Unveiling the Motorola Moto G 3rd Gen Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Design and Build Quality

The Motorola Moto G (3rd gen) offers a design that combines practicality with a clean aesthetic. The device features a glass front with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, which offers resistance against minor scratches and impacts. The back and frame are made of plastic, providing a lightweight yet sturdy feel. With dimensions of 142.1 x 72.4 x 11.6 mm and a weight of 155 grams, the Moto G (3rd gen) sits comfortably in the hand, making it easy to operate with one hand.

The phone design is quite minimalist, featuring a micro-SIM slot. It’s also available in two classic colors, black and white, which enhance its understated elegance. However, its build quality ensures durability, and the phone's overall aesthetic is both functional and visually pleasing.

Display

The Motorola Moto G (3rd gen) is equipped with a 5.0-inch IPS LCD display, which provides good viewing angles and color reproduction. The screen has a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 294 PPI. This configuration ensures that text and images are displayed crisply, offering a pleasant visual experience.

While the screen-to-body ratio is around 67%, it still manages to deliver immersive media experiences. The device's display performs adequately under different lighting conditions, helped by the nominal contrast ratio of 1009:1 and a sunlight contrast ratio of 2.026, which enhance visibility outdoors.

Performance

Under the hood, the Moto G (3rd gen) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 chipset, a quad-core processor clocked at 1.4 GHz combined with the Adreno 306 GPU. This hardware setup delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks. The phone comes in two configurations: one with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, and the other with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage.

Although not suited for high-performance gaming or intensive multitasking, the device performs adequately for standard applications and navigation. The inclusion of a dedicated microSDHC slot allows for expandable storage, ensuring users are not limited to internal storage, which is a beneficial feature for users who need additional space for media and apps.

Camera Capabilities

The Moto G (3rd gen) features a 13 MP primary camera with an aperture of f/2.0 and autofocus capabilities. It also includes dual-LED dual-tone flash and panorama features, ensuring versatility for various shooting conditions. The camera can record video in 1080p at 30fps and supports HDR for enhanced detail in photos and videos.

The front camera is a 5 MP unit with an f/2.2 aperture. It comes with Auto-HDR, facilitating better quality selfies with improved lighting and detail. Both cameras offer decent performance for budget devices, meeting the photographic needs of casual users.

Battery Life

Equipped with a non-removable Li-Ion 2470 mAh battery, the Moto G (3rd gen) is built for longevity. While the battery capacity might seem modest by today's standards, it is well-optimized with the device's hardware and software, offering a satisfactory endurance rating of 76 hours.

This ensures users can go through a full day of moderate usage, including browsing, light gaming, and media consumption, without needing to recharge frequently. It's a strong point for users prioritizing battery life in their smartphone experience.

Software and Features

The device originally ships with Android 5.1.1 Lollipop but is upgradable to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. This provides users access to essential Android features while incorporating improvements and enhancements introduced in newer versions. Although it lacks the latest updates, the available versions run smoothly on the hardware provided.

For connectivity, the Moto G (3rd gen) supports GSM, CDMA, HSPA, and LTE technologies, offering diverse options for network compatibility. It has a microUSB 2.0 port and supports OTG, allowing for peripheral connectivity. Other features include GPS, GLONASS, BDS positioning, FM radio, and Bluetooth 4.0.

Sensors include an accelerometer and proximity sensor, which add to the basic functionality required for various applications and services.

Audio and Sound Quality

The device comes with a loudspeaker, capable of delivering crisp sound during calls and media playback. There's also a 3.5mm audio jack for headphones, providing flexibility in audio options for personal listening experiences.

While the audio quality is not its standout feature, it performs adequately with audio specifications like the reported voice level at 75dB and noise and ring levels at 69dB and 75dB, respectively. The audio quality metrics report a noise level of -91.5dB and crosstalk at -92.6dB, indicating reasonable sound clarity and separation.

Additional Insights and Market Position

The Motorola Moto G (3rd gen) positioned itself well within the budget segment during its release. Priced at approximately 170 EUR, it provided excellent value with its balance of capabilities and durable build quality. Its IPX7 water resistance was a notable feature, accounting for enhanced durability against accidental exposure to water.

Despite being discontinued, the device remains a reference point for affordable smartphone designs that prioritize essential features and user experience without breaking the bank.