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Google aims to dominate low-end market with new Moto G, priced at $179 off-contract

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 16 Nov 2013 2:27 User comments (3)

Google aims to dominate low-end market with new Moto G, priced at $179 off-contract

Earlier this week, Google took the wrapping off its Moto G device, an entry-level smartphone that the company hopes will help it dominate the low-cost market.
Google has priced that device at $179 off-contract and unlocked, making it easily one of the best deals for an Android phone, ever. Google says carrier partners will sell it for much less, with the potential for the device to sell for $49 or less.

For your money, you get a 4.5-inch 720p LCD TFT display, a quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB internal storage and dual cameras, 1.3MP/5MP. On the design side, the Moto G looks just like its more powerful and expensive brother, the Moto X with some minor cosmetic differences.



You cannot use the Moto Maker customization site for the Moto G, but the backplate is removable and blue, teal, red, yellow, purple, white, and black covers are available at launch. Additionally, there are rugged versions and flip-style portfolio covers. Although you can take off the cover, the battery is non-removable.

The Moto G will start with Android 4.3, but KitKat will be rolled out by December. The Moto G was not given access to Moto X's software gestures, like Active Notifications, Quick Capture, and Touchless Control, due to its lack of the Moto X's specialized CPU/GPU.

Tags: Google Moto G
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3 user comments

116.11.2013 17:45

Holy crud, that's a good price for those specs! That's what I paid for a used Galaxy S3 on eBay.

217.11.2013 08:41

I only advise to remember "You get what you pay for"

317.11.2013 13:09

Already seen the specs, and they are not bad. And again, I already bought a Galaxy S3 (admittedly, used) for $173; would you care to speculate on the price for a used Moto G?

I don't care one whit about crud like "Active Notifications", "Quick Capture", or "Touchless Control", thanks but no thanks; it wouldn't be long before I installed CyanogenMod, anyhow. Apparently, that's pretty much ALL I'd be missing. Sure, I imagine the CPUs clock speed will be lower than the flagship Moto X, the screen is lower resolution, it has less memory, etc. So? Those stats are just fine for just about all purposes. It'll even run games reasonably well, at least compared to even mid-high range phones from only a year ago.

I'll certainly wait to see direct reviews of the phone, but silly aphorisms won't affect my decision, one way or the other.

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 17 Nov 2013 @ 1:09

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