Review: Motorola Moto G (2014)
Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 9:29AM 
By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla
Simply put, the Motorola Moto G (2014) is an ideal choice for those looking for a smart, contract-free Android smartphone that improves on last year’s popular model and brings a list of user-requested features. It has evolved as onone of the most accomplished smartphones available today.
Motorola’s Moto G is one of the most important smartphones in the market. While not a flagship device by definition, it is one of the best combinations of features, functionality and price.
For 2014, the new Moto G gains a larger and better display, louder stereo speakers, a faster processor as well as many software features that were the domain of the flagship Moto X.
Looking at the Moto G 2014, it is easy to see why many users around the world (and specially Brazil) have gravitated towards this basic but well-appointed device. The 5-inch display is certainly a big upgrade and it’s a good display too, offering 720p HD resolution.
Aside from being larger, the Moto G is now even more powerful with a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM and a combo of an 8 megapixel rear camera and a decent 2 Megapixel rear camera). You also get dual speakers as well as dual mics, something new to the budget smartphone line.
One of the biggest features is the 2070 mAh battery which does manage a full-day’s use on a single charge (even more if you’re not heavily using the data). Part of the longevity is that Motorola is using the latest Android KitKat OS without any bloatware.
I found the Moto G 2014 to be exceptional at most tasks and a reliable and solid performer. Unless you crave the stylish look and feel plus the alway-on voice recognition of the more expensive Moto X, the Moto G is more than decent.
It also feels more rugged and sportier, specially with the variety of replaceable rear covers. During a tour to Motorola’s HQ in Chicago, I was told that the Moto G and its internal components are treated with a water-resistant nano coating. While not advertised as water resistant, it is inherently more impervious than your average smartphone.
Personally, I think the new Moto G is one of the best travel phones or secondary phones in the market, specially the dual-SIM versions coming to some countries. This would enable users to pop-in a SIM in the country they are visiting and enjoy all the connectivity they need while still keeping their home SIM at the ready. The long battery life should offset the heavy use that radios will likely get from shifting between two SIMs.
If you desire the Pure Google Android experience, an unwritten guarantee to a future Android L upgrade and a reliable and robust feature set, the Moto G is a great option at $249 unlocked (available at Stapes and coming to Wind Mobile soon).
The Moto G has saved Motorola’s bacon, it is their most saleable phone ever. That’s saying a lot for the company that pretty much invented modern mobile phones. The history of Motorola alone shows many innovations including the STARtac and the RAZR but the Moto G beats them all and has sold more units than those iconic Moto handsets.
The secret sauce is giving users what they really want at a price they can afford. Motorola has done this exceptionally well and the new Moto G is ready to make more converts. It’s simply the shrewd choice.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
.JPG){kind=link}
Reader Comments (6)
If only the 2014 model was actually available at Staples Canada.
They seem to only carry the older model.
It is available at Staples as of today.
no it is not available at staples yet..
did you go into the store or online?
Bought it two weeks ago, and it works perfectly with WIND
http://www.staples.ca/en/Motorola-XT1064-MOTO-G-2nd-Generation-Smartphone-8GB-Unlocked/product_1360028_2-CA_1_20001
worst phones ever never will i get any motorola phone again