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Motorola Moto G 2014 vs Moto G 2013

Motorola Moto G 2014 vs Moto G 2013

Posted: 16 Sep 2014, 07:06, by John V.

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Tags: Verizon -Verizon + Sprint -Sprint + Motorola -Motorola + Android -Android +

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Introduction

Smartphones are increasingly becoming cheaper, making them disposable to a wide array of people. On one side of the spectrum, we have cream-of-the-crop devices that deliver cutting-edge experiences – while on the other, entry-level devices help newbies, or those on a budget, to experience all of the features and power of a smartphone. And that’s without the hefty cost normally associated with them. Being one of the more prominent ones recently, the 2014 Motorola Moto G seems like a considerable step up to its predecessor in last year’s Moto G, but by how much really?

Design

Let’s be frank here folks, these two handsets aren’t graced with stylish designs, but despite that, they’re noted for the subtle design customizations they have to offer – where their rear casing can be replaced for other ones. Visually, the two share the same design language and decent construction. At the core of it all, though, is the difference in size between them. Due to the original’s more compact and lighter frame, it’s undoubtedly the more comfortable one to grasp with a single hand.

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+ 12 images

Front view | Side view

5.57 x 2.78 x 0.43 inches
141.5 x 70.7 x 11 mm
5.26 oz (149 g)

Motorola Moto G (2014)

5.11 x 2.59 x 0.46 inches
129.9 x 65.9 x 11.6 mm
5.04 oz (143 g)

Motorola Moto G

To see the phones in real size or compare them with other models, visit our Visual Phone Size Comparison page.

Display

Similar to their designs, the only two separating their display are their sizes – so depending on your taste, either one will suffice. Sporting the larger 5-inch 720 x 1280 IPS LCD display, the new Moto G’s size is more akin to today’s flagship smartphone, as opposed to something in the budget segment. Meanwhile, the 2013 made Moto G is packing a modestly sized 4.5-inch 720 x 1280 IPS LCD display – one that we feel to be a more fitting size for this caliber smartphone.

What’s interesting, however, is that it seems as though Motorola has outfitted the older model with a slightly more high-quality display. Why is that you ask? Well, after running various display tests, we find that the old Moto G’s screen to offer the better brightness output (429 nits versus 390 nits), color temperature (7625 K versus 8290 K), and color accuracy. To the average person, they’d hardly notice the slim advantage with the original Moto G’s display, but they’re there. At the end of the day, the biggest change here is simply the increase in size.

Display measurements and quality

	Maximum brightness (nits)Higher is better	Minimum brightness (nits)Lower is better	Contrast Higher is better	Color temperature (Kelvins)	Gamma	Delta E rgbcmy Lower is better	Delta E grayscale Lower is better
Motorola Moto G (2014)	390 (Average)	15 (Poor)	1:908 (Average)	8290 (Poor)	2.39	5.32 (Average)	6.78 (Average)
Motorola Moto G	429 (Good)	17 (Poor)	1:914 (Average)	7625 (Average)	2.56	4.10 (Average)	6.45 (Average)

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The numbers below represent the amount of deviation in the respective property, observed when a display is viewed from a 45-degree angle as opposed to direct viewing.

	Maximum brightness Lower is better	Minimum brightness Lower is better	Contrast Lower is better	Color temperature Lower is better	Gamma Lower is better	Delta E rgbcmy Lower is better	Delta E grayscale Lower is better
Motorola Moto G (2014)	86.4%	86.7%	77.1%	13.8%	0.8%	17.7%	18%
Motorola Moto G	90.7%	94.1%	87.4%	15%	2%	3.7%	14.1%

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The CIE 1931 xy color gamut chart represents the set (area) of colors that a display can reproduce, with the sRGB colorspace (the highlighted triangle) serving as reference. The chart also provides a visual representation of a display's color accuracy. The small squares across the boundaries of the triangle are the reference points for the various colors, while the small dots are the actual measurements. Ideally, each dot should be positioned on top of its respective square. The 'x: CIE31' and 'y: CIE31' values in the table below the chart indicate the position of each measurement on the chart. 'Y' shows the luminance (in nits) of each measured color, while 'Target Y' is the desired luminance level for that color. Finally, 'ΔE 2000' is the Delta E value of the measured color. Delta E values of below 2 are ideal.

These measurements are made using SpectraCal's CalMAN calibration software.

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Interface and Functionality

Related phones

PhoneArena rating:

8.5 Very good

User rating:

9.2 Excellent

Motorola Moto G (2014)

Specifications News^[30] Rivals Size it Videos

PhoneArena rating:

9 Excellent

User rating:

9.1 Excellent

Motorola Moto G

Specifications News^[86] Rivals Size it Videos

13 Comments

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posted on 16 Sep 2014, 07:28 1

1. mmayer54 (Posts: 19; Member since: 15 Jun 2009)

BATTERY LIFE, BATTERY LIFE, BATTERY LIFE. All the superficial improvements were nice but the MOST IMPORTANT was at least a 2500mAh+ battery. For an extra $20 ($199), I'd buy it if it had the larger battery and LTE. 3000mAh and it would FLY off the shelves.

posted on 16 Sep 2014, 09:56

4. UglyFrank (Posts: 1930; Member since: 23 Jan 2014)

How did motorola go from being the kings of battery to barely lasting a day? They need to release maxx versions of these phones.

posted on 16 Sep 2014, 11:25

5. mrmessma (Posts: 232; Member since: 28 Mar 2012)

They need to can the latest and only release Moto-X's with Maxx size batteries.

posted on 28 Mar 2015, 13:48

13. X-Ray (Posts: 1; Member since: 28 Mar 2015)

I'll tell you how - it's the stupid obsession of all manufacturers with making phones thinner and thinner, totally disregarding practicality.
They simply don't (want to) understand that at some point too thin is plain stupid, you can't even pick up, hold and handle the phone securely, not to mention ridiculously low battery life for a device they have the nerve to call "smart"!

posted on 16 Sep 2014, 15:28

7. Landmarkcm (Posts: 506; Member since: 11 Aug 2009)

Some people fail to overlook as well though that HSPA+ especially on Tmobile & where you live in some cases is faster then LTE! Remember when they advertised that as "4G". While LTE, yes would be nice. It's not going to be that impactfull at least for me, To stop me from buying it. Heck it's HSPA+ will even beat what Sprint touts as LTE, (that's another story though lol) :)

posted on 16 Sep 2014, 08:25

2. athos07m (Posts: 132; Member since: 22 Apr 2012)

None of the above.

Moto G 4G, however, has microSD, 4G, good handling at the same time - these two don't.

posted on 16 Sep 2014, 08:29

3. shuaibhere (Posts: 1986; Member since: 07 Jul 2012)

People who have moto g 2014 bought are complaining about it....
First of all phones heats very much compared to old model so does charger too....and the headset bundled with device is very cheap..and has shorter battery life compared to old model....

posted on 16 Sep 2014, 12:18

6. LoveHater (Posts: 180; Member since: 09 Oct 2013)

Very sad to say this but new moto g has problem:

1=====D Low Battery problem
2=====D Autofocus problem during Video recording
3=====D Some sets causing overheating problems as well as some saying charger is overheatin

posted on 16 Sep 2014, 15:37

9. Landmarkcm (Posts: 506; Member since: 11 Aug 2009)

You already have it? Whats wrong with the focusing on video recording exacly? I know you said it's not focusing. I know on the first gen one when you move it around, It will refocus. Hopefully you just got a lemon if it's not doing that..?

posted on 16 Sep 2014, 15:34

8. Landmarkcm (Posts: 506; Member since: 11 Aug 2009)

I am going to get the new Moto G as soon as Amazon has it, Actually in place of my current device I am using, The 2013 Moto X. I want the slightly larger screen & front speakers. HSPA+ still gets the job done just fine too. Also by the way phoneArena & you can see my comment on your review there of the G. You got the sound output decibel rating wrong on your test of the 2014 G :).

posted on 17 Sep 2014, 03:47

10. Landmarkcm (Posts: 506; Member since: 11 Aug 2009)

John as I asked in your review of the 2nd gen G, How are you coming up with such a lower decibel output rating from the newer G?? All other reviews I am looking at def say it's louder and laptop mags review said-The Moto G racked up 84 decibels during our audio test, which measures the volume of a steady tone from 13 inches away. This edges out the Moto E's 83 dB and the 80 dB smartphone average, while just falling behind the OnePlus One's 86 dB performance. - See more at:http://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/smartphones/moto-g#sthash.tSRMYG9d.dpuf The camera on the new G def overall colors look better though, And on the old one it was already bright in low light shots with flash, So this new one is even better & clearer!! I am assuming the warmer colors are what the subjects actually looked like... A few of the shots though on close up text look sharper on the older G here. Well I will have mine soon enough to see on Thursday from Amazon now!! Knock on wood I love it! :)

posted on 17 Sep 2014, 05:22

11. willytbk (Posts: 241; Member since: 15 Aug 2012)

i kinda like my Moto G (2013) though, smaller.

posted on 01 Jan 2015, 05:04

12. b14637 (Posts: 1; Member since: 01 Jan 2015)

Motorola had a clear vision even before it released some of it's devices - to provide updates faster compared to competitors. Users have complained about problems with the Moto G following upgrade to new android version.
I found this article for potential solutions for a few common problems and issues faced by Moto G owners. theseblogs.com/A9Zw9 But i'm gonna say dont break your wallet for it.
But that's just my opinion.