Motorola Moto G (2014) review: Baby steps

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

The presence or a larger display in the new Moto G is surely going to be a welcome sight for many users who can't stretch their budget towards a 5" flagship. Coupled with the stereo speakers and the microSD card slot, the quality IPS screen truly transforms the new model into a wallet-friendly multimedia powerhouse.

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.