The Moto family gained two new members today, as Motorola has officially taken the wraps off of its new low-cost Moto E smartphone as well as an LTE-enabled version of 2013’s Moto G.
Let’s start with the all-new hardware. The Moto E is Motorola’s “Made to Last. Priced for All.” smartphone that’s targeted at consumers that can’t or don’t want to pay hundreds of dollars for a handset that can access the Internet. Pricing for the Moto E is set at just $129 (£89 in the U.K.) without a contract.
So what do you get in exchange for your $129? Actually, more than you might expect. Moto E features a 4.3-inch 960x540 touchscreen on its face, 5-megapixel camera on its backside. Inside of the Moto E lives a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon 200 processor, 4GB of storage, microSD card slot, 1GB of RAM FM radio and a 1980mAh battery. The Moto E’s body also features Gorilla Glass on its display and a water-resistant splash guard.
On the software side of things, the Moto E comes preloaded with Android 4.4 KitKat. Motorola says that the Moto E is guaranteed “at least one software update to the current KitKat 4.4.3 operating system” as well, which is interesting since Google hasn’t even announced Android 4.4.3 yet.
The Moto E is currently available for pre-order in both black and white. In the coming weeks, it’ll launch in more than 40 countries with more than 80 carriers around the globe. Motorola also plans to offer swappable rear shells in different colors to allow Moto E owners to personalize their device.
Motorola’s Moto E isn’t likely to blow anyone’s hair back with its spec sheet, but it looks like a very respectable smartphone, especially for its $129 no-contract pricing. Considering its design, price and Motorola’s history with software updates, the Moto E definitely is worth a consideration for anyone in the market for a first smartphone, a backup or just an affordable device that can get them online while on the go.
In addition to the Moto E, Motorola today introduced the Moto G 4G LTE. As its name suggests, this device is a Moto G with built-in LTE connectivity. It also adds a microSD card slot for expandable storage. The Moto G with 4G LTE is available for pre-order at a price of £149 in the U.K. and $219 in the U.S. and will be available in both black and white color options.
