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Motorola launches new Moto G, boasting Nexus 6 camera and customisable design

The Motorola Moto G just got updated for 2015, and the fresh new Moto G 3 packs plenty of cool features for very little cash, plus the ability to personalise your handset’s design using Moto Maker, as well as the Nexus 6 camera.

Check out our Moto G (2015) 3rd-gen review (hands-on) to see how our first day with the phone fared.

When Motorola launched the original Moto G two years ago, we were staggered by the incredible value for money. High-def visuals and smooth performance made for an enjoyable handset, at half the cost of many rivals.

The follow-up from 2014 fixed the not-so-hot camera and lack of expandable storage, making the new Moto G a must-have mobile if you didn’t have the cash for flagship superstars like the Sony Xperia Z3 and LG G3. But now in 2015, competitors are finally catching on and offering a solid all-round experience for just as little cash, meaning the Moto G 3 isn’t as essential as previous generations.

Strong rivalry

So while the Moto G 3 packs a sharp 5-inch 720p screen like its predecessor, the panel has already been outshone by Vodafone’s Smart Ultra 6, which at £125 offers up a gorgeous Full HD 1080p display that’s ideal for enjoying movies on the move.

And the 1.4GHz Snapdragon 410 processor that’s packed inside the Moto G is getting a little creaky these days, as we discovered when we took the LG G4c for a ride. The Moto seems to handle everyday affairs without much issue from our quick hands-on, but we’re not sure it’ll stand the test of time.

Premium photography

Still, despite our complaints, the 2015 version of the Moto G does boast a fair few highlights that give it more than a fighting chance against the competition.

For a start, the new Moto G comes with 4G built in – although that’s just as well, as even £50 handsets like the EE Rook now come boasting LTE support.

More interestingly, we’ve got high hopes for the Moto G’s 13-megapixel camera, which just happen to be the same optics found on the premium Nexus 6 phone – which we enjoyed using in our everyday life. Not bad for something that’s a third of the Nexus’ price.

Customisable design

As well as the premium camera tech, it’s the design of the 3rd-gen Moto G that really helps it to stand out from rivals.

One of the biggest new features is the Moto Maker service, previously only available for the Moto X, which allows online purchasers to customise the look and feel of their Moto G. That’s something not offered by any of the competition, which in general suffers from quite straight-forward and unexciting budget design.

And another high point for the new Moto G is its IP67 water and dust-resistance, which makes this one of the most durable cut-price mobiles around. Great news if you’re always losing handsets down the toilet, or in freak desert sandstorms.

Moto G 3rd-Gen UK price and release date

Motorola’s new Moto G is available from today here in the UK, for £159. You can purchase it from most providers including Three and O2.

Read next: Moto X Style launches with mega-screen and Turbo Power

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