Recensione breve dello Smartphone Motorola Moto G 2nd Gen
For the original German review, see here.
Motorola's newcomer bearing the fairly long name "Motorola Moto G 2nd Generation 4G", is a slightly modified revision of Motorola's Moto G2 mid-range smartphone with impressive ratings (84%) that we tested in October 2014. However, the differences are limited (officially). While the older model, equipped with GSM and UMTS (3G), was powered by Android 4.4 KitKat, the 4G model features LTE and the latest Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. However, the second SIM card slot has been axed. The OS update is particularly interesting since it gives us the opportunity to check the speed advantage confirmed by so many benchmarks, and the supposedly longer battery life of Lollipop compared to the former version based on a comparison with two virtually identical devices.
The identical core components of both siblings consist of the entry-level Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8226 SoC with four ARM Cortex-A7 cores and a maximum of 1.2 GHz and an Adreno 305 graphics unit. Otherwise, it includes all the standard features for the 200 Euros (~$218) price range: one GB of RAM, a 5-inch IPS screen in HD resolution (1280x720 pixels; 16:9; 294 ppi), and an 8 MP primary camera. The first generation Moto G models were slightly smaller with a screen diagonal of 4.5 inches. Nothing has changed in terms of storage, and there is still only one version with a rather tight capacity of 8 GB that, however, can be expanded to 32 GB via an SD card.
An internationally leading mail order company and its marketplace partners sold the "old" model for approximately 170 Euros (~$185) at the time of testing. The new model costs about 20 Euros (~$22) extra including shipping. This price corresponds roughly to the bargains that we could find on the biggest German price comparison site at the same time. Motorola specifies a recommended price of 179 and 199 Euros (~$195 and ~$217) on its website.
However, what if the 3G model is fast enough, the plan does not include access to the LTE network, the network coverage is simply underdeveloped or the user does not want to use mobile Internet very often? In that case, the only added value of the Moto G 2nd Generation 4G would be the newer operating system. However, that was only true until mid-February this year because the Lollipop update for the Moto G2 without 4G has now been rolled out for this country. Nevertheless, the differences between Lollipop and KitKat are a topic in this test update. What speed and battery life advantages can Google's latest OS tease out of the hardware?
We will not go into details about casing, connectivity, GPS, phone features and voice quality, cameras, accessories, warranty, touchscreen, emissions or speakers within the framework of this update, and would refer to the review of the Moto G2. However, we will look at the differences in the screen despite identical hardware. Some of the comparison devices that we had used in the G2 test have been replaced by similarly low-priced, more up-to-date models with a comparable size, which also allow comparing the Snapdragon 400 with other SoCs.
Case
We have previously discussed the identical casing in the course of the test of the model without 4G. However, we have replaced some newer model smartphones for the following size comparison. The optionally available covers in various colors can be seen in the picture.
Connectivity
Software
Our review sample of the Moto G 2nd Gen 4G came with Android Lollipop 5.0.2. Although Motorola is no longer a Google subsidiary, the update policy is still exemplary. An upgrade to the brand new Lollipop 5.1 has been announced. Like in the precursor, there are no manufacturer-specific modifications in the user interface. However, it is just the pure Vanilla Android, which is also found in the Nexus' devices, that has a special charm for many users including the tester. In any case, there is no doubt that it runs smoother than, for example the overloaded and colorful TouchWiz UI by Samsung.
The innovations and modifications of Lollipop compared to KitKat are now an old hat so we will not go into details at this point. Instead, we would refer to the in-depth Lollipop article including benchmarks that our colleague Florian Wimmer wrote for us.
Cameras & Multimedia
Again, we refer to the review of the precursor, but offer an additional picture comparison with new shots here.
Virtual Keyboard
Some modifications have been made to the preloaded Google keyboard, which now comes in the Material Design. The most important improvement in the new version is input via swiping. The row with the three suggested words, which used to show the button for voice inputs when searching Internet or browsing is no longer shown, however, it does appear when doing "real" text inputting, such as in a word processing app or writing emails.
The settings are now accessed by pressing the comma button, and the emojis via long pressure on the enter button. In case there are problems with readjusting, understandable, illustrated instructions can be found here (in English). We can give the keyboard a few more points than for the KitKat keyboard in the Moto G2 since the modernization can facilitate inputting and provide a better overview.
Display
Regardless of whether Motorola has installed another screen in the review sample or if the reason is found in production deviation – the fact is that the screen in our current review sample has an edge on its precursor in some aspects. The maximum brightness (center) is 19% higher than that of the G2. Although 417 cd/m² is only midfield when comparing all smartphones that we have tested over the past twelve months, it is a good placing within the field of our identically priced comparison devices, where some rivals can only surpass it slightly by at most 14%.
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Distribuzione della luminosità: 96 %
Al centro con la batteria: 417 cd/m²
Contrasto: 745:1 (Nero: 0.56 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 3.11 | 0.5-29.43 Ø4.92
ΔE Greyscale 3.64 | 0.5-98 Ø5.2
Gamma: 2.64
However, the improved brightness has an impact on the black level, which is 40% brighter with a poor 0.56 cd/m², and thus worse than that of the 3G precursor. The 15% lower contrast of the new model also contributes to this. Since the contrast is the result from the ratio of maximum brightness to black level, the stylish Wiko Ridge 4G can significantly outshine its rivals within this field with a black level of 1311:1.
Then again, the color reproduction is slightly better than that of the G2, as the review sample's low DeltaE rates prove. Although the differences are not significant, the results confirm that Motorola's newcomer has very good color accuracy and is superior to its rivals. Although we have just praised the Wiko Ridge 4G, it is in second place in this test. Only HTC's Desire 510 with a bluish cast scores worse with disastrous results of up to DeltaE of 15 units.
* ... Meglio usare valori piccoli
The Motorola's Moto G2 had an average outdoor suitability, but now the 4G model does somewhat better with its higher brightness. It is still true that almost nothing can be recognized in direct sunlight, but there are hardly any restrictions when the device is shaded, e.g. with the body, which is easily possible.
Although the screen in the Moto G 2nd Gen 4G is slightly brighter than that of its precursor, the following two screenshots remain representative.
Performance
What effect does the supposed speed advantage of Lollipop have over KitKat using identical core components? If we believe our benchmarks, the advantage of the newer OS version is unfortunately kept within limits. Surprisingly, Smartbench 2012 sees the precursor even 55% ahead of the current Moto G. However, we suspect that was an exception. Leaving aside marginal differences within the frame of measuring inaccuracies, the review sample managed only a slight advantage of 8% in the popular AnTuTu Benchmark v5. The significant performance advantage in the storage benchmark AndroBench 3 of up to 618% depending on the single test (Random Write 4KB) is striking. We seriously doubt whether these extreme differences are related only to Android 5.0.
The advantages of the smartphones with the older Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 MSM8916 (Cortex A53; 4x 1.4 GHz; 64-bit) that is incorporated in the frugal but not faster Adreno 306 GPU are interesting. The superiority of the new A53 cores over the older yet still very economic A7 architecture of the Snapdragon 400 (32-bit) becomes evident when considering the slightly higher maximum clock rate of the 410 SoC.
We did not experience any really annoying delays in the practical test. However, the handling of an old yet still stronger Nexus 4 (Snapdragon S4 Pro; 4x 1.5 GHz; Krait cores; Adreno 320; 2 GB of RAM; 1280x768 pixels; Android 5.0) was noticeably smoother.
| GFXBench (DX / GLBenchmark) 2.7 | |
| T-Rex Onscreen (ordina per valore) | |
| Motorola Moto G 2. Gen 4G | |
| Motorola Moto G 2. Gen XT1068 | |
| Samsung Galaxy Ace 4 SM-G357FZ | |
| LG L Bello | |
| Honor Holly | |
| Wiko Ridge 4G | |
| Honor 3C | |
| 1920x1080 T-Rex Offscreen (ordina per valore) | |
| Motorola Moto G 2. Gen 4G | |
| Motorola Moto G 2. Gen XT1068 | |
| Samsung Galaxy Ace 4 SM-G357FZ | |
| LG L Bello | |
| Honor Holly | |
| Wiko Ridge 4G | |
| Honor 3C | |
| GFXBench 3.0 | |
| 1920x1080 1080p Manhattan Offscreen (ordina per valore) | |
| Motorola Moto G 2. Gen 4G | |
| HTC Desire 510 | |
| Samsung Galaxy Ace 4 SM-G357FZ | |
| Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime | |
| Wiko Ridge 4G | |
| Honor 3C | |
| on screen Manhattan Onscreen OGL (ordina per valore) | |
| Motorola Moto G 2. Gen 4G | |
| Motorola Moto G 2. Gen XT1068 | |
| HTC Desire 510 | |
| Samsung Galaxy Ace 4 SM-G357FZ | |
| Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime | |
| Wiko Ridge 4G | |
| Honor 3C | |
| AnTuTu v5 - Total Score (ordina per valore) | |
| Motorola Moto G 2. Gen 4G | |
| Motorola Moto G 2. Gen XT1068 | |
| HTC Desire 510 | |
| Samsung Galaxy Ace 4 SM-G357FZ | |
| Honor Holly | |
| 3DMark | |
| 1920x1080 Ice Storm Extreme Score (ordina per valore) | |
| Motorola Moto G 2. Gen 4G | |
| HTC Desire 510 | |
| Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime | |
| Wiko Ridge 4G | |
| Honor 3C | |
| 1920x1080 Ice Storm Extreme Graphics (ordina per valore) | |
| Motorola Moto G 2. Gen 4G | |
| HTC Desire 510 | |
| Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime | |
| Wiko Ridge 4G | |
| Honor 3C | |
| 1920x1080 Ice Storm Extreme Physics (ordina per valore) | |
| Motorola Moto G 2. Gen 4G | |
| HTC Desire 510 | |
| Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime | |
| Wiko Ridge 4G | |
| Honor 3C | |
When looking at the browser benchmarks, the scores of the SunSpider 1.0 are particularly striking. The older 3G Moto G easily leaves its younger smartphone sibling behind by 33%. This is difficult to understand despite the deviating OS and browser versions. The other benchmarks exhibit considerably lower differences. The expected significant speed gain through Lollipop does not simply add up.
| Google V8 Ver. 7 - Google V8 Ver. 7 Score (ordina per valore) | |
| Motorola Moto G 2. Gen 4G | |
| HTC Desire 510 | |
| Samsung Galaxy Ace 4 SM-G357FZ | |
| Honor Holly | |
| Microsoft Lumia 535 | |
* ... Meglio usare valori piccoli
Energy Management
Power Consumption
For some reason, the new Moto G consumes less power in most load scenarios than the older model. Let us find out whether this is reflected in battery life.
| Motorola Moto G 2. Gen 4G | Motorola Moto G 2. Gen XT1068 | |
|---|---|---|
| Power Consumption | -16% | |
| Idle Minimum * | 0.4 | 0.6 -50% |
| Idle Average * | 0.8 | 1 -25% |
| Idle Maximum * | 1.3 | 1.2 8% |
| Load Average * | 2 | 1.9 5% |
| Load Maximum * | 3 | 3.5 -17% |
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| Off / Standby |   0 / 0.1 Watt |
| Idle |  0.4 / 0.8 / 1.3 Watt |
| Sotto carico |
2 / 3 Watt |
    
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Leggenda:
min: ,
med: ,
max: Voltcraft VC 940 | |
Battery Runtime
The battery runtimes in the essential Readers Test (read-script, only Wi-Fi on, minimum brightness) has not changed compared with the KitKat precursor. On the other hand, 24% more are possible under high load using maximum brightness (load). The results of the real-life Wi-Fi tests cannot be compared directly since we have modified our test procedure. That is too bad because the Moto G2 very clearly outran its rivals by an astonishing 904 minutes.
Pro
Contro
Verdict
Lo stesso giudizio si applica al Motorola Moto G 2nd Gen G4 rispetto al modello Moto G2 UMTS. La principale modifica è l'LTE, oltre allo schermo più luminoso ma nel complesso poco migliore, e lo spazio di archiviazione nettamente più veloce. Inaspettatamente il Lollipop rispetto al KitKat, non apporta un notevole vantaggio di velocità. Da dire che il nuovo modello costa appena 20 Euro (~$22) in più rispetto al Moto G2.
Se trovate questa seconda generazione di Moto G appealing e potete fare a meno dela dual-SIM ma non rinunciate all'LTE non pensateci due volte e compratelo.
Nota: si tratta di una recensione breve, con alcune sezioni non tradotte, per la versione integrale in inglese guardate qui.
Motorola Moto G 2. Gen 4G
- 04/23/2015 v4 (old)
Sven Kloevekorn
Price comparison
