Motorola is a reliable brand but they still don’t get the kind of recognition that Samsung, LG, and HTC get; at least not in the mobile device market. Perhaps being the dark horse is a good thing, though, as it makes it possible to reach a certain level of success without having to worry about competition.
And perhaps that is how Motorola has managed to develop what might be the best budget Android smartphone on the market with very little buzz about it. Of course, with previous models that might have disappointed when compared with the market big boys, Motorla’s latest G4 and G4 Plus could mount a kind of comeback.
Let’s take a look at the Moto G4 specs:
- Snapdragon 617 octa-core processor
- 2 GB RAM (with 4GB option in the Plus)
- 16 GB standard storage
- 32 GB and 64 GB expandable storage (respectively)
- fast-charging 3,000 mAh battery
- 13 MP rear and 5 MP front camera (G4) and 16 MP rear and 5 MP front camera (Plus)
Ok, but much of this is pretty standard. What special benefits can we expect from the Motorola G4 and G4 Plus?
Well, again, this is a budget phone so the first benefit comes in the form of price. The Moto G4 ranges in retail price from $199 to $229; the Moto G4 Plus will retail between $249 and $299.
Secondly, both have a remarkably clear 5.5-inch 1080p display and decent battery that can go two days between charges on light use. Also, both come with Android 6.0.1 and impressive Moto enhancements and both will hit the market unlocked and available to any carrier. Fans of last year’s model will appreciate that the new G4 has a similar feel.
What you might not like, though—and particularly if you were a fan of last year’s Moto model—the G4 is not fully water-resistant. In addition, techophiles may not like the Moto G4 is not good for gaming (as it has an LCD display, not an AMOLED) and does not come with NFC (though the Moto G4 Plus does have a fingerprint sensor). Also, Motorola has not been quick to vastly improve the Moto software so the phone(s) do(es) not do anything astoundingly new over previous models. Of course, some users may also be turned off the phone’s “phablet”-sized screen.