Motorola Moto G (2nd Gen)

“The same verdict applies to Motorola's Moto G 2nd Gen G4 as for the Moto G2 UMTS model. The significant modifications are LTE, the brighter but overall only marginally better screen (production deviation?), and the storage's considerably faster transfer rate that is barely reflected in the overall scores of the other benchmarks. Unexpectedly, and in the opinion of the tester, the significantly classier Lollipop now in Material Design and its many improvements over KitKat, does not give the new model a speed advantage despite identical core components. Although that is disappointing, the new model only costs approximately 20 Euros (~$22) more than the Moto G2. Anyone who finds the second generation Moto G appealing and can live without a dual-SIM but not without high-speed LTE data transmission does not have to think twice and can grab it.”

“Moto G (2014), like its predecessor, is easily among the most capable Android smartphones you can buy in its price range. The smartphone offers a well-designed, solidly crafted hardware package, topped with up-to-date OS, which is bound to receive updates in a timely fashion.”

“When it comes to inexpensive, unlocked smartphones, you can't beat the $300 OnePlus One. Actually getting your hands on a OnePlus One, however, is another story. If your budget doesn't stretch that far, the Moto G is amongst the best sub-$200 smartphones you can buy, thanks to its large display and solid performance. It's essentially an XL version of the original G, with some additional key features like a microSD slot and two front-facing speakers.It's still surprising Motorola didn't include LTE in the new G, especially since it released an LTE model of the original G for only a $20 premium. Other options that have LTE include the Huawei Ascend Mate2 4G and the ZTE Nubia 5s Mini, but they're more expensive than the G. In that price range, though, the Nexus 5 is still a fantastic, inexpensive unlocked phone with a 5-inch screen, although it lacks a memory card slot. All told, the G is a lot of phone for the low $179.99 asking price, and is certainly worthy of consideration.”

“Most people don't upgrade their smartphones every year, though each year every smartphone OEM tries to make the case that its new models thoroughly surpass its old ones. The Moto G doesn't pretend to do that. It's not a phone made to entice people away from the first Moto G, because those buyers are price-conscious in the first place, and they're not going to be looking to replace a phone they just bought.That's good, because among the bones we have to pick with the second-generation Moto G, the biggest is that it doesn't do a whole lot to move the ball forward. It's bigger, which is too bad if you thought the first Moto phones' smaller size was part of their appeal (we did), but it probably makes good business sense—Android buyers (and those in emerging markets) tend to go for larger screens. But aside from that, you don't get much more for your $179 than you did nine months ago.That's probably fine, though. Prominent Android players like Samsung, HTC, and LG have yet to field a response to the original Moto G, and so the phone still stands more or less alone as the best Android offering in this price range, big screen or not. It doesn't do anything particularly badly, and it does most things pretty well. While no single aspect is special, the Moto G gives you the full smartphone experience. It's not the best Android phone you can buy, but it remains the best one you can get for this kind of money.”