Unveiling Motorola Moto M Specs Prices and Performance Insights

Introduction to Motorola Moto M

The Motorola Moto M, launched in November 2016, was a notable device in Motorola’s lineup due to its blend of design, performance, and affordability. At the time, the smartphone market was saturated with numerous options, but the Moto M carved a niche for itself with its metallic build and balanced features. This article delves into the specifications, design elements, and overall performance of the Motorola Moto M.

Design and Build

The Moto M stands out with its premium design aesthetics, featuring a glass front and an aluminum back, complemented by an aluminum frame. This choice of materials not only provides durability but also gives the device a sleek metallic finish, which was a signature look for premium smartphones during this period. The device's dimensions are 151.4 x 75.4 x 7.9 mm, and it weighs 163 grams, making it reasonably lightweight and easy to handle.

One of the standout features is the hybrid dual SIM slot, which allows users to either use two SIM cards or one SIM and a microSD card, providing flexibility in terms of connectivity and storage expansion. The overall design is understated yet elegant, appealing to those who desire functionality without compromising on style.

Display

The Motorola Moto M features a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display, with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. This results in a pixel density of approximately 401 ppi, offering sharp and vibrant visuals. The 16:9 aspect ratio was standard for the time, providing a comfortable viewing experience for videos, gaming, and browsing.

The display covers around 73.1% of the phone's front surface, allowing for a good balance between screen size and ease of handling. The IPS technology ensures good viewing angles and color reproduction, making it suitable for various multimedia applications.

Performance

Under the hood, the Moto M is powered by the Mediatek MT6755 Helio P10 chipset. In India, it was released with a slightly upgraded Mediatek MT6755T Helio P15 variant. Both are manufactured using a 28 nm process and feature an octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU. The standard version operates at 1.95 GHz, while the Indian variant reaches up to 2.2 GHz, offering a slight boost in processing power.

The device is equipped with the Mali-T860MP2 GPU, ensuring decent graphical performance for casual gaming and video playback. Users can choose between two variants: one with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, and another with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Both configurations support microSDXC cards for additional storage, though it shares the SIM slot.

Camera Capabilities

The Moto M is equipped with a single 16 MP main camera, featuring an f/2.0 aperture and a 1.0µm pixel size. The camera supports phase detection autofocus (PDAF), ensuring quick and accurate focusing for photography enthusiasts. Additionally, it comes with an LED flash and the ability to capture panoramic shots. The camera can record videos at 1080p at 30fps, making it suitable for everyday video capture.

For selfies, the Moto M has an 8 MP front-facing camera with an f/2.0 aperture. This wide-angle lens allows for broader group shots and supports 1080p video recording, making it a decent option for video calls and self-portraits.

Battery Life and Charging

The Motorola Moto M is powered by a non-removable Li-Po 3050 mAh battery, which provides a satisfactory battery life for moderate use. While the battery endurance rating is about 55 hours, typical usage involving internet browsing, video playback, and occasional gaming may require more frequent charging.

The device supports 10W wired charging, which was standard for mid-range smartphones at the time of its release. While not the fastest by today's standards, it ensures that the device can be reliably charged within a reasonable time frame.

Connectivity and Network

The Moto M supports a wide range of network technologies, including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, and LTE. This broad support ensures compatibility with various carriers worldwide. The device's 4G capability includes multiple bands, providing excellent coverage and data speeds up to 300/50 Mbps on LTE networks.

In terms of connectivity, the Moto M offers Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1 with A2DP, LE, and aptX, and a USB Type-C port with OTG support. It also includes GPS, GLONASS, and BDS for location services. Unfortunately, NFC is not available on this model, but it does feature an FM radio for audio entertainment.

Audio and Multimedia

The phone has a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for convenient security access. For audio, the Moto M offers a loudspeaker with satisfactory volume levels and a 3.5mm headphone jack, which many users appreciate for its universal compatibility with audio accessories.

In terms of audio quality, tests reveal good noise and crosstalk levels, indicating a clear audio experience whether through the speaker or headphones. The device also includes a few sensors: an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, enhancing the device’s usability in various applications.

Software and User Interface

Out of the box, the Moto M runs on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. This operating system was popular for its improved performance, enhanced notifications system, and features like Doze Mode for battery optimization. Although newer versions of Android provide additional features, Marshmallow offers a clean and straightforward user experience, which was well-received at the time of the device’s release.

Conclusion

The Motorola Moto M is a well-rounded smartphone that offered good value for its price at launch, priced around 190 EUR. Though it has been discontinued, its combination of a premium build, adequate performance, and a quality display made it a compelling choice for users seeking a reliable mid-range device. While newer smartphones have since surpassed it in features and technology, the Moto M remains a testament to Motorola’s ability to produce balanced devices that cater to a broad range of users.