Just a few weeks after the initial roll out, the Android 4.4.2 KitKat update for the dual-SIM variant of Motorola’s Moto G is now seeding in the Philippines.
When Motorola started to sell the dual-SIM variant outside of the U.S.A., it was carrying Android 4.3 Jellybean on board. Now, the latest Android Kitkat can now be downloaded via OTA and will bring improvements and enhancements like the Project Svelte optimizations, a new Dialer app, an updated Hangouts with SMS/MMS support, and an updated Google Now.
We are also currently working on our review of the Motorola Moto G so stay tuned.
The Motorola Moto G is yet to arrive here in the Philippines, and surely a lot of people are waiting for it – mainly because of its high-end internals paired with the affordable price tag of just $179 to $199. We managed to nab one in Singapore for just Php9,000, a price that is a lot lower than the prices of the local brands’ flagship phones – usually slightly above the Php10k mark (first impressions here).
Local flagship phones on the other hand are spec monsters. They come at prices up to Php13,000 and they pack 1080p displays, 18 megapixel rear cameras & 8 megapixel front-facing cameras, quad-core CPUs to octa-core ones and they have attracted quite a number of loyal fans. However, there are certainly a lot of people not ready to jump into the local smartphone bandwagon.
Since the Moto G has a similar price point with the Nexus 7 (not to mention they’re both Google products), then it might be safe to assume that when it arrives here, it’s going to be at most Php13,000 also for the 16GB variant. That one packs a 720p display, a Snapdragon 400 CPU, 1GB RAM, the latest version of Android, a 5MP camera and a good 2,070mAh battery. Hypothetically, if you get a local flagship phone, you’re getting a 1080p display, an octa-core MediaTek CPU, 2GB RAM, 18MP+8MP shooters, a decent battery & a slightly outdated version of Android.
That leaves us with a question. YugaTech asks – if you had Php13k in hand only for a brand new smartphone, which one would you get?
The much affordable Motorola Moto G becomes available in the Google Play Store for the same price of $179. As most would know, despite being under Google, Motorola adds in some extras in their Android phones just like most manufacturers. The Google Play Edition, on the other hand, will have stock Android & fast software updates.
The Google Play Store isn’t available yet in the Philippines so we have to stay tuned. For the meantime, Motorola will bringing in the Moto G to the local market very soon as they’ve confirmed to us via Twitter.
Previously called the Motorola DVX, the long-rumored & leaked smartphone from the Google company is now official in the form of the MotorolaMoto G.
Basically, the Moto G takes off with the design language of the Moto X. The only one big major difference is the availability of exchangeable back covers coming in different colors such as white, black, blue, yellow, red, and pink. If that’s not enough, a lot of other accessories are also being offered.
On the hardware side of things, the phone offers an above average package with an HD display, a quad-core CPU, 1GB RAM and a whole day of usage on the battery. On the software side, the phone is expected to get a taste of KitKat in January 2014; for the meantime, it has Android 4.3 Jellybean that is something similar to the Moto X.
Motorola Moto G specs:
4.5-inch 720 x 1280 display, 329ppi
1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 CPU
Adreno 305
1GB RAM
8GB, 16GB internal memory
WiFi
Bluetooth
FM Radio
5 megapixel camera with LED flash
720p HD video
1.3MP front-facing camera
Android 4.3 Jellybean, upgradable to 4.4 KitKat
2,070mAh battery
The 8GB variant starts for as low as $179 (less than Php8k converted) while the 16GB is at $199 (less than Php9k converted). Dual SIM variants are expected to arrive too.
For the case of the Philippines, Motorola says the phone will be available in some parts of Asia. Whether our country is included in the company’s plans is still unknown, but there’s a chance considering the Moto G seems geared on taking on other low-end & mid-range selections such as the Asha, the smaller Galaxies & the like.
Update: Motorola just confirmed to us via Twitter that the Moto G will be available in the Philippines.
Arriving after Motorola’s Moto X, the Moto G has been making leaks as a follow-up mid-range device for the holiday season. As the end of the year approaches, we’re getting closer and closer to its supposed announcement and we have a lot of juicy details to make up with already.
Physically, it looks a lot like the Moto X with a few minor changes such as the speaker placement & the earpiece. It’s also hinted that it may have a removable backplate though that isn’t confirmed yet.
The Moto G is expected to run on a 4.5-inch 720p display, a 1.2GHz quad-core CPU (presumably Snapdragon 200 or 400) and Android 4.3 Jellybean. It’s also going to pack 8GB of internal storage and a 5 megapixel 720p camera paired with a 1.3MP front-facing one.
While the package may seem quite lacking for some, the killer might be its off-contract £134.95 price tag (around Php9,300 converted). Talk says the phone will be making its way internationally too. Anyway, we’ll just have to find out soon and we’ll keep you posted for the official announcement.
