The entry-level smartphone market is fierce, as most companies end up selling vastly more cheap phones than expensive ones. A case-in-point is the Nokia Lumia 520, which sells for under $100 and occupies the largest chunk of Windows Phone market share by far. When it comes to Android, there’s considerably more competition, with various Asian OEMs pushing their cheap, often unknown devices hard in local markets.
The Moto G is Motorola’s biggest and best effort yet in conquering the entry-level market. It’s not a handset meant to break records, but the 4.5-inch 720p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 SoC and dual-SIM support (in certain models) will please the right crowds. Plus, at $179 for the 8 GB model and $199 for 16 GB, unlocked and off-contract, it certainly fits the definition of what an affordable smartphone should be.
The Moto G’s frame is built around a 4.5-inch display, so compared to today’s 5-inch flagship handsets, the device is relatively compact. It’s not the best looking smartphone I’ve ever used, nor is it the thinnest or lightest – the Moto G comes in at 11.6mm thick and 143 grams heavy – but the edges are curved to make it ergonomic.
It’s not surprising to discover that the majority of the Moto G is made from plastic. The good news is that Motorola hasn’t opted for glossy, Samsung-style cheap plastic, despite the price point of the handset. The back panel, which incidentally is removable, is made from soft-touch, rubberized plastic that feels great to the touch, and the front panel is covered with smooth Gorilla Glass 3. The Moto G"s build quality is quite good and the device overall feels tough.
Read: Motorola Moto G Review
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