Help me decide: Moto G or Moto E?

[Andrew Ray]

Hi there,

I'm looking for a replacement for my Samsung Galaxy mini gt-i8200n, which is terribly slow.
So, I did spot a couple of options within my budget, about $100 x 2 as I need to buy two phones: Moto G 2ndGen and Moto E 2ndGen.

These are the differences I'm noticing:

1. E is LTE, whereas G seems doesn't support LTE
2. G seems also to not have 4g Network
3. Both phones should be Marshmallow ready
4. G is based on Cortex-A7, E (the LTE version) runs on A53 which is supposed to be faster
5. I think G has a better camera (how better I don't know) and stereo speakers (which both might be secondary features for my needs)

What would be your advice? Is one definitely better than the other?
Are there better alternatives out there within the same price range?

Thanks for any info.

 

[Ry]

Re: Help me decide: Moto G or E?

Hi there,

I'm looking for a replacement for my Samsung Galaxy mini gt-i8200n, which is terribly slow.
So, I did spot a couple of options within my budget, about $100 x 2 as I need to buy two phones: Moto G 2ndGen and Moto E 2ndGen.

These are the differences I'm noticing:

1. E is LTE, whereas G seems doesn't support LTE
2. G seems also to not have 4g Network
3. Both phones should be Marshmallow ready
4. G is based on Cortex-A7, E (the LTE version) runs on A53 which is supposed to be faster
5. I think G has a better camera (how better I don't know) and stereo speakers (which both might be secondary features for my needs)

What would be your advice? Is one definitely better than the other?
Are there better alternatives out there within the same price range?

Thanks for any info.

• I believe there was a model of the second gen Moto G that supports LTE. LTE didn't become standard until the third gen. On the second gen Moto E, there is a model without LTE. Prices on Motorola's site are $150 for the second gen Moto E with LTE and $100 for the on clearance second gen Moto G without LTE.
• LTE is 4G.
• If we're talking US models, the second gen Moto G may have Marshmallow available but only non-US LTE models of the Moto E are scheduled to get Marshmallow.
• Second gen Moto G uses the Snapdragon 400 while the second gen Moto E with LTE uses the Snapdragon 410.

 

[Andrew Ray]

Re: Help me decide: Moto G or E?

Interesting details there, thanks Ry!
After your reply, I double checked and I refined my search being able to find this:

Motorola Moto E (2nd Generation) Unlocked

1. 4G LTE speed for browsing the web, streaming music, playing games and watching videos, 5MP rear camera with a VGA front facing camera
2. 4.5" qHD display - Sharpest Display in its class, personalize with colored bands
3. Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor with a 1.2GHz quad-core CPU and advanced graphics
4. Water-repellant coating and Corning Gorilla Glass for enhance durability
5. Android Lollipop 5.0 operating system with one guaranteed software update, All-Day battery performance with a 2390mAh battery

Motorola Moto G LTE- Factory Unlocked US Warranty

1. Moto G with 4G LTE has an incredible edge-to-edge 4.5 inch HD display. You'll get a sharp picture, and then some. With scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass, you can use your phone the way you want to without worrying about it.
2. For extra protection, Moto G has a water-resistant coating protecting your phone inside and out. Now, a little rain won't stop you from taking a call.
3. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 quad-core processor with built-in 4G LTE, lets you multitask with speed and ease.
4. Moto G with 4G LTE is smart when it comes to the battery, so as you go about your day, you wont run out of power. This product ships with a USB charger only (no wall adapter included).

So, it seems Moto E can be updated, I guess to Marshmallow? Not sure about Moto G.
Also, E should be good to go with CyanogenMod, G I don't think so.
At this point it seems E it's the best choice.
Hope this will work fine with Cricket.

Thanks again Ry.

P.S. I've found both phones for about $110, which is still fine for my budget.
So, am I right considering Moto E 2nd Gen the best solution within that range?
Again, what I'm looking for is a fast phone, good performance as my Mini is really a dead horse. Btw, camera is not a big priority to me.

 

[Andrew Ray]

Re: Help me decide: Moto G or E?

Hm... I'm reading a lot of reviews, which usually makes one feel more confused, and in fact that's how I feel, very confused.
Now it seems that G is a better choice. E seems laggy. Both seems to have (or will get) marshmallow and both should have CM.

 

[sydneycooper1979]

Re: Help me decide: Moto G or E?

G is the better choice. If you can swing it, you should totally grab the 3rd generation Moto G. That's a very very capable device and a generation newer and a year longer in the update cycle.

 

[Andrew Ray]

Re: Help me decide: Moto G or E?

G is the better choice. If you can swing it, you should totally grab the 3rd generation Moto G. That's a very very capable device and a generation newer and a year longer in the update cycle.

Thank you sydneycooper1979.
The 3rd gen it's over budget unfortunately.
Going back to the G 2nd gen I'm starting realizing that's a better choice indeed.
What's confusing to me is if it's LTE or not. Also, should that matter? Perhaps GSM is enough?

 

[Ry]

Re: Help me decide: Moto G or E?

Thank you sydneycooper1979.
The 3rd gen it's over budget unfortunately.
Going back to the G 2nd gen I'm starting realizing that's a better choice indeed.
What's confusing to me is if it's LTE or not. Also, should that matter? Perhaps GSM is enough?

What carrier would you be using it on?

Posted via the Android Central App on the Moto X Pure Edition

 

[Andrew Ray]

Re: Help me decide: Moto G or E?

What carrier would you be using it on?

Posted via the Android Central App on the Moto X Pure Edition

Carrier is Cricket.

 

[sydneycooper1979]

Re: Help me decide: Moto G or E?

Thank you sydneycooper1979.
The 3rd gen it's over budget unfortunately.
Going back to the G 2nd gen I'm starting realizing that's a better choice indeed.
What's confusing to me is if it's LTE or not. Also, should that matter? Perhaps GSM is enough?

Ahhhh gotcha. I'm pretty sure that the second generation supports LTE. Or they released one with and one without.

 

[Andrew Ray]

Re: Help me decide: Moto G or E?

Ok, I think I figured out why sometimes it appears as LTE other times it doesn't.
That was the confusing part to me, on Amazon there are mixed reviews in regards as well.

On Wikipedia there's a list of G 2nd gen devices and LTE is available only in some country (Brazil, India, UK...)

So, maybe no LTE in the US. But if GSM is enough I can live with that.

 

[Andrew Ray]

Re: Help me decide: Moto G or E?

Should I stretch the budget to $150, would this phone be a better alternative?
BLU Life One X - 4G LTE Smartphone - GSM Unlocked
If there isn't a big difference, I can go with Moto G 2nd Gen, it seems it's only GSM though in the US.

Edit: after some research it seems to me the Blu Life One X it's a very interesting phone.
It should brings a smoother experience as it supposed to be faster. Also bigger screen (although I'm not after big screens after all), but resolution should be better with a crispier screen. Camera should be better as well, game perhaps not a big difference since Moto G runs at a lower resolution hence less demand on the GPU side, at least from my understanding and anyway I don't use the phone for gaming so not a big deal for me.

But if anyone has experience to share about the Blu Life One X and in particular about pro & cons compared to the Moto G, any hints will be greatly appreciated!

 

[STARGATE]

Re: Help me decide: Moto G or E?

It seems that bumping your budget to $150 should get you a better device.
I don't have any experience with either one, so I'm not much help on that department.

 

[Andrew Ray]

Re: Help me decide: Moto G or E?

It seems that bumping your budget to $150 should get you a better device.
I don't have any experience with either one, so I'm not much help on that department.

Thank you for jumping in Stargate.
I'll wait to see if somebody can provide tips on what device would be better for $150.
I'm open to any idea for a good smartphone in that price range, as long as it's a fast, responsive device.

 

[Golfdriver97]

Re: Help me decide: Moto G or E?

Should I stretch the budget to $150

Probably not a bad idea. Another Ambassador wrote up a quick review of several phones under $150...
http://forums.androidcentral.com/ge...st-budget-phones-under-160-a.html#post4992881

 

[rockshj]

Re: Help me decide: Moto G or E?

dude jst grab the... moto g 3rd gen.. its awsm.. nd if u think its out of ur budget.. thn wait for sm days.. cz discountd price are availble many times.. nd moto g 2nd gen also have less btrry backup

 

[rahulpah]

Re: Help me decide: Moto G or E?

You should go with Moto G because it is a lot better than Moto E and it do supports LTE

 

[Andrew Ray]

Re: Help me decide: Moto G or E?

Probably not a bad idea. Another Ambassador wrote up a quick review of several phones under $150...

Great, Spot on!
Blue Life One X is first on the list, so I'm on the right track
Thanks for pointing to that.

dude jst grab the... moto g 3rd gen.. its awsm.. nd if u think its out of ur budget.. thn wait for sm days.. cz discountd price are availble many times.. nd moto g 2nd gen also have less btrry backup

Moto G seems to be a great phone indeed, but I already stretched the budget, for the G I need to add $30 more, which doesn't seem a lot but on a tight budget already makes a difference. Nonetheless I'll look for a used one and also for comparison between the One X and the G 3rd gen.

 

[Andrew Ray]

Re: Help me decide: Moto G or E?

So, I've got the Blu Life one X today in the mailbox but I can't insert my sim, too small.
Can't even figure out what type of micro-sim adapter I need, as I already have one but seems slightly bigger.
Dang it!

 

[Ry]

Re: Help me decide: Moto G or E?

So, I've got the Blu Life one X today in the mailbox but I can't insert my sim, too small.
Can't even figure out what type of micro-sim adapter I need, as I already have one but seems slightly bigger.
Dang it!

Copied this post to the BLU forum.

SIM card size for BLU Life One X? - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com

Closing this thread up.