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This is an archive article published on September 17, 2014

Moto G (2014) review: A good upgrade, but could we have got more

The Moto G remains the best phone you can buy at Rs 13,000. It has got better, though you would have wanted it to have added more to the specs sheet.

The Moto G remains the best phone you can buy at Rs 13,000. It has got better, though you would have wanted it to have added more to the specs sheet.

It is tough to improve something that is already good. That would have been the challenge faced by the people at Motorola when they started working on an update of their popular budget smartphone. But the fact that consumers had become more demanding and its rivals had become more magnanimous would have made life a bit simpler for them. Here is what they came up with in the second generation of Moto G.

Price: Rs. 12,999

Design

This is one area where it is hard to spot a change. But the phone has actually become taller and wider while adding a few grams thanks to the larger screen it packs now. However, the user experience from a design perspective remains the same.

Display

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This is where the major change is as the phone now has a larger display, though with lesser pixel density than before. The HD screen is among the best in class and offer good viewing angles. The colours are deeper than normal and that adds a slightly different feel to the phone.

Performance

I was a bit surprised that Motorola did not really upgrade the processor and RAM with the new version. It seems they were pretty convinced that this was the best configuration for the price and I have to nod in agreement. The phone offers a smooth user experience all throughout with hardly any lag. It works like a well oiled machine and does not heat up when pushed to do more.

Moto G 2 review

Camera

The phone now has an 8MP rear camera that offers good results. I tried to shoot some HDR images and the results were good though not stunning.

Moto G 2 review

Even with low light shots, the performance was better than what you would get from other phones that cost this much. I got the feeling that the camera is a fraction slower now, especially when it is trying to focus.

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Low light HDR image.

Storage

Moto G is now available only as a 16GB variant. Of the 16, you get to use about 11.5GB, so it might be a good idea to opt for a combo deal and get a good SD card when you buy this phone.

Connectivity

No issues with connectivity or network.

Battery

I actually used the phone for almost a day without even charging the Moto G. With a full charge and reduced screen brightness you will be able to squeeze out a full day with regular use.

Verdict

The Moto G remains the best phone you can buy at Rs 13,000. It has got better, though you would have wanted it to have added more to the specs sheet. But that hardly matters as this still offers an amazing user experience.

Nandagopal Rajan

Nandagopal Rajan writes on technology, gadgets and everything related. He has worked with the India Today Group and Hindustan Times. He is an alumnus of Calicut University and Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal. ... Read More