Unveiling the Motorola Moto E Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of Motorola Moto E

The Motorola Moto E, released in May 2014, was a budget-friendly smartphone aimed at providing essential smartphone features at an accessible price. It is a significant device from Motorola, representing the company's strategy to cater to the entry-level segment with a reliable and simple device. It competes directly with other budget-friendly Android phones of the time, offering a solid build, decent performance, and acceptable features.

Design and Build

The Moto E sports a compact design with dimensions of 124.8 x 64.8 x 12.3 mm and a weight of 142g. The rounded edges and the soft-touch back cover make it comfortable to hold. The phone is available in black and white colors, providing some choice to the users. The build quality is robust, featuring Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for screen protection, which is quite impressive for a phone at this price point. It uses a Micro-SIM and has a non-removable Li-Ion 1980 mAh battery which ensures a decent battery life suitable for moderate usage.

Display

The display is one of the main highlights of the Moto E. It features a 4.3-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels and a 16:9 ratio, resulting in a ~256 ppi density. While the resolution isn't as high as premium devices, it provides sharp and clear visuals, suitable for most everyday functions like browsing and media playback. The IPS technology allows for wide viewing angles, and the Gorilla Glass 3 protection helps prevent scratches and other damage.

Performance

The Moto E is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 chipset with a 1.2 GHz dual-core Cortex-A7 processor and an Adreno 302 GPU. This hardware setup, combined with 1GB RAM, is designed to handle basic smartphone tasks efficiently. It's not designed for heavy gaming or multitasking, but for everyday use like emails, web browsing, and casual games, it performs adequately. The phone initially shipped with Android 4.4.2 KitKat and is upgradable to Android 5.1 Lollipop, allowing users to access relatively up-to-date Android features and apps.

Camera

The Moto E comes with a single 5 MP rear camera with an f/2.4 aperture. It includes basic features like panorama and HDR, allowing users to capture photos with more depth and color. The camera can record video at 480p@30fps, which is quite standard for a device of this class. However, it lacks a front-facing camera, which might be a limitation for users interested in selfies or video calls.

Storage

In terms of storage, the Moto E offers 4GB of internal storage, which may seem limited compared to modern standards. However, it includes a microSDHC slot that allows for expandable storage, letting users add additional space for apps, photos, and media files. This flexibility is essential for users who need more storage but don't want to upgrade to a more expensive device.

Connectivity and Networking

The Moto E supports GSM/HSPA technology, making it compatible with a range of networks globally. It operates across several 2G and 3G bands, but lacks 4G LTE support, which is a trade-off for the budget price. In addition, it offers Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 LE with aptX, GPS with GLONASS, FM radio with RDS, and a microUSB 2.0 port for data connectivity.

Battery Life

The phone is equipped with a 1980 mAh non-removable battery, providing a reasonable battery life. Given the device's hardware and display specifications, the battery life can last up to a full day with moderate usage, which includes calls, messaging, and a bit of web browsing. The rated endurance is 60 hours, making it a reliable companion for users who need a phone that can last without frequent charging.

Sound and Multimedia

The sound quality on the Moto E is competent for its segment. It features a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, ensuring users can enjoy music and multimedia either through speakers or personal headphones. For a budget device, the audio clarity is decent and suitable for everyday media consumption.

User Experience and Software

The Moto E's user interface is quite straightforward, thanks to a near-stock version of Android. The lack of heavy OEM skins and bloatware results in a cleaner and smoother user experience. The availability of an upgrade to Android Lollipop enhances the device's functionality and provides access to newer features and security updates.

Sensors and Miscellaneous

For sensors, the Moto E includes an accelerometer and proximity sensor, which are standard for basic functionality in handling screen orientation and during phone calls. The device also shows a commendable SAR level, adhering to safety standards, with a rating of 0.97 W/kg for the head and 1.50 W/kg for the body, ensuring the user's health safety.

Conclusion

In summary, the Motorola Moto E is a well-rounded entry-level smartphone that delivers an acceptable combination of functionality and design at a budget price. Its practical features and performance are targeted towards users who need a reliable mobile device for daily use without the premium price tag. While it may not appeal to those seeking cutting-edge technology, it provides excellent value for basic smartphone functions.