Lenovo's affordable Moto G range gets a fifth-generation for 2017
We saw Lenovo and Motorola's 2017 roadmap leak just recently and sure enough a new fifth generation of Moto G devices was present and correct, and now, as of December 3, images and details have leaked regarding the Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus, including specs and a launch date.
Moto’s G brand, while mid-range, has consistently provided excellent value, utility and specs and features over the years. The company’s first stab at a solid, mid-range handset was hugely successful and, since then, the company, now owned by Lenovo, has consistently pushed the boundaries of what to expect from a phone in this price bracket.
Design has always been key. Ditto usable specs and features. The resulting combination of both has historically yielded very impressive results. Couple this with Moto’s brilliant track-record at getting Android updates out to its handsets and you’ve got yourself one hell of a winning combination!
The Moto G4 was amazing. Richard even dedicated an entire post to the handset, claiming no one really needs anything more than a Moto G4. He was right too; for most people a Moto G handset is perfect – they’re cheap, powerful and run the latest build of Android.
Sure, there’s more expensive options. But so what? Most people don’t drive flagship models of cars, preferring cheaper, more economically-sound versions. Why should phones be any different?
If you’re thinking about getting on top of your finances in 2017 and want to start saving some cash, going the SIM-free route with your mobile is a great place to start.
Networks charge a fortune to lease handsets like Apple’s latest iPhone but by buying a cheaper phone like the Moto G5 (once it’s available) outright, you take yourself out of this cycle. Then you’re free to shop around for the best deal possible on your minutes, data and calls.
Another combo breaker Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus leak has hit the web. On the one hand we have leaked live photos of the regular Moto G5 in the hands of some lucky individual; these come via a Brazilian website and we can see the "About Phone" page is displayed on the screen; we're not 100% sure if this is the Moto G5 or the Moto G5 Plus, you can see the "Moto G" text with a smaller figure next to it, now that could be a number five, or it could be a "+" symbol, in the past the Moto G series has tended to simply be referred to by Motorola/Lenovo as the Moto G, sometimes with the year in brackets, so it could be a fifth edition "Moto G+", so to speak. As you can see, the photos are of pretty high quality so we get a good look at the design, fit, and finish of the handset, it appears to be made of a good quality plastic with a slightly glossy finish and that central camera module on the rear is a standout design feature.
Meanwhile, reliable Twitter tipster @evleaks delivered the goods for the Moto G5 Plus model with a set of VERY official looking renders; these look like the real deal product renders for the launch, and given Evan Blass' connections that seems quite likely.
Leaked screenshots have emerged, apparently from a product page, due to the "learn more" hyperlinks included; perhaps this is an internal test page from inside Lenovo/Motorola. The names are quite clearly given as Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus and we can see the front panel of each device which, somewhat unsurprisingly for the G-series, look very similar to the last-gen.
Bundled-in with the images is a specs sheet, which details 5.5in Full HD 1080p displays on both models (so the "Plus" is not referring to physical or display size), as well as octa-core processors (though the specifics are not revealed), 5MP front-camers, and fast turbo-charging for battery cells.
The Moto G5 has a 13MP primary camera and 16GB of onboard storage, while the Moto G5 Plus seems to have an additional 32GB storage option, a fingerprint scanner, and a higher-rated 16MP primary camera. Both handsets are pegged for a March 8 2017 launch.
More Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus images have leaked, this time they're official product renders and promotional images and have also hit the web with a full list of specs. Coming via Droid Life, as well as the renders of the Moto G5 Plus, there's a couple of massive infographics detailing every aspect of the both the Moto G5 and the Moto G5 Plus, and there's also a full spec sheet. First, the Moto G5 Plus renders:
Then the spec table:
| Moto G5 | Moto G5 Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 5-inch FHD (1080p, 441ppi) Gorilla Glass 3 | 5.2-inch FHD (1080p, 424ppi) Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Software | Android 7.0 Nougat | Android 7.0 Nougat |
| Storage | 32GB MicroSD (up to 128GB) | 64GB MicroSD (up to 128GB) |
| RAM | 2GB | 2GB |
| Battery | 2800mAh (removable) Rapid charging | 3000mAh TurboPower charging |
| Camera | Rear: 13MP Front: 5MP | Rear: 12MP Dual Autofocus Pixels Front: 5MP |
| Processor | 1.4GHz Snapdragon 430 octa-core | 2.0GHz Snapdragon 625 octa-core |
| Size | 144.3 x 73 x 9.5mm 145g | 150.2 x 74 x 7.9mm 155g |
| Sensors | Fingerprint reader Accelerometer Gyroscope Ambient Light Proximity | Fingerprint reader NFC Accelerometer Gyroscope Ambient Light Proximity |
| Water resistance | Water repellent coating | Water repellent coating |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n Bluetooth 4.2 | 4G LTE WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Wireless bands | CDMA: 850, 1900 MHZ GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1700/1900, 2100 MHZ) 4G LTE (B1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 38, 41, 66) | CDMA: 850, 1900 MHZ GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1700/1900, 2100 MHZ) 4G LTE (B1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 38, 41, 66) |
| Colors | Lunar Grey, Fine Gold | Lunar Grey, Fine Gold |
And now the infographics:
Another leak of the Moto G5 Plus has appeared online. A Brazilian member of the Google+ Moto G4 community claims to have been testing the handset and confirmed some minor features including FM Radio, Digital TV, and the use of a nanoSIM card slot. A photo was also posted complete with the protective plastic film, which shows a number of key features including a 5.2in Full HD (1080p) display, 2GHz octa-core CPU, 12MP "rapid focus" camera, fingerprint scanner, NFC, and a 3,000mAh "TurboPower" battery.
As of January 28, the Moto G5 has passed through the US FCC certification authority ahead of its expected launch at MWC 2017. The certification reveals a few snippets of info about the handset's specs and capabilities, including built-in NFC support - which is a first for the lower-cost Moto G series. Additionally, a sizeable 3,000mAh battery cell is shown, which is quite large for a budget model and more in-line with what flagships typically carry. It also brings it very close to the rumoured 3,100mAh spec for the Moto G5 Plus.
Additionally, that juicer can be quick charged due to the certification including reference to fast charger with a 14.4W output at 9V/1.6A or 12V/1.2A.
January 19 sees yet another double-whammy of leaked photos and specs for the Moto G5 Plus. The new photos aren't much too look at, being fairly blurry and not showing much of the device's design, however, crucially, the handset is shown running the CPU-Z software, which appears to confirm the previously leaked specs (below, January 10) are accurate. The model designated XT1685 features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 CPU with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, while the software is Android 7.0 Nougat. It also lists the 5.5in 1080p display and both 12MP primary and 5MP secondary cameras.
As of January 10 a fresh batch of leaked images has emerged showing someone going hands-on with the Moto G5 Plus. The snaps emerged via an online marketplace in Romania, where someone is apparently selling a Moto G5 Plus prototype unit marked as XT1685. As well as the images, which show a similar design language to the leaked Moto X (2017), there's a full set of specs too.
Amongst the details is an expected March release date, a 5.5in 1080p display, Android 7.0 Nougat, a fingerprint scanner, 13MP and 5MP cameras, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 CPU, 4GB RAM, 32GB storage, and a battery rated at 3,080mAh.
All of Android Nougat’s New Features
Performance
- JIT compiler: The new JIT compiler improves runtime device performance, reduces the amount of storage space required for apps and makes app and system updates much faster.
- VR mode: With VR mode, Android Nougat is ready to transport you to new worlds. Coming soon with Daydream and Daydream-ready phones.
- Vulkan™ API: Vulkan API is a real game changer with high-performance 3D graphics. See apps spring to life with sharper graphics and eye candy effects.
Battery & Data
- Doze: Doze is now dozier, with your device going into lower power usage when you’re on the move. That means your Android device will conserve battery even when it’s jostling around in your pocket.
- Data saver: Limit how much data your device uses with Data Saver. When Data Saver is turned on, apps in the background won't be able to access mobile data.
Productivity
- Split-screen mode: Now you can multitask with ease. Run two apps side by side in split-screen mode – watch a movie while texting, or read a recipe with your timer open.
- Picture-in-picture mode: On Android TV, you can continue watching your current video while browsing or changing settings.
- Quick switch: Double tap the Overview button to switch between your two most recently used apps.
Notifications
- Bundled notifications: See what’s new at a glance with bundled notifications from individual apps. Simply tap to view each alert.
- Direct reply: Direct reply lets you quickly reply to a message, directly from within the notification shade. So, you no longer need to launch the app to send a quick response.
- Notification controls: When a notification pops up, just press and hold to toggle the settings. For instance, you can silence future alerts from an app in the notification itself.
System Improvements
- Customisable Quick Settings: Rearrange your Quick Setting tiles so you can get to what you want faster.
- Quick Settings bar: Quick Settings has been redesigned so that you can get faster access to top Quick Settings tiles directly in the notification shade.
- Improved Settings navigation: Find the right setting faster with an updated navigation menu in Settings.
- Settings suggestions: Within Settings, get suggestions for how to get even more out of your device.
- 'Clear all' in Overview: Instantly close all of your apps running in the background by tapping 'clear all' in Overview.
- Emergency information: Emergency Information lets you add information such as name, blood type, allergies and an emergency contact so that emergency responders can view this information through your device's lock screen.
- Lockscreen wallpaper: You can now have different wallpapers on your device's homescreen and lockscreen.
Privacy & Security
- Direct boot: When restarting your device, Direct Boot helps it start up faster and ensures that important communications still run. So before you even put in your password, you'll still get that important text message and hear your alarm clock ring.
- Seamless software updates: On select, new devices running Android Nougat, OS updates can download in the background, so you can go on with your day while your device syncs with the latest OS.
- File-based encryption: Building on top of our security platform, Android Nougat introduces file-based encryption. By encrypting at the file level instead of the block level, Android can better isolate and protect files for individual users on your device.
- Scoped folder access: Apps can request access to specific folders that you can allow or deny access to (just like app runtime permissions). This is a reduced-scope version of the Storage permission for Apps that only need access to certain folders. It can also allow Apps to request direct access to removable media (on devices with that hardware).
- Trusted face: Trusted face, a part of Smart Lock, makes unlocking even easier thanks to a new face recogniser. The new recogniser is less sensitive to conditions like lighting, facial decorations (eyewear, facial hair, etc.), and how you hold your phone. Available on selected devices.
According to reports the Moto G5 will go on sale immediately after MWC 2017. The news comes via Twitter source Roland Quandt, who received a tip including database details from a UK retailer, apparently Clove.co.uk. The image shows stock "due mid March" and lists both gold and grey colour variants, each with 2GB RAM and 16GB onboard storage.
"Motorola Moto G5 will be in retail shortly after MWC launch it seems - this coming from a UK retailer," said Quandt.
The Moto G5 Plus has leaked again on January 12, this time an official looking press render style image - as you can see it looks pretty much like what we've seen before.
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