Motorola Moto G (2014 Version)

Expert Reviews | Katharine Byrne

With its large screen, improved camera and 4G support, the 2nd Gen Moto G is one of the best budget smartphones you can buy

AndroidPit | Kris Carlon

Motorola set out to make an even more exceptional phone at an equally exceptional price. While the Moto G (2014) doesn't have the game-changing quality of its predecessor, it is a marked improvement. The best low-cost Android smartphone just got a whole lot better. The flagships better watch out.

PC Pro | Jonathan Bray, Vaughn Highfield

In all, the Moto G 2 4G is a top-quality budget smartphone. It has a superb display, improved battery life, and fixes its predecessor's only blunder by including 4G without inflating the price. The aging innards are a concern, but it's not enough to prevent this being an excellent budget choice.

The Gadget Show

Once again, Motorola astounds us with a smartphone that's such good value it's not at all clear how the company can be making money from it. But hey, if Motorola wants to live off vapours, that's fine by us: forget cheap Samsungs

TechRadar | Andrew Williams

The 2014 Motorola Moto G doesn't flatten last year's model in every respect. It's bigger and less comfortable to hold but a much-improved camera and larger screen make it a worthwhile update.

Trusted Reviews | Michael Sawh

The new Moto G punches above its weight once again and puts more expensive phones to shame. 4G would be great, but it's not a deal breaker when you consider the price.

ITProPortal | Alysia Judge

...the 2014 edition isn't so much a "topper" but a rather delicious "topping." The lack of 4G combined with the lack of processor nor screen resolution boost prevents it from reaching perfection, but the improved camera and screen size means it's a worthy upgrade on top of the success the first Moto G created.

Engadget | Chris Velazco

Motorola's wallet-friendly formula hasn't changed much since last year's Moto G, but that's OK -- the company changed just enough to make the 2014 version one of the best budget smartphones out there.

TechSpot | Tim Schiesser

As far as I see it, the updates to the Moto G are enough to keep it as my recommended budget smartphone. Motorola brings a lot of value to the table for the low price, and even though there are still some downsides to the device, it's undoubtedly a great buy.

Android Authority | Lanh Nguyen

It's obviously not the fastest or most powerful phone around, but what the Moto G offers is a great software experience, mid-range specifications that do extremely well, and a larger display that is more than capable, all for a price tag that is sometimes difficult to comprehend. If you're in the market for a good smartphone on a budget, the Moto G (2014) should be at the top of your list.

Neowin | Steven Johns

Simply put, the new Moto G is leaps and bounds above other low-end smartphones. Maybe I had low expectations for the device which propped up my overall view, but I am still looking at the device and being extremely surprised by what it is.

TechnoBuffalo | Brandon Russell

Considering its shortcomings (mediocre camera, thick body and low-end specs), the Moto G still has plenty to offer. The Moto G is the perfect phone for anyone looking to jump into the smartphone market for the first time, and I'd say it's a worthy upgrade from the original Moto G as well.

phoneArena | John V.

The Moto G is a simple, yet customizable designed phone that presents users with all of the core features of Android – without the redundancies of overbloated software features in tow.

Ubergizmo | Raymond Wong

The people who will buy the Moto G (2014) ... may not be able to do any serious 3D gaming without running into hardware bottlenecks, but email, web browsing, listening to music, watching HD videos, using social media and taking okay photos - all possible without any major hiccups.

Phone Scoop | Eric M. Zeman

The design is a bit more appealing than last year's phone, and the build quality of the device is moderately improved, as well. I am generally pleased with the 720p HD screen; calls are insanely loud, though not always clear; and battery life is quite respectable. One of my biggest complaints is the lack of LTE 4G.

PC Advisor | Marie Brewis

If you're looking for a cheap 4G smartphone then the Moto E 4G is the best deal on the market right now. If you would rather have a cheap dual-SIM phone with 3G connectivity then the mark 3 Moto G is your best bet. But the new Moto G 4G for 2015 is not the best phone for either customer, and its larger, higher-resolution screen, marginally improved photography credentials and stereo sound are not enough for us to turn a blind eye to its higher price, slower hardware and missing software features.

The Next Web | Ben Woods

Moto G offers remarkable value for money if you're looking for a solid mid-range Android handset. It's a hard task to pull off a compromised handset that delivers on experience, but Motorola has just about managed it.

pocketnow | Michael Fisher

In 2013, Motorola impressed all with an affordable smartphone with tons of value. It's done it again with the new Moto G, which is better in many ways. If you're on a tight budget or you simply don't need an over the top smartphone, the 2014 Moto G is well worth your money, and we have no problem recommending it.

Wired UK | Dave Oliver

Motorola raised our expectations of what a budget phone could be with the original Moto G, and we expected the next generation to wow us all over again. This doesn't quite do that, with the same processor and dropping the resolution of the bigger screen.

What Mobile | Saqib Shah

Motorola's unwillingness to increase the new Moto G's numerical value hints at the fact that this isn't the type of upgrade we're accustomed to. Still, the device benefits from a larger screen and photography enthusiasts will be pleased to find a better camera on the back.

Pocket-lint | Britta O'Boyle

We might not like the 2014 Moto G quite as much as the original model from last year, but we still never felt like we were compromising on quality or experience. The choice of accessories and interchangeable backs means you can make this device into your own without it costing you an arm and a leg.

Know Your Mobile | Richard Goodwin

A near-perfect budget smartphone hampered only by Moto's odd decision NOT to include LTE

International Business Times | James Smith

This is a fantastic mid-range smartphone at a good budget price. The combination of solid design and lightweight stock Android means it will perform admirably as a workaday device without pinching your wallet.

NDTV Gadgets | Jamshed Avari

The Moto G (Gen 2) isn't going to win any beauty contests but it's a solid, utilitarian phone that doesn't present too many confusing options and is free of pointless bloatware.

CNET UK | Andrew Hoyle

The Moto G's big, sharp screen, good battery life and easy-to-understand interface make it a great choice whether you're looking to take your first steps into the Android world or if you're after a solid all-rounder and you just don't want to spend a lot.

Gizmodo UK | Darren Orf

If you're moving down the smartphone ladder from a previous flagship to the Moto G, you might notice its sluggish performance in some spots, but you'll still be satisfied using it as a temp until that next bank-destroying handset comes along. If you're moving up from an even cheaper phone, updating from a three- or four-year-old flagship, or finally ditching that flip phone, you'll feel like you've hit the jackpot.

Coolsmartphone | Jp_hero

Overall the Moto G 4G 2015 edition it is a great device, at a decent price, with a great display, a Micro SD and some front facing speakers and a pretty decent rear camera.

LAPTOP | Michael Andronico

Sporting a comfy design and a crisp 5-inch display, the unlocked Motorola Moto G offers a quality Android experience on the cheap.

Digital Versus | Sofian Nouira

With its Moto G 4G editions, Motorola clearly isn't going as far as it can in terms of value-for-money. Compared to similarly priced phones, certain specs (we're looking at you, processor and battery) are totally passé. Which isn't to say this isn't a good smartphone, though. It's a fine option for anyone who'd feel safer going with a recognised brand rather than take their chances on some unknown. And if you do choose it, you won't feel cheated in any way-as long as you're aware of its limited battery life and the camera's picture quality.