSM.

8GB Global GSM
16GB Global GSM

8GB US GSM
16GB US GSM

----------

I'm in the US right now, but starting in the summer I permanently won't be. So maybe the global GSM model is best for me?

Yes Global GSM is better, if you using AT&T service.
Yes, if you using T-Mobile service in a major city with 1900Mhz

see here if your city is listed
http://www.airportal.de/

No, if you using T-Mobile and your area doesn't have 1900Mhz refarmed.

 

[PDFierro]

If you are using AT&T or AT&T MVNO, it won't matter.
If you are using T-Mobile or T-Mobile MVNO, it does matter if your area has not been refarmed to the 1900mhz.

Global GSM Model: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+ up to 21 Mbps (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz)
US GSM Model: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+ up to 21 Mbps (850, 1700 (AWS), 1900 MHz)

T-Mobile HSPA+ is on 1700AWS and 1900Mhz PCS but 1900Mhz PCS isn't as wildly available. Areas where 1900Mhz have been refarmed are here:

http://www.airportal.de/





p.s. Amazon is now selling all 4 models now, including the US GSM.

8GB Global GSM
16GB Global GSM

8GB US GSM
16GB US GSM

----------



Yes Global GSM is better, if you using AT&T service.
Yes, if you using T-Mobile service in a major city with 1900Mhz

see here if your city is listed
http://www.airportal.de/

No, if you using T-Mobile and your area doesn't have 1900Mhz refarmed.

OK, so basically I can choose either GSM model without worrying about 3G/HSPA+ connectivity abroad? It all comes down to whether I want to use AT&T or T-Mobile in the US?

Motorola's website says the global GSM model is optimized for 3G usage outside the US, and vice versa. But looking at the GSM bands, it doesn't appear that it really makes a difference.

 

[kenypowa]

Picked up 8GB Global GSM version here in Canada for $150 (plus $75 giftcard). This phone flies...it is as fast and smooth as stock Nexus 4 for day to day activities. The screen is quality is quite excellent.

Amazing phone at this price.

 

[Roessnakhan]

Got mine today, definitely doesn't feel low end in terms of build or performance (camera aside). Very solid.

Hope Amazon starts selling the shells soon, because Motorola's site is charging $10 for shipping, which is ludicrous.

 

[Richardgm]

This is my first Android purchase after owning iPhones for 6 years. I like the device except the camera is horrible next to the iPhone 4S.

 

[superspartan]

I preordered a 16GB US Moto G from Amazon last night, but I'm starting to get cold feet. I have a 4S now and am really just bored with iOS (since I've had an iPhone since the original 2G model). I also like Google's approach to web services better than Apple's.

The Moto G seems like an awesome value, but I'm worried it may actually be a downgrade from my 4S (even taking the camera out of the equation).

 

[kenypowa]

I preordered a 16GB US Moto G from Amazon last night, but I'm starting to get cold feet. I have a 4S now and am really just bored with iOS (since I've had an iPhone since the original 2G model). I also like Google's approach to web services better than Apple's.

The Moto G seems like an awesome value, but I'm worried it may actually be a downgrade from my 4S (even taking the camera out of the equation).

Other than the camera, everything else is an upgrade, especially performance wise. Moto G screen is very good as well.

 

[mclld]

Wow now that I know this supports ATT h+ this will probably be my next phone

 

[Savor]

Moto G still seems to offer the best value as the Xperia M which uses the same SoC, retails for $50 more and it isnt even 720p and has a smaller screen. This is more like the Moto X-mini while the mini versions of the One and S4 cost about $100-$200 more. This phone is in line with the Nexus 4 with just a weaker GPU, and that was a Google flagship released a year ago.

I expect alot of flagship phones from 12-18 months prior should have similar specs to phones under $250. For prices like that, expect compromises. The camera usually comes first. Then maybe weaker GPU, washed out screens with worse viewing angles, build quality, etc. Whatever it takes to cut corners and keep the manufacturing cost down to keep the price at a bargain.

Sony does the same thing with their PlayStations. Shrink it and drop the price but not without some compromises with the later versions.

 

[Siq®]

Owners of the Moto G, could you post pictures taken with it so I can evaluate how bad it is?

Thanks a lot

 

[ChazUK]

Owners of the Moto G, could you post pictures taken with it so I can evaluate how bad it is?

Thanks a lot

It can get messy at full res.

Click for full size

 

[IFRIT]

Not the best camera in the world but they look more then acceptable!

 

[iSheep5S]

I got one. My iPhone 5 is going. It's that good.

To put things into perspective. An iPhone 5s costs £125/$205. A Galaxy S4 costs £131/$215 to build.

The Moto G costs £74/$123 to build.

Google is taking a financial hit to show what can be done. 5% profit margin vs 25/31% plus everyone else dipping their fingers in the pot as it passes along the chain.

YOU foot the bill.

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

I got one. My iPhone 5 is going. It's that good.

To put things into perspective. An iPhone 5s costs £125/$205. A Galaxy S4 costs £131/$215 to build.

The Moto G costs £74/$123 to build.

Google is taking a financial hit to show what can be done. 5% profit margin vs 25/31% plus everyone else dipping their fingers in the pot as it passes along the chain.

YOU foot the bill.

How is the screen compared to the iPhone 5? I know it has a higher PPI, but is the screen the same or better quality than the iPhone 5? I tried a Lumia 520 and the screen on it sucked so bad that it scared me off of budget phones. But I'm very interested in the Moto G.