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Which Moto G should I get?

We compare the Motorola Moto G (2013), Moto G 4G and the New Moto G (2014) to see which is best for you.

Motorola blew us away with last year’s Moto G mobile, which offered ridiculous value for money at under £150. It wasn’t perfect, but for that price you’d be an utter Scrooge to even begin to complain.

Then came the Moto G 4G, which added LTE support and a much-needed micro SD memory card slot. And now we have the New Moto G, which boosts the original phones’ 4.5-inch screen to a 5-incher and updates the camera.

Which Motorola Moto G is best: Moto G vs Moto G 4G vs New Moto G comparison review

The original Moto G (left) side-by-side with its bigger brother, the New Moto G (right)

So which one is best for you? Here’s a quick comparison and our full guide to getting your perfect Moto G.

Moto G vs Moto G 4G vs New Moto G: A quick look

Here’s a quick n’ easy comparison of the main specs and features between the three phones. Note that the Moto G 4G is only a small leap up from the original Moto G, with no change in design and only a memory card slot and LTE support bolted on. The major change comes with the New Moto G.

Model Moto G (2013) Moto G 4G (2014) New Moto G (2014)
Size 130x66x11.6mm 130x66x11.6mm 141x71x11mm
Weight 143g 143g 149g
Screen 4.5-inch IPS LCD 4.5-inch IPS LCD 5-inch IPS LCD
Resolution 1280×720 (326ppi) 1280×720 (326ppi) 1280×720 (294ppi)
Speakers Rear-facing mono Rear-facing mono Front-facing stereo
Storage 8/16GB 8/16GB + micro SD 8/16GB + micro SD
Processor Snapdragon 400 Snapdragon 400 Snapdragon 400
Cameras 5MP rear, 1.3MP front 5MP rear, 1.3MP front 8MP rear, 2MP front
4G support? No Yes No

Design-wise, there’s not much difference in look between the New Moto G and the other two models, with the exception of those stereo speakers which are rehoused to the front of the phone. However, there’s a significant difference in terms of comfort when using the phones one-handed, with the New Moto G proving a little too cumbersome without double-handed operation.

Which Motorola Moto G is best: Moto G vs Moto G 4G vs New Moto G comparison review

Do you want 4G for streaming media and surfing the web?

Bit of a no-brainer, this one. If you’re after a 4G contract, your only option is the Moto G 4G. Motorola kept 4G from the New Moto G to cut costs and keep the handset affordable, despite the improved camera and bigger screen.

Happy snapper

If you want the best possible camera for your bucks, the New Moto G is the way to go. The original Moto G and the 4G model occasionally let us down with their 5-megapixel snappers, often producing muddy, ugly colours, or photos that appeared a little hazy.

The New Moto G solves that issue with a dependable 8-megapixel camera that not only captures plenty of detail but also rich, realistic colours that pop off the screen. Even at night, we found our photos were usable, with or without the flash.

Which Motorola Moto G is best: Moto G vs Moto G 4G vs New Moto G comparison review Which Motorola Moto G is best: Moto G vs Moto G 4G vs New Moto G comparison review

New Moto G (left) vs original Moto G (right)

Which Motorola Moto G is best: Moto G vs Moto G 4G vs New Moto G comparison review Which Motorola Moto G is best: Moto G vs Moto G 4G vs New Moto G comparison review

New Moto G (left) vs original Moto G (right)

Big screen vs usability

The New Moto G boosts the original phones’ 4.5-inch display to a full 5-incher. Aside from that, it’s pretty much business as usual – it’s still an IPS LCD panel packing a wonderfully sharp 720p resolution, which you won’t find on any other new phones at this price point.

So, is that boost in size worth it? To be honest, we didn’t really notice any difference in our overall enjoyment when kicking back with apps or movies, or browsing the web. That extra 0.5-inches has little impact, as 4.5-inches was already a perfectly good size for everyday tasks and even watching films on the move.

Which Motorola Moto G is best: Moto G vs Moto G 4G vs New Moto G comparison review

However, that increase in size does make the New Moto G less easy to handle with a single mitt. It’s still just about doable, but we had to adjust our grip and really stretch our thumbs across the screen to reach the top corners.

It’s in no way a deal breaker, and two-handed use is perfectly comfortable. But if you’re a multi-tasker who likes keeping one hand free while checking stuff online or whetever, the Moto G 4G may prove a wiser choice.

Media fan

One thing worth bearing in mind if you want to carry loads of albums or videos around is the original Moto G’s lack of expandable storage. Only the 4G model and the New Moto G pack a micro SD memory card slot, so they’re your best bets.

And if you love listening to music on your phone, the New Moto G’s stereo speakers are a step up from the original phones’ mono effort. They’re no more powerful, but they’re forwards facing now and they produce a richer sound.

Which Motorola Moto G is best: Moto G vs Moto G 4G vs New Moto G comparison review

Double action

Finally, the New Moto G comes with dual SIM card slots, making it the obvious choice if you’re currently carting around two phones, a work device as well as your own personal mobile.

Check out why we think the Motorola Moto G 4G is as good as any £500 flagship smartphone. And read our full New Moto G review, to see why we love this 5-star phone.

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