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The Moto G is an Android smartphone manufactured by Motorola (part of the Lenovo Group). Stylish, technologically advanced and available in many different versions, it is one of the most popular phones around. This buyer’s guide explains the various capabilities and models of Moto G on offer, and how to find the best possible Moto G discounts.
The Moto G is manufactured by Motorola Mobility, which itself is an offshoot of Motorola – one of the most famous of all American tech companies. Nowadays, Motorola is owned by the Chinese giant Lenovo, but continues to develop state-of-the-art phones, with the Moto G in the vanguard.
The first Moto phones were launched in 2013 (when Motorola Mobility was still under the Google umbrella). Starting with the Moto E, the company began to introduce its distinctive Android phones, making the most of their connection to the developers of the OS. This allowed them to optimise their hardware to run the fullest possible range of Android apps. While the Google connection no longer exists, the focus on Android remains.
The first Motorola Moto G debuted in 2013 as well, entering the market as an affordable complement to the Moto E. It actually began life as a cheap Android phone for countries outside Europe and North America, but it was so successful that Motorola began marketing it in more developed world as well.
We’ve now reached the fifth iteration of the Moto G, which continues to offer premium features at relatively low prices.
First off, it’s important to note that the Moto G comes in a variety of models. They all differ slightly in terms of specifications and abilities, but there are many broad similarities. Here are some of them:
The Moto G is a standard Android smartphone with all of the features you would expect. This includes a large screen, the Android OS, multiple cameras, a functional touch screen and the processing power required to run cutting-edge apps, stream video and play audio content.
It also has a water repellent screen coating, which few competitors possess. This means that the Moto G performs well in the rain (although don’t count on it if you drop it in the bath).
Most Moto G phones feature memory expansion slots that accommodate SD cards, allowing you to add up to 128GB of additional memory.
Moto Actions is included, which is a motion sensor and response tool enabling you to communicate with your phone via actions.
Turbopower charging is also included, making the Moto G one of the fastest charging phones around.
Above all else, the Moto G range is a budget smartphone option which manages to keep costs low without skimping on features.
As noted above, all Motorola Moto G phones come with slightly different specifications, so it makes sense to consider just the two most common versions: the Moto G4 and the Moto G5.
Firstly, the Moto G4:
Processor: 8 core, 1.5GHz Snapdragon 617
Graphic processor: Adreno 405
RAM: 2GB
Internal storage: 32 or 64GB, expandable to 128GB via Micro SD
Display resolution: 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Display size: 5.5”
Cameras: Rear camera: 13MP, capable of 1080p video capture; Front: 5MP capable of 720p video capture
Battery: 3000mAh featuring Turpower fast charging
Connections: Micro USB and 3.5mm headphone jack
GPS
And the MotoG5:
Processor: 8 core, 1.4GHz Snapdragon 430
Graphic processor: Adreno 505
RAM: 2 or 3GB
Internal storage: 16GB, 32GB or 64GB, expandable to 128GB via Micro SD
Display resolution: 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Display size: 5.0”
Cameras: Rear camera: 13MP, capable of 1080p video capture; Front: 5MP capable of 720p video capture
Battery: 2800mAh featuring Turpower fast charging
Connections: Micro USB and 3.5mm headphone jack
GPS
As explained below, both the G4 and the G5 come in “Plus” editions which significantly boost many of their specifications (such as processor speed and memory).
Motorola’s Moto range comes in a variety of different models, including discontinued phones that may well still be available to buy from HotUKDeals merchants. Here’s a run down of the choices on offer:
Earlier Moto G Generations – You may well still find deals for the Moto G’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd generations. Don’t simply discount them as options. Although they aren’t as advanced, they will always be cheaper than the G4 and G5, and their processing and memory specs measure up pretty well, even three or four years after release.
The G4 – Launched in 2016, the Moto G4 was received with enthusiasm by tech journalists and phone owners. It brought a wholly new HD display which delivered clearer, brighter visuals and added some extra processing beef to the general package. Compared with the 2015 version, the G4 had been slimmed down and the bezels had been reduced, giving it an uncluttered, efficient appearance.
The G4 Plus – Launched to offer a slightly higher-end alternative to the bog-standard G4, the updated G4 Plus brought more capabilities to the table. It was faster and more efficient on the inside, had an enhanced camera and generally delivered slightly clearer visuals, making it a good option for gamers or streaming video fans.
The G4 Play – A cheaper “little brother” to the G4 and G4 Plus, the G4 Play is one of the finest low budget smartphones available. Now equipped with the latest version of Android (Nougat), the Play may have lacked water repellent coatings and fingerprint scanners, but it still delivered with its intuitive design, resilience and wide range of features. And, of course, it’s a great money saver too.
The G5 – Released in 2017, the G5 was a definite update on the G4. Now sporting a metallic exterior made from diamond-cut aluminium, the G5 perfected the fingerprint sensor bundled in with the G4 Plus and delivered higher definition graphics. However, a word of caution: the G5 reduced the screen size slightly and cut back on the processor front, presumably to reduce costs. However, with its slick software, excellent cameras and plenty of connections, it hides well the fact that it’s a budget phone.
The G5 Plus – As with the G4 family, the G5 was joined by a “Plus” variant to offer a few additional features for premium customers. As with the G5, this option comes with a fingerprint scanner, plenty of internal (and expandable) storage, turbocharging and the latest Android version (with great customer support as well). Although the screen has been slightly reduced relative to the G4 Plus, this is for a good reason: the G5 Plus is easier to hold, while still easy to watch or read on thanks to its high definition display.
Prime Exclusive G4 and G5 – Amazon have struck an agreement with Motorola to produce exclusive “Prime” versions of both the Moto G4 and G5. These phones are basically identical to the standard options but cost a little less. The catch is that you have to watch Amazon ads when you boot up. However, if you are an Amazon Prime subscriber, the range of pre-installed Amazon Apps could actually be a bonus.
From the Moto G4 onwards, there are also 4G LTE versions of the mobiles available. Compared to the 3G only versions, the data speeds are up to 10 times faster on the 4G LTE mobiles, which makes them a smart investment if you browse the internet a lot. Another thing to think about when choosing your Moto G model is colour. Buyers should know that the G5 and G5 Plus only come in two colours (grey and black). The G4, on the other hand, comes in an array of tones, including vibrant blues and reds. If aesthetics matter when buying a phone, the 2016 generation could be more to your taste.
If you head online to purchase a Motorola Moto G phone, you’ll almost certainly come across plenty of SIM-free deals. However, when you encounter a 16GB SIM-free deal, is it necessarily the best buying option?
Basically, the term “SIM-free” just means that your phone would not be tied to SIMs from any particular phone company. So, in theory, you can purchase a SIM-only deal from the company offering the best deal. You can also check prices on a rolling basis and take advantage of SIM deals when companies lower their rates – so SIM-free setups tend to be a great option for savvy mobile phone users.
SIM-free phones are new phones and are not pre-owned. If you want to buy a pre-owned Moto G smartphone to add your SIM card to, look out for “unlocked” devices instead.
SIM-free phones tend to have some major advantages aside from the ability to shop around. For example, when you just buy the handset, you will almost certainly get a better resale price than you would with a phone tied to a network. You can use Pay as You Go SIMs as well, keeping costs limited to periods when you really need to have smartphone access. And SIM-free phones are great for globe-trotters. When you travel, you usually pass across the borders separating mobile phone networks. This should mean that you can drop a foreign SIM into your phone wherever you go (instead of having to buy a completely new phone.)
And what about the downsides? Well, SIM-free phones tend to cost more. When you buy contracts and handsets together, networks often offer discounts on the handset to entice you to sign up for a contract. You may also miss out on special offers for contract holders – but this is often off-set by the ability to shop around.
Then there’s hassle. Shopping around takes time and effort, while having a contract asks very little of the owner beyond paying their monthly bill.
Although the Motorola Moto G range is an impressive budget option, it’s not the only choice for Moto owners. If adaptability is a key concern, you might also want to check out the Moto Z.
Motorola are keen to promote their Moto Z phones as some of the most adaptable on the market, which is why they offer a range of “Moto Mods” for phone owners to add. These usually cost relatively little and can enhance the look and functions of your phone. Examples include:
Moto style shells – Purchase mobile phone shells with various patterns and colours, so that you can restyle your phone’s look whenever you like.
Insta-Share Projector – This imaginative clip-on accessory allows you to turn the rear camera of your Moto Z phone into a projector, showing TV and movies on any flat surface.
Hasselblad True Zoom – Convert your budget phone into a high-end digital camera with this stylish zoom clip-on.
JBL Soundboost – Ideal for music fans and party animals, this clip-on device acts as a speaker, coming with a built-in battery so that it doesn’t drain your smartphone’s battery.
The Moto Power Pack – Essentially a power bank to supplement the charge of your Moto Z phone, the Power Pack clips onto the rear of the phone, supplying 16 hours of extra juice.
All smartphones can be enhanced when you have the right accessories. Here are a few popular options for Motorola Moto G users to consider:
Leather phone cases – These attractive cases combine card slots and note pockets with compartments for your Moto G that keep it safe from and let you use it without removing it from the case. With some designs, you even get a free stylus pen that clips onto the case’s interior.
Turbopower chargers – If you want to take full advantage of the charging capabilities of your Moto G, you’ll need a Turbopower charger. Designed to connect to the phone’s Micro USB port, the Turbopower charger provides 8 hours of battery life after just 15 minutes of charging and features state-of-the-art surge protection too.
Tripods and stands – If you intend to use your Moto G’s camera to take videos or photos, you’ll need accessories that can hold the phone in place while you strike the perfect pose. Specialist tripods for Moto G phones have just the right dimensions to keep every model stable, even in blustery conditions.
Specialist Stylus – Investing in a rubber tipped stylus is a great way to keep your Moto G’s screen in peak condition.
Buying a mobile phone is never a simple process. However, the decision is easier to make when you’re looking for a functional, cheap Android smartphone. In that case, the Moto G range should be the first place to look.
To get a feel for the range of Moto G products on offer (and alternatives like the Moto Z), head to the Motorola home page at www.motorola.co.uk where you can check out features and specs and finalise your choice.
Think about how you’d like to buy your phone. Do you want a SIM-free handset or a contract phone? As noted above, both have their advantages and drawbacks. In any case, the next step is a no brainer: head to HotUKDeals and start searching for Moto G phone discounts.
When you do, you’ll find SIM-free handsets available from the UK’s biggest mobile phone merchants, including Very, Carphone Warehouse, John Lewis and Amazon as well as SIM deals from Tesco, Vodafone, EE and O2 (as well as online offers from Motorola themselves.
If you are going to go down the SIM-free route, you can also use HotUKDeals to search for the cheapest contracts or PAYG deals, so check back on a regular basis and remember to change networks when the prices shift.
Shopping seasonally can also be a good way to save cash. November is always a good time to snap up tech products, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday jump-starting the festive sales period. However, other times can be good as well. Just keep your eyes peeled and stay alert to the possibility of great Moto G deals at any time of year.
Motorola’s Moto G range of smartphones are a superb option for anyone who needs a high-powered but affordable Android phone. Pitched at a price level every phone owner can appreciate, Moto G phones do pretty much everything high-end Apple or Samsung Galaxy phones can. Find out for yourself by taking advantage of the Moto G bargains at HotUKDeals.
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MrSwitch
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