Motorola has unveiled its big handsets for release this year, updating both the Moto X and the Moto G, but leaving many elements the same as in the phones we first saw 12-months ago.
And, if you’re wondering what Motorola will call its phones, we’ve already told you. The new handsets keep the same name as the phones they will soon replace: the Moto X and Moto G.
The new Moto X (pictured above) improves on the ingredients in its predecessor with a larger, sharper 5.2-inch Full HD screen, and a faster quad-core processor. But like last year, Motorola isn’t selling an off-the-shelf chipset, but will opt for hardware of its own design, with a dedicated Natural Language Processor and Contextual Computing Processor along the standard four-cores of computing power and graphic processor.
This might sound overly complex, but these extra processors will be used to deliver some of Motorola’s unique software experiences, including its always-listening personal assistant.
Wood and leather battery covers will be available alongside standard plastic options, as Motorola continues its Moto Maker personalisation ordering service. You will also have a number of software options to choose from, starting from “pure Android” and stepping up from there.
Photography buffs will be baffled by shrinkage in the pixel department. The new Moto X comes with an 8-megapixel camera on the back (down from 10-MP) and a 2-megapixel front-facing selfie camera. Of course, this doesn’t indicate that the camera will be worse, in fact our fingers are crossed that imaging has been improved.
Moto-rollin’ O.G.
Also back this year is the company’s high-value, low-cost Moto G, a phone that has enjoyed success in both first-world and emerging markets. This time around, the Moto G packs a larger 5-inch screen (up from 4.5-inches), but in most other respects, Motorola leave the G with its original components. It still has a dual-core Snapdragon 400 processor, still with 1GB RAM and a 5-megapixel camera.
Strangely, Motorola rolls back the clock in connectivity and leaves the new Moto G with 3G radios only. This despite the company releasing the (old) Moto G 4G earlier this year. A betting man might waging that Motorola intends to retrace its steps over the past 12-months, and we’ll likely see a (new) Moto G 4G sometime in the near future.
Motorola is hoping to impress with stereo speakers on the face of the new Moto G. This is a popular element in current HTC handsets, and should prove a hit with conference-calling business people as well as party-loving musos.
Motorola Australia has confirmed that the Moto G will be available this month with an RRP of $269. The Moto X is also on its way, with pricing and availability to be announced closer to its in-store date.
Joseph Hanlon
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