Review: Moto G Second Generation (2014)

O M was a milestone in Motorola's history. The device (at least here in Brazil), made the brand position itself again as a good option for the consumer - a process that began with the family RAZR D.

With average cost, high performance e updated operating system, the Moto G is indisputably a success. Now, Motorola launches its successor. Simply called the Moto G (second generation or Moto G 2014), the company says it has improved the device taking into account consumer feedback.

Can the new Moto G surpass its predecessor? Find it out!

About

The design of the new Moto G is slightly different from the previous model. The main change is due to the stereo speakers, located on the front of the device (similar to the Moto E). The placement of the power and volume buttons has not changed. The device size has increased considerably due to the screen.

The weight of the device is better distributed and even gives the impression of being lighter than its predecessor. The grip can bother users who are not used to or who don't like large screens, and at first, it can be difficult to handle it with just one hand.

The model sent for testing was the XT1069 - Colors DTV. In the box, we have the device, the travel charger, USB cable, headphones (simple, identical to those that come with the first Moto G), external antenna for the digital TV and the turquoise Shell cover, in addition to the manuals.

Fabric

The display remains excellent: also IPS and with a resolution of 1280×720 pixels. If you already own or experience the first generation of Moto G, know that all features have been maintained. You can't see pixels with the naked eye and the brightness is still excellent.

The novelty is the size: before with 4.5“, now the display has 5“. The difference in numbers is small, but in use, it is drastic. The change can be positive or negative, depending on the perspective. As a big screen lover, I really liked the upgrade – even though I couldn't handle the device easily in some cases. People with small hands or resistance to large screens may struggle.

As in the first Moto G, the anti-scratch technology Gorilla Glass is present. This ensures that the display glass stays as good as new for a long time. Just don't go too far and put the phone in your pocket along with a bunch of keys, huh! Protection is there, but it's always good to be cautious.

Audio

The new Moto G now has stereo speakers on the front. They are relatively powerful and the sound quality is much better than the old model. The experience when watching TV or videos and playing games is more immersive. With the power of the speakers, you can turn the device into a portable music player. Without a doubt, one of the great attractions of the new model!

Operational system

Once again, Motorola puts on a show. Like the other devices in the Moto family, Android here is practically pure, without skins or system customizations. This makes the system clean, fast, responsive and compatible with most apps available on the Google Play Store. The only change is the addition of the company's own applications, which I will mention in a next topic.

The device comes with the latest version of Google's operating system, the 4.4.4 and has guaranteed update protocols for Android L (coming out at the end of the year).

The latest OS version and update guarantee are big differentiators of the Moto G compared to the main devices in the mid-end category, which almost never have this type of support.

Camera

Here it is more explicit that Motorola actually listened to user feedback. The camera of the new Moto G has taken a huge leap compared to the old model. Now with 8MP, the sensor can capture sharper images and more real colors. Also noteworthy are the autofocus and HDR features, which have improved dramatically.

The improvement in video recording is also considerable. The focus during recording changes more naturally. The result is sharper footage with less noise.

Performance

Here, we had no improvement over the first generation. The processor (Cortex-A7 Quad Core 1.2GHz), the GPU (Adreno 305) and the amount of RAM (1GB) are the same. That's not exactly a negative point, as the device still offers great performance - but a subtle upgrade to these settings would be welcome.

The device supports multiple applications running simultaneously, without showing slowdowns or crashes.

Games

Like its predecessor, the new Moto G fulfills its role for gaming well. The good performance package + large screen + front speakers makes the device an excellent portable console. In addition, it is compatible with most of the most popular games on the Google Play Store. Tested Assassin's Creed: Pirates, Subway Surfers, Despicable Me: Minion Rush e Spider-Man: Unlimited. All ran very well.

Personalisation

As it could not be missing, the new Moto G also has its removable back cover. Called Moto Shells, the covers will be available in various colors and models soon. Stay tuned to Motorola's official website for more information.

The base model only comes with the black Shell. The models colors e colors dtv, come with an extra turquoise shell.

Storage

The model provided for testing was the XT1069 variant (DTV Colors), with 16GB of internal memory. Of that 16GB, almost 13GB is available to the user (the rest is reserved for the operating system). The other models come with 8GB.

O differential compared to its predecessor was the (much requested) slot for microSD card, which supports memory up to 32GB. That is, now the Moto G is a good choice for those who need large storage space.

Multi-SIM

If you already have a multi sim device (multi chip) from the Moto family, know that the features remain the same. Multi sim settings allow you to set the default SIM for calls, SMS and data connection. By default, the smartphone asks the user which sim should be selected for the action. For example, when calling a contact or sending an SMS, a pop-up window appears with the SIM selection.

FM Radio & TV

All models of the new Moto G come with FM radio. The application is exactly the same as the Moto G first generation, being necessary to have a headset connected - as it works as an antenna. The test results were satisfactory: despite having witnessed some oscillations in the signal, the radio of the new Moto G behaves similarly to the devices of the category with FM.

Digital TV is an exclusive feature of the XT1096 version. The author Diego Toda tested the resource and left his impressions: according to him, the DTV works very well, as long as you use the external antenna (which comes with the Kit).

Exclusive Applications

Of course, the new Moto G brings the exclusive apps from the Moto family. are they the Alert, Help, Assist and Motorola migration.

Alerta is a security application that, among some options, allows you to send your location to family and friends. Assist detects your current status and automates some phone settings (eg, putting it on silent mode when in a meeting or in class). Motorola Migrate allows you to import contacts, data and other settings from your old phone (Androids and iPhones are supported). Help is a large virtual manual that provides direct contact with Motorola support via chat or voice call.

These are very welcome additions to the pre-installed ones – especially Help and Assist.

Battery Life

Battery capacity remains the same as its predecessor – 2070mAh. But don't think that by increasing the screen, the device will discharge faster than the first generation Moto G. Without optimizations and with moderate use, it is possible to leave the house in the morning and return in the late afternoon with battery charge. If you're an experienced user and you tend to automatically disable power-hungry features, you'll probably get even better results.

Is the new Moto G worth it?

Yup. OK very worth it.

If you're looking for a new mid-end smartphone, the Moto G XNUMXnd generation is an excellent choice. The new model enhances all the features that made the first generation an absolute success. It is an intermediate model with specifications that are the envy of many high-end smartphones out there. In short, the Moto G second generation is superior to the previous model.

If you have already owned a Moto G and are interested in the new generation of the product, keep in mind that in terms of overall performance there is no change. The advantages are the microSD card slot, the 5” screen, the front speakers and the new camera. If that's a reason to change your device, go for it.

At the end of the test week, I wanted to keep the new Moto G and send my first-gen one instead. But my preference for the new model, of course, is purely personal. A lot of people will prefer the size, footprint or look of the first generation. It's up to you to decide whether the upgrade is suitable.

The DTV Colors model can be purchased for approx. 799 in stores like FNAC, Ricardo Electro, Americans e Submarino.

Have a question about the new Moto G? Want to know our opinion on a specific aspect of the device that is not in the review? Leave your comment below!