As expected the new terminals in the range Motorola G4 They are completely official and come with a fairly deep renovation to try to maintain their reign in the mid-range of the product. Therefore, the company now owned by Lenovo bets again strongly not to be left behind in the most competitive market of the Android Universe.
The manufacturer is offering two models: the Motorola Moto G4 and the Moto G4 Plus. Some common features have been revealed, such as the inclusion of a fingerprint reader in the model Motorola G4 Plus or that the cameras are quite a bit better than previous generations on both models. Therefore, the momentum that is sought is great so as not to be overtaken by the increasingly important threats that come from the hands of companies like Xiaomi.
Much better hardware
An example of this is that the processor is leaving the Snapdragon 400 series to jump to the 600 series. Specifically, the SoC is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 617This is an eight-core component with Cortex-A53 (64-bit) architecture clocked at 1,5 GHz, manufactured using a 28 nm process, offering solid performance for multitasking and demanding applications. The GPU is an Adreno 405, capable of smoothly running 3D games within its segment.
Regarding RAM, the Motorola Moto G4 comes in three varieties: 2, 3 and 4 GB —the last two being exclusive to the Moto G4 Plus—, which opens up the range for the user to select what they want. In specific markets, the G4 Plus It was marketed in combinations 2 / 16, 3 / 32 and 4 / 64, an approach that helps to match price and needs.
Storage options also vary, depending on the selected RAM. Specifically, the new device offers the following: 16, 32 and 64 GB, with the possibility of expanding it through the use of microSD cards up to 256GBAndroid allows the mode Adoptable Storage, useful for integrating the microSD as part of the internal memory and gaining space for heavy applications.
Regarding the battery, the two new members of the Motorola Moto G4 range include an element of 3.000 mAhwhich is larger than the previous generation and promises greater autonomy. By the way, the TurboPower fast charging —based on Quick Charge 3.0— is present and, in 15 minutes, energy is obtained for about six hours; Only the Moto G4 Plus includes the fast charger in the box. As usual, it will not be possible to replace the battery.
Bigger screen
The panel that is part of the Motorola Moto G4 is 5,5 inchesTherefore, it grows from the five-star model it replaces. Furthermore, the resolution is Full HD, so 720p and pixel density are left behind (401 dpi) is more than enough to make the image quality convincing. The cover of Gorilla Glass 3 It adds scratch resistance, and the screen-to-body ratio is approximately 71% of the front. All in a model that is less than 10 millimeters thick.
The operating system that arrives in the new Motorola Moto G4 is Android MarshmallowTherefore, it is perfectly up-to-date, and we'll see if the iterations and the updates They arrive with the speed that was once one of the hallmarks of this product range—incidentally, the interface called
Moto Pure It includes minimal bloatware and customization. There will be both single SIM and dual SIM models, always compatible with Volta.
Integrated cameras
The front-facing camera that comes with both variants of the Motorola Moto G4 is... 5 megapixels with opening f / 2.2Suitable for selfies and video calls; it also allows recording Full HDAs for the main one, it reaches 16 Mpx from OmniVision on the G4 Plus (of 13 Mpx the one from the Moto G4) with technology PureCel Plus, opening f / 2.0 and a focusing system that combines PDAF y laser at the
G4 PlusIt adds a dual-tone LED flash and features such as HDR, ICE (electronic stabilization) and recording to 1080p / 30fpsIn independent laboratories, the G4 Plus camera received outstanding ratings for its segment, ranking among the best in its price category.
Software, features and updates
Both phones feature Android close to stock, with added features from the manufacturer such as Motorcycle Display (contextual notifications) and Moto Actions (gestures to activate the camera or flashlight). They came standard with marshmallow and they were updated quickly: the Moto G4 reached nougat in most markets, while the Moto G4 Plus officially advanced to Android 8.1 Oreo in different countries.
Connectivity and sensors
Connectivity is extensive for its range: LTE with speeds up to 150 / 50 Mbps, compatibility with Volta, Wifi 802.11 a / b / g / n in 2,4 and 5 GHz, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS support GLONASS y Beidou, FM radio, connector of 3,5 mm y MicroUSB 2.0 support OTG. In sensors, they include accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity y ambient light; the fingerprint reader It's exclusive to the Moto G4 Plus. It's not offered. NFC nor infrared port.
Design, ergonomics and construction
Regarding the design, it should be noted that the colors in which it will be sold are the white and the blackTherefore, there's no major innovation here. The weight of both models is 155 grams and the full dimensions are as follows: 153 x 76,6 x 7,9 to 9,8 mmThe body is made of polycarbonate with a textured back and features water-repellent nano-coating —suitable for splashes, not for immersion—. Through Motorcycle Maker (depending on the market) it was possible to customize covers and accents.
Key differences between Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus
- Rear camera: 16 MP with PDAF + laser and f/2.0 in the G4 Plus; 13 MP in the G4.
- Fingerprint reader: only present in the Moto G4 Plus, fast and accurate for unlocking and authentication.
- Memory: more options in the Plus (up to 4 GB of RAM y 64 GB), while the G4 focuses on 2 GB / 16 GB and intermediate variants depending on the country.
- Accessories: both are compatible with TurboPowerThe fast charger is included with the Plus.
Price, availability and additional notes
At its international launch, prices were positioned in a competitive mid-range segment, with indicative figures around 200–230 euros for the base configurations —depending on country, taxes and promotions— and with close equivalencies to the 169–199 pounds in certain markets. Dollar amounts were also seen for India and Australia at similar levels. Both the G4 and G4 Plus models are offered in black and white., with Single SIM and Dual SIM variants depending on the region.
As an additional reference within the family, There is a Moto G4 Play The more affordable model, with a 5-inch HD screen, 2.800 mAh battery, and more modest hardware, is designed for those who prioritize size and price over performance; however, the focus of the range is represented by the Moto G4 and G4 Plus described above.
As is the case with many popular phones, some users reported specific incidents at the time, such as the so-called “ghost touches” with high brightness. In most cases, update firmware and keeping the screen clean mitigated the behavior, which was covered by warranty on affected units.
En development.
However, this generation represented a clear leap forward: more screen, best cameras, larger battery with fast charging or with a balanced hardware which, along with clean Android and expandable memory options, established the Moto G4 and G4 Plus as two of the most well-rounded mid-range phones of their time.
