Motorola on Tuesday announced three new models of smartphone, each designed with a different demographic in mind. One is a successor to an existing line while the other two are variations on another line. Beginning today and rolling out over the coming weeks are the Moto G, Moto X Style, and Moto X Play.
Moto G (3rd Gen.)
Available immediately via Motorola.com, the new Moto G can be had for as low as $179.99 — off contract, of course. Options include 8GB storage with 1GB RAM as well as 16GB storage with 2GB RAM.
Powered by Android Lollipop, the phone offers a 5-inch full HD display, 13-megapixel rear camera, and front-facing 5-megapixel camera. Water resistant, the Moto G is rated against splashes and drops in water and can withstand up to 30 minutes in a meter of water.
Internally, the handset runs a quad-core Qualcomm 410 processor and can be designed with either of the aforementioned memory combinations. There is a difference of $40 between the 8GB/1GB and 16GB/2GB option.
Rounding out the specs are a microSD expansion card slot, 4G LTE support, and a 2470mAh battery. In terms of added software, Motorola has kept it light, loading Moto Display and Moto Assist.
The 2015 (3rd Gen.) edition also marks the first time the Moto G can be customized using the Moto Maker tool. With two front colors and ten back plate colors, it’s possible to deck out your device in a handpicked accent color; engraving is also available. As an added bonus, the back plates can be removed and changed using shells and flip shells at a later date.
Moto X Play
The first variant of the Moto X family, the Moto X Play boasts a downright ridiculous 3,630mAh battery with Quick Charge technology. Promising two days on a single charge, the phone can pick up 8 hours of battery life from only 15 minutes of charging.
Other details disclosed today were the 5.5-inch full HD screen, 21-megapixel rear camera, and 5-megapixel user-facing camera. Powering the show here is a 1.7GHz Qualcomm 610 processor; storage and memory is not yet known.
Motorola has not revealed pricing was nor specific U.S. plans at this time. Moto X Play will be available starting in August in various countries across Europe, Latin America, and Canada (sorry, it won’t be available in the US, but we’ll have more choices for you all later this year). Moto X Style will be available in countries across Europe, Latin America and North America starting in September. News for Asia Pacific, China and India will come later this year.
Moto X Style
Considered a “Pure Edition” handset in the U.S., the unlocked phone will feature universal banding which means support for LTE networks around the world.
Like its predecessor, the Moto X Style can be designed via Moto Maker with rear panel materials that include wood, leather, and silicon.
In terms of specs, this version packs a 5.7-inch screen, 21-megapixel rear camera, and Quick Charge capabilities. Shipping with Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, the Moto X Style will be arrive in the US in September with a price tag of $399.
New accessories
In addition to the three new devices, Motorola also introduced the Moto Pulse and Moto Surround, new audio device “that fit with our busy on-the-go lifestyles”.
The Pulse is an ultra-light, wireless on-ear Bluetooth headphone that delivers up to 18 hours of continuous playtime. Available through motorola.com immediately, the unit is priced at $59.99.
The Surround is an earbud designed to wear around the collar and which promises 12 hours of playtime. Sweat-proof and waterproof, the headset also has a built-in mic and volume buttons for taking calls. It, too, is available starting today on motorola.com with a $69.99 sticker.
