Moto G: 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation - these are the differences

Motorola updates its range of smartphones every year. The Moto G is now also available in a 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation. We have summarized the differences between the three smartphones for you in this article.

1st generation: The beginnings of the Moto G

The 1st generation Moto G has been around since 2013, when Motorola offered comparatively up-to-date hardware at affordable prices. From today's perspective, the 1st generation of the smartphone is no longer up to date:

• Performance: The first Moto G uses a Snapdragon 400 processor with 1.2 GHz. Together with 1 GB of RAM, the performance is sufficient for the Android system and everyday apps such as Facebook, Google Chrome or smaller games. The Moto G quickly reaches its limits with complex games or image processing apps that require a lot of RAM.
• Display: At just 4.5 inches, the Moto G of the 1st generation is one of the small smartphones today. The display has a resolution of 720 x 1, 280 pixels, which results in a good pixel density of 328 dpi. The brightness of 379.6 is also above average. All in all, the display cuts a good figure in the test.
• Equipment: While the manufacturer waived LTE for the very first version of the Moto G, an LTE version was submitted a few months after the start of sales. In addition, the 1st generation Moto G offers WLAN-n and Bluetooth 4.0. However, there is no NFC and the battery cannot be replaced. After all, you can expand the lean memory of 8 GB in the LTE version with a microSD card.
• Camera: The biggest criticism of the oldest Moto G is the camera. Regardless of whether it is daylight, artificial light or dim light: due to its 5 megapixels, the cam has great difficulty reproducing a motif in a clear and true color. After all, there is an LED flash and an HD front camera.
• Price: The first generation Moto G with LTE support and memory card slot is available from around 150 euros.

2nd generation: The Moto G is growing

The 2nd generation Moto G appeared exactly one year after the first release. Motorola promised a better display, more features, and a sharper camera.

• Performance: The 2nd generation Moto G also continues to use the Snapdragon 400 with 1.2 GHz and 1 GB of RAM. This was already too little in 2014 and therefore already deserves criticism.
• Display: The Moto G 2014 screen grows to 5 inches. Unfortunately, the resolution remains the same. This reduces the pixel density to an average of 293 dpi. The brightness of 352.4 candelas per square meter does not match the top values ​​of the 1st generation, but it is still very good.
• Equipment: When it comes to the equipment, not much has changed compared to the predecessor. Again there are two versions: with and without LTE. There are also WLAN-n, Bluetooth 4.0, 8 GB of storage space and a microSD slot. The battery, on the other hand, can still not be replaced and you will also search in vain for NFC.
• Camera: The rear camera resolves in the 2nd generation of the Moto G with 8 megapixels. However, this does not change much in the results: In the test, blurring and strong noise effects repeatedly appear as soon as the exposure gets worse. Even the LED flash cannot change that. The front camera is even worse: it only shoots blurry selfies with only 2 megapixels.
• Price: The second generation of the Moto G now only costs around 150 euros. Due to the meager renovations, however, this also seems fair.

3rd generation: the Moto G at its peak?

Motorola has already received criticism for the camera twice with its Moto G. With the 3rd generation 2015 this should no longer happen.

• Performance: In addition to the camera, the manufacturer has also increased the hardware. A Snapdragon 410 with 1.4 GHz should work even faster. However, since the RAM remains at 1 GB and the CPU's performance upgrade is limited, the improvement is hardly noticeable in practice.
• Display: Like the predecessor, the HD display remains at 5 inches with 293 dpi. The maximum brightness, on the other hand, rises to a whopping 486.0 candelas per square meter. This makes the display a little highlight.
• Equipment: As with the previous models, the equipment remains unspectacular. In addition to LTE, WLAN-n and Bluetooth 4.0, there is a small internal memory of 8 GB and an SD card slot. NFC is still missing and the battery is still permanently installed.
• Camera: The camera can finally convince you. With 13 megapixels and good lighting, the 3rd generation Moto G finally shoots sharp and true-to-color images. The front camera with 5 megapixels also cuts a fine figure.
• Price: The latest generation of the Moto G now costs around 160 euros.

Conclusion: what lasts long will finally be good

• After a rough start, Motorola has slowly but continuously improved its Moto-G smartphones. The camera in particular has gotten good with the 3rd generation.
• The only point of criticism remains the small memory of 8 GB, which can be enlarged with a microSD card.
• Since the prices of the three generations are now on the same level, you should go directly to the latest version.

In the next article we will show you how you can use your new Moto G as a flashlight.